The Green Bay Packers, fresh off of a 38-20 win in Week One over the Chicago Bears, will go up against a familiar face in Week Two when they play the Atlanta Falcons. Jerry Gray, who was the Packers’ defensive backs coach from 2020-2022. From 2021-2022, he also served as the team’s passing game coordinator on defense.
Gray was known to have an open disdain for defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who was hired in 2021. Gray had been a candidate for the position as well. In a report earlier this year, Rob Demovsky of ESPN wrote:
“In his final season in Green Bay, Gray barely hid his differences with Barry. On multiple occasions, Gray tried to distance himself from Barry’s game plans and personnel decisions, especially when pressed about why Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander wasn’t used to shadow opponents’ top receivers in certain situations and whether safety Darnell Savage would be better suited to play in the slot.”
Instead of signing the contract extension that Green Bay offered him, Gray accepted a job with the Falcons as their assistant head coach on defense.
Gray was a part of the Green Bay organization from the start of Jordan Love’s NFL career. He watched him and coached against him in practice for three years. Now he will try to use what he knows about the young starting quarterback to help Atlanta.
Former Green Bay Packers Coach Jerry Gray Reveals How He Plans to Beat Jordan Love
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated‘s Harrison Reno, Gray was asked how he plans to defend Love, who threw for 245 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions on Sunday. Gray responded:
“The biggest thing is that when you get ready to go against him, what can we do to make him hold it a little bit so the rush can get there. Do things like that, and that’ll get help our team going against a guy that I kind of have a little insight on.”
According to Reno, Gray was highly complimentary of Love, saying that when he saw him as Rodgers’ backup, he excelled at getting the ball out quickly. That is why he wants his pass rush to be a focal point.
Reno also states that Gray believes tight coverage in the secondary will be key as well.
How Can the Green Bay Packers Gameplan for the Atlanta Falcons’ Defense?
Well, the good news is that the Packers have a top-two offensive line in the NFL so far in this very young season. The Falcons, meanwhile, struggled to rush the passer against the Carolina Panthers. In other words, if the offensive line, tight ends, and everyone else in pass protection plays as well as a unit as they did against Chicago, Love will not have to worry about the pass rush.
Falcons safety Jesse Bates is going to be a concern, though. He forced three turnovers in Week One, two via interception and one via a forced fumble. He revealed after the game that he was able to read rookie quarterback Bryce Young’s eyes, which helped him defend the Carolina passing attack.
Love will need to look off defenders, especially Bates, if Green Bay is going to win this game. The wide receivers, with or without Christian Watson, will need to precise in their routes so that Love knows exactly where they will be.
Luke Musgrave Will Be the Green Bay Packers X-Factor on Offense
Luke Musgrave had three receptions for 50 yards in his NFL regular season debut on Sunday. Against the Falcons, he should be viewed as an even bigger threat in the offense.
Falcons linebacker Troy Anderson, who is their best coverage linebacker, is doubtful to play. That means the middle of the field will be open for Green Bay to take advantage of. If Musgrave can make his presence felt on short passing plays over the middle, and pick up decent yards after the catch, the Packers’ offense will be hitting the Falcons at their weakest points.
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