Looking Back To 2009 - Jarrett Bush Isn't Playing The Nickel

by Brandon on Jan 31, 2011 10:01 AM CST in Green Bay Packers Analysis

I was looking back at defensive coordinator Dom Capers press conference from last week. He was asked about the secondary and his response was "we're a totally different team." He might have answered that question in regard to the entire defense, but the question was specifically on the Green Bay Packers secondary. Why are they so different?

After CB Al Harris was lost for the season in November 2009, they were forced to call on CB Jarrett Bush as the nickel back. It wasn't a problem for the first few games, but when they met the Steelers, who have three big play wide receivers (Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Mike Wallace), it was a disaster. He gave up a 60 yard touchdown on the Steelers first play of the game.

What's different is that nickel CB Sam Shields isn't Jarrett Bush. If you watch that painful highlight video linked to above, you won't see Shields giving up a few steps (I'm assuming on a double move) before getting spun around like a top trying to find the ball. Bush still plays in the dime package, but that usually involves zone responsibilities in the middle of the field, and the big play potential isn't the same on those plays.

Another difference is switching from SS Atari Bigby to SS Charlie Peprah. It's not as dramatic a difference, but Peprah is playing better in coverage and he makes their pass defense better too.

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“who HAD three big play wide receivers…” Santonio Holmes plays for the Jets now. Of course the two rookies they have Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown are both playing great for them.

So take away one of the best Receivers in the game, but add two speedsters… don’t know which is to be feared more. Either way, we’re a better secondary and we should be able to match up.

by JoshN on Jan 31, 2011 11:11 AM CST reply actions

+1

We’ve definitely got more speed in the secondary this year, so I think their improvement on speed is essentially a wash.

53 Bears, 1 Cup

by I voted for Kodos on Jan 31, 2011 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

Hines Ward had a big drop-off in the regular season too, and hasn’t been a factor at all in the playoffs.

The problem is that the Steelers offense seems to have a Whack-a-Mole aspect:

Take away Mike Wallace and Hines Ward (Divisional round vs the Ravens), and suddenly Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders get a lot of catches
Shut down the passing game completely (Championship round vs the Jets), and Rashard Mendenhall gets 121 yards rushing.

The defense has been playing masterfully all season, and they’re going to need one more on Sunday. Yeah, the more I think about it, the more Raji vs. Legursky seems like it’s going to be a critical matchup…

by DaveInTucson on Feb 1, 2011 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

Thank God right? How painful was it too watch Bush constantly getting beat by guys? I think Peprah is a big upgrade over Bigby too, or at least in terms of coverage. Seemed like we couldn’t defend the middle of the field to save our lives last season, and this season it seems like that’s been one of our strengths.

I think we matchup perfectly with the Steelers receivers. I like Tramon or Shields against Wallace because both guys have the speed to run with him. Woodson covering Ward is a great matchup for him, and I like the matchup of either Tramon or Shields (depending on who is not on Wallace) against Sanders or Brown.

I think the biggest thing against the Steelers is to take away the big play, which we’ve done a great job of this season. If we can make them dink and dunk down the field, I like the chances of us forcing a TO, or maybe a hold or two to kill their drives.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Jan 31, 2011 11:23 AM CST reply actions

+1

I like our matchups for the most part – obviously Bush in the Dime is still a scary proposition. But in Bush’s defense he has given up a lot less this year. Probably because he isn’t on the field as much – he still got burned for a TD in the Eagles playoff game – but it’s always easier to guard a #4 receiver than it is to guard a #3 (except for against the Packers, where Jones and Nelson are pretty even – though their skill set differs greatly).

I think the improved pass rush is a big reason why we’re not struggling as much in coverage. Hopefully they don’t allow Roethlisberger to buy extra time and make big plays.

53 Bears, 1 Cup

by I voted for Kodos on Jan 31, 2011 12:13 PM CST up reply actions

Bunch Formations

It seems like the Steelers are at their best in the passing game when they line up in bunch formations and it’s hard for the D to determine who is going which way, especially with short passes where the other WRs become blockers. Hoepfully Capers has come up with something to slow it down.

Also, while I agree that taking away the big play is necessary, I don’t want to see a 7-9 minute, 12-16 play drive by the Steelers. That’s a lot of energy for the D and keeps ARodg on the sidelines. Third down conversion rate is going to be key.

"Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you"

by J-Mart on Jan 31, 2011 11:58 AM CST reply actions

I agree with the bunch formations I think Bush's poor coverage

And Barnett’s inability to pick the right receiver killed us in Pittsburgh last year

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jan 31, 2011 1:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

The bunch formation

killed us twice: against both Pittsburgh and Arizona. I haven’t noticed anybody beating us this year with it, but I also haven’t noticed being tested either. Hopefully Capers resolved the problem.

"Vikings fall 27-13 to the NFC North's best team, the Bears."
-Chris Gates 11/15/2010
***Really Chris, REALLY?! The division's best team?! LOL! That's quality DN writing right there!

NFC Champs baby, Go Pack Go! It's time to bring the Lombardi Trophy home!!!!!!

by Jabooty on Jan 31, 2011 2:59 PM CST up reply actions

The Patriots

used a bunch quite a bit throughout the year, but I can’t remember getting killed by it when they played us.

by Tepo6688 on Jan 31, 2011 5:49 PM CST up reply actions

Yep.

Matt Flynn was the one who killed Green Bay more than anything. Ugh… Pick six? And a fumble to end the game.

At least the Packers were in position to win that game on the road…the Patriots don’t lose there very often.

"If you radiant beauties have some free time after work..."
CROAGUNK!
"...I could use some C...P...R..." -Brock, Tanks For The Memories

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jan 31, 2011 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

It's nice that

we finally found something Jarrett Bush is good (great, actually) at – that being catching Tim Masthay punts on the 2 yard line and blowing up punt returners. I don’t understand how they don’t double team him as a gunner every time.

by Archibaldcrane on Jan 31, 2011 12:19 PM CST reply actions

No doubt

He was always good on ST though and is the reason he was resigned. As long as he stays there, I think we’ll be ok…..

"Vikings fall 27-13 to the NFC North's best team, the Bears."
-Chris Gates 11/15/2010
***Really Chris, REALLY?! The division's best team?! LOL! That's quality DN writing right there!

NFC Champs baby, Go Pack Go! It's time to bring the Lombardi Trophy home!!!!!!

by Jabooty on Jan 31, 2011 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

Jarrett Bush Isn't Playing The Nickel,,,

And there was much rejoicing.

by Zundar on Jan 31, 2011 12:20 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

This, absolutely

Glad we have him on ST though, and that’s NOT something I was saying in 2009.

"Hawk Harrelson: Annoying even the hearing impaired": Teahenny Penny paraphrasing Chisoxfan1473

by NorthSidePaulie on Jan 31, 2011 1:19 PM CST up reply actions

And they were forced to eat Sir Robin's minstrels

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jan 31, 2011 1:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Hallelujah!

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.

Super Bowl here we come!

by Omaha Sun on Feb 1, 2011 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

Also, the steelers no longer have santonio holmes.

All is vanity.

by levnclf on Jan 31, 2011 1:19 PM CST reply actions

"I get to play foo-foo-foo-football!!!!!! I got it coah, I got it!!!!"

Jarrett Bush = Someone that sucks so bad he makes someone else that sucks look good.

"Vikings fall 27-13 to the NFC North's best team, the Bears."
-Chris Gates 11/15/2010
***Really Chris, REALLY?! The division's best team?! LOL! That's quality DN writing right there!

NFC Champs baby, Go Pack Go! It's time to bring the Lombardi Trophy home!!!!!!

by Jabooty on Jan 31, 2011 2:54 PM CST reply actions

Looking Back to 2007

I remember when T. Williams was a rookie and in his second year. I keep screaming at my TV – who is this idiot. He was burned over and over on long plays. Now look at his playing level!. Granted Bush is in fifth year, but they have also moved him to FS and he is no longer a CB. I am glad we have had the luxury to do so.

by Paul_chi on Jan 31, 2011 3:10 PM CST reply actions

It's more than just Bush

I watched the tape on that game from last year and almost all of Pittsburgh’s big plays were made on Bush or Bell. Bigby played poorly in that game also. He can’t even get on the active roster right now. Shields is a huge improvement over Bush in coverage. Also, Williams has improved drastically since that game last year. He was still relatively new to the starting coverage corner position for Green Bay at that time. He is now one of the top shutdown corners in the league. The whole defense really is improved. Last year GB struggled against good offenses repeatedly. Minnesota twice, Pittsburgh, Arizona in the playoffs etc.. That hasn’t been the case this year. The second year in the system and the improvement of Raji and Matthews as they have developed in the defense has been a vast improvement. The D-line, Hawk and Bishop will be huge in this game because GB has to limit Pittsburgh’s running game.

by Packwarrior on Jan 31, 2011 6:53 PM CST reply actions

Amen to this post

Jarrett Bush’s suckitude last year (his whole career, really, but especially last year) and how much he killed the team cannot be over-stated. We all saw it right away as soon as Al went down, but it took our coaches until the offseason to (hopefully) figure it out. Pittsburgh was the first (but not the last) to really take advantage of him. They knew exactly what they were doing, which is to say that they went after him immediately and often.

Now, credit where credit is due, Bush has been outstanding on STs this season, and he’s not AS MUCH of a liability when he’s playing on the dime unit. But…

It still makes me nervous that he plays dime just for the sake of the fact that, if any of our 3 corners get injured even for a single play, Bush will apparently be put in as our #3 guy. If that happens, I guarantee you that Rothlisberger will immediately toast him. He has not improved on defense, and the entire Steelers organization knows about him. If he gets put in on the nickel, it is a foregone conclusion that they will eat him alive.

by Curly Lambeau on Feb 1, 2011 1:59 PM CST reply actions