The Vikings defense gets two games against Brett Favre and the Packers defense does not.
The Vikings defense gets two games against Brett Favre and the Packers defense does not.
Exactly my point... the Chicago Bears should have tought us that you can't simply downgrade a team's defense because of a lackluster offense. If you could, then why in Sam Hill are the Bears ranked #1??? I'm still clueless :whoosh:Rev,
Honestly, my guess is the ranking has more to do with the Packers offense not being able to go on long, sustained drives than it does the personnel on defense, since that would necessarily result in the defense being on the field more...giving up more yards/points and potentially wearing down in the second half.
QB - Favre isn't getting any younger, and feels as though he has to carry the team because....
RB - Green and Davenpoop are hurt, leaving Gado as the feature back (?) Also, Tony Fisher is in St. Louis now, which hurts their depth a bit.
WR - Javon Walker is gone and "Greg Jennings, sir, is no Javon Walker"
O-Line - A problem area for the Pack last season. What has the team done to improve itself on the line this off-season....with a QB who is another year older and an "uninspiring" back-up?
TE - Neutral/pass. Not much different from 2005 IMHO.
THAT is why their defense is ranked lower than it probably should be....at least in my opinion.![]()
Rev,
Honestly, my guess is the ranking has more to do with the Packers offense not being able to go on long, sustained drives than it does the personnel on defense, since that would necessarily result in the defense being on the field more...giving up more yards/points and potentially wearing down in the second half.
QB - Favre isn't getting any younger, and feels as though he has to carry the team because.... This is true. Mike Sherman never put the brakes on Favre and McCarthy is an unknown. I wouldn't look for drastic improvement here.
RB - Green and Davenpoop are hurt, leaving Gado as the feature back (?) Also, Tony Fisher is in St. Louis now, which hurts their depth a bit. Gado averaged nearly the same per game last season as Cadillac did. Not saying he is that good, just that he's better than one might think. Also Green Bay is installing the zone blocking scheme that Atlanta and Denver use. This could vastly improve the rushing game as both Green and Gado have familiarity with that system.
WR - Javon Walker is gone and "Greg Jennings, sir, is no Javon Walker" Wideout is going to be similar to last season. They haven't improved much outside of Jennings, and losing Walker is a huge blow.
O-Line - A problem area for the Pack last season. What has the team done to improve itself on the line this off-season....with a QB who is another year older and an "uninspiring" back-up? They added lineman in the 2nd and 3rd rounds in the draft.
TE - Neutral/pass. Not much different from 2005 IMHO. Agreed.
THAT is why their defense is ranked lower than it probably should be....at least in my opinion.![]()
Rev,The difference between the Bears and Packers though is:1. The have a much better O-Line and 1-2 punch at RB, IMHO.2. McCarthy couldn't hold Lovie Smith's jock-strap in the head coaching dept.3. Their D has been "doing it and doing it and doing it well" for a while now, and has earned that respect/ranking.4. Stability. Aren't all their defensive (and offense?) starters back with the Bears in 2006? Meanwhile the Pack has a new coaching staff, new "CB2", two new LB starters, another LB starter who might be moving positions, changes on the D-Line, etc., etc., etc.I'm not saying the Packers D couldn't be as good or better than Minnesota's.....I'm just speculating as to why the lower ranking.Exactly my point... the Chicago Bears should have tought us that you can't simply downgrade a team's defense because of a lackluster offense. If you could, then why in Sam Hill are the Bears ranked #1??? I'm still clueless :whoosh:
How could you possibly know this? He hasn't even coached a game yet?Rev,The difference between the Bears and Packers though is:Exactly my point... the Chicago Bears should have tought us that you can't simply downgrade a team's defense because of a lackluster offense. If you could, then why in Sam Hill are the Bears ranked #1???
I'm still clueless :whoosh:
1. The have a much better O-Line and 1-2 punch at RB, IMHO.
2. McCarthy couldn't hold Lovie Smith's jock-strap in the head coaching dept.
3. Their D has been "doing it and doing it and doing it well" for a while now, and has earned that respect/ranking.
4. Stability. Aren't all their defensive (and offense?) starters back with the Bears in 2006? Meanwhile the Pack has a new coaching staff, new "CB2", two new LB starters, another LB starter who might be moving positions, changes on the D-Line, etc., etc., etc.
I'm not saying the Packers D couldn't be as good or better than Minnesota's.....I'm just speculating as to why the lower ranking.
3 questions1. How would you compare the packers newcomers to the Vikings by position?I have the Vikes higher because the new attack oriented cover 2 should suit their D line perfectly (sacks) and besides that, their D line could be one of the best in the league this year if James and Udeze develop and stay healthy.
....even if Zippy the Wonder Dog had been hired as the team's new head coach.![]()
1. There's no question that the Packers additions (Hawk, Woodson, Pickett, Manuel among others) will help more than the Vikes (Greenway, Tank Williams, Leber among others)2. I don't think the weather really matters that much in ranking a team D. I care mainly about turnovers, sacks, and the potential for big plays. Cold/wintry weather likely means more conservative play. You may get a shutout or single digit points allowed bonus because of it, but i dont see it producing more of the bread and butter of team D stats.3 questions1. How would you compare the packers newcomers to the Vikings by position?I have the Vikes higher because the new attack oriented cover 2 should suit their D line perfectly (sacks) and besides that, their D line could be one of the best in the league this year if James and Udeze develop and stay healthy.
2. How does the wintery elements at Lambo help the Packer's D in the mid-to late season, which usually lines up with Fantasy playoffs?
3. Don't you think the Vikings will struggle on offense this year which will put more pressure on their defense?
As to point 3, the Vikings offense was largely ineffective all year last year, and there are only modest signs of improvement this offseason. I'd rate the Vikings and Packers respective offenses at about the same tier, so that I'd have to evaluate the defenses on their own merit.I also see the 2 defenses as dead even as well:1. There's no question that the Packers additions (Hawk, Woodson, Pickett, Manuel among others) will help more than the Vikes (Greenway, Tank Williams, Leber among others)2. I don't think the weather really matters that much in ranking a team D. I care mainly about turnovers, sacks, and the potential for big plays. Cold/wintry weather likely means more conservative play. You may get a shutout or single digit points allowed bonus because of it, but i dont see it producing more of the bread and butter of team D stats.3 questions1. How would you compare the packers newcomers to the Vikings by position?I have the Vikes higher because the new attack oriented cover 2 should suit their D line perfectly (sacks) and besides that, their D line could be one of the best in the league this year if James and Udeze develop and stay healthy.
2. How does the wintery elements at Lambo help the Packer's D in the mid-to late season, which usually lines up with Fantasy playoffs?
3. Don't you think the Vikings will struggle on offense this year which will put more pressure on their defense?
3. The Vikes struggled mightily on offense last year, and their team D was still pretty decent when they stiffened up in the 2nd half of the season.