The Packers coach Matt LaFleur, like many people in and around Green Bay, is not a fan of where defensive coordinator Joe Barry has left the Packers defense, as was evident from his quotes the day after the team’s 34-20 slobberknocking on its home field in Week 4.
in particular, the run defense.
Barry and the defense should find some ways to slow down opposing rushers given that the Packers have given up 211 yards on the ground to two of their previous three opponents.
In a rare instance of a head coach criticizing a coordinator, LaFleur seemed to place much of the blame for the Packers’ failings squarely on Barry.
The Packers’ run-stopping strategy was mentioned by LaFleur, and as of the last time we looked, the defensive coordinator establishes the strategy.
LaFleur told the media during a meeting that
“I really do think a lot of it can be solved schematically.
“We have sufficient players.
There were, in my opinion, some really strong defense performances, and then there were others that made you want to rip the tape out of your hands and throw it at the wall.
“.
To put it another way, blame Barry rather than GM Brian Gutekunst or LaFleur.
Packers’ opponents demonstrating how to stop the run.
Regarding developing strategies to stop the run, LaFleur added the following advice: ”
Look at what other teams are doing to us. “We’re investigating everything, he assured them.
“It’s all of us working together, me, our defensive staff, just looking at some of the opponents we play, how are they trying to stop the run? You’ve always got to look at different way.”.
The Green Bay running backs have been providing what is essentially a clinic on how to get stopped without gaining very many yards since Week 1 at least, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, which is 28th in the NFL while the Packers’ defense allows 4.5 yards per carry, ranking 23rd in the NFL.
Aaron Jones, who was the Packers’ leading rusher before suffering a hamstring injury, returned this week, but he only had five carries for 18 yards.
On his five carries, Dillon gained 11 yards.
Are the Packers Playing a Defensive Game of Wait-and-See?
On Friday, LaFleur appeared to become irritated by the fact that his defense frequently appears more focused on maintaining a “shell”—as LaFleur refers to it—on big plays than actively pursuing stops.
That’s allowing too many long drives as opponents destroy the Packers underneath.
At least one adjustment should be anticipated going into Week 5.
It’s more about the philosophy behind some of the things we’re trying to accomplish, LaFleur said, ”
Especially when you know teams are going to run the ball.”.
“I know we’d prefer to maintain a shell on our defense, but there may be circumstances where we need to breach that
“.