In Week Two, when they play the Atlanta Falcons, the Green Bay Packers, who defeated the Chicago Bears 38-20 in Week One, will face a recognizable opponent.
From 2020 to 2022, Jerry Gray served as the Packers’ defensive backs coach.
He was the group’s defensive passing game coordinator from 2021 to 2022.
Joe Barry, the defensive coordinator hired in 2021, was known to have openly offended Gray. Gray had also applied for the job.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky stated: in a story published earlier this year.
“Gray barely managed to conceal his differences with Barry in his final campaign in Green Bay.
When questioned about why Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander wasn’t used to shadow the top receivers of opponents on occasion or whether safety Darnell Savage would be better suited to play in the slot, Gray repeatedly attempted to distance himself from Barry’s game plans and personnel decisions.
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Gray accepted a position with the Falcons as their assistant head coach for defense after declining the contract extension Green Bay offered him.
From the very beginning of Jordan Love’s NFL career, Gray was a member of the Green Bay organization.
During the course of three years, he observed him and competed with him in practice. Now he’ll try to use his knowledge of Atlanta’s young starting quarterback to its advantage.
Jerry Gray, a former coach of the Green Bay Packers, reveals his strategy for defeating Jordan Love.
How Gray plans to defend Love, who threw for 245 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions on Sunday, was a topic of discussion in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated’s Harrison Reno. Gray gave a response:.
The most important thing is to figure out how to get him to hold it back just a little bit when you’re about to attack him so the rush can happen.
Doing things like that will help our team when going up against a man about whom I kind of have some insight.
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According to Reno, Gray was very complimentary of Love, saying that as Rodgers’ backup, he excelled at getting the ball out quickly.
He wants his pass rush to be the highlight because of this.
Gray thinks that tight coverage in the secondary will be equally important, according to Reno.
What kind of game plan can the Green Bay Packers use to prepare for the Atlanta Falcons’ defense?
The Packers have an offensive line that is currently ranked in the top two in the NFL, which is good news considering how early in the season it is.
In contrast, the Falcons had trouble rushing the passer against the Panthers.
In other words, Love won’t have to be concerned about the pass rush if the offensive line, tight ends, and everyone else in pass protection play as well as a team as they did against Chicago.
Jesse Bates, the safety for the Falcons, will be a worry.
In Week One, he forced three turnovers, two through interceptions and one through a forced fumble.
After the game, he admitted that he had been able to read rookie Bryce Young’s eyes, which had aided in his defense of Carolina’s passing attack.
If Green Bay is going to win this game, Love will need to evade defenders, particularly Bates.
With or without Christian Watson, the wide receivers must be precise in their route-running so that Love is aware of their exact location.
The Green Bay Packers’ offensive X-Factor will be Luke Musgrave.
On Sunday, September 10, 2023, during their football game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (88) is wide open for a long reception.
Romeo Doubs’ touchdown pass from the wide receiver was made possible by the play. Green Bay triumphed 38–20.
On Sunday, Luke Musgrave made his NFL regular season debut with three receptions for 50 yards.
He ought to be seen as an even greater offensive threat when the Falcons are on the field.
Despite being the best coverage linebacker for the Falcons, linebacker Troy Anderson is questionable to play.
As a result, Green Bay will have an open field in the middle to exploit.
The Packers’ offensive line will be hitting the Falcons where they are most vulnerable if Musgrave can make an impact on short passes over the middle and gain respectable yards after the catch.