The Green Bay Packers have not played well on defense as of late. Allowing yards, giving up chunk plays, and losing winnable games, this unit has faced a lot of scrutiny. For defensive coordinator Joe Barry, his job security is at the very least, under heavy fire for the remaining games, but the latest news may offer some hope.
Green Bay Packers Long Awaited Return
After a lengthy rest from play due to injury, Jaire Alexander is expected to play after successfully going through warmups, and is ‘ready to go’.
The addition back to the lineup does not come without much discussion and debate. Some have speculated that Jaire Alexander has given up on the team, not wanting to play in this Green Bay Packers defensive scheme.
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
One thing is for certain though, this secondary needs help. And when fully healthy, Jaire Alexander is a talented roster piece that can solidify a Green Bay Packers unit that is deeply in need of assistance.
Green Bay Packers Facing The Panthers
The return marks a game against a Carolina Panthers team that has struggled in all phases of football this year. Looking closer to a team that is bound for a number one overall pick, even that aspect is something that the franchise has messed up.
The two time Pro Bowl selection is getting a chance to play in what is something of a homecoming for him. Jaire Alexander is playing in Charlotte, where he also played as a high schooler. It is possible that he wanted to make sure that he could play in front of friends and family from that area, if nothing else his time table that allowed him to come back from injury, has lined up perfectly for his playing in a once again familiar area.
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Bottom line, this provides an excellent opportunity for Jaire Alexander to get some live reps in, help his in game conditioning, and see how he fits in to this system again. With many holes, missed tackles, and frankly puzzling assignments, it will be very interesting to see how Jaire Alexander plays today.
If the Green Packers play the way that they have been playing against opponents, then his shoulder will be tested today. With the space that this secondary is allowing against receivers, he will be asked to close a lot of space, and make multiple open field tackles.
This would leave him, as it has his teammates, in a more vulnerable position, than if a tighter coverage were played. This gap could lead to a reaggravation, sooner than normal, that otherwise might not have happened during regular course of play.
However, it is hard to see how the addition of Jaire Alexander will lead to the defense looking worse than what it has as of late. With how the Joe Barry defensive scheme has looked, if the Green Bay Packers struggle today against this Carolina Panthers, than there is little hope of much else going right for the rest of the year.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
