Packers fans everywhere this week are all having the same conversation. What the hell is going on with our defense?
The unit that seemed the most bulletproof heading into the season has been anything but. They have turned in underwhelming performances against arguably poor units and the statistics look ugly.
The run defense has been absolutely atrocious. They’re allowing 4.97 yards per carry which, in case you were wondering, is the second worst run defense in franchise history. Only the 1956 team was worse.
The defense is 17th in total DVOA.
They rank 7th to last in the league allowing slightly more than 6 yards per play on first down.
The tackling? Gross. First-team All-Pro linebacker De’vondre Campbell has already missed more tackles this season than he missed all of last year.
A third string quarterback named Zappe took us to overtime.
And that week one ass kicking that was so explainable by the idea of the Minnesota Vikings having an explosive offense is no longer explainable. The Vikings have been average at best. They struggle to gain any rhythm and have yet to put together another performance even close to what they looked like in week one. Sure the point totals have climbed up a bit but make no mistake they have been very mediocre.
Maybe worst of all the unit doesn’t seem to adjust and adapt well.
So is it the players, the scheme, the coach, or all of the above? Has the league finally seen Joe Barry on tape for a year and caught up to him? The reactions from fans have been all over the map. Some chalk it up to happenstance and aren’t worried a bit. Others are already calling for Barry’s job.
NFL insider Albert Breer responded to a Packer fan named Scott’s concern in this week mail bag.
Scott, I think we have to give this time, but there’s no question talent is not an issue. There are seven (!) homegrown first-round picks on the defense—Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, Eric Stokes and rookies Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt. There are big-ticket outside free agents that have been signed, such as Preston Smith and Adrian Amos. There are free-agent flyers that have hit such as De’Vondre Campbell, Rasul Douglas, and even Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry.
And when I was at training camp, what I saw was a defensive unit that was capable of driving Aaron Rodgers nuts in practice with its length, explosiveness and playmaking.
Bottom line, Green Bay should have a top-five defense this year. I love Barry as a coach, and think he’s way better than people realize. He was a trusted confidant of Sean McVay’s in Los Angeles, and Matt LaFleur brought him having worked with him out there. But there’s no question that the bar should be high. Right now, the Packers rank seventh in scoring defense and fifth in total defense. They can be better. And I think they will be.
Although I understand what Breer is saying I’m not sure I agree.
Expectations should be equal to the attention and resources you’ve been given. Brian Gutekunst and the front office made it their mission to build a defense to support their Hall of Fame quarterback. As Breer pointed out there are seven homegrown first round picks on this defense! Seven! There is nothing like that anywhere else in the league. The only other defense that has homegrown high drafted talent even close to the Packers is the San Francisco 49ers and right now they look historic on that side of the ball.
If we are going to constantly question the wide receiver room, a group that has been given nothing in terms of resources and attention, then we need to keep that same energy for the other units. The Packers have not spent a single first round pick on a wide receiver in the past 20 years. This team goes out of it’s way to not sign or trade for high-level talent at the receiver position. Yet here we are analyzing and criticizing them day in and day out.
I am not a Joe Barry hater. I have been a Joe Barry supporter, but this is supposed to be a championship roster built around a Hall of Fame quarterback. The defense has to hold up their end of the bargain. Special-teams is vastly improved and the offense has the best running game in the league.
It’s true players have to execute but unfortunately at the end of the day leaders bear the responsibility. There is now tape on what Joe Barry likes to do after his successful rookie campaign as defensive coordinator. He needs to prove he can succeed when people are prepared for him.
The Packers championship window is very very short and if we continue to look this below our expectations Joe Barry’s seat deserves to be as hot at the center of a deep fried cheese curd.
