No, this is not a course you can enroll take at PackerChatters U. Rather it is the episode number of the most recent installment of Packers Therapy. I just wanted to note that you will hear an article referenced during the podcast, a piece by Mark Bowden (author of "Blackhawk Down") that appeared in last month's Atlantic Monthly. I wanted to post a link to the article here for those that are interested...


We recorded this one rather late at night (Dave and I have been busy at our jobs recently so we had to squeeze it in at an off hour), so we are a bit loopy. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed doing it (but don't be surprised if you hear more than the usual unfocused digressions and fatigued commentary).

I just finished listening to Pod 101. Glad to see you (Chris) came around on Nick Collins. Loved the quote (Dave ?) about him sucking all the ability out of Nick Barnett (and that only one Nick can play well at any one time).

I did think you were 'away with the fairies' on that comment about Jolly playing at end. In fact I thought it was completely bonkers (but in a nice way ). You can break down how our defense handled runs as follows (but remember, plays to LT, go to the right side DE)
LE = Outside Left Tackle
LT = Left Tackle
BTG = Between the Guards
RT = Right Tackle
RE = Outside right Tackle

In the last few years, including 2008 (up to 14 Oct), here is how our run defence stacks up against the rest of the league.
Year_LE__LT_BTG__RT__RE
2006_23_ 24__26__11_13
2007_26__25__8___25__6
2008_14__11__31__30_19


These stats shows one thing up, as clear as can be. Plays to the LE and LT (going to the RDE), are ranked 14th and 11th, not too shabby. However against plays going up the middle and behind the Offense's right tackle we rank 31st and 30th (out of 32 of course), which is truly pathetic. How the same players managed to fall from 8th (2007) to 31st (2008) against runs up the middle I have no idea. We badly need better run-stopping up the middle, by the DTs. We need everybody we can get in there, to rotate them constantly, both to keep them fresh, and to present different challenges. With Harrell probably playing at least some snaps against Indy, we can now use a four man DT rotation (assuming Pickett plays), giving those big bodies more of a breather.

It wouldn't hurt either, if our coaches really got after the DTs to up their game, and show more intensity. Time for Mr. Nunns motivational classes to begin in earnest.

I would leave Jeremy Thompson out there at right end. He was always a good run stopper, but when he was with Wake Forest, the kind of gap control stuff they played did not allow him to refine his pass-rush skills much, before coming to Green Bay. He is a better bet than KGB at the moment and is getting valuable on-the-job training. With Jenkins on IR, Montgomery and Hunter both injured, and KGB not the force that he once was, Thompson has to learn as he goes.

It is interesting to note that the majority of the DEs in Green Bay are in the 270lb class, which is about what you want in a 4-3 front. That includes Hunter, Mongomery, Thompson, Kampman and practice squad guy Hardie. KGB is a lightweight, the same as new addition Pettway (both are 250). I have never liked those lighter weight guys very much, they cannot hold up against OLTs that are comfortably over 300lbs. Cullen Jenkins is a different kind of end, at a chunky 6'2", 305.

I do wonder if Kampman slimming down about 20lbs to 265lbs has drastically affected his run blocking skills (he was listed as 284 at the start of 2005). He may be partly to blame for our poor defense against runs behind RT, but it's also possible the Packers coaches have encouraged him to slim down to help his pass-rush speed, and are happy to live with the consequences.

My final thought on a completely different subject. IMO it would be no bad thing if Bigby missed the Indy game. He was too undisciplined against the pass last year, gambling for interceptions and big hits. A comeback game against the Indy receivers and Peyton Manning may be exactly the wrong thing for the team. I'd much rather see him make his return at the Titans game.

Very interesting stats -- I would have guessed that opponents ran to the GB left more than that apparently do. I also thought that AK74 was a better anchor v. the run than the stats suggest.

I understand your concerns about Bigby, but I think he's a playmaker and they benefit by having him on the field. He led the team in INTs last year and is one of the few hitters they have on the team. While his flaw might hurt from time to time, this defense is short on guys who can make big plays, so I think they are better on balance with him on the field.

It appears Bud Grant is alive and well (well, maybe not well--he works for the Queens):


It's Alive

Glad to hear that Bud still walks among us...

Remember: It's not who you play, but when you play them!

Did you see this?
http://nmsn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/869474...insider-trading?
http://www.620wtmj.com/sports/31253549.html

I'd love to hear your guys thoughts on this next week. Ridiculous if it's true.

Thanks for making sure we saw this. Definitely something to comment on, to be sure.

Seems like it is still in "rumor" phase, so I'm going to hold from letting it change how I feel about Favre. I've been able to get over all the back and forth accusations that happened before hand during the un-retirement. This would be a different beast though....