Green Bay Packers’ defense coordinator Joe Barry defended Week One gameplan
The Green Bay Packers defense was torched by Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson in Week One. Cornerback Jaire Alexander commented after the game that he wanted to shadow Jefferson but that the Packers coaching staff had other plans. On Thursday, Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry defended his decision to stay in zone against the Vikings. Per Matt Schneidman, Barry classified the Packers as a zone team.
"If you were to classify us, we're much more of a zone team."
But, Barry says…
"I'm not afraid to play man coverage, at all. We have three corners who can do that."
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 15, 2022
Twitter was not impressed by Barry’s answers
It was a bizarre response, given the outcome of Week One. Jefferson did well against the zone, and the Packers’ defense was exposed. Instead of owning up to a mistake, Joe Barry doubled down on the decision that players on the defense had questions about.
Packers fans on Twitter immediately spurned Barry’s comments. Fans were not happy that Barry was trying to excuse a poor game plan that led to the defeat of the Packers at the hands of their divisional rival.
https://t.co/JqUUTDCkJR pic.twitter.com/1Psa0y6PiT
— Mike (@DMRees2011) September 15, 2022
Love Stokes, but he couldn't cover his own shadow last week. Who are we kidding here? https://t.co/JT3fQ6P1N8
— Becky Hammon, Hall of Famer (@kneary22) September 15, 2022
How about admitting you messed up? It’s not that hard to do. Lol https://t.co/FxYoqf4pze
— cooper⚡️ (@itsCooop) September 15, 2022
Joe Barry lined up a linebacker against an all pro wide receiver in a divisional game. https://t.co/HgIYeNyQMI
— Matthew Hogan (@MHogan19) September 15, 2022
“I’m a dumbass. I will definitely use jaire in man against Jefferson next time we play them” would suffice https://t.co/QHfi4odBTR
— Frank (@peter_klaven7) September 15, 2022
Bold (massively failed in embarrassing fashion repeatedly all afternoon) strategy Cotton https://t.co/mhV8xIyI6e
— Preschool Royal Rumble (@Ferd_Turgeson) September 15, 2022
We will in some games but not against JJ? 🤨🤨
This is even more confusing now lol https://t.co/Urf2a9buPP
— Seth Wisner (@SethWisner) September 15, 2022
It would appear as if Joe Barry still needs a lesson in humility after getting exposed by the Vikings. The outcome at the end of the day just wasn’t good. Barry had better hope the defense has a better day against a Bears team with a weaker roster, or heads will be coming after the second-year defensive coordinator.
