Green Bay Packers Position Analysis, Volume VII: Defensive Backs

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2008: two interceptions (136 return yards, one touchdown), three passes defensed, 68 tackles (44 solo)

Rouse is huge for a safety and still athletic enough to have a nose for the ball, as seen by his two interceptions and one score despite missing two games and starting only a few. He receives a B- for his safety play in 2008, and was the team’s second-leading tackler on special teams, as well.

With only two seasons under his belt, Rouse will only get better. He already is good enough to start on almost any other team in the NFL, and did that well for the Packers in 2008; his future rates a B+.

S Charlie Peprah, 5’11”, 203 lbs., three years

2008: two passes defensed, 19 tackles (8 solo)

Peprah is a serviceable safety who also is a special teams contributor (top five in special teams tackles in 2008). He played in only 13 games and rarely was in at safety, being pressed into play only because of injuries to Collins and Bigby.

He was a weakness when he was in, at times being replaced with a cornerback playing safety; thus he gets a D+ for 2008. However, it should be noted that he played better than a fourth safety would be expected to in only his second year.

He will get better, but I suspect it will be in another uniform: Anthony Smith's arrival, the drafting of Underwood who can also play safety, and the presumed return to health of the unit probably means there is no room for a pedestrian player...his future with Green Bay is an F.

Overall

In 2008, the Packers secondary was the only bright spot on the defense. The team finished 12th in pass defense despite being 25th in sacks, meaning nearly all their success was due to coverage. They led the league in defensive scores and were tied for third in interceptions.

Clearly, the unit deserves an A- for 2008—were it not for the debacle against a very good Saints offense, it might have be an A+.

The team's future is brighter than their 2008 grade despite the aging of their top two cornerbacks. With Woodson clearly still being elite, Williams ready to step up, and Harris still being a good corner, the Packers may be the only defensive backfield in the league that can match up against their own wide receivers.

Add to that four safeties with starting experience and this is the deepest unit on any team in the league: A+.

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