Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage is coming off a rough season in 2022. He had several missed tackles, the communication was lacking, and breakdowns in coverage all led to him being benched. When asked about how he views his game, he had this to say:
“I think my biggest downfall,” Savage said late last season, “is I feel like I can make every play. When I’m not making every play, I get frustrated. As any competitor, you get frustrated, you can’t really focus on the task at hand.”
But what can we expect to see from Savage in 2023?
A Savage in Preseason and Training Camp
Darnell Savage has been impressive through preseason and training camp. Matt LaFleur has been raving about his approach to improving his game and putting last season behind him. Here is what LaFleur had to say about Savage’s training camp performance:
“I think he’s had a really nice camp,” said LaFleur. “He’s attacking it the right way on a daily basis. He’s been much more consistent, I would say, throughout the course of it. He’s got to maintain that because the one thing I know about this league is as soon as you relax for one second, your play slips or somebody is bypassing you. So you got to have that mentality on a daily basis and I think that’s what he’s had throughout the course of, when he was here during OTAs, throughout training camp, and in his limited snaps he’s had throughout the course of the preseason.”
At 5’11” and 198 lbs, Savage has blazing 4.36 speed and the ability to be a key playmaker on the defensive side of things. Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry has been on the record stating what he is looking for from the safety position is consistency, something that was null and void last season.
A Consistent Savage
Savage becoming consistent is a multi-step process that begins with him trusting his instincts. He needs to be a leader in the secondary and communicate more effectively. His tackling needs to be more efficient and work on wrapping up opponents. Defensive Backs Coach Ryan Downard said this about Savage heading into 2023:
The Green Bay Packers defense could use a hot start in 2023 🔥 Packers defense has depth! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/527q3Ndb14
— EVAN MARKHAM 🤙🏻 (@EvanMarkham4) June 25, 2023
“I think Darnell is best when he pulls the trigger and let’s it all hang out,” said defensive backs coach Ryan Downard. “I’ve had that talk with him. If you watch his Maryland tape, he was going to get it. He’s got to trust himself. We have to do a better job of tackling and playing a physical brand of football. That’s not only at the point of contact, but that’s taking on blocks.”
It is clear that the coaches believe in Savage’s ability but need him to play to his potential. They want Savage to be a savage, pun intended.
Expectations for 2023
This whole Packers defense is loaded from top to bottom, and the coaches and fans alike, have high expectations heading into the new season. They have one of the best defensive fronts in all of football, with players like Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, and Devonte Wyatt. Their linebacker group is robust with playmakers like De’Vondre Campbell, Preston Smith, Quay Walker, and Rashan Gary.
The Green Bay Packers defense has to STEP UP in 2023 👏 #GoPackGo
On paper, the Packers defense is LOADED. #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/2CAVkBbAJU
— EVAN MARKHAM 🤙🏻 (@EvanMarkham4) June 23, 2023
Shut down corner Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas will be on the corners, which is a formidable duo. Rounding out the defensive backfield are Keisean Nixon, Darnell Savage, and Rudy Ford. This group has to improve and prove they can hold down things in the secondary. Look for the Green Bay Packers defense to make a statement this and be one of the best in the league.
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