This 2023 model year Green Bay Packers team has the look of a lemon. So many shiny new parts off the assembly line and it took a while to work out the kinks. Just when it started humming, more pings are heard, the check engine light goes on and if you’re not careful, it’s a cinch for a recall if not worse, a crash.
And after Sunday’s performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the radiator steam coming from the heat on Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry is billowing over all the other issues. The non-stop defense dropped the Pack from the final Wild Card spot to a four team leapfrog just to get back to number 7. Fandom wants Gentleman Joe gone. My guess is Head Coach Matt LaFleur will try and diffuse that now major topic of conversation outside 1265 and see this season through. Might not sit well with the majority and they have a case.
Barry’s defense is only two weeks removed from turning over Jared Goff and locking down Patrick Mahomes, allowing the emerging offense to reach above 24 points to secure big wins. But his unit was prone to wild mood swings in run defense, allowing four, 200 yard rushing days. His insistence on creating pressure only with his front four has been double-edged. His two safety, “shell” coverage preference was designed to limit plays over heads but it’s been a revolving door back there in the wake of the long Jaire Alexander absence, the in and out Darnell Savage. Baker Mayfield had a 7th rounder on one corner and another playing defensive back for the first time in 13 months. While some rushes got home, the holes in zone coverage were exploited. It was the second straight game plan that badly missed it’s mark. Hard charging rush lanes were beaten by Tommy DeVito six days earlier. The secondary stayed in it’s shell again. We all know the sack numbers the last two weeks, none against De’Vito (who back in form, got dumped 7 times Sunday) and the handful against the Bucs. But the defensive backs have gotten their hands on just three balls in the past two weeks. No PBU’s against New York and only Carrington Valentine and Rudy Ford got one in 28 pass attempts Sunday. Barry just hasn’t been able to develop any consistency with his roster.
I’ll be surprised if LaFleur makes the move before the season plays itself out. A major disruption to the defensive chemistry took place already when Rasul Douglas was traded. Considered an honest and sometimes outspoken voice in the locker room, I’m not sure all of his teammates bought the company line that Rasul’s criticism of Barry had no role in the Buffalo deal, but it might have made the offer look better.
The Packers still have to defend a rookie quarterback, a 4th string quarterback and another who has yet to beat them. While the evidence in total suggests one verdict, LaFleur will allow at least three more defensive game plans into evidence before rendering a decision.
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