Dom Capers' Packers Defense Is About Disrupting the Opposing Quarterback

In 2009, which was the first year in which Dom Capers became the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, the defense finished fifth in passing defense, fourth in lowest passer rating by quarterbacks (68.8), tied for 11th in sacks with 37 and first in the NFL with 30 interceptions.

The next year, in which the Packers eventually won Super Bowl XLV, the defense was fifth in passing defense, first in lowest passer rating by quarterbacks (67.2), tied for second in sacks with 47 and was second in the NFL with 24 picks.

Capers talked to reporters about the essence of his defense so far in 2014. "I think we've been able to disrupt the opposing quarterback," Capers said, "and that's our game."

That certainly was the game of his defenses in 2009 and 2010 when they were most successful in Green Bay.

Capers likes the impact that Julius Peppers has made on the defense so far:

"

I think what you've seen out of Julius in almost every game, and certainly these last three games, you've seen him make an impact play that you can say would influence the game.

He's been an impact player and I think as he gets more comfortable, he's obviously doing some things that he hasn't had to do a whole lot of. You saw him drop and make the interception and return it for a touchdown. I think we know he can rush the passer.

He's a good matchup, he's a good guy to have on the other side of Clay to complement him, and I like the rotation with Mike Neal and Nick Perry.

"

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The results are starting to come to fruition, if you compare this year's defensive stats to 2009 and 2010, when the defenses of Capers were at their best.

Currently the Packers are ranked sixth in passing defense, second in lowest passer rating (70.5), tied for sixth in sacks with 12 and are tied for second with seven interceptions.

Yes, there are still issues with the defense, especially in run defense, where the team is ranked dead last in the NFL.

That aspect of the defense has to improve. But the secondary has greatly improved since last year with the addition of rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Micah Hyde moving over to safety from cornerback and a healthy Casey Hayward able to play slot-cornerback again.

In addition to that, safety Morgan Burnett is having a fine season as well and may have played his best game ever against the Vikings last Thursday night.

The solid play of Clinton-Dix and/or Hyde as a partner at safety this season has to be one of the big reasons why we have seen the improved pefermance of No. 42.

Plus, Sam Shields, Tramon Williams and Davon House are all playing solidly at cornerback.

With the addition of Peppers, the pass rush has been tenacious at times. As Capers said, the Packers have Peppers, Matthews, Perry and Neal, and they can also utilize the pass-rushing skills of Mike Daniels and Datone Jones.

That pass pressure has led to the low passer rating so far this season by opposing quarterbacks as well as the amount of picks the Packers have made now. The Packers had just 11 interceptions in all of 2013; the team already has seven after five games this year.

Bottom line, this year's defense has the look of those Capers had under him his first two years in Green Bay. There is obviously a lot of room for improvement in stopping the run, but the other aspects of the defense are looking very solid.