The Green Bay defense has not been elite for quite some time now. After limping to an 8-7-1 record last year, some hoped that defensive coordinator Dom Capers would be on his way out. Yet, a playoff appearance seemed to be enough to keep him on staff. A Super Bowl ring and and an annual contender status seem to be Capers' saving grace. The Packers' defense is far from dominant, but they always find a way, and Green Bay seems to be content with a bend, but don't break mentality. While management seems to be content, fans do not seem to share their satisfaction. After the disaster in the second half against the Saints, many are wondering, what is wrong with the Green Bay defense?
Now, yours truly is not entirely in Capers' corner. He certainly deserves the blame for some of the defensive issues in Green Bay. However, when examining the problem further, fans will see that Capers is not entirely at fault. The problem actually begins with a fundamental misunderstanding between Ted Thompson and Dom Capers. Capers historically has not been a fan of rookies. While young players often provide an extra spark for a football team, they do not come equipped with the knowledge and skills that seasoned players have gained through experience. Ted Thompson does not seem to agree with this philosophy. Thompson retains a young football team, and is quick to let veterans leave. His refusal to sign veterans contradicts with Capers' vision. Dom simply cannot experiment and extend his scheme if his players do not know the fundamentals. The Packers' elected not to re-sign Johnny Jolly, Ryan Pickett, and CJ Wilson, valuing youth over experience. It is difficult to build on defense when there is a constant shuffle of players going through the system.
Additionally, Thompson often does not draft players that compliment Capers' scheme. Always looking for the best available player, Thompson ignores Capers' top needs. The Capers' scheme requires five technique defensive ends, and that is something that Green Bay is lacking. Right now the Packers' biggest problem is that they cannot stop the run. Part of the issue is that the defensive line cannot cover the gaps, and the opposing team finds easy holes to run through. If Thompson does not draft players that work well with a 3-4 defense, then the defense will not be effective.
Dom Capers may not very well be the answer in Green Bay. The 3-4 defense is not as effective as it was when it became popular in the late 1970s. It is entirely possible that the NFL is passing Capers by, but be careful when assessing the Packers' defensive woes, Capers is not the only culprit. A lack of basic communication and cooperation is holding the Packers' back on defense. The organization needs to decide on a direction. Either keep Capers' and start supporting his system, or find a new coordinator that matches Thompson's vision. One thing is certain, until they make a decision, the Packers' will fall short on defense.