LaFleur has no plans to shake up Packers defensive workers

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Matt LaFleur wasted no time backing defensive coordinator Joe Barry on Monday whilst frustrations mounted among the many Inexperienced Bay Packers’ gamers on that facet of the ball.

He has no plans to make a training change.

“Oh, no, completely not,” LaFleur simply hours after the Packers’ 27-17 loss to the Buffalo Payments on Sunday evening.

The Packers’ struggles on offense have been simply predictable, contemplating they traded their finest receiver, Davante Adams, to the Las Vegas Raiders and tried to exchange him with journeyman Sammy Watkins and three rookies who would wish time to gel with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

However a protection that featured seven first-round picks and several other different high-priced free brokers was supposed to assist them survive till the offense discovered its means. As an alternative, Barry’s unit has contributed to the Packers’ 3-5 begin.

Based on sources near members of the Packers’ protection, gamers have grown annoyed with the defensive scheme and playcalling. One supply stated there was “a declining confidence within the defensive scheme and what’s being referred to as, and it is led to total frustration with the protection.” One other supply confirmed that sentiment.

LaFleur did not say instantly whether or not defensive gamers have shared that feeling with him or different members of the teaching workers.

“Nicely, to begin with, it is unimaginable to please everyone,” LaFleur stated. “Everyone has their very own opinions, their very own concepts. It is like anything in life. You must get the workers on the identical web page, at the beginning, in ensuring that everyone is assured within the plan and you then train it to the gamers.”

The most recent defensive breakdowns got here on Sunday, when the Packers allowed the Payments to attain on 5 straight drives (three touchdowns and two subject objectives) that spanned late within the first quarter to early within the third quarter. They allowed 24 factors within the first half earlier than it tightened issues up within the second half, following a season-long sample of taking part in one good half and one dangerous one.

At one level, the coaches pulled beginning cornerback Eric Stokes from the sport in what LaFleur stated was accomplished “simply to alter it up.” Stokes went again into the sport on the next defensive sequence.

“I believe we would be silly to not take heed to our gamers at sure occasions,” LaFleur stated. “In the end, we’ve to make the very best determination for our soccer staff by way of how do you go about successful the sport? You recognize, there have been some nice moments after which there have been some not-so-great moments. It was nice that we have been capable of get a pair turnovers.

“I believe from a consistency standpoint, means too many explosive features, some poor tackling. I believe we must be extra bodily. I believe you take a look at the groups which are hardest to take care of on this league, particularly from a defensive standpoint and physicality, it jumps out to you. There have been moments the place we’re not all the time getting that.”

Barry’s hiring in January 2021 to exchange Mike Pettine got here as a little bit of a shock contemplating his observe report as a defensive coordinator. He had twice earlier than coordinated defenses (Washington 2015-16 and Detroit 2007-08) and by no means completed higher than twenty eighth within the league rankings. The 2018 Lions went 0-16.

The Packers completed ninth in whole yards allowed final season in Barry’s first yr however struggled at occasions towards the run. They’re ranked one spot increased, at No. 8, via Sunday’s loss to the Payments however as soon as once more rank close to the underside of the league (twenty fifth) in dashing yards allowed per carry and have had communication breakdowns in protection which have led to explosive performs.

“There’s occasions we play good soccer and occasions we let it get away from us,” Packers defensive deal with Kenny Clark stated. “No matter it’s, we received to appropriate it. We received to determine that out. I do not actually have a solution for it.”

Mentioned cornerback Rasul Douglas: “I do not know what it’s, however we received to do one thing to win.”

Among the many gamers who’ve drawn criticism is security Darnell Savage, who was suffering from missed tackles.

“He is received to be higher in these conditions,” LaFleur stated. “We want him to, as a security, you have to clear it up. That is one thing that we’re positively going to handle. Darnell is aware of it, too. Everyone can see it. We have got to be somewhat bit higher and we have to do a greater job of drill it and placing that emphasis in that space as a result of it hasn’t been as much as the usual that we anticipate.”

Rodgers, who threw as a lot reward on the Packers’ protection as anybody within the preseason, stated the offensive struggles have not helped out these on the opposite facet of the ball.

“We have got to assist our protection out somewhat higher early within the sport,” Rodgers stated. “Once we went on a run again in ’16, we began these video games sooner so we might play extra one-dimensionally on protection. We simply have not accomplished that. We’ve not put up any factors early in video games to get our protection to have an opportunity to pin their ears again and get after the passer.”