The Green Bay Packers’ defense was hyped up all offseason. Subsequently, many believed it could be a top-five unit by the season’s end. After five weeks into the season, many are skeptical about how good this defense is. After the Packers’ brutal 27-22 loss to the Giants in London, many are calling for a change to the Packers defensive coordinator position. Joe Barry is in his second season in Green Bay. However, If he is let go early, here are three candidates who could replace him.
Three Candidates To Replace Joe Barry:
Green Bay Packers Defensive Backs Coach – Jerry Gray
Could the Packers’ replacement for Joe Barry already be in-house? Jerry Gray had a great first season as Green Bay’s defensive backs coach. CB Jaire Alexander took the next step to becoming an elite defender, leading to his record-breaking contract extension. Second-year safety Darnell Savage had a solid second half of the season. Green Bay ranked fourth with 39 passing plays of 20-plus yards allowed. This was a vast improvement after tying for 22nd with 56 last year.
Jerry Gray (54) was a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback with the Los Angeles Rams in the 1980s. His experience coaching includes being the defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills from 2001 through 2005 and the Tennessee Titans from 2011 through 2013. During those eight seasons, his units finished in the top eight in points allowed three times but the bottom nine four times. His background is the 4-3, unlike Joe Barry.
Wisconsin Badgers Defensive Coordinator (Interm Head Coach) – Jim Leonhard
With the recent events in Wisconsin, this could be a tall order. Paul Chryst was recently let go as the Wisconsin Badgers head coach. Consequently, In his place is Jim Leonhard, a staple of Wisconsin Football. Leonhard, 38, spent most of his NFL career playing in Mike Pettine’s defenses. In a 10-year playing career, he started 73 games and intercepted 14 passes. He has assembled one of the best defenses in college football without a bunch of four and five-star recruits.
Transitioning from college to the NFL is never easy, but his success has been undeniable and worth a look. It is worth noting that Leonhard once turned down an opportunity to work for the Packers before Joe Barry arrived. In February 2021, he was quoted saying: “It was me choosing UW,” Leonhard told Oates and Wilde. “I want to stay at UW. I want to be at this level right now. Extremely flattered. Awesome opportunity. But it was not the right time for me to go back to the NFL.” If the Wisconsin head coaching position goes to someone else, could it be his time to move to the NFL? His background is the 3-4.
New Orleans Saints Defensive Line Coach/Assistant Head Coach Ryan Nielsen
In his sixth season in charge of the team’s defensive line, Ryan Nielsen also served as an assistant head coach in 2021. In 2022 he added co-defensive coordinator duties. Nielsen has a history of developing professional and college players and bringing abundant experience to the New Orleans defense.
Since 2017, New Orleans’ 233 sacks ranked third in the league. Further, the Saints have had seven different defensive linemen produce multi-sack games. Additionally, the New Orleans defense went an NFL-record 55 regular season and postseason games without allowing a 100-yard rusher between 2017-20. Something Joe Barry could seriously benefit from right now. During his tenure in New Orleans, the Saints have ranked in the top 10 in sacks four of five seasons and have finished in the top five in run defense the last four campaigns.
Packers defense allowed 338 yards and 20 points over the last 5 drives.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) October 9, 2022
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @mcquadewarnold, follow us @WiSportsHeroics, and listen to our Podcast, The Cheese Dads NOW with Legendary DT Gilbert Brown! To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here!
1 Comment
The current coaching game plan is predictable. There is no adjustment to the opposing team. On 10/08/22, it looked like prevent defense mind set. The aggressiveness and tactics were less than one would expect from the NFL. It looked more like Pop Warner coaching. LaFluer only looks good as the poorest staff member. So, Joe Barry’s performance has considerably hurt LaFluer’s worth as a coach. If you look back at the previous games, Barry’s inadequate game plan is plain to see with 20/20 vision. If he is not replaced, many more near misses or tearful losses. Time to move on to a skillful defensive coordinator. One pissed shareholder.