We really have a shot at this...

[monstercat]

Is Green Bay's defense really that much better than Arizonas'? I saw plenty of open receivers in that game against the Saints and Darren Sproles was tearing them up. The only difference in that game was Green Bay's redzone defense.

Yeah, I know that everybody is gonna say that the Saints are awesome and the Cardinals suck, but we really don't even know that yet. Last year don't mean a thing right now, especially since Arizona was like us and didn't have a QB, so it will take a few weeks before we really know how good any of these teams are, including the Panthers.

I'm not predicting a win, but there is no reason to believe that the Panthers can't be competitive on Sunday.

[lightsout]

We didn't run the ball particularly well in week 1, in fact I think DeAngelo Williams looks like he's done.

This is probably the most ignorant thing uttered so far this season. You realize that the RBs are entirely dependent on the OL, right? If there is no room to run, and if you're experiencing initial contact either a yard short of the LOS or at the LOS, you are not going to be able to run the ball. Barry Sanders is one of few RBs to ever play the game who was able to still get something out of that sort of "blocking," if you can even call it that. And he isn't exemplary of your typical running back because he is a once in a lifetime player.

Deangelo is fine. Stewart is fine. Just need room to run. I will say there were some runs, particularly by Stewart, where you need to just lower your shoulder and push forward to get what you can instead of dancing at the LOS with 3 defenders around you. That isn't indicative of our RBs being bad, but rather just trying to do too much.

[SCP]

Congrats on starting him last week. Almost everyone on here ripped you for even drafting him. I assume I can congrats you on the win as well?

You can.

[rpiotr01]

Hey everyone,

Packer fan here, just thought I'd give some perspective on the game coming up this Sunday.

When clicking, the Packers offense can be a thing to behold. I've never quite seen anything like it with this team, and that includes the Favre years. Rodgers has complete command of the offense; the WRs are vets that know their routes; they're all on the same page when it comes to breaking off routes and knowing where everyone is going to be. That's why it's so hard to blitz Rodgers - he's deadly against it.

They do have flaws, however. If they get up a couple scores they tend to fall asleep, leaving opposing teams the chance to jump back in. They don't have the "60 minutes, pedal to the metal" attitude that Brady's Patriots have. They handle the blitz beautifully, but have the most trouble against teams with a strong front 4 who can get pressure one-on-one. Chicago, for example, always gives them fits because they get pressure from their front 4 and play very disciplined in their zone coverage. It frustrates this team, because Rodgers can dink and dunk but he gets impatient with it.

Defensively, I see a lot of talk on here about how the Panthers will be able to run on GB. This is very true. While technically a 3-4 defense, Dom Capers has them play a 2-4-5 most of the time, sometimes a 1-5-5. Teams will be able to run the ball on GB. But here's the rub: Capers doesn't seem to care. He knows it's a passing league, and pts are put up through the air. He'll gladly give up 115 or so on the ground - that's a lot of yards, but not enough to really control and own a game - as long as the D can bend and not break through the air. When they want to, they have the personnel to put a TON (quite literally...) of weight on the DL with Raji, Pickett and Howard Green. Most of the time Capers chooses to use a lot of nickel, which allows the second most vital player on the D - Charles Woodson - to roam and play that unique CB/S/LB role.

OLB Clay Matthews is all-pro right now. His opposite number, Eric Walden, is pretty good. Better against the run than the pass. Can pass rush enough. Look for your TEs - especially Olson (can't believe the Bears traded him - oh well, better off out of the division) to test him early and often. BJ Raji is a monster whether at NT or DL. He can rush the passer from either spot. You guys may get a break, because if I know Mike McCarthy, Tramon Williams, our best cover corner, and Vick So'oto, a promising young pass rushing OLB, will both be out this game. Sam Shields, who has blazing speed, good height but OK technique, will likely draw the short straw against Steve Smith, who plays as tall as Calvin Johnson and as strong as BJ Raji. Woodson is irreplaceable in his role on this defense, but is actually nothing to write home about as a cover corner. I think he lost a step in that regard, so I doubt they dare put him on Smith. More likely to see him on the TE or in the slot - whatever keeps him closer to the ball.

So should be a good game, regardless. Congrats on finally finding a legit QB!

[smitty_89]

Hey everyone,

Packer fan here, just thought I'd give some perspective on the game coming up this Sunday.

When clicking, the Packers offense can be a thing to behold. I've never quite seen anything like it with this team, and that includes the Favre years. Rodgers has complete command of the offense; the WRs are vets that know their routes; they're all on the same page when it comes to breaking off routes and knowing where everyone is going to be. That's why it's so hard to blitz Rodgers - he's deadly against it.

They do have flaws, however. If they get up a couple scores they tend to fall asleep, leaving opposing teams the chance to jump back in. They don't have the "60 minutes, pedal to the metal" attitude that Brady's Patriots have. They handle the blitz beautifully, but have the most trouble against teams with a strong front 4 who can get pressure one-on-one. Chicago, for example, always gives them fits because they get pressure from their front 4 and play very disciplined in their zone coverage. It frustrates this team, because Rodgers can dink and dunk but he gets impatient with it.

Defensively, I see a lot of talk on here about how the Panthers will be able to run on GB. This is very true. While technically a 3-4 defense, Dom Capers has them play a 2-4-5 most of the time, sometimes a 1-5-5. Teams will be able to run the ball on GB. But here's the rub: Capers doesn't seem to care. He knows it's a passing league, and pts are put up through the air. He'll gladly give up 115 or so on the ground - that's a lot of yards, but not enough to really control and own a game - as long as the D can bend and not break through the air. When they want to, they have the personnel to put a TON (quite literally...) of weight on the DL with Raji, Pickett and Howard Green. Most of the time Capers chooses to use a lot of nickel, which allows the second most vital player on the D - Charles Woodson - to roam and play that unique CB/S/LB role.

OLB Clay Matthews is all-pro right now. His opposite number, Eric Walden, is pretty good. Better against the run than the pass. Can pass rush enough. Look for your TEs - especially Olson (can't believe the Bears traded him - oh well, better off out of the division) to test him early and often. BJ Raji is a monster whether at NT or DL. He can rush the passer from either spot. You guys may get a break, because if I know Mike McCarthy, Tramon Williams, our best cover corner, and Vick So'oto, a promising young pass rushing OLB, will both be out this game. Sam Shields, who has blazing speed, good height but OK technique, will likely draw the short straw against Steve Smith, who plays as tall as Calvin Johnson and as strong as BJ Raji. Woodson is irreplaceable in his role on this defense, but is actually nothing to write home about as a cover corner. I think he lost a step in that regard, so I doubt they dare put him on Smith. More likely to see him on the TE or in the slot - whatever keeps him closer to the ball.

So should be a good game, regardless. Congrats on finally finding a legit QB!

thank you for your insight and I mean that. It was too long to read but I did skim through it. You make some great points. Here's to a good game on Sunday! Good LUck!