The Xs and Bones of a scheme are always important when it comes to finding a new coordinator, but Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are also looking for the right kind of mindset in the team’s next defensive coordinator.
LaFleur, who decided to move on from Mike Pettine after his contract expired, said he wanted “new leadership” in defense in 2021. And while he didn’t go into details, he said he had a “clear vision.” what kind of candidate you are looking for.
“I think if we look at the big defenses in the league, there’s a certain mindset,” LaFleur said. “And it’s not necessarily what you call, but the way you play every call. I think there are some areas where we can continue to educate our players and be excellent in these situations, so if it’s a low, short third, you’re not playing on the sidelines. You don’t want to give up any gifts. You want to make people gain every inch on the pitch. ”
LaFleur said he wants his defense to “swarm” and “give a lot of energy and effort.”
Pettine’s defense, while improving the prevention of big plays in 2020, often played soft covers and lacked aggression in certain situations. At various times during the season, LaFleur publicly expressed his displeasure with the operation of the defense in various situations.
The Packers defense has individual talent, with players differentiating Edge Rush (Za’Darius Smith), corner (Jaire Alexander), inside defensive line (Kenny Clark) and safety (Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage), but the col. talent lesson did not always produce results that reflected the players.
LaFleur hopes a more aggressive mindset will be the key to unlocking the group’s full potential.
In accordance with ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers have interviewed nine different candidates, including an internal candidate: Packers defensive back coach Jerry Gray, Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Chargers games coordinator Joe Barry, defensive back Saints / assistant coach Ryan Nielson, Browns defensive line coach Chris Kiffin, Rams safety coach Ejiro Evero, Eagles defensive line coach Matt Burke, defensive defense coach of Washington, Chris Harris, and Falcons assistant Bob Sutton.