Joe Barry wants to mix up the coverage better
The Green Bay Packers defense had much criticism thrown their way after the London disaster in Week 5. The Packers’ defense allowed the New York Giants offense, led by a hobbled Daniel Jones, to come back in the second half down ten points. Packers defensive lineman T.J. Slaton said he was frustrated with the team’s scheme and preparation after the loss. Packers fans took to social media to advocate for the Packers to fire defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
Barry seemed to take the team’s showing in London to heart. Barry addressed the media Thursday afternoon and hinted that changes would be made to the Packers’ defense. He said the defense would allow players like cornerback Jaire Alexander to be more aggressive. (The Packers’ secondary has come under fire for its performance in the early season.)
Barry said he intends to mix up the coverage better going forward. He answered that it was a priority to switch up the coverage, so the Packers aren’t playing as many off-coverage snaps with the elite talent they possess on the roster. However, Barry made it clear why the Packers weren’t going to change their overall philosophy to man coverage.
“Absolutely, and I think we have the guys that can [play more aggressive], absolutely,” Barry said. “Every situation is different. You know, we’re not just going to go play bump and run press man coverage every snap. That’s not the system that we run.”
LIVE: #Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry meets with the media ahead of #NYJvsGB in Week 6 🎙️ https://t.co/LmhKJ4Rnlt
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 13, 2022
Barry said the team would pick their spots at times to challenge wide receivers when they can. It was a confusing answer that Barry said the Packers have the talent to play man but won’t because of the “system” the Packers run.
Barry will need to put his words into action
The comments by the second-year Packers defensive coordinator aren’t reassuring to a fanbase that desperately wants to see more man coverage. Following the Packers’ Week 1 loss against the Minnesota Vikings, fans sided with Alexander that he should have played more man coverage on Justin Jefferson.
It’ll be interesting to see how comfortable Joe Barry will be to allow the team to play more aggressively this week against the Jets. It’s easy to say he wants to be more aggressive in a press confidence, but in-game stress situations often cause coaches and players to regress to former habits.
One Packers beat writer remains skeptical. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic Tweeted, “We’ll have to see if those changes actually happen.”
I don’t think he’s the only person watching the press conference who isn’t sure the Packers will change much with the secondary.
Two things we might see from the Packers’ secondary going forward, if Joe Barry’s presser just now is any indication: Rasul Douglas back outside and Jaire Alexander aligned more aggressively instead of in so much off coverage. We’ll see if those changes actually happen.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 13, 2022
1 Comment
I hope that Coach Barry is just keeping his cards close to his chest and not being too open on strategy. To tell all, including one’s opponent what is not being used makes no sense. As with all that is tactical, telegraphing a move or plan of attack has negative results. Stay frosty, Packers and Cheese heads. Go pack go!