Rudy Ford needs more snaps over Darnell Savage at safety for Packers
By Paul Bretl
Following the Green Bay Packers fourth straight loss, I wrote in my Instant Takeaways article that it’s time to explore more playing time for Rudy Ford in place of Darnell Savage. Now having rewatched the game and had some time to digest and reflect on what we saw, I still feel the same way.
In the Joe Barry defense that plays with light boxes and is predicated on slowing the passing game first, the safeties are expected to play an active role in the run game. However, that happens to be a big issue for Savage, who not only has struggled in this department but looks unwilling as well.
Savage led the Packers in missed tackles against Buffalo with three. This included a whiff on Josh Allen, who converted a third and long run, followed a little while later by being brushed off by Devin Singletary on an explosive run that would have limited him to a few yards had he made the tackle. Savage’s missed tackle rate this season ranks as the seventh-highest among 93 eligible safeties.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a new issue for Savage either, who has struggled as a tackler since entering the NFL. No longer can he lean on his coverage abilities when run defense plays such an important role at the safety position for this Packers team.
In his place should be Rudy Ford, who filled in this season when Adrian Amos missed time and also on occasion as the deep safety in Green Bay’s dime personnel. If anything, Ford has been reliable — which is valuable — totaling 12 tackles, including no misses, along with not allowing a reception on two targets, according to PFF ($$).
"“I think he did an outstanding job. Playing with great effort first and foremost, but just doing his responsibility,” said Matt LaFleur following the New England game. “Certainly, you felt his presence out there in terms of his physicality; I want to say he had seven tackles. I thought he did a really good job.”"
Another candidate for safety snaps could be Rasul Douglas, who took some snaps there during training camp over the summer. This approach could allow Savage to play in the slot—although tackling is still an important part of that role as well.
Recently, Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Co. proposed the idea of trading Savage before Tuesday’s trade deadline. As of now, the Packers are on the hook for $7.9 million in 2023 after picking up Savage’s fifth-year option, a deal that continues to look worse by the week.
Ultimately, I have my doubts that the Packers will trade Savage, although Justis did also mention that there is precedent for a move like this with Green Bay trading Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2018.
At a minimum, Ford needs more playing time in obvious running situations, and he shouldn’t be limited to only that. With the Packers’ season barely hanging on, they need to be willing to make major adjustments if needed, and with Savage’s play this year, it’s hard to make an argument that he should see consistent playing time.