November 5, 2011 | Rob Demovsky | Green Bay Press-Gazette
Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop (55) lines up quarterback Christian Ponder for a tackle in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011. / File/Press-Gazette
Like every member of the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff during the bye week, Dom Capers spent his time poring over film from the first seven games of the season.He analyzed what schemes and personnel groups worked and which ones didn’t.
When it came time to study the pass rush, which has lagged well behind last year’s production, the veteran defensive coordinator no doubt saw what inside linebacker Desmond Bishop has done in a handful of opportunities to go after quarterbacks.
Getting one, maybe two blitz chances a game, the second-year starter has recorded three sacks, matching his production in a dozen regular-season starts last season. Since he became a full-time starter 19 regular-season games ago, Bishop has six sacks to his name. That’s third-best on the team in that same stretch behind outside linebacker Clay Matthews (9½) and defensive lineman B.J. Raji (6½), both of whom get far more rush opportunities.
Capers and his coaching staff aren’t in the business of handing out the results of their bye week self-scouting exercise, but Bishop’s production as a pass rusher early in the season may have them thinking about sending him after the quarterback more often, perhaps beginning with Sunday’s game at San Diego.
“Could be, could be,” said Winston Moss, who coaches the inside linebackers. “We’re always looking for ways to disrupt the quarterback, so we’ve looked at it as far as who has been effective. If there are ways to add our inside guys and perimeter guys, as far as the defensive backs, Dom’s always looking for those ways.”
On Bishop’s three sacks, which is tied for the team lead with Matthews and defensive end Jarius Wynn, two came on called blitzes.
“Desmond’s always been a good blitzer, so coach has found ways to give him some opportunities,” Moss said. “So far, he’s kind of cashing in. There’s been some others he left on the table, but overall he’s been a very productive and effective blitzer for us.”
In Week 2 at Carolina, Bishop was part of a five-man pressure on a third-and-3 play. He looped around the right tackle, got tripped by a running back just as Matthews forced quarterback Cam Newton to hesitate. That’s when Bishop got up and sacked Newton for a 13-yard loss. His sack against Denver in Week 4 was similar. Another five-man pressure on third down, Bishop was unblocked and sacked Kyle Orton for an 8-yard loss just as he stepped up in the pocket to avoid Matthews. Both of those sacks were on cross blitzes with fellow inside linebacker A.J. Hawk. More>
Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop (55) sacks
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) in the fourth
quarter during the game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta,
Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. / File/Press-Gazette
