The Green Bay Packers have heard plenty of deserved criticism surrounding their defense. With Matt LaFleur making it clear that there will not be any changes for the foreseeable future to the staff, it looks like the Green Bay Packers will fight through the rest of their season as they have up to this point. Following the most recent words to come from the facility, what could this all mean for a defense that badly needs to see an improved performance on the field?
Green Bay Packers Statement After Loss
Following the 34-20 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the defense had a Monday morning meeting to address the performance by the Green Bay Packers. Based on a report from Ryan Wood, Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry said the following according to Eric Stokes:
All the explosive plays, that sh*t will get you beat.
And while this is of course a true statement, it points to an even bigger issue for the Green Bay Packers moving forward. With the players and coach seemingly believing that the scheme is fine and it not looking like it will change, what needs to be different going forward?
Green Bay Packers Preventative Approach
It is very obvious to see how the Green Bay Packers are hoping to play defense. They are looking to avoid the big play over the top, accept shorter completions underneath, and hope to get home to the quarterback with four on most downs.
In a vacuum, his statement makes all of the sense in the world. Of course you can’t give up the big plays. But constantly giving up cheap yards has been just as back killing to this team as anything else. Watching how games have unfolded, giving up big plays is furthest of any Green Bay Packers worries.
Green Bay Packers Need To Draw A Line
When asked further about the defensive game plan Stokes also contributed:
There’s a lot of trust in the game plan…a lot of people aren’t lined up right.
It appears that there will be no imminent changes, and that the Green Bay Packers whole heartedly believe that this defense is close to performing well, as is.
If the defense is going to continue to play like this, then the way in which they carry out this game plan needs to dramatically alter!
If the Green Bay Packers are going to continue to play off coverage, with deep safety help, the coaching and mental approach needs to change. The offensive players in front of them need to face a line of confrontation once the ball is in the air, or as the run is developing from the Green Bay Packers defenders. Too often, the defense just looks satisfied with giving up the plays underneath.
There’s a feeling of their job being accomplished, as long as they can live another set of downs. Instead, the staff needs to shift the focus, if they are going to maintain this approach. Keep playing with a bigger cushion, but make it difficult once the ball is in play. This mental switch would keep it safe tactically, but give the players an added edge of looking to attack more as a defender.
