This week let’s take a look at the Packers defense as we try
to project the roster for week one. This will be harder to do than the offense
was, so let’s give it our best shot. Before we get into the nuts and bolts of who will start, we must mention that the defense performed a bit better in 2013, when compared to 2012, where they finished dead last. There is so much room for improvement, that moving up a half dozen spots would still place the team in the bottom half of the league. If the Packers want to go deep into the 2014 playoffs, they have to make massive improvements.
If we were to take a serious look at how the Packers defensive line performed in 2013, when compared to the rest of the NFL, they rank 26th. That's not so hot. The team lacked the ability to stop teams that reached the "second level" on the field, only rating better than two other teams in that category. They
gave up 4.26 yards when using the "adjusted line" stats. Still, the team will be going with some familiar names, going into 2014.
Defensive Lineman: Starters: B.J. Raji, Datone Jones, Josh
Boyd. Backups: Jerel Worthy, Mike Daniels, Khyri Thornton, Leroy Guion.
This unit is all over the place. This was our best shot at
trying to determine the starters. The truth is any of these guys could end up
starting. We believe Jones will start along with Boyd, but the truth is, this
is wide open and we will not know until the end of camp.
Linebackers: Starters: Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, A.J. Hawk,
Brad Jones. Backups: Mike Neal, Julius Peppers, Jamari Lattimore, Carl
Bradford, Nate Palmer, Sam Barrington,.
The big stunner here may be the listing of Julius Peppers as
a backup.
We don’t think Peppers will start but he will be key. We believe the
Packers are going to use big rotation along the seven man front to keep
everyone fresh and healthy. Can Clay Matthews stay healthy for an entire
season? If so, look out, if not, well than that contract could become a burden
really fast.
Defensive Backs: Starters: Sam Shields, Tramon Williams,
Morgan Burnett, HaHa Clinton-Dix. Backups: Devon
House, Casey Heyward, Micah Hyde, Sean Richardson.
If they all stay healthy and play to their abilities this
might be the deepest defensive secondary in the league. Williams could end up
as the Nickel though s both Heyward and House could send him to the bench. I
would say that is what the coaches want to happen, but Williams is a nice
insurance policy. I think this is the year Bush finally doesn’t make the
roster. The coaches really like Richardson as well.