There are quite a few issues plaguing the Green Bay Packers right now. Coming off an unexpected loss to the New York Giants, Green Bay is struggling with an inconsistent offense and a defense in disarray. In Week Four, the Patriots torched the Packers defense on the ground for 5.1 yards per carry. In Week Five, Daniel Jones dissected the secondary on crossing route after crossing route, driving up and down the field to rack up 27 points.
The Packers defense, loaded with talent, was supposed to be a strength in 2022. So, what’s going on? The answer is complex. Some of it lies in the performance of the players. Corners and safeties have been caught out of position. Inside linebackers have been inconsistent in both run and pass defense. The defensive line and outside linebackers have struggled against the run.
A large portion of blame also lies at the feet of the coaching staff. Communication errors and poorly constructed coverages have popped up multiple times. The entire defense seems to be playing slow and passive. Joe Barry’s coverage schemes have been largely bland and static the last few games. If the Packers are going to turn their season around and recover their status as contenders, something needs to change. A coaching change seems unlikely this early in the season. So, what could Green Bay do to help fix the defense?
Clean Up Communication
Mistakes in communication have bedeviled Green Bay so far this season. By my count, through five weeks the Packers have allowed over 150 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 receptions that resulted from coverage busts. This includes Justin Jefferson’s 36 yard TD in Week 1, a 25 yard score from the Patriots, and a 41 yard Saquon Barkley reception.
A huge part of the Fangio-style defense is effective communication. Defenders have to relay information both pre- and post-snap in order to effectively distribute routes in their zone-match coverages. Given the limited menu of coverages that Barry has used thus far, communicating effectively becomes even more important.
Luckily, this is one issue that is likely to right itself before too long. Green Bay was quite effective passing off concepts last year, and I believe that they have too many veterans on the defensive side of the locker room for repeated mistakes to persist. Though communication issues could also be mitigated by schematic adjustments – such as calling more straightforward man coverage, or using greater coverage variety to make it harder for offenses to key in on weak points – this is one aspect of the unit’s failings that the leaders on defense will probably fix internally. Other improvements, however, will have to fall on the coaching staff.
Marry the Front to the Coverage
Just like on offense, to truly be effective defensive schemes have to operate based on timing and synchronization. If the coverage is good, but the pass rush takes too long to arrive, then the defense struggles. Similarly, if the coverage is unable to hinder quick passes, then the pass rush doesn’t have time to affect the quarterback.
Although Green Bay has some excellent pass rushers, many of them rely on power to crush the pocket and disrupt the passing game. To complement this slower-developing style of pass rush, the secondary has to find a way to prevent quick passes. To this point in the season, they have struggled to do so because of their reliance on off coverage. Off coverage isn’t always a bad thing – it can lend itself to coverage disguise and force hesitation from the QB. Especially when playing against an offense that prefers condensed formations and bunch sets, it allows for cleaner concept distribution. Some DBs also prefer the vision that it allows them to play with – Rasul Douglas, for example, made multiple plays reading the offense from off the line and playing downhill on routes in 2021.
However, for most of the past five weeks Green Bay’s coverage calls have not had the necessary variety to create uncertainty and dissuade quick throws. They need to find a different way to play coverage to allow the rush to get home. The most obvious solution would be playing closer to the line, disrupting receivers with physicality and aggressiveness. Another helpful step would be diversifying coverage calls, lending a renewed element of unpredictability to the Green Bay defense. When the DBs ARE going to play off the line, Barry has to find a way to accelerate the pass rush through blitzes and sim pressures – especially if any of their star rushers miss time. It’s up to the coaches to find a way to get the coverage and rush operating as a unit. The Packers certainly have the personnel to take these steps.
Reassess Utilization of The Personnel
The Packers defense is loaded with talent. Most starters are either former first-round picks or well-compensated free agents. Yet, the personnel usage thus far has been disappointing.
Players like FS Darnell Savage and WILL LB Quay Walker have the athleticism to be devastating blitzers, but Barry has largely relied on lineman to rush.
In coverage, Savage excelled in a “robber” role in the latter half of 2020. He could very well benefit from a return to a similar utilization.
Rasul Douglas demonstrated excellence last year as an outside CB. This year, he has mostly been in the slot – where he has struggled. CB Jaire Alexander could prove to be a better fit, given his greater shiftiness and change-of-direction ability. It is worth noting that earlier this week, Barry admitted that a change on that front could be coming soon. Whether he follows through remains to be seen.
On the front end, T.J. Slaton impressed at nose tackle against the Giants. He could – and should – get more playing time.
Quay Walker spent time on the edge at Georgia. He could open up new flexibility if used in a similar manner to bolster the OLB depth and provide extra pass rush juice for the Packers.
Rudy Ford showed competency when he had to fill in at safety after Adrian Amos exited with a concussion against New England. Perhaps a three-safety package with Savage or Ford – who played significant slot snaps for Jacksonville in 2021 – rotating as the nickelback could provide a new wrinkle for Green Bay. Such a package could allow for more physicality against the run. If the defense is more concerned about the pass, then Rasul Douglas could rotate out to safety while Savage enters the slot. The list of potential schematic adjustments could go on.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways for Green Bay to improve their performance on the defensive side of the ball. Whatever they do, something needs to change from the past few weeks. The Packers defense, despite its talent, has been a disappointment. While disheartening so far, there is still quite a bit of season left for them to right the ship.
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