The Green Bay Packers officially named Joe Barry as the team’s new defensive coordinator on Monday. A veteran NFL coach with previous (but forgettable) experience as a coordinator, Barry will take over from Matt LaFleur’s defense after Mike Pettine’s contract was not renewed after the 2020 season.
Here are some initial thoughts on Barry as the new Packers defensive coordinator:
– Matt LaFleur and the Packers spent a lot of time preparing for the Rams defense before the divisional round playoffs. You can bet on all the work involved – and the various difficulties in preparing for the scheme – that played LaFleur’s desire for a Rams system coach.
– Like Sean McVay, LaFleur wanted a coach linked to the Vic Fangio system. The Rams won gold with Brandon Staley. The Packers hope to do the same with Barry.
– No need to dodge the fact: Barry’s previous two seasons as defensive coordinator didn’t go well. His defenses in Detroit and Washington ranged from fantastically average to historically bad. And it’s hard to overlook two failed opportunities as a coordinator. But talent is important. It just does. Players almost always matter more than the coordinator. And in Green Bay, he will have much more individual talent, especially in key positions. It’s up to Brian Gutekunst and the personnel department to make sure the Packers ’defense stars (Kenny Clark, Za’Darius Smith, Jaire Alexander and Adrian Amos) complement each other with better talent around 2021. The schemes and coordinators can mask shortcomings, but the defense is usually as good as their weakest link.
– There is something to be said about a head coach who has the opportunity to fully implement his own vision. Remember, Pettine was a remnant of Mike McCarthy. There is no doubt that Pettine’s previous experience as a coach was a good thing for LaFleur during his first two seasons. Now, LaFleur has finally had a chance to find his coach and fully realize what he wants to do on defense. Whether it brings improvement or not, it is clear that it is in the air. But everything that goes on will happen within the realized framework of LaFleur’s vision, both in attack and defense.
– Barry’s technical background is in the defenders. It will be interesting to see what he thinks of the returning group and what impact it will have on their influence on the defense of how the Packers will attack the position this offseason. Kamal Martin and Krys Barnes are intriguing young talents, but this is a place where the Packers could use an upgrade. Will it come internally, through Barry or with outside help? A mix can do the trick.
– Just as it would be foolish to say outright his previous work as a coordinator, it would not be prudent to overlook what he has done over the past four years. Having the opportunity to work with Wade Phillips and Brandon Staley probably had a big impact on the defense philosophy that will lead to Green Bay. The Rams had football’s No. 1 defense last season, though 2020 was the first time in the last four years that Los Angeles ranked in the top ten in scoring or in the field.
– There should be a lot of intrigue about how packers also use Jaire Alexander. Barry was part of the staff that created coverage around All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in Los Angeles. The Packers may put more on Alexander’s plate in 2021. He’s ready for that.
– A question to keep in mind: Does Joe Barry even get an interview if he didn’t work with LaFleur in Los Angeles before?
– Another relevant fact: McVay and the Rams hired two defensive coordinators during the last two seasons. Both were hired out with Barry on staff.
– Without a doubt, this was the most important decision LaFleur made since he coached the Packers. His team has won 26 games of the regular season and has advanced to the gates of the Super Bowl each of the last two seasons. Now, he is making a big change in the most important coaching position he holds. Even a marginal improvement on defense could make a big difference, but the Packers don’t have a grace period. This is a team ready to compete for the Super Bowls. Barry’s defense must play a key role in getting the Packers to overcome the hump.