The Green Bay Packers have two glaring needs on defense
By Josh McPeak
The Green Bay Packers have two overwhelmingly, glaring needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Mike Pettine has had horrible play from the Green Bay Packers’ safety position since taking over for Dom Capers. He also lacks players with the ability to rush the passer on a consistent basis.
Yes, Clay Matthews has reached the passer at some point, both before and after their release a few times. Three times resulting in a personal foul for roughing the passer. The good old NFL cleared up the catch rule in the offseason. The only problem, they made tackling the quarterback, way more puzzling than the catch rule ever was.
Matthews has reached the point of his career in which he is a liability against the run and you may get one or two exciting plays from him rushing the passer a game. Not worth the cap hit and it is sure to be his last season in the green and gold.
Nick Perry is an even bigger disappointment. The often-injured USC standout has been a missing man this season. Perry yet again, suffered an injury on Sunday. Perry’s newest contract certainly looks like a bust.
Green Bay’s interior, has been built as more of a run stopping front. Some big boys capable of applying pressure, but not capable of consistently bringing down the quarterback.
Pettine’s best pass rush seems to be when he calls upon his young corners to blitz off the edges. So far, it has been the most disruptive, consistent form of pass rush the Packers have enjoyed.
For the Packers to even sniff their mainstay at the top of the NFC North, they must improve their ability to get to the quarterback very soon!
As eluded to earlier, rushing the passer is not the only glaring weakness on this team. Not having the ability to rush the passer also makes the next weakness that much more of a need.
The safety play for the Packers has been downright terrible at times. Throughout recent history, the Packers have been spoiled with LeRoy Butler, Darren Sharper and Nick Collins. Since the career of Collins was cut devastatingly short, the Packers have failed to find that next guy.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix appeared to be the superstar safety the Packer have become accustomed to. However, the past few years show that he wouldn’t hurt a grape in a food fight. Clinton-Dix often looks to avoid contact and is occasionally rewarded with a gift interception.
Losing Morgan Burnett to free agency, has led to Kentrell Brice becoming a starter. Brice looks lost on deep balls. Two weeks in a row, he has been completely overwhelmed and destroyed on long touchdown completions. Essentially, being the only reason the passes were completed.
Josh Jones could have very well been a healthy scratch on Sunday and appears to have bust written all over him. His linebacker persona fails to help in coverage.
The undrafted Jermaine Whitehead could possibly be the most talented safety on the Packers roster. Hopefully, Brian Gutekunst is on the phone with the Seahawks GM trying to acquire Earl Thomas as you read this.
The Green Bay Packers have two really big needs on the defensive side of the ball. If they are not addressed during this season, the Packers could be on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Yet again!