No Bishop, No Hawk and No worries?

by dieapack on Dec 2, 2011 6:23 PM CST

So A.J Hawk and Desmond Bishop have been ruled out of this weekend’s game against the 6-5 New York Giants.

Obviously this is news that should alarm most Packer fans due to this game being our last legitimate challenge before the playoffs. Surprisingly I am not too worried, a feeling I haven't had for the majority of the season, but should I? Last week I saw more athleticism in our LB core, with D.J Smith and Robert Francois, then I have all season, watching Hawk and Bishop in the middle. Of course assignment miscues and miscommunication led to the Lions putting up 15 points in the fourth quarter (garbage time) but it’s not like that hasn’t been the case all season. I am not pretending that our defense will micrasously become invincible with backup linebackers startinf this weekend, but I just wanted an open discussion about what to expect this weekend. So.... what are your questions/concerns/comments/opinions on the matter?

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I was personally really impressed with Smith. He seems like one of those undersized linebackers that flows well from side to side, and just has a nose for the ball. I think he’s going to have a mic in his helmet this week, so it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.

Francois worries me a bit. He had that nice INT but he got burned like 3 or 4 times by Morris out of the backfield too.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Dec 2, 2011 6:35 PM CST reply actions

My concern with Smith is in pass coverage.

He seems to have a nose for the ball and is a solid tackler. But then again, it’s not like we exactly had Derrick Brooks-esque ILB’s in pass coverage.

For this game I really hope Bradshaw doesn’t play, to the detriment of my fantasy team. He can really kill us out of the backfield in ways that Jacobs can’t.

I already told you! I deal with the god damn receivers so the linebackers don’t have to! I have coverage skills; I’m good at covering people! Can’t you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?!

by msc32887 on Dec 2, 2011 9:19 PM CST up reply actions

Bradshaw practiced today

listed as questionable for Sunday.

Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
The Big Boy Cometh....Team Jacobs
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!
CP3 - coming soon to a Garden near you!

by wilddre22 on Dec 3, 2011 12:19 AM CST up reply actions

Concerns:

1. We had no depth at ILB now. None. Nadda. Zip.

2. We have little experience at ILB now.

Smith and Francois played well against Detroit, but they have to improve against the Giants. They have to be assignment sure and prove they should be on the field. It’ll be a great opportunity for them, and I look forward to seeing how they respond to this opportunity.

My wife is gorgeous, but when she wears her pink Rodgers Jersey, she makes you fall to your knees...

by Jabooty on Dec 2, 2011 6:37 PM CST reply actions

Sounds like Bishop is now the back up there

For what that’s worth. Not really sure, but maybe Bishop can do something there as compared to what he’s done OLB.

My bigger concern is having a rookie call the defensive calls. We had trouble when one inexperienced player took over that responsibility (Burnett). How is this transition going to take place?

by PackApologist on Dec 2, 2011 6:53 PM CST up reply actions

Bishop?

Or Jones as the backup? Unless we signed another Bishop…but I totally agree with having Smith call the plays (even though he has experience doing it) Why not give the responsibilites to Woodson?

"Football isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport."

by dieapack on Dec 2, 2011 6:59 PM CST up reply actions

errr....I totally meant to say Jones.

by PackApologist on Dec 2, 2011 7:45 PM CST up reply actions

I think Woodson already makes the secondary calls himself through hand signals

It’s more a matter of who relays the calls from the coaches.

13.

by Wiedmann on Dec 2, 2011 9:04 PM CST up reply actions

I don't want to pretend like I know what i'm talking about...

But how hard is it really to make defensive calls? I think we won’t see that much of a problem.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS

by Chief Oshkosh on Dec 2, 2011 8:03 PM CST up reply actions

trust me if the defensive QB doesn't know what he's doing it can be disastrous

just re-watch our monday night debacle against the Saints. people lining up wrong, running around last minute, looking at each other with shoulders shrugged, and at one point not even facing Brees as he snapped the ball. it is a problem if your guy doesn’t know how to line his people up.

by wilddre22 on Dec 3, 2011 12:22 AM CST up reply actions

Ya

It’s not just relaying the original play call by Dom Capers, but it’s also audibles. Line shifts, zone responsibilities and overall positioning.

"Football isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport."

by dieapack on Dec 3, 2011 12:10 PM CST up reply actions

OMG

Just ask a Giant fan.

We lost our signal caller in the preseason, then lost the guy (Boley, not a true MLB) who has been doing it for about 7 weeks.

Our defense sucks for a few reasons, but last week, this was probably the biggest reason.

"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson

No more score predictions...

by tommy d. on Dec 3, 2011 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

Another task for

HOF’er Vic So’uperman!

by Shoes31 on Dec 2, 2011 9:59 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I know

That Brad Jones was taking reps at ILB during the preseason and has been from time to time this season but I agree our depth is slim at best. They will most likely play more nickel and dime packages anyways with Charles Woodson playing at the LB/SS flex position. It will be a chalenge nonetheless but with facing the worst rushing defense in the league maybe MM figured this would the best week to rest those guys. Knock on wood!

"Football isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport."

by dieapack on Dec 2, 2011 6:52 PM CST reply actions