Cory's Corner: The Defense Has Found Its Attitude
Nate Hobbs is the perfect addition for a team that sorely needed an edge.
Having a physical presence on the back end of the defense is something that every team covets, but doesn’t always get.
The Packers can certainly cross that off their wish list thanks to Nate Hobbs. Entering his fifth season, Hobbs brings an attitude that Green Bay’s secondary hasn’t had in awhile.
“I just feel like it’s the nature of the game and, if you playing it the right way, they’re going to have to tell you slow down,” said Hobbs after the fourth practice of training camp.
The Packers signed Hobbs on March 13 and it got a lukewarm reception throughout the state after starting 38 of 51 games as a Raider. He is an average tackler and above average in coverage, but there is one thing that he does bring: the boom.
“I love him,” said Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. “He brings a toughness, he brings an edge. He brings a level of competitiveness. He’s strong. He gets hands on people. He can play inside and outside.”
So while Jaire Alexander is gone, Hobbs steps into a perfect situation. The 26-year-old still has plenty to prove in his career and he is walking into a team that is hungry and able to win now. The Raiders only notched one double-digit win season while Hobbs was there, so coming to Green Bay is exactly what he has needed.
On the surface, it looked like just another average transaction. But now that we have had time to digest it and see it, I think it’s a great fit. Yeah, the Packers gave up a defensive back that has been solid in coverage for one that is a little better than OK.
But you cannot replicate the attitude. Ever since camp started, it has been obvious tht Hobbs really wants to be here. He has been bouncing around, energizing teammates and even getting slapped on the wrist by coach Matt LaFleur for taking out running back MarShawn Lloyd at the legs.
“He sat me for a second, put me in timeout,” said Hobbs. “Let me think about my decisions. And I thought about it real good.”
Adding Hobbs was such an important move because wide receivers and tight ends are going to think twice about where they go now. Hobbs isn’t afraid to send a message, which is only going to make the rest of the defense that much better.
While offensive players are rubber-necking where Hobbs is, Xavier McKinney and others can swoop in and capitalize with turnovers.
This team needed an attitude on defense and thanks to someone that was ranked No. 102 among all corners last year by Pro Football Focus, they just got one.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (35)
LambeauPlain
August 05, 2025 at 06:42 am
An article featuring Hobbs the day it was announced he had surgery on his knee that will keep him out of most of Training Camp is interesting timing. Hobbs will need to bring that "attitude" to his rehab now.
Ballintine was resigned after being released by the Colts. He knows the D so that helps. Hopefully some of the young CBs can step up with more work as Hobbs recovers.
Coldworld
August 05, 2025 at 07:38 am
If an issue can be cleared up before the season I’m all for it rather than playing hindered or with the risk of aggravation. I doubt Hobbs needs more acclimation time and that he would have played much in preseason anyway. In fact I want to see as many of the others prove they are worthy or not in that room as possible while we’ve still got a chance to change things up at cut down.
It will be interesting to see who gets snaps at slot first up after Bullard that Hobbs was taking and it should get Valentine more time and, by extension, Melton.
Spock
August 05, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Sounds like Hobbs probably just had a piece of torn meniscus cut out to keep the knee joint clean (I don't know this, but it seems like the "minor" operation most likely). With my eight knee surgeries about 3-4 were variations on meniscus tear cleanups. I can tell you that I usually walked out of the hospital in much less pain then when I walked in with that type of "day surgery". Cutting out a tear prevents the torn bit from slipping into the knee joint and "locking up" the knee. I'd guess this (or something similar) is what Hobbs has had done. No Biggy and is a smart "preventative" surgery to get within this time frame IMHO.
Guam
August 05, 2025 at 07:38 am
At least he is getting it taken care of now so he can be ready for the start of the season. The Packer depth at CB is thin and injuries to any putative starter are a serious concern. I guess this will give the young players more time with the 1's to see if they can develop. I hope Ballentine doesn't take too many of Hobbs' snaps just because of his experience. We need to see what Melton, King and the others can do.
GregC
August 05, 2025 at 08:07 am
Unfortunate timing for Cory. I hadn't heard about the surgery until you mentioned it. Looks like a minor thing anyway.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 06, 2025 at 04:42 am
Hafley first year was 2024 and Ballentine was not in Green Bay that year. Ballentine has general experience, though.
egbertsouse
August 05, 2025 at 07:13 am
He’s going to be the toughest guy in the training room.
TKWorldWide
August 05, 2025 at 08:35 am
Nate wears number 21.
BuckyBadger
August 05, 2025 at 08:32 am
So we are suppose to be excited because he is bringing attitude in training camp and taking out our own players? Now he is out the rest of training camp after having surgery which doesn't bode well for him over coming his biggest issue, staying healthy. Sure it is better to have it done now before the season but it is still a big concern with a guy who has missed so much time. Sorry but I have trouble getting excited about a player who is fairly average and misses a lot of time. Your attitude doesn't mean much when you are in street clothes.
LambeauPlain
August 05, 2025 at 10:49 am
You don't have to be excited at all.
I do know Jeff Hafley is excited about Hobb's and discussed his football work ethic and practice attitude with some clear enthusiasm that countered LaFleur's need for Hobbs to play with thicker kid gloves and less enthusiasm. Hobb's will be very quiet on the field for several weeks now.
Really hope he can get back before the Lions opener to get some snaps with his teammates. Lions usually bring a snarly attitude to Lambeau.
GregC
August 05, 2025 at 11:30 am
I'm giving LaFleur the benefit of the doubt on this one. I have not often heard of him reprimanding players for getting too rough in practice.
NFLfan
August 05, 2025 at 09:13 am
Sounds like an arthroscopy which is an outpatient procedure. But, he will still require 2-3 months to fully heal, not 3 weeks.
GregC
August 05, 2025 at 11:21 am
Oh thanks, I almost forgot that you know more about this stuff than the Packers medical staff.
NFLfan
August 05, 2025 at 01:04 pm
@GC-The Packers medical staff is not as conservative as they were 2 years ago.
Love returned too early after his ligament and groin injuries.
dblbogey
August 05, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Laugh out loud. It's a 3 week injury.
Leatherhead
August 05, 2025 at 09:25 am
I think Hobbs will help us more than Stokes or Alexander did last year
Spock
August 05, 2025 at 12:40 pm
lol. Truthfully that's kind of a low bar (I jest; I jest.)
dobber
August 05, 2025 at 10:08 am
The general info is that Hobbs had a partial meniscus tear cleaned up. No floaties. For the team to put it out there that he had surgery AND he'll be ready for week 1 says a lot. Most teams won't share that kind of information openly unless they're pretty sure.
As for "defense with attitude", it seems that every year we hear about someone--often a depth or fringe roster guy--who's overzealous in practice and gets a talking-to. I also seem to remember a couple years ago a certain QB proclaiming "WE'VE GOT A DEFENSE!"...and we were optimistic until we weren't. How about we let these guys play some games that count before we proclaim anything about attitude?
NFLfan
August 05, 2025 at 12:05 pm
A partial meniscus tear-repair is not something that will heal in 3 weeks. The meniscus, like tendons and ligaments does not get blood supply the way that soft tissue does. He will experience swelling (arthroscopy) from the invasive nature of the procedure alone and will be able to walk but he won't be ready for the rigors of NFL football in 3 weeks. GB made a mistake bringing back Love too early from a ligament injury followed by a groin injury. Yes, they can shoot up the area with Lidocaine and administer IV Toradol but that only masks the symptoms.
Hobbs should not play football for @ least 8 weeks -that is why they brought Ballentine back.
Hobbs needs to be to twist, turn, accelerate, stop on a dime, etc.
dblbogey
August 05, 2025 at 12:33 pm
LOL.
Spock
August 05, 2025 at 12:46 pm
NFLfan,
With all due respect I'VE HAD multiple meniscus tear surgeries (on the same knee) and this is IMHO a load of bs. Obviously, the Packers medical staff disagrees with your opinion here, and so do I. I've had plenty of knee swelling issues, but thee were always considerably LESS swelling after a meniscus tear repair in my experience.
marpag1
August 05, 2025 at 05:12 pm
"The meniscus, like tendons and ligaments does not get blood supply the way that soft tissue does."
Uh... menisci, tendons and ligaments ARE soft tissue, Dr. NFLfan.
13TimeChamps
August 05, 2025 at 05:29 pm
*"Knee pain and related symptoms may derive from damage to one or more of the SOFT TISSUE structures that stabilize and cushion the knee joint (INCLUDING the LIGAMENTS, muscles, TENDONS, and MENISCI), from infection to the knee joint or surrounding structures, or from trauma to the bones forming the joint."
*"Experts...as opposed to NFLfan... use the term “soft tissue injury” to distinguish them from bone injuries like fractures. Some injuries that they might describe as soft tissue injuries include: Cartilage injuries like a torn meniscus."
NFLfan
August 05, 2025 at 01:06 pm
Go ahead, put him out there-just like Love last year. He returned too early
NFLfan
August 05, 2025 at 01:20 pm
@Spock-
'with all due respect'-you are not playing cornerback in the NFL. This is a guy who already plays aggressively and will be subject to more injuries than some because of that style of play.
An average person doing average things can return much earlier to their previous activities than an NFL athlete.
The GB medical staff is no longer as conservative as they once were. One of their more conservative MD's is no longer with them.
Love is an example-he came back way too early and it showed. He was playing one week after a groin injury-clearly he was loaded up with Lidocaine- Groin injuries do not heal in one week even though fans say so-neither do ligament injuries heal in 2-3 weeks.
LeotisHarris
August 05, 2025 at 04:28 pm
"One of their more conservative MD's is no longer with them."
Two questions:
1) MD's what?
2) Which of their more conservative MDs are no longer with the team?
Oppy
August 05, 2025 at 06:23 pm
Leotis,
Probably ill-informed, due to my ill-informed post a few days ago that you corrected.. even though I edited my post to correct it as soon as I could.
I'm ground zero for bad Packers info, I fear.
Bitternotsour
August 05, 2025 at 06:33 pm
NFLfan is never shy to just post bullshit in the service of active trolling. You can forgive yourself (save for your assessment of Malik Willis)
Spock
August 05, 2025 at 04:53 pm
NFLfan,
No, I'm not playing CB in the NFL, but I AM familiar with having meniscus tear surgery and, again, in my opinion if this was just a small tear, I don't see why Hobbs wouldn't be back early. We will have to agree to disagree on this. All I can say is that from my background the recovery -for me, if that makes you happy- was considerably less that 3 weeks. Honestly, most times it was more like a few days vs. weeks, but I'm a quick healer, lol.
Oppy
August 05, 2025 at 06:27 pm
I don't want to assume, but I'm going to anyways ;)
I'm assuming Spock also didn't have the luxury of having a world-class sports medicine surgeon perform the surgery and a dedicated sports PT team to support his recovery 24-7, much less the ability to literally do nothing else except rehab and heal (because I'm guessing Spock has a job besides 'rehab and get healthy')
That being said, Hobbs is probably going to be putting more stress on his knee after recovery than Spock did, so let's just call it a wash.
Bitternotsour
August 05, 2025 at 06:36 pm
Let's at a minimum acknowledge that Hobbs actually knows something about the subject rather than spouting uninformed opinions as though they were facts. NFLfan could humble themselves and accept that someone who'd had 8 knee surgeries might have some insights that a keyboard warrior might not have handy.
TKWorldWide
August 05, 2025 at 07:09 pm
Nate wears number 21.
LeotisHarris
August 05, 2025 at 08:29 pm
Thank you for your service!
TKWorldWide
August 06, 2025 at 07:56 am
😂😂🏈😂😂
Ihappydirt
August 06, 2025 at 12:29 am
Nagler made a funny comment that rings true, something to the effect of "Now he's out just long enough to hurt guys on the other teams, not our guys in practice."