Credit The Defense: A New Era In Packer Land » Brats & Beer

September 10, 2007
posted under: Eagles, Packers, Post-game

In my haste to post about yesterday’s game, I don’t think I said nearly enough about the awesomeness that was the Green Bay defense. A lot of commentators will ascribe the Eagles loss to J.R. Reed and Greg Lewis, but the Packers deserve a lot of credit for containing what is supposed to be a high-powered Philadelphia offense.

The “bend but don’t break” philosophy was in full effect yesterday at Lambeau Field as the Green & Gold gave up more than 100 yards rushing, though most of the big plays came in the first half. The second half of the game, I thought they played brilliantly, getting a lot of pressure on McNabb and forcing him to scramble out of the pocket. There was only one sack recorded by Corey Williams, but anytime you can hold McNabb at a 60 QB rating, you’re doing something right.

Big props go to Johnny Jolly, who only had one tackle during the afternoon but knocked down three passes. As Larry McCarren says, “that’s called awareness, Wayne.”

The secondary also did a decent job of containing the long ball, which considering how last year went was a big achievement. The longest pass of the day came at the end of the first quarter when McNabb hit Kevin Curtis for 37 yards, and that was due mainly to backup corner Tramon Williams having the coverage. Al Harris, who was pulled from the game with an elbow injury and returned with a big cast-like sleeve, had a nice tip on a ball in the end zone that prevented an Eagles touchdown. Atari Bigby laid some big hits on people and for the most part avoided the big Marquand Manuel-esqe mistakes we’ve come to expect from the safeties.

Nick Barnett, though, was the man yesterday, with nine tackles and four assists, as well as the interception in the first quarter that led to Mason Crosby’s first field goal of the day. (A 53 yarder, no less.) Our middle linebacker was a little too aggressive at times, blowing right past the play, but overall he continues to be a great leader on the defensive side of the ball.

They may not get credit for it from all quarters, but the Packers defense made a statement yesterday that they are coming to play and play aggressively this year. Let’s just hope the offense starts to pull its weight soon.