"...modernizing and improving his tenets by hiring Keith Butler"

Go look at Steelers fan blogs. You'll see the same discussion. Young secondary players confused and ineffective in soft zone during a blowout playoff loss against an offense that had too many easy options.

Drafting athletes that need time to develop is fine, but there has to be a way for GB to add a little veteran help for a depleted secondary. It should have been anticipated as a potential need before the #1 CB went out for the season.

After Sunday's game I read several comments on other sites like NFL.com, ESPN, or even Acme Packing Company from fans from other teams. Fans from the Broncos, Raiders, Chiefs to name a few all made the same comment... "Aaron Rodgers and the Packers Fans don't deserve to have a DC like Capers and a GM like TT, they deserve better!"

Lets face it, Rodgers and a few offensive players are the reason the Packers made the playoffs. I thought MM did an excellent job of keeping this team together after going 4-6. His offense finally started to execute, especially after he got Cook back and started to use Montgomery more. They were in "Playoff Mode" from week 11 until week 19 when they just finally ran out of gas. The pressure on the Packers Offense was enormous, so much so offensive players on the Packers even commented on it. They felt they had to score on EVERY series and they did. The Offense gives the defense an 18 point lead for much of the game against Dallas and it almost wasn't enough. Yes they won but what Happens if Dak doesn't spike the ball? Rodgers isn't given 33 seconds to work with and the Packers are praying they win the coin toss. That is the reality.

Obviously injuries are a huge reason. We don't know how much of an effect the injuries Randall and Rollins had earlier in the season later on. But as Michelle pointed out, Matt Barkley looked like Brady against the Packers. The Packers have a lot of questions on defense, just like they have for 6 years and counting.

I'd love to see how many QBs and WRs had career days against the Packers this season. Or even their best game of the season.

OK, what would Aaron do if Giants were scored on every possession in the first half on that horrible Packers D. Because Aaron and his offense scored on first 5 possessions, right? Oh, wait, they did not... Oh, now I remember... Despite constantly getting the ball on favorable positions on the field that "magic" offense producing 3 and outs...
In the last game, how many scores Aaron and offense scored in the first half? What TOP was for the Packers offense in that first half. Yes, I understand. Offense was playing badly hurt. But Packers D was playing at full health & strength...
You all are just not correct. You do not see beam in your eyes, but ready to spit on someones mote...
I do not care about Dom Capers that much. I know that he will get new job quickly, as Dick LeBeau did...
I just can not see Rex Ryan or Jeff Fisher as Packers DC. That would be ridiculous...
My God!

Rex and MM in the same building? And TT? That might set a record for the most hard headed stubborn operation in the league. They out to tape that for Hard Knocks.

This is really my first year saying that I think it would be a good move to move away from Capers.

While what happened this season isn't all of Capers fault with the amount of injuries the team suffered, and the lack of players that Thompson has given Capers. I do think that a change could ignite some good into the defense.

The question I have and have had about Capers is does he use the players they should be used?
A few examples of that.
-Casey Hayward. He has a great rookie year and the next 3 years he was bad. Some of it due to injury. Regardless he goes to San Diego this year and is one of the best in the league. So the question to me is, how can Hayward be marginal at best the last 3 years in GB and one of the best in the league in another defense? Did Capers use Hayward to the best of his abilities?

-Clay Mathews. There has been a lot of debate of how Mathews should be used. Whether he should be at ILB, OLB... 2 years ago halfway throughout the year they needed help at ILB and moved Mathews to ILB. But the position he played was a hybrid ILB. Capers schemed to allow Mathews do what he does best and that was attacking. Not dropping him into coverage or having him play a normal ILB role. Similar to how the Steelers used to use Troy Polamalu.
Last year having Mathews playing ILB all year he had Mathews playing the standard ILB role. Which doesn't fit Mathews ability.
So rather then adjusting his scheme to fit Mathews abilities he was trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

The question I have, Does Capers use his players to the best of their abilities and adjust his schemes around the players he has, or does he try to fit the players he has into his schemes?

Thompson has spent a lot of high round draft picks on the defense. Is the problem that Capers is limiting their abilities by the style of defense he is trying to play?
Also when Capers first came to Green Bay we saw him come up with a lot of different looks. Moving players around, using different packages to create confusion for the offenses. We haven't seen that in a long time. This year especially he has pretty much stayed with the same formation most of the time.

I think would be a good time to make a change at DC. And to bring someone in from outside the organization would be a really good decision.

It is time for GB to move on from Capers yes but TT is the bigger problem this guy just doesn't get it. He is the most overrated GM in the NFL. Please Ted just go away!!! I am actually shocked that there isn't and hasn't been more fans calling for him to retire. The loyalty to him is mind boggling. He should have built a dynasty in GBbwith AR he should have had at least 2 maybe 3 rings already.

Yes, it is time to move on from Capers but since nothing has happened yet this week I think we're in for at least another season of Capers soft defense. It's clear to me that we need a new approach on defense. Thanks, Since '61

I don't know who is out there, but I've got to believe that the world has not yet run out of potential coaches that could improve our D. Never thought a Green Bay team would ever have a reputation for being a sieve. One that when it matters most can not get a stop on 3rd down, let alone 3rd and long, nor protect a 14 to 21 point lead. Sad.

After a season like this, you want Capers fired? By the time the Packers played the Cowboys during the regular season, they had Gunter, and Rollins (hurt of course) as CBs. Because TT drafts defensive players doesn't mean the defense is going to get better if they don't pan out. This is Perry's first year of making a difference (because of injuries again) and how many years has he been in the league? HHCD was All-Pro this year, do you think he really played better than Burnett?
Here is why he needs another year:

Capers is well respected around the league and getting a replacement isn't going to be that easy. (Bill Polian called him a great coach)

Green Bay had more street agents in their defensive backfield than drafted players during the Atlanta game.

Green Bay went two years w/o a decent safety to team with Burnett until HHCD was drafted.

This year was the first time since maybe the SB year that Green Bay started the season with quality players at every level of D. Injuries made a mockery of that after Shields went down in the first game.

Which side of the ball didn't perform against the Seahawks during that Conference game?

It has been very frustrating watching the Packers limp into the playoffs and get knocked out. IMHO, firing Capers isn't the answer. Building up the roster matters and he can't do that.
One last point... everyone, including me, says we need to resign Perry. Do we remember that he's been hurt (missed multiple games) every season except this one. Signing a big contract we are risking a lot of money on a player that might not be available for multiple games. Because Green Bay doesn't have many options, you are forced to take that chance, and when Capers is planning a defense having Perry sitting on the bench doesn't help win any games.

If you want to make changes...I would start at the offensive coordinator position. The slow starts kill the Packers and rely on Rodgers to make it happen. Next would work on the LB coaches. Not enough development at either inside or outside positions.

I will always say this. When the Packers had Kevin Greene as the OLB coach, I think the Packers defensive players responded better, even if some of those years weren't the best (One was the SB winning team though), the players just seemed to play with ENERGY. Like they liked that.

Just my assumption, since Kevin Greene left, I feel there has been less explosive energy from players on Defense, he was a VERY loud, aggressive, hit-em hard coach.

WITH ALL THAT SAID. I really do feel like it might be... at the very least, interesting, having a "loud", hit-em in the mouth kind of defensive coach, which when you look out there, as obnoxious as it is sometimes, there's Rex Ryan.

I would be all for the Packers giving Rex Ryan a chance to coach our defense. But I also understand if they don't particularly want to go that way.

I think the ATTITUDE is a big problem on defense (not as big as talent/players TT fails to obtain, but still big none-the-less) And I am fairly convinced, by the looks, Dom Capers does not motivate the players.

I will always say this. When the Packers had Kevin Greene as the OLB coach, I think the Packers defensive players responded better, even if some of those years weren't the best (One was the SB winning team though), the players just seemed to play with ENERGY. Like they liked that.

Just my assumption, since Kevin Greene left, I feel there has been less explosive energy from players on Defense, he was a VERY loud, aggressive, hit-em hard coach.

WITH ALL THAT SAID. I really do feel like it might be... at the very least, interesting, having a "loud", hit-em in the mouth kind of defensive coach, which when you look out there, as obnoxious as it is sometimes, there's Rex Ryan.

I would be all for the Packers giving Rex Ryan a chance to coach our defense. But I also understand if they don't particularly want to go that way.

I think the ATTITUDE is a big problem on defense (not as big as talent/players TT fails to obtain, but still big none-the-less) And I am fairly convinced, by the looks, Dom Capers does not motivate the players.

I had a dream Mike (I want winners) Singletary & Kevin Greene both want to come & help fix our defense. Then I woke up.

It isn't the scheme that makes me think Capers needs to go (although I think that every OC in the league knows it forwards and backwards)' it's the lack of fundamentals exhibited for the last 6 years. I.know the assistants handle this but Capers is the boss, so the buck stops there. What really does it for me is the fact that time after time he gets players that show a spark and play well their rookie year and then, after a couple years regress and get cut. Some go on to play pretty well with other teams.

I have to believe that although Capers is mostly responsible, can the terrible play of our DBs be somewhat attributed to Darren Perry and/or Joe Whitt?

The patriots run both defense'. 3-4-4 and the 4-3-4. The teams you face in the playoffs know how to throw the ball. Having a poor secondary is not going to matter what defense you use. Fix the secondary. Everyone thought we had talent in Rollins and Randall. Shields is now done. Rollins and Randall are not Shields. The only way you are going to fix or help these guys is get a shut - down corner. Veteran leadership is what this secondary needs. Capers puts to much in the elephants. Their slow. They aren't going to give you anything but a bull rush. TT was to stubborn and drafted picks only to stop a exodus. Now he's got coaches who are lost. Fans who are crying. And a team of players saying show me the money. Loyalty is one thing, Lack of vision is another. Time for a new DC and staff.

I'm on board with replacing Capers if that's the decision, but nothing, again, nothing changes if Ted Thompson is the GM. Converting basketball players from Division III schools may make for a nice story, but sometimes you need football players who have played, you know, in the NFL, and you need them now. Ted Thompson's problem is that he's always a genius 3 years from now.

The idea of Draft and Develop is to have Veteran starters with young backups who can develop into starters then cycle them in and keep the rotation going.

If you ever find yourself with sub par starters, now you have to draft starters, and the development part gets chucked out the window.

Any given draft pick is a crap shoot to some level. So depending on the draft to immediately upgrade starting talent, or to replace lost talent isn't statistically sound on its own. You have to supliment it with players who have already gone through the development phase, who can step in immediately to replace lost talent or upgrade sub par talent.

Dom works with what he's given. I think TT is a far better offensive talent scout than defensive. TT is too worried about cap nunbers. I don't mind years we have to cut players to get under the cap if we sign enough talent to win the SB every 4 years. We are already out of it most years anyway. So what's the difference if its because we have suck players because we only draft them or because we had to cut pro bowlers to get under the cap. If we go the cut rout, at least we cycle in the talent enough to win SB's ever couple years.

And oh, by the way. In our down years, we get a better draft positions.

GB is a dinosaur living in past glories. We need to merge the past with the future otherwise, all we can expect is the same old thing, year after year after year after.....

Thank you for a VERY well researched and insightful article. I agree with you 100% about Capers! His time in GB should be over this week sometime, anybody on the street can do just as good, if not better.
Thanks;
Finwiz

I'm torn. While I think the Packers could certainly use some new blood in the D Coach ranks I'm not sure getting rid of Capers is the best fix.
I am pretty certain, however, that the majority of players he has been given to work worth (even when not hurt) are not quality NFL players. Can't win it all without a few difference makers on D.

Remember when GBs defense made Matt Barkley look like Joe Montana and Mohamed Sanu (on two occasions) look like Jerry Rice. That was fun.

Injuries made things rough this year, but GB should have moved on from Dom years ago.

Looking back at the Aaron Rodgers era, folks will point to Dom Capers (and probably TTs unwillingness to use FA in any meaningful way) as the reason he didn't have a full hand of rings when he hung up his cleats.

"But the Packers run a defense that depends on having two studs at perimeter corner, a talented nickel corner, a solid middle linebacker, two ferocious edge-rushers, a rangy, hard-hitting safety, a solid run achor in the middle, and an interior pass-rusher." Is that all?? Sheesh, no wonder they can't perform up to our expectations.

Injuries? Scheme? D.C.? Assistant coaches? Personnel? Hard to say which are the biggest contributors to our sieve defense. Strangely enough, maybe you might remember that last year, most teams were held to about 20 or so points by the defense. It was the offense that couldn't score 3 lousy td's a game. OUR offense!!!! Perennial playoffs are nice, but Cincinnati managed that for years, too. Something stinks in Packer land.

I respect Dom Capers, but his schemes are antiquated...Most Offenses know exactly what they're facing, and methodically take them apart... The proof is in the numbers; Capers has produced one top ten Defense since 2009.
More to the point, he's averaged in the bottom third on total D almost every other year-and despite what you've read to the contrary (Ask Vic)--Defenses-with few exceptions, still win championships.
I realize injuries happen, and TT should be more proactive, but an ineffective D has wasted six years of Rodger's career--that's criminal.
Give Rodgers a top 5 Defense, and this team is almost a lock to go to the Superbowl.
If your pro Capers, ask yourself honestly: if Belichick were GM, would DC have been in GB past the 2011 season?
In the NFL, like anything else, you adapt or fade away.

Michelle,

I've read a number of your articles on Bleacher Report over the last couple of years. They are generally insightful and well written with facts to back your points. This one feels a little thin.
Explain how the Zone blitz scheme is "Antiquated", please.
In general, I think your article may have some merit, but it's not a schematic issue. I think issues start along the line, We continuously play that Big Nickel package rather than a Base 3-4, why? is the proliferation of passing offenses that are favored by the current NFL rules? YUP.
Does the Zone Blitz work in this High Octane offensive environment? You bet, if you have the personnel. Does Green Bay have that Personnel? I don't know that that is true.
We do have a Nose tackle that was pretty good, while he was at the position for the first 4 weeks of the season; Kenny Clark. But after Guion's return he didn't play there much. We have a ferocious DE in Mike Daniels, who can stop the run and Defend the pass. What about the other end? We've been playing with "Elephants" for 2 years. Those guys are undersized ends usually found in a 4-3 scheme, not the 3-4.
The Linebackers in the middle are very young, and prone to mistakes. The Outside Linebackers are often forced to cover up the mistakes of the youngsters.
We have two tremendous safeties, a tandem to be envied by many and replaced by few. They hold court in the backfield but they cover the errors of our young corners. Both of whom were injured throughout the season and showed signs of regression. That isn't an excuse, but it is a factor. Dom had to do a number of things schematically to cover up these issues and there were a number of times that the cover was blown. It takes 3 years to develop a corner, It's a complex job and there is typically regression in year 2. That jump from year 2 to year 3 needs to be encouraged, nurtured and allowed to happen organically. I guarantee Randall and Rollins will be much improved in 2017. In fact, if they are and we see a significant drop in Defensive QB rating due to their play, I can promise a Super Bowl, all other things being equal.
Everyone has to remember that yielding yards is fine, as long as it happens between the 20s. Bulk yardage is not an accurate measure of the effectiveness of a defense. What matters is keeping teams out of the end zone and getting turnovers. Win the turnover differential and you win the game approximately 70% of the time. If you have a quarterback that outplays the opposing quarterback (as evidenced by the Quarterback rating) then your team will win nearly 89% of the time. Dom knows this, he tracks these numbers and knows that a defense that can hold a quarterback down can win games.
In my humble opinion, THe secret to Green Bays success in 2010 was simplicity. Dom needs to clean out his playbook, and keep things simple. The Ryans have had historically bad defenses ever since the new CBA. Capers and LeBeau have struggled at times as well. It's no secret; the complex defenses are failing because the lack of time coordinators have to teach. Hiring a young buck might help, but the best thing for Capers would be to take a page from Wade Wilsons playbook and simplify. The Broncos were outstanding because they did a few things insanely well. Green Bay has enough of the right people to have that kind of defense...if they simplify.

We should keep Dom Capers ! Why? These players are all no good...none of them.
1. Morgan Burnett 2. Ha-Ha Clinton Dix 3. Mike Daniels 4. Nick Perry 5. Julius Peppers 6. Clay Matthews 7. Kenny Clark 8. Blake Martinez 9. Demaryius Randall 10 Micah Hyde 11. Quentin Rollins 12. Ladarius Gunter

Now I want you to honestly and truly look at some of these names and how they played and how long they have been in the nfl and judge them correctly and you let me know if they should be giving up 30-40 points per game? Because, I just don't see it...I just don't...

The fact of the matter is that Dom Capers 3-4

We should keep Dom Capers ! Why? These players are all no good...none of them.
1. Morgan Burnett 2. Ha-Ha Clinton Dix 3. Mike Daniels 4. Nick Perry 5. Julius Peppers 6. Clay Matthews 7. Kenny Clark 8. Blake Martinez 9. Demaryius Randall 10 Micah Hyde 11. Quentin Rollins 12. Ladarius Gunter

Now I want you to honestly and truly look at some of these names and how they played and how long they have been in the nfl and judge them correctly and you let me know if they should be giving up 30-40 points per game? Because, I just don't see it...I just don't...

The fact of the matter is that Dom Capers 3-4 is awful and none of the players believe in it anymore. He may be a defensive genius , but he is the only one who understands it. Listen a good defensive coach does not need great players to make the defensive coach look great or make is 3-4 defense look great. But, it is a great defensive coach that can get the best and most out of their players no matter what defensive scheme they are running. Dom Capers scheme of football is predicated on having great, fantastic , talented players. LIsten folks, that will never , ever , ever happen and not in this day and age when every year you get the the 28th pick in the draft and you don't go after free agents. Be realistic !Even if you could there are salary caps. You have to get a defensive coordinator that can put the talents and physical/mental capabilities of these players together with some creative defense that is not so technical that the players don't understand it. Coaching starts with tying there shoes, wearing the right cleats, putting on your uniform, confidence and mental preparation and toughness, communication between players and technique- Move one foot up..move one foot back..move one foot over to the left or right can make or break a defensive play.
How many times have you see bad communication on the Packers defense. Listen folks it is time for a defensive coaching change now. The Packers defense gave up 44 freaking points and only stopped Atlanta 2x and that was not even a 3 and out. Dom Capers may be defensive genius , but he has to go !! Please McCarthy I am begging you. He should have been gone 6 years ago !!!!!!!!!! The falcons offensive coordinator who is ONLY 30 years old made a completed FOOL of Dom Capers who has over 30+ years of coaching experience !!! And, the Atlanta Falcons coach is only in his 2nd year and they are Super Bowl bound ready to win it all. Get rid of Dom Capers NOW !!!!!!!

I think Rex Ryan would be a good DC for the Packers he is a players coach he is more in tune with today's needs on defense , may not ever happen but I think it would be a upgrade. As far as Kenny Clark I think he did good being thrust into a pretty much full time role I think he is going to be a force , I think he is around 21 and he held his own against veteran O lines .

There needs to be a new DC or GM in Green.Bay. Capers plus Teds drafting equals a historically bad defense. One of them has to go. How many times do we have to watch other teams with horrible defenses rebound and get better than the Packer's d?
Da Bears d is going to pass up the Packer's d this coming season or the next if they don't do something this offseason. Yes i truly believe that write it down. We are the Colts with Manning, ten plus wins during the season and lucky as hell to get one playoff win.
Maybe they should release Rodgers so he can try to get another ring before it's to late.

I'm pretty much neutral on Capers. I don't think he's the best DC nor the worst. We had some key injuries and had very little depth to cover for the losses. At the end I don't think any DC would've been able to patch up a respectable defense to compete against Atlanta given their firepower. Wouldn't be a bad plan to get someone with new ideas and energy for the defense though. I doubt if it happens so I'm resigned to Capers again in 2017.

Dom Capers may be the last American to wear ear muffs.

So, I'm slightly confused. Ladarius Gunter is as fast as Joe Thomas (i.e., not fast enough to be a starting corner) so what scheme would have made him faster? What simplified scheme would have given Marwin Evans the experience to be worthy of playing on an NFL field (maybe someday, but too young now).

Capers scheme JUST LAST SEASON resulted in a good defense, his defense is the only reason the Packers even made the playoffs last season!

Also, the round a guy is picked in doesn't mean anything when they get on the field. First round picks aren't given a head start on plays. Thompson hasn't drafted a defensive guy worth a first round pick since Matthews (HaHa might be trending that way but he's not there yet).

At this point none of this matters, Tom Clements is moving on since his contract expired and MM said no other changes are going to be made,so we are going to see At least another season of defensive ineptitude. I can't f*cking believe it, MM PRAISED Capers in a press release today, already ruined my enthusiasm for next season, again another season of watching a defensive meltdown in the playoffs, if they make there! Again, little to nothing ever changes at 1265 Lombardi Ave. I am disappointed. And Michelle, where did you find that photo of Capers out in the weather with snow on his coat and not in his cozy little booth?

Suggesting Rex Ryan as D coordinator when he's flamed out everywhere he's been is laughable:

Averages: 22nd place finish overall, 21st in opposing passer rating and 19th in sacks

http://buffalonews.com/2016/01/11/249039/

Bad take.