Despite Loss, Packers Exceptional Defense is Key
By CHRIS HAVEL
This wasn’t merely an exhibition game. It was a snapshot of the Green Bay Packers’ formula for success this season.
It features suffocating defense, stellar special teams play and just enough offense to keep opponents off balance.
It isn’t always pretty, and without a semblance of a running game it isn’t always going to be enough, as the case in the Packers’ 21-13 loss to Jacksonville Thursday night at Lambeau Field. But like it or not, it is the Packers’ basic blueprint for winning in the twilight of Brett Favre’s career and beyond.
The lynchpin is a Packers defense that has the potential to be dominating. Green Bay’s No. 1 unit shut out the Jaguars 10-0 in the first half. It smothered running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew—a tandem that set the franchise’s single-season rushing record in 2006—and it kept the Jaguars’ moribund receivers at bay.
The Packers’ defense can be special for two reasons.
First, it can stop the run without having to stack eight or nine defenders at the line of scrimmage. Second, it can pressure the quarterback with only four pass rushers.
Those are the key elements to any exceptional defense, and the Packers are blessed to have the personnel to accomplish both.
It starts with a stellar front seven.
Defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins force offenses to pick their poison. Whom do they double-team? The Pro Bowl left end (Kampman) or the ascending right end (Jenkins)? In pass rush situations it gets more difficult when Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and/or Jason Hunter come into the game. Furthermore, tackles Corey Williams, Ryan Pickett, Justin Harrell and Colin Cole represent a formidable inside rotation.
A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and Brady Poppinga have a chance to be one of the National Football League’s most powerful linebacker units. If rookie Desmond Bishop’s blow-‘em-up hits, sure tackling and exceptional range weren’t a mirage, and Tracy White continues to excel on special teams, the unit has great depth as well as talent.
So long as Charles Woodson and Al Harris stay healthy, and safeties Nick Collins, Atari Bigby and Aaron Rousse continue to develop the secondary should be OK.
The special teams received a spark with Will Blackmon’s emergence as the return specialist, and improved athleticism at receiver, defensive back and linebacker should make the coverage units better. Jon Ryan is a top-notch punter and kickers Dave Rayner and Mason Crosby are so good that coach Mike McCarthy is threatening to keep both on the 53-man roster.
That leaves an offense that needs to establish better chemistry in the passing attack and at least a modicum of success in the running game.
As it stands, the Packers’ only chance to move the chains is with Favre avoiding sacks, taking what the defense gives and finding ways to complete third-down passes. It is a tenuous way to operate on offense because NFL defenses will figure out how to stop the passing game once they don’t fear the running game.
That is where McCarthy must earn his keep. If he is to garner a contract extension in the second year of a three-year deal, it might rest on his ability to get the running game off the ground. After three exhibition games a measly 3 yards a carry would be welcome. Favre knows all the tricks of his trade, but even he can’t be expected to carry the offense with one critical third-down completion upon another. Eventually, the margin for error becomes too slim, and the chances for mistakes—especially with a young receiving corps—ultimately catch up with an offense.
The Packers are on their way to building every phase of the game, but as long as the running attack fizzles they can only go so far.
They need rookie Brandon Jackson to stick with it. They need veteran Vernand Morency to get healthy. They need the offensive line, tight end and fullback to find defenders and put them on the ground.
Until that happens, and the running game begins to click, the Packers are a .500 team with too much unrealized potential to be a great deal more.
Chris Havel is a freelance writer, best-selling author and host of northeast Wisconsin’s top-rated sports radio talk show, Sports Line, heard Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sports Radio 107.5 FM and 1400 AM THE FAN. He writes a weekly column exclusively for Packers Fan Tours’ Website throughout the 2007 season.
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