Over the last two weeks, Matt LaFleur and Joe Barry have offered post-game commentary that has subtly shifted the burden of responsibility onto the players.
In the aftermath of the New York Giants’ win over Green Bay, Barry emphasized that Carrington Valentine failed to receive a crucial defensive call during a pivotal two-minute drill, ultimately resulting in a missed opportunity for the defense on third-and-nine. The communication breakdown led to the Giants gaining a first down, moving the ball downfield, and securing their victory on a last-second field goal.
Even if Valentine did not receive the call, the defense was aligned where the cornerbacks positioned themselves behind the first down line on a critical third-and-long play. That indicates that there was a significant coaching lapse. In implicitly attributing the mishap to Valentine, Barry may have inadvertently thrown the rookie under the bus, disregarding the broader coaching responsibility for defensive calls. It’s a stark reminder that the defensive scheme should have been better tailored to a quarterback who usually throws shorter passes.
Green Bay’s defensive struggles persisted in the matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their defensive performance against Baker Mayfield left much to be desired. The Packers allowed Mayfield to emulate prime Tom Brady. Pro Football Focus graded Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and Valentine with coverage scores below 41. De’Vondre Campbell‘s 135 yards allowed in coverage marked the most by a Packers linebacker since 2006.
LaFleur addressed the media on Monday and shed some light on the team’s ongoing struggles with miscommunication across fundamental concepts. LaFleur said players consistently find themselves out of position, pointing to a pervasive breakdown that transcends specific phases of the game.
If an individual player consistently makes a mistake, the blame lies with him. However, when the same errors reoccur across the entire unit, the responsibility shifts to the defensive coordinator. That statement becomes more resonant when multiple Packers players commit mistakes on all three phases of the defense. The defensive line has been unable to finish tackles, there have been missed tackles in the linebacker corps, and lapses leading to open receivers in the secondary.
We’ve seen increasing signs of internal discord within Green Bay’s building recently. Eric Stokes provided insight into a team meeting on Monday where Barry emphasized critical shortcomings evident in the game tape. In it, Berry underscored issues that are systematically undermining the team’s success. Quay Walker‘s reluctance to share details about the team meetings further hints at a potential rift or discontent within the locker room. Campbell took to Twitter on Tuesday, expressing a desire not to “go out of his way anymore.”
Matt LaFleur must recognize the defensive issues without solely attributing them to player lapses. Acknowledging coaching and player accountability is crucial to maintaining trust within the team. While LaFleur shouldn’t throw Barry under the bus, he should convey that improvements are needed. A nuanced approach that supports the coaching staff while acknowledging room for growth can demonstrate a commitment to addressing challenges.
LaFleur risks losing the locker room by blindly endorsing Barry without acknowledging the team’s defensive shortcomings. Players may become disillusioned if there’s a perceived lack of accountability for the coaching staff’s role in the struggles, and they feel they’re getting all the blame. Striking a balance between critique and unity is crucial. LaFleur should convey that improvements are necessary without creating an atmosphere of discord or finger-pointing within the locker room.
Equity in accountability is paramount – from players to the coaching staff, LaFleur must hold everyone to the same standards. When a perceived lack of fairness emerges, it has the potential to fracture team unity and foster resentment. The creation of a split locker room, where players and coaches operate under different levels of scrutiny, runs counter to the cohesive culture required for a winning culture.
