× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers signed Julius Peppers to get to the quarterback.

To get better at that, the veteran pass rusher realizes the defense has to get better at stopping the run first.

Allowing 207 yards on the ground, which is what Green Bay gave up last week to Seattle, might not cut it against the New York Jets in the home opener Sunday.

"You've got to stop the run to be able to have a chance to rush the passer, so that's where our focus is," Peppers said Thursday.

It sounds like a sound plan against a Jets team that ran for 212 yards in a win over Oakland last week. Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory provide a solid one-two punch, and Geno Smith is a mobile threat at quarterback.

The Packers expect to see some read-option, just like in Seattle. What the Jets don't immediately present is an all-purpose threat like receiver Percy Harvin, who beat the Packers on sweeps and through the air.

Poor tackling was an issue, a problem that also hampered the Packers at times last year. This week, much of the talk in the locker room was about technique and fundamentals.