Hold on there a second. You’re telling me that a DC is actually allowed to make changes to his defense and adapt it to the players he has, rather than simpy run it the same way no matter what the personnel or results are? Wow. What a fascinating concept!!

The Press Gazette is reporting that Mike Nolan is favorite to become DC – but not necessarily to run a 3-4 defense. This quote is particularly interesting:

‘“He’s good now. He’s smart,” said the scout who’s familiar with Nolan. “He can run 3-4, 4-3, he knows it all. It depends on what personnel you have. He’ll do whatever, morph to whatever. He’ll use your players to their strengths. He’s smart that way.”’

Using our players to their strengths – sounds good, you would think

The full article is here: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090106/PKR01/90106162/1058

I thought Coach Nolan showed a great deal of class when he was fired from SF. Could he be the man to turn round the Packers D?

Not only did McCarthy rail behind closed doors against the plethora of wide-open receivers, soft run defense, lack of physical play and a slew of fourth-quarter folds, he undoubtedly was aware of unrest among the defensive coaches that started early in the season.

According to one source, Sanders and Nunn stood united in support of the scheme whereas the other coaches to various degrees advocated change.

“Sanders and Nunn wanted to do it the Bates way, that it was tried and true,” the source said. “But there was another camp within the staff headed by Moss that didn’t like the scheme Sanders was using. There was a lot of bitching and griping.

“They caught themselves and didn’t let it continue. But the job is hard enough. It’s even harder if you have to get the assistants on the same page each week.”

Full article here:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/37127204.html#

Which might explain some of the antics on the field during games (linebackers arguing with defensive backs etc)

I also know a couple of women who appear to know as much about defenses as Sanders did.

And I don’t care if Air Bud is our kicker, as long as they are made.

Exciting week.

I am leaning towards Gregg Williams – but then, what do I know?

I disagree about moving Woodson to Safety. I just don’t think its a good idea to move one of the Top 5 guys in the league at his position to a new position. Not saying he would be bad there, but I think he’s most effective at CB, and hopefully Bigby will be healthy enough to own the SS position again. I think Williams will still get plenty of time at CB.

This team is really just a couple of defensive players and a coordinator away from winning 10-12 games next season. I would hate to see the defense struggle for a year trying to convert to a 3-4. It sounds like Kampman, Jenkins, Hawk, and Poppinga would all be poor fits for a 3-4, and it would be difficult to find three or four effective starters for the front-7 in one off-season.