NFL mock drafts have one common theme: Defense
By CHRIS HAVEL
Whether it is Louisville’s Calvin Pryor, Minnesota’s RaShede Hageman or Notre Dame’s Louis Nix III is a matter of opinion. What most NFL draft experts do agree on is this: With the 21st pick in the 2014 draft the Green Bay Packers will select defense. In fact, they may draft defense in the second, third and fourth rounds, too.
Whether this is a repeat of the 2012 draft when Packers GM Ted Thompson went defense with the first six picks remains to be seen. Rest assured, however, that the Packers will attempt to revamp all three levels of their defense through the draft.
A majority of Packers fans who suffered through humiliating defeats to non-playoff teams such as the Giants last season will reply: No kidding! The key is to select the best defensive player who is also a great fit. Translation: Draft a player in the first round who will start immediately. That should be the goal for the Packers each offseason, especially since they are so reluctant to play in free agency. If they are to add difference makers and big-time playmakers it’s going to come through the draft.

So who do the Packers select?

The closest to a consensus is that the Packers will choose one of two safeties: Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix or Louisville’s Pryor. Perhaps lining up opposite a high-end safety will enable Packers safety Morgan Burnett to regain his form. Surely it can’t hurt a secondary that lacks big hitters, playmakers and effective communicators.
As a No. 2 safety Burnett might be good enough to win with. In 2010, Burnett became only the second safety to start as a rookie since Chuck Cecil in 1988. He helped the Packers win Super Bowl 46 when teamed with Nick Collins. Four seasons later, the Packers may be looking at starting another rookie safety to open the season.
Clinton-Dix is a 6-foot-1, 208 pound hitter who also hauled in seven interceptions the past two seasons for the Crimson Tide.
Pryor, at 6-2, 208, is a strong tackler who possesses better ball skills and greater range than Clinton-Dix. If the Packers were fortunate enough to land either of these safeties it would be considered a significant upgrade.
The other possibility, aside from a nose tackle, is cornerback Justin Gilbert from Oklahoma State. Gilbert, who doubles as an explosive return specialist, is probably going to be taken in the top 15. But if he is available it’s unlikely the Packers would pass on him with the 21st pick.
Notre Dame’s Nix III is a massive man (6-2, 342) who would be a tremendous replacement for B.J. Raji if he leaves via free agency. Nix can play nose in a 3-4 or tackle in a 4-3.
The Golden Gophers’ RaShede Hageman is another interesting prospect. Hageman, at 6-feet-6, 318 pounds, is powerful and athletic. He also is versatile and can play defensive end in either a 3-4 or 4-3. He also has a nasty streak that the Packers’ defense could really use.
One possibility is a repeat of 2009 when Thompson selected Raji with the ninth overall pick, and then traded back into the first round to select Clay Matthews with the 26th pick. If the Packers’ defensive depth is OK, and the need for playmakers is at a premium, trading into the first round may be the only way to secure enough impact players on that side of the ball.
Several mock drafts have the Packers selecting a tight end. The best bets are North Carolina’s Eric Ebron or Washington’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins. The Packers do have a need at tight end with Jermichael Finley coming off major neck surgery. Still, it would be difficult to justify a tight end in the first round. The Packers found Finley in the third round.
Ultimately, the needs on defense supersede everything else. My best guess is that the Packers select the best defensive player available at 21 and then strongly consider moving up into the late-first or early second-round to get another potential playmaker on defense.
While it is true that draft picks are considered gold by Thompson, so are playmakers, and if you don’t shell out the cash in free agency the only other currency available is draft picks. The Packers will have Jerel Worthy and Casey Hayward returning to help in the line and the secondary. If Nick Perry develops at outside linebacker, and DaTone Jones steps up at end, the Packers’ defense could look – and more importantly play – vastly different in 2014.

Seahawks’ rugged defense, team unity just too much for Denver in 43-8 loss
By CHRIS HAVEL
Even in an outdoor, open-air stadium Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos looked like the roof was caving in on them. There are many ways to win a football game and the Seattle Seahawks explored them all in a 43-8 rout of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Head coach Pete Carroll’s high-energy, take-no-prisoners Seahawks scored via a safety, an interception return, a kickoff return, a pair of field goals, two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown.
Seattle’s thorough dismantling of Denver occurred on every level. If any Broncos outperformed their Seattle counterparts the list is short.

The Seahawks forced four turnovers while committing none.

One of the most important came with Seattle leading 8-0 and Manning looking to answer on the ensuing drive. Facing third-and-7 at the Denver 23, Manning’s wobbly pass sailed too high for Julius Thomas and into the hands of Seattle safety Kam Chancellor for an interception.
The Seahawks’ offense then clicked off a 7-play, 37-yard touchdown drive that was extended by a Denver penalty and capped by a Marshawn Lynch 1-yard touchdown run to make it 15-0. On Denver’s next possession, Manning misfired when he was hit while releasing the football. The errant throw was picked off by Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith, who went 69 yards for a touchdown to push Seattle’s lead to 22-0 at the half. Smith, the game’s MVP, had 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and the interception return. Bobby Wagner, Chancellor and Smith each had 10 tackles to spearhead a defense that played smart, tough and together.
“The only way we could say we were the best defense was to take down the best offense,” Wagner told reporters after the game.

Russell Wilson missed high on his first pass attempt.

Frankly, it’s the only poor pass I recall him throwing all night. He finished 18-for-25 for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson also threw accurately and confidently while converting 7 of 12 third down plays. Wilson, at 5-11, stood tall in and out of the pocket. He played with an impressive mixture of poise and precision while making more than enough plays to lead Seattle to victory.
“We’ve been relentless all season,” Wilson said. “Having that mentality of having a championship day every … at the end of the day, you want to play your best football and that is what we did today.”

Percy Harvin, the X-Factor, made his presence felt early with a 30-yard gallop on an end around.

He sealed Denver’s fate with his 87-yard touchdown return on the second half’s opening kick to make it 29-0. Carroll’s decision to defer after winning the coin toss proved fortuitous. He put his best unit on the field to open the game, and he put one of the game’s most dangerous return men on the field to start the second half. If anyone ever wondered what a near-perfect Super Bowl XLVIII performance looks like, well, this was it.
“This is an amazing team,” Carroll said afterward. “Took us four years to get to this point, but they never have taken a step sideways. These guys would not take anything but winning this game.”

The mild weather with the temperature at kickoff 49 degrees seemed as if it would favor Manning and the Broncos.

It didn’t matter because Seattle’s defense controlled Manning and the NFL’s top-ranked offense from the outset. Denver ran just four plays in the first quarter and never found its rhythm against the Seahawks. Manning finished 34 of 49 for 280 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked just once but was constantly harassed and finished with a miserable 73.5 quarterback rating. Manning is now 1-2 in Super Bowls and 11-12 in the playoffs.

Seattle’s GM, John Schneider, and its offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, were instrumental in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl ascendancy.

Bevell worked for the Packers from 2000-2005 as an assistant coach, and Schneider – a De Pere native – had two stints with the Packers’ personnel department (1993-96, 2002-2009). Both are extremely professional, humble men who have risen to the top by combining their talent with an incredible work ethic.
Perhaps one, or both, will return to Green Bay if the right opportunity presents itself. While Packers GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy aren’t going anywhere in the foreseeable future, isn’t it interesting that Seattle – once criticized for stealing Green Bay’s front office – may be the franchise to gripe about the Packers taking their coaching and front office talent?

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Seattle-Denver matchup features NFL’s top defense vs. league’s No. 1 offense
By CHRIS HAVEL
If you are a Green Bay Packers fan – especially one who doubles as a Wisconsin Badgers fan – and you are looking for a rooting interest in Super Bowl XLVIII your search is over. The Seattle Seahawks are your team.
There for many reasons, not the least of which is because they slammed the playoff door in San Francisco’s facemask on Sunday.
Did you really want to endure two weeks of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh’s condescending sound bites? Or the incessant replays of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick? I didn’t think so. Thank you, Seattle. The debt owed on the Fail Mary is almost paid off.
Here are five reasons Packers fans should count themselves as honorary, one-day-only members of Seattle’s 12th Man fan club. After all, Seattle has its CenturyLink Leap, and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

#5: Winning Team

It is always nice to be on the winning side and the Seahawks are going to defeat the Broncos. There is precedence for it, the game-time weather forecast supports it, and Seattle’s defense dictates it.
The Broncos opened as the early favorite after their 26-16 victory over New England in the AFC Championship Game Sunday at Denver. Seattle’s last-minute, 23-17 victory at home against San Francisco was much more compelling, but perhaps less impressive than Denver’s showing to a national betting audience.
However, a closer look at the facts strongly suggests a Seahawks’ victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the NFL’s top offense and top defense have met in four Super Bowls. The top defense is 3-1. Furthermore, a total of 15 teams with the league’s top-rated defense have reached the Super Bowl. The top defensive teams are a combined 12-3.
Indeed, defense wins championships. And inclement weather is a rugged defense’s best friend. The most recent AccuWeather forecast says there is a possibility of rain and snow showers coupled with a high of 37 degrees at East Rutherford. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been less effective in cold weather, and the statistical data proves it.
According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Manning has had 15 regular-season games in temperatures below 40. His completion percentage drops minimally (65.5. to 63.7) but in cold-weather playoff games it plummets to 56.4 percent. He also has nine interceptions in cold-weather postseason games.
That bodes well for Seattle’s hard-hitting, opportunistic defense.
The Legion of Boom is waiting.

#4: Packers-Seahawks ties abound.

Packers GM Ted Thompson spent five seasons (2000-2004) as the Seahawks’ VP of football operations. Packers assistant head coach/ILBs coach Winston Moss played his final three seasons in Seattle (1995-97) and began his coaching career as quality control defense in 1998.
Packers LBs Clay Matthews and Nick Perry played for Seattle head coach Pete Carroll at USC. … Seahawks P Jon Ryan played for Green Bay in 2006-07. Seahawks T Breno Giacomini was a fifth-round draft pick of Green Bay in 2008 and played in one game.
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and CB Chris Maragos played at Wisconsin. Seahawks GM John Schneider is from De Pere and served two stints in the Packers’ personnel department (1993-96, 2002-09) concluding as director-football operations. Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell played QB at Wisconsin and coached on the Packers’ staff from 2000-05.
The Denver Broncos have ex-Badgers running back Monte Ball. It isn’t even close.

#3: Seattle’s defense plays the way we’d like Green Bay’s defense to play.

When San Francisco’s Kaepernick began running wild in the first half, the Seahawks’ defenders took it upon themselves to man up.
Cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas echoed the following sentiment in post-game comments: “We told ourselves that championship teams rise in these situations, and that we weren’t going to let Kaepernick beat us. We were going to hit him on every play.”
After a dominant first half, Kaepernick threw two interceptions and Seattle’s defense had the last laugh in the final quarter.

#2: More Ties to Green Bay.

The Seahawks play in the NFC, they play in an outdoor stadium and they rely on their fans—the 12th Man—to give them a home-field advantage. They have become what the Packers were in the 1990s, and what the Packers want to become again this decade.
Perhaps Thompson will take a cue from his disciple, Schneider, and at least dabble in free agency. The Packers need to plug several holes, and they need to add experience – especially on defense – if they are going to compete with teams like the 49ers and Seahawks.
Follow the blueprint.

#1: Seattle’s appeal seems wider.

Unless you are a Denver Broncos fan, or a Peyton Manning fan, the allure of seeing Manning somehow “vindicated” or “elevated” if he captures a second Super Bowl ring seems farfetched. Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
Nothing can change that. Seattle’s appeal seems wider.
Love him or hate him, cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Kam Chancellor and the rest of Seattle’s defense play a tough brand of football that is entertaining. Perhaps it is more that way because Packers fans are familiar with offensive fireworks, but defensive explosions are rather few and far between of late.
Here is rooting for the Seattle Seahawks to defeat the Denver Broncos. After what they did to San Francisco on Sunday they deserve that much.

Seattle, San Francisco shapes up to be a defensive battle royale; Green Bay can watch & learn
By CHRIS HAVEL
The NFL’s Divisional Playoff round was at once exciting and educational this weekend.
Each of the eight teams came into the weekend with a Top Ten quarterback to lead them. The Seahawks, 49ers, Broncos and Patriots prevailed because they had more than Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. They had coaching, defense and special teams and the better team won in each case, advancing to the Championship Round this weekend.
The emphasis, of course, is on team. The Packers should have been a divisional qualifier based on the presence of Aaron Rodgers, one of the game’s top quarterbacks. They fell short in the wildcard round because of defensive deficiencies and subpar special teams play. While injuries certainly contributed to that situation, to chalk it completely up to that is not realistic. 
Whether head coach Mike McCarthy decides to continue with Dom Capers as the defensive coordinator and Shawn Slocum as the special teams coordinator is his call. He might be right to stay with them another season, and see how they do with hopefully a more healthy team and an infusion of new talent. But the hunch here is we may be having this same conversation in mid-January of 2015. If McCarthy truly believes that the Packers were on their way at 5-2 coming off the 44-31 victory at Minnesota on Oct. 27 he might now be reconsidering. He thought Rodgers would have his best season, and that the Packers would continue to roll through their schedule. The problem is when Rodgers got hurt, the defense was exposed and nothing can change that fact.
Like all good teams and organizations in the NFL, the Packers need to own up to their deficiencies and learn from mistakes. The Packers’ safeties didn’t have an interception for the first time in 50 years. That’s almost unfathomable in this day and age of the NFL’s pass happy teams. The safeties’ shortcomings are the most glaring, but the entire defense needs a close review. The Packers should add two safeties this offseason: One in the draft, and another in mid-level free agency. If Burnett and Co. fends them off, so be it. If not, the secondary will be that much better for the infusion.
The front seven also needs major alterations. B.J. Raji hasn’t earned the $10 million annually that he is seeking. Josh Boyd’s strong surge late in the season makes him expendable. Ryan Pickett is a valuable veteran and at 34 shouldn’t break the bank. The cast of Datone Jones, Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson need to elevate its play. Mike Daniels was the team’s best defensive lineman and in no small part because he was high energy, 100-percent effort start to finish. Others could learn from Daniels’ example. And Jerel Worthy’s return to form would be most welcome for this unit.
The linebackers’ unit is thin. Clay Matthews is a premier pass rusher but he must find a way to stay healthy. His absence for four and five games at a stretch is too great to overcome given the surrounding talent, or lack thereof. The Packers still hold out hope that Nick Perry will stay healthy and thereby live up to his first-round status. When healthy, he has shown intermittent flashes of big-play capability. Like many players, you’d like more consistency…..doing it some times becoming being counted on to do it when the games are most important and the competition is keenest.
Inside linebacker A.J. Hawk accepted a pay cut before the season and then promptly went out and earned every penny. Brad Jones, his running mate, is OK in coverage but his forte is not taking on ball carriers in the hole. And Jones also has been bit by the injury bug too often. The Packers will be wise to re-sign Hawk at a modest pay increase, and plan on moving ahead with Jones as a nickel linebacker only. Despite the big defensive draft of two years ago, they need help on that side of the ball. They need to draft a safety, an inside linebacker and an outside linebacker in the first four rounds.
On offense, the Packers’ greatest need is a tight end. Jermichael Finley’s healthy return would be a god send, but right now that’s very far from a certainty. And they could easily lose him in Free Agency, if he is cleared to play. Eddie Lacy is the difference maker. The Packers’ offensive line is plenty good enough when it is healthy, and when Lacy and Rodgers are the one-two punch in the backfield. Both elevate the line’s performance, and Lacy gives Green Bay the toughness and tenacity that Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch and San Francisco’s Frank Gore bring. Having Lacy going into next season, and having the offseason to get healthy, will make the Packers a better team. But if they are going to be playing in the NFC Divisional Playoffs next January, they need to shore up the defense, either with or without a new coordinator. The same can be said for special teams.
It’s not an easy call for McCarthy, but it’s why he is entrusted with the Packers’ fortunes in the foreseeable future. He and GM Ted Thompson face considerable challenges in the coming months, but it could be worse. They have a top-rate quarterback, running back and receiving corps. The tight ends are OK, the fullback is solid and the offensive line is good enough if it stays healthy.
It will be interesting to see what McCarthy decides. Who says the off season is boring?

San Francisco sneaks by injury-riddled Packers 23-20; Green Bay one play away in wild-card playoff loss
By CHRIS HAVEL
The bone-chilling temperatures, rabid fans and playoff pressure weren’t enough to thwart Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s NFC wildcard game at Lambeau Field, but the ravages of injuries to the Pack lent the Niners a huge helping hand.
With temperatures in the single digits and sub-zero wind chills to contend with, Kaepernick relied on his feet to carry the 49ers past Green Bay and into the NFC divisional playoffs.
Phil Dawson’s 33-yard field goal at the gun lifted San Francisco to a hard-fought 23-20 victory over the Packers. Even that was just inches from being blocked. It was the second straight postseason in which the 49ers and Kaepernick managed to get by Green Bay and eliminate them from contention.
Faced with third-and-8 in Packers’ territory Kaepernick sidestepped a blitzing Jarrett Bush and ran 11 yards for a first down to set up Dawson’s game-winning kick.
Afterward, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers accepted the blame. He was 17 of 26 for 177 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Packers into the divisional playoffs.
“Very disappointing, personally,” Rodgers told reporters. “It’s frustrating not to play your best game in tough conditions. Defense holds them to 23 points. We should win that game.”
If you assess the two teams on the field, considering holes left by injuries, the feeling might be the better team on that field won, but that doesn’t mean the Packers, even though there lineup was devastated by hobbled key players, didn’t have their chances. After Green Bay’s defense bent but didn’t break in the first half, the Packers trailed at 13-10 at intermission. In each of the three previous wildcard games the team that trailed at halftime rallied to win. That wouldn’t be the case in Green Bay as fate continued to deal them a tough hand.
The Packers’ defense managed to keep it close, and Mason Crosby’s 24-yard field goal tied it at 20-20 with 5:06 to play. That’s when the 49ers went on their game-winning drive.
When the Packers didn’t get into the end zone on that fourth quarter drive it opened the door for the 49ers.
Today, many feel that the discussion begins in earnest regarding the futures of Packers’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers, special teams’ coordinator Shawn Slocum and others.
On the defensive side, injuries and other factors need to be considered, of course, in these deliberations. The Defense played significant portions of its season without its dominant player in Clay Matthews, including in this game. Add to that the loss of Sam Shields, Mike Neal, Johnnie Jolly, and a host of others in this or recent games. The special teams’ units also were subpar in coverage and so-so in the return game, so need attention.
Now it’s up to Packers head coach Mike McCarthy to do what it takes to make his vision for this team a renewed reality.
When McCarthy replaced Bob Sanders with Capers, he stressed the importance of playing an aggressive, attacking 3-4 defense. He wanted the kind of defense that plays fast, forces turnovers and especially is good at playing with a lead.
But if the message isn’t getting through loud and clear from a coordinator to the players it’s difficult to blame the entire roster. My gut feeling is McCarthy may well make a change at defensive coordinator.
On the Offensive side of the ball, the Packers were in better health for this game than for much of the year, having Aaron Rodgers (albeit still a bit rusty from an 8-week lay off) and Randall Cobb back, but let’s not forget the impact on the season of losing their anchor at OT in Bryan Bulaga and their play-making TE in Jermichael Finley. In this game, the Packers’ offensive line allowed the 49ers to hit or harass Rodgers on almost half of his drop-backs. That should not happen.
Naturally, McCarthy displayed no frustration or sentiment on coaching changes after the game. That is neither the time nor the place.
“I’m just very proud of this team as far as their ability to continue to overcome adversity,” McCarthy said. “It hit us at every turn, it hit us again today and these guys just keep fighting and fighting.”
The Packers are the only team in the NFL to qualify for the playoffs in each of the last five seasons. At full strength, they are inarguable an elite team. But now McCarthy faces some difficult decisions that may be necessary if this team is to go deeper in the post-season all the way back to the Big Dance.

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Green Bay’s 33-28 victory propels Packers into the NFL’s postseason
By CHRIS HAVEL
It may not be the single-greatest play in Green Bay Packers history but it certainly is in the conversation.
Facing fourth-and-7 at the Chicago 48 with less than a minute to play, Aaron Rodgers punctuated his return with a pass for the ages. Rodgers took the snap, saw a Bears’ safety roll up on Jordy Nelson, sidestepped Julius Peppers and lobbed a perfect pass to a wide-open Randall Cobb.
Cobb cruised into the end zone with what proved to be the game-winning play in the Packers’ 33-28 victory over the Bears Sunday at Soldier Field. The victory enabled the Packers (8-7-1) to capture the NFC North Division title and earned them a rematch with San Francisco in the NFC wild-card playoffs Sunday at Lambeau Field. It is the Packers’ third straight division title and fifth straight playoff appearance.
“This is a special group of guys who’ve been through a lot,” Rodgers told reporters after the game. “It’s been a rollercoaster.”
The ride ended for the Bears (8-8) in painful fashion. Chicago’s defense brought the house with the game on the line, but a tremendous block by fullback John Kuhn and Cobb’s head’s-up play sent the Bears and first-year head coach Marc Trestman packing.
Rodgers was shaky early in his first start after an eight-week absence due to a broken left collarbone. But after he settled down the Packers and Bears went facemask-to-facemask in a gut-wrenching thriller. The Packers converted three fourth-and-go-home plays on the winning drive, including a diving catch by Jordy Nelson that was reviewed by the replay officials before being upheld. Nelson finished with 161 receiving yards, while James Starks (88 yards) and Eddie Lacy (66 yards) tore up a really bad Bears defense.
Chicago’s Jay Cutler kept the Bears’ hopes alive with a strong performance, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall to put Chicago up 28-20 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Bears running back Matt Forte rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns and also caught four passes for another 47 yards and a touchdown.
Still it wasn’t enough as the Packers’ defense did enough early to keep it close while Rodgers threw interceptions on his first two drives. Green Bay’s Jarrett Boykin scored on one of the most bizarre plays you’ll see. After Peppers hit Rodgers to force a fumble, the officials didn’t blow the whistle because it was a live football. Boykin attempted to pick up the loose football, then kicked it a few feet before grabbing it and running untouched into the end zone.
The second half was back-and-forth before Rodgers’ last-minute heroics. Cutler tried to muster one final drive but was intercepted by Sam Shields to end the game.
Now the Packers host the 49ers with an opportunity to atone for a dreadful 45-31 loss in the NFC Divisional Playoffs a year ago.
Clearly, Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and special teams coach Shawn Slocum need their units to play better if Green Bay hopes to advance. Furthermore, one or both may be coaching for their jobs. The Packers have been bounced from the playoffs each of the past two seasons because their defense let them down in a big way. I can’t imagine Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will stand pat if Green Bay endures a similar fate this post-season.
But enough of that talk. There will be plenty of time for that if the Packers get KO’d by the 49ers or by Seattle or Carolina if they advance. Right now, karma is on the Packers’ side after a brutal injury-plagued season. It’s no coincidence that Rodgers and Cobb figured in the game’s deciding play. Green Bay’s offense appears to be as dangerous as ever. Now, if the defense and special teams show up Green Bay could be poised to make a deep playoff run.
Bring on the 49ers and say bye-bye to the Bears.