Green Bay Packers defenders are also in agreement with the fanbase that things need to change on their side of the ball. The defense reportedly held a meeting with Matt LaFleur on Monday as the head coach wanted to brainstorm ways to keep points at a premium as the Packers try to stay in the NFC wild card hunt.
LaFleur received heavy backlash online following this decision to keep defensive coordinator Joe Barry employed for the remainder of the season. Barry’s defenses have made unbelievable blunders this season, especially in the Packers’ recent two-game losing streak.
Joe Barry’s defense could cost the Packers a Wil Card spot
Barry’s defense against the Giants gave up over 200 yards rushing, something the Packers have done multiple times this season. But his two-minute defense against backup quarterback Tommy DeVito and the New York Gaints really made heads roll as the Packers dropped what should have been an easy win in December.
The Packers’ defense followed up their Monday Night Football disgrace by allowing Baker Mayfield to tie Aaron Rodgers’ record for having a perfect-passer rating at Lambeau Field in a double-digit loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Fans weren’t happy with the loss, and even Packers beat reporters peppered LaFleur after the game with questions about why the fifth-year head coach kept Barry on as the playcaller after several significant failures in the later part of the season.
Players weren’t happy either.
Green Bay Packers players ask for the defense to be simplified
According to Tom Silverstein with Packers News, LaFleur held a meeting with defensive players Monday to find solutions for the team going forward this season. Per the report, players “dodged” questions on whether the defensive coaching staff put players in a good position on the field to succeed.
However, defensive tackle Kenny Clark said players talked to LaFleur about communication problems. Evidently, Packers defenders aren’t sure where to play a lot of the time because the defense can be too complex:
Veteran nose tackle Kenny Clark said he didn’t take part in the talk with LaFleur but was aware it happened and was told players were honest with him about how to best move forward. He hinted that simplifying some of the things Barry has tried to accomplish might allow everyone to play more freely.
“I’m sure he (LaFleur) wanted to hear from different position groups and guys based off where communication was lacking,” Clark said. “It was just the normal, figuring out what we can do better and make sure we’re helping out teammates.
He’s always good about that, asking us what’s going on and what do we need in order for us to play fast. So simplify some of it so guys can play fast, so guys can just go. The more you got guys thinking and looking at different things, the harder it is.”
Packers defenders are hinting at major problems with the defensive coaching staff. There’s no way to read Silverstein’s report and think the players have confidence in Barry as a communicator or playcaller.
There’s a major issue in the locker room when players won’t go on the record to say Barry and his assistants put them in positions to succeed on the field.
Any fix stemming from Monday’s meeting feels temporary.
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2 Comments
They needed to fire him at the beginning of the season!! Every Coach in the league would of, All you have to do is look at Joe Barry results this year!!!??🤔 I think Matt Leflur should be “Fired” for not realizing he should fire Joe Barry????
Yes, if not before. Look at the second Lions game last year. Pack needs a win Defense gives up first down late in game by playing extremely soft. Game over and season over.