Extra Cheese: Packers hiring Joe Barry as defensive coordinator

Aaron chats with Packers fans worldwide about the news the team will be hiring Joe Barry to replace Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator.

 

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9 points
 

Comments (98)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
KenEllis's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:11 pm

Gonna be so much fun watching how the Barry hiring gets spun into a big positive for the team. Wonder what they'll go with?

All that success Barry had as DC of the 0-16 Lions or the 2-year stretch of horrific defenses in Washington D.C. before he got axed toughening up for his new role?

Maybe we'll get an in-depth human interest story about how Joe is both an outstanding coach and a great human being. It can feature quotes from his father-in-law (and the former LIons head coach who gave him his big break) Rod Marinelli.

At least we know nepotism and cronyism had nothing to do with Barry's ascent and today's hiring. Nothing at all.

Barry just beat out the younger African-American candidates fair and square because of his impeccable coaching pedigree.

Well done Packers, well done.

2 points
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15
Turophile's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:33 pm

Well done for waiting to see what happens........NOT

Do you recall the negative talk after La Fleur was hired................which got rather quiet after two 13-3 regular season results.

Let us see how Barry does before condemning him, not spinning the hire for good or ill, just waiting until his results WITH THE PACKERS speak for themselves.

15 points
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3
splitpea1's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:36 pm

Yes, just gotta wait and see....Like I said in a previous comment, if Barry has the defense play with normal aggression, common sense spacing off the receivers, and teaches everybody how to tackle, that will be a HUGE step forward.

7 points
7
0
KenEllis's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:37 pm

Well if Barry turns out to be a success, then of course fans, myself included, will be thrilled.

I never claimed he won't be a success ... or that he will be a success.

I merely pointed out that the adoring Packer Press (and much of Packer fandom), which cannot help but spin everything that happens to the Pack into a positive has its hands full with the Barry hire.

After Leonhard told the organization no and the second-choice hiring of a new Defensive Coordinator whose coaching track record could be at best be characterized as checkered, I'm just giddy with anticipation about how the Barry hire is going to be sold as a big win for the team/organization.

Can't wait.

6 points
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3
Swisch's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:59 pm

Ken, first of all congratulations on a great 1972 season, which was the first one in which I followed the Packers closely at age 10. I think you had four picks in one game.
That team also featured the last of the Lombardi holdovers in Robinson, Nitschke, Gillingham and Bowman, which is a good thing. I was too young to remember the Lombardi Era, sad to say, so I'm glad I was able to cheer on at least some of the guys from those days.
Secondly, it seems the fans here at CHTV generally tend to strive for a balance when evaluating the Packers between too much positivity and too much negativity.
A better way to say it may be that most of the fans here seem to try to be fair, regardless of how much of it falls toward positivity or negativity.
At least that's my impression. At least that's my objective.

1 points
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KenEllis's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:39 pm

Thanks for the compliments Swisch -- my personal favorite play was the 100 yard blocked FG return against the Giants.

Anyway, I agree the fans on this board are pretty balanced. Of course, you've go the usual homers who can't stomach any criticism of the Green and Gold but by and large this is a board that is willing to look at the good and bad of the team they love.

What I find most compelling at the moment are the attempts by the organization, some of the homer fans, and the more loyal elements of the press that covers the team to pretend that all is well in Green Bay when the team President declares "we're not idiots" we're keeping Aaron Rodgers while the GM simultaneously declares he's still very pleased with his decision to use his 2020 1st and 4th round picks on Jordan Love and the HC who just lost the NFCCG (at home) determines his STs and D coordinators were both so bad that they needed to be replaced.

Then again because the NFC North promises to be so weak again next season and at least some portion of Packer nation seems perfectly fine about not getting to another SB with Rodgers at QB for over a decade, maybe all is well ... with them.

3 points
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Swisch's picture

February 06, 2021 at 08:21 pm

I'm not sure what to make of the selection of Jordan Love at this point, and I'm glad about making the two coaching changes as an effort to get to the next level -- but discussing such matters among good fans, even in disagreement, is the fun of CHTV.
One way to look at the Love pick is win-win. It's a backup plan if Rodgers diminishes in talent or departs from following the program; yet it may elevate Rodgers to a higher level of performance and coachability.
Perhaps the addition of Love also helped us to land Krys Barnes (a high school teammate) -- an undrafted free agent who has the possibility to achieve at the level of a first round pick, or at least a fourth rounder.
I don't remember that punt return of yours, which does seem epic, but I do hope to check on it along with other aspects of your career. My memory from the early 1970s is sketchy -- although I seem to recall the four-pick performance as coming against the Lions (maybe from watching game highlights at the time, or doing some reading years later).
In any case, God bless you as the real Ken Ellis or as someone else who may share fond memories of him.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:29 pm

Cynicism. I like it.

And yes, some dogs are more lovable than others. But that’s a choice we make.

-1 points
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murf7777's picture

February 07, 2021 at 11:23 am

They hired him, what would any organization do?

0 points
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The_Justicar's picture

February 07, 2021 at 12:55 pm

Turo....there is a difference between the ML and JB hires....ML was an unknown. I personally didn’t hold that against him. He had never been a head coach before so had no track record of how he would do as a head coach.

Joe Barry is not an unknown. He is a known crappy DC, having been in charge of 4 defenses that ranked 32, 32, 28, 28. That is why he was fired. He stunk up the joint.

He and ML are not comparable in their prior job histories.

I would actually have preferred we hired some DC that is a first timer vs someone who has already proven that he is not capable.

7 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 08, 2021 at 01:42 am

I remember my outrage and disgust after GB hired Menenga.

Other teams were drooling over Maurice Drayton! Give me a f**king break.

Joe Barry looks to me like a mediocrity but time will indeed tell.

2 points
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Duneslick's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:14 pm

What nepotism

0 points
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flackcatcher's picture

February 06, 2021 at 11:58 pm

Man, and I thought I was down on Barry...

0 points
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Minniman's picture

February 08, 2021 at 01:24 am

re your African-American comment - I'm not so sure about this one.

We've just watched Todd Bowles dismantle hot offenses and 3 guaranteed first ballot HOF QB's along the way to becoming a SB Champion DC.

Credit to Tampa's D - a well coached and schemed group who executed to perfection. Brees, Rodgers and Mahomes were completely blunted.

Agree that Barry's resume isn't jumping off the page....... MLF's wasn't when he was hired either. For fear of sounding glib, we will have to wait and watch.

1 points
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wildbill's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:17 pm

Darn, I wanted Phil Bengston

15 points
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Swisch's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:31 pm

MLF knows that this hiring is directly linked to his longevity in Green Bay; and perhaps even more importantly, MLF's opportunity to coach the Packers to a Super Bowl title.
So our head coach would likely not make this move lightly.
MLF worked a season with this guy with the Rams, and that would seem a good thing.
Barry has had a long time to gain experience since his prior two jobs as a defensive coordinator; and his last stop was as an assistant defensive coach for a top defense in the Rams.
Plus, Barry was a linebackers coach, and that's an area fans here at CHTV have been yearning for as a position of improvement.
He's said to be energetic and aggressive, which is probably a good thing.
It may come down to we just don't know what's going to happen with Barry until the Packers defense starts taking the field.
However, I'm glad for opinions fans may have about him, especially if they take into account the last couple of years in his experience.
I guess another area for opinions is who would have been preferred for defensive coordinator of the Packers, and why.

5 points
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1
TarynsEyes's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:50 pm

"MLF worked a season with this guy with the Rams, and that would seem a good thing."

Not good enough to not go after him first. I don't know for sure, but after Leonhard saying no, and with pickings slim, MLF had to settle for Barry, and settling is not a vote of confidence.

3 points
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Swisch's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:07 pm

It wouldn't be a slight to be a second choice behind Leonhard.
They could both be great selections.
I don't know -- but I'm truly sad to have to wait six months before the start of the preseason to be able to get even a first impression of the new defense.

2 points
3
1
Oppy's picture

February 07, 2021 at 10:43 am

Think of all the jobs you have probably taken during your career(s).

Now think of how many of those jobs may have been offered to someone else before you eventually got the job. Think of how many of those jobs maybe you weren't the ideal candidate the employer was looking for, but you were the best candidate left available.

Does that mean you weren't good enough for the job? Does that mean you couldn't possibly be good at your job?

0 points
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3
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 07, 2021 at 03:05 am

I disagree. Check with WFT: Barry was not known as an aggressive DC.

3 points
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The_Justicar's picture

February 07, 2021 at 06:43 am

You are one of my two favorite posters Swisch and I usually am in line with your comments but not this one. You are right that we don’t know what will happen with Barry. What we do know is that he has failed, quite miserably, in his two previous stops as a DC.

Seems like the best argument to hire him is that he MAY have learned a lot in his last several stops so let’s give him the job? That is not very comforting.

In reading posts from Washington fans he is the opposite of aggressive, playing soft zones, especially in critical down and distances. Could he have changed, I suppose so.

Hoping a coach changes his stripes and can also improve his skills in not a great hire. How about some .500 team or other non Super bowl contender hire him and give him a chance to show improvement first...then a contender could make the case foe hiring him.

This is just a bad hire. Period.

7 points
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Swisch's picture

February 07, 2021 at 02:47 pm

Thanks very much, The Justicar.
I guess it would be pretty boring around here at CHTV if we agreed all the time.
It may be that the challenge for MLF was to find the next great defensive coordinator before he was known to be great.
In other words, to find someone who was available to the Packers, that person had to be somewhat under the radar -- the way that MLF was somewhat under the radar when he became head coach of the Packers.
From what I can tell, all of the known candidates for the job were unproven as a far as ever having been a star defensive coordinator in the NFL -- including Jim Leonhard.
Let's hope Barry is like a businessman whose first two entrepreneurial ventures went bankrupt, but he learned along the way and hit it big with his current enterprise.
It's hard for me to get all that excited about Barry because I never heard anything about him. Let's hope that in a year or two we're all excited about him.

1 points
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The_Justicar's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:15 pm

Swisch...yeah I’m in the same boat. I hope it all works out and JB runs a tops 5 defense next year. My expectations are low so maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.

1 points
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Majik-Man_89's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:37 pm

I was really hoping they would hire Ejiro Evero. I think he's the smarter candidate with the greater upside. Both Evero and Hackett (Packers' O-Coord) are alumni of UC-Davis. Great school with a very strong academic tradition.

0 points
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Lphill's picture

February 06, 2021 at 06:37 pm

He’s a 4 3 guy , that will be interesting.

7 points
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dobber's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:02 pm

He DC'd a 4-3 look in Detroit in the 2000s, but his Washington defenses in 2015-16 ran a 3-4. When he came back as a LB coach in SD in 2011, they were running an odd front. The Rams have run a 3-4 for a few years now, and that was his last stop. He hasn't coached in an even front since he was an assistant at USC in 2010...so I don't know why he would specifically be a 4-3 guy.

9 points
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JerseyAl's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:23 pm

I'm a big fan of accuracy...

8 points
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Leatherhead's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:36 pm

‘“Accuracy is overrated”

——————- Hydrogen Bombs

4 points
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Leatherhead's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:34 pm

Thanks for the intel.

It is what it is. It’s gonna be most of the same players.

-1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:54 pm

Play both.

2 points
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The_Justicar's picture

February 07, 2021 at 06:36 am

It’s good to know his defenses were equally horrible regardless of a 4-3 or 3-4. Comforting.

2 points
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murf7777's picture

February 07, 2021 at 11:35 am

Lol....when was the last good defense did Detroit have? That’s what Inthought !

1 points
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dobber's picture

February 07, 2021 at 12:08 pm

The Suh, Fairley defenses of the early 2010s were pretty good.

2 points
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Fubared's picture

February 06, 2021 at 09:47 pm

not if he accepted knowing they want to keep 3-4 and he makes it happen. this sounds like another disaster decision. another we got Rodgers that's all we need decision

0 points
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canadapacker's picture

February 06, 2021 at 07:52 pm

Not my pick - definitely not my pick. As I said I was leaning towards Kris Richard. Now much needs to be said that he got the Lions job by marrying Marinelli's daughter - and that record there speaks for itself. However - Marinelli has been himself a good DC - even though a bad HC. And Barry was on the Rams staff as the linebackers coach with a team that led the league in Defense. So I will give him a chance - especially because of his relationship with Lafleur and the fact that our weekness is with the whole Dline /linebacker situation. But the Lions didnt have a quarterback either year - Kitna? Orlovsky? - and they did play great defense NOT - ranked 30th in 2007 and 32 in 2008. But you gotta tank to get the number 1 overall pick.

1 points
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1
scullyitsme's picture

February 06, 2021 at 08:00 pm

I have no idea if Barry will be any good, his track record isn’t pretty. Hopefully he’s better at this stage of his career. But crap, why can’t we get a god dammed slam dunk. Leonard pisses me off, if you didn’t want the job don’t interview, he was an nfl player, he knows the business and what he’s getting into, he now made the pack look like fools, and the other D coordinator just that, second choice. Why can’t anything be easy. I wanted to go into the off season feeling anxious to see the new energy on special teams and defense,....now it’s just kinda hope they’re better, kinda, maybe?

4 points
5
1
dobber's picture

February 06, 2021 at 08:14 pm

I've interviewed for several jobs I wasn't planning to take. It's a two-way street: it's not just about one-way evaluation or impressing one party. There's nothing wrong with hearing what they have to say.

5 points
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egbertsouse's picture

February 07, 2021 at 06:38 am

There is something wrong with issuing a press release before the team makes a statement saying you rejected them. That’s just an in-your-face move. I now put Leonhard in the pantheon with Josh McDaniel and Lane Kiffen. And I’m a UW alumni so I don’t say this lightly.

0 points
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2
dobber's picture

February 07, 2021 at 11:43 am

That's on the Packers PR staff for not controlling the narrative on their end. As soon as he relayed his decision, they should've had a statement out. In this day of rapid release media and direct access, Leonhard has every right to release his info...it's important to the Badgers that he gets his statement out to reassure recruiting classes and prevent other teams from undermining him and using his status against him.

As a UW alum, I also understand what he did and why he did it. I don't take any issue with it.

6 points
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The_Justicar's picture

February 07, 2021 at 06:50 am

I agree with your post robber. However, did you take to Twitter to announce to everyone “I was offered a job by “X” but didn’t take the job. Etc etc”. To me that is the unprofessional thing Leonard did. He could have just as easily said “no thanks” to the packers and told his boss at UW that he declined a job offer. Did he have to announce to the world he turned down a job offer?

Nope. He didn’t.

2 points
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dobber's picture

February 07, 2021 at 12:10 pm

Yes. He did. He needs to prevent other colleges from using his "uncertain status" against him and trying to whittle away his current recruiting class, and any classes tries to put together this offseason. Uncertainty is a powerful tool.

Fault the Packers for not being ready when he relayed his decision.

0 points
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Swisch's picture

February 07, 2021 at 12:37 pm

It seems as though Leonhard seriously considered the Packers job.
He may have gone into the interview thinking he would probably stay with the Badgers, but a little open to the awesome opportunity to coach up the Packers defense as part of a Super Bowl champion.
There were a lot of things to consider for Leonhard, though, including the impact on his family -- as I think he has young children, and pro coaching may be much more demanding in terms of monster hours spent at work.
Most people wouldn't have the exceptional energy and organizational skills it requires to be a successful coach in the pros and still raise a healthy and happy family.
I'm guessing that even now Leonhard isn't completely sure he made the right decision in passing up the Packers, even if he's very happy staying with the Badgers.
Anyway, I like to think that Leonhard was fair with the Packers, and they were fair with him. Perhaps disappointment from the Packers, but also understanding, and no hard feelings.
Let's hope and pray this works out great for all the people involved -- including us fans. I like a society that believes ultimately in the win-win for all.

2 points
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The_Justicar's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:02 pm

Dobber...actually, he didn’t have to. Reason being is that national signing day was last week. Early signing day is not until next December. There was zero rush to prevent other colleges to use his flirtation with GB against him since recruiting is in a dead period and no one can sign until December. This is actually the BEST time for Leonard or any college coach to flirt with NFL with minimal impact to using the “uncertain status” against them. Anytime between now and the season all the Badgers needed to do to quiet down any angst is announce an extension for Leonard or make him head coach in waiting. No need to announce anything else.

2 points
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dobber's picture

February 07, 2021 at 03:09 pm

He not only announced he wasn't taking the Packers job, but has rebuked any offers to go anywhere. This makes him as rock-solid in Madison as anyone can be.

These guys are recruiting players 2 and 3 years out if not more. Just because national signing day passed doesn't mean they're done. The message he essentially sent was that there wasn't a single job out there that he would take over the one in Madison. If I'm a recruit--and even more importantly, the parents of a recruit--that means a lot, and there's no window over which other teams can wrangle.

2 points
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Since'61's picture

February 07, 2021 at 09:30 am

Totally agree Dobber. It is always worth it to have the conversations. You never know what you are going to learn that you can use at some point. Thanks, Since ‘61

1 points
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1
scullyitsme's picture

February 07, 2021 at 11:26 am

I agree with that part, done that myself also, it’s the other part of taking to Twitter and claiming yeah, they want me, but I didn’t want it. As others have said, that’s kinda classless in this situation.

1 points
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BAMABADGER's picture

February 06, 2021 at 08:14 pm

"Barry teams were unimpressive during both his stints as a coordinator: he’s never led a defense that finished ranked better than 28th in the league in yards allowed or higher than 17th in scoring."

What a catch.

8 points
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3
stockholder's picture

February 06, 2021 at 08:18 pm

Way over -thinking this. I hope he does go 4-3-4. You had two brain surgeons that couldn't get it done. Whats the mystery? Football is fun. Why make it complicated? Defenses are emotional. It's about time we got a coach that is too.

5 points
5
0
Bruiser's picture

February 06, 2021 at 08:26 pm

Not a good hire in my opinion.

3 points
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2
Fubared's picture

February 06, 2021 at 09:56 pm

could be a huge cluster. if he fails who do we fire next year?

-1 points
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flackcatcher's picture

February 07, 2021 at 09:39 pm

This is Gute letting MLF have his guy. So it's on MLF who is in the last year of his contract.

0 points
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wildbill's picture

February 06, 2021 at 10:05 pm

Leonhard interviewing and turning down the job could have been about money or he wouldn’t be given the control he would like. It could have been any number of reasons. Pettine could drive you nuts with his calls sometimes but many times his calls put players in position to make an impact and the player missed a tackle or assignment and allowed a positive play. My thoughts are the Packers don’t want to pay the money for top assistants so they bargain hunt, just think of them as undrafted free agents

3 points
3
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 06, 2021 at 10:41 pm

4-3 over guy who DC'd on a 0-16 team. MLF must see something there.

0 points
1
1
dobber's picture

February 07, 2021 at 11:46 am

Did not coach a 4-3 over with Washington.

1 points
1
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jhtobias's picture

February 06, 2021 at 11:16 pm

Bring in whoever you want worst mlb crew in the nfl this is on managment ... Havent seen a real middle linebacker who can go sidieline to sideline since nick barnett .. No dc can put together a top 10 defense without one ..

4 points
6
2
marpag1's picture

February 07, 2021 at 07:01 am

"No dc can put together a top 10 defense without one .."

Really? So who was the secret stud at inside linebacker for the Rams and their number 1 defense? Can you name any Rams inside linebacker without looking it up?

6 points
6
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 07, 2021 at 03:19 am

He should be a better hire than Menenga. GB needs to make some player evaluations quickly, so hiring a DC soon makes sense. I just don't like this hiring.

He probably will have to field a defense without King, Preston Smith, Kirksey, probably without Lowry, perhaps without one or both of Lancaster and M. Adams, and perhaps without Raven Greene. I think GB brings back Chandon Sullivan, but we shall see.

Good luck.

2 points
3
1
The_Justicar's picture

February 07, 2021 at 06:54 am

If a Barry was hired to coach special teams, yes, he probably would have been better than Menenga. Too bad we hired him to coach defense. He was the DC in Washington who gave up 35 points in the playoffs to a bad packers offense so at least we know he has the same defensive standard of playoff collapses as our last two DC.

1 points
2
1
Guam's picture

February 07, 2021 at 08:05 am

Agreed TGR, hard to be impressed with this hire. I have to hope MLF knows something we don't because this guy is the antithesis of what I wanted in the Packer's DC. I wanted an up and coming, aggressive young DC (like Leonhard) and Barry's resume says he is not any of that. I guess we will have to wait and see.

2 points
2
0
rstain99's picture

February 07, 2021 at 08:31 am

Sorry anyone on that list that makes you say crap! they are in trouble, NO, if I hear another Montravious Adams feelgood story in preseason I am going to puke, waste of draft choice, can't stay on the field. Lowry was way over paid, Lancaster works hard. Preston can take pay cut, Kirksey eh, all these guys are replaceable. Hope they bring back snacks give him a legit shot at some playing time. Time running out for AR hopefully MLF knows what he got in Joe Barry, past record scares me this year they made top 15 defense but look at schedule how many wins against plus 500 record teams. Very deceiving, revamp that not so special team as well.

2 points
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2
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 08, 2021 at 01:55 am

You're reply has elements of truth. My issue with it is that it will prove difficult to replace all of them in one year.

0 points
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stockholder's picture

February 07, 2021 at 09:27 am

I like the Hire. Coach after coach, never got the LBs straighten out. I believe Barry will try and keep everyone. It will be up to the player if he wants stay or go. He coached P.Smith. If the switch is to the 4-3-4. Which I'm all for. I see Clark getting help and the LBs being the heart of the defense again. Lets not forget that Gute brought in Snacks, but wanted Leonard Williams. Pettines men are out. So if he doesn't field a defense with any of these guys. Fine by me. They were hurt anyway. Smith and Lowrey , both could see DE in a 4-3-4. The biggest problem Coach Barry will have, is who plays next to Clark?

3 points
3
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marpag1's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:58 pm

This front office / coaching staff really seems to love the "uh, ok.... but you damn well better be right."

Hire Matt LaFleur? OK, looks like you were right.

Draft Jordan Love? Yeah, the jury is definitely still out...

Hire Joe Barry? "uh, ok.... but you damn well better be right."

At least they seem to have the courage of their convictions.

7 points
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Swisch's picture

February 07, 2021 at 12:44 pm

If we're going to succeed or fail, we may as well do it with the courage of our convictions.

-1 points
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1
egbertsouse's picture

February 07, 2021 at 07:15 am

I don’t much about this guy but after scanning all the Packer sites the general consensus is that he is a dud. Also, kudos to Nagler, he appears to have thrown another bomb because posters on other sites are calling for his head. Gotta love it!

0 points
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Johnblood27's picture

February 07, 2021 at 08:24 am

Lop it off and put it on a pike in front of 1265.

0 points
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Lare's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:40 pm

If Joe Barry is any good, why didn't Sean McVay or Brandon Staley make him their DC?

6 points
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Lphill's picture

February 07, 2021 at 08:41 am

Twice while he was with the Rams they changed the DC and did not elevate him.

3 points
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Lphill's picture

February 07, 2021 at 08:41 am

Twice while he was with the Rams they changed the DC and did not elevate him.

1 points
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murf7777's picture

February 07, 2021 at 12:23 pm

Isn’t asst head coach up there?

1 points
1
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Packerfansupreme's picture

February 07, 2021 at 08:35 am

At firsti was excited because I thought rams number 1 defense and he coached a position we want to improve. I'll be honest I didnt know of his previous stints. I'm definitely a little nervous now. Hoping he does better here

2 points
2
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jannes bjornson's picture

February 08, 2021 at 10:56 pm

You're only as good as your last game. His LBs were moving fast for the Rams in the playoffs. If he can get the players swarming to the ball it will help that squad get some swagger.

0 points
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Charvid's picture

February 07, 2021 at 09:15 am

I remember similar comments and I had similar feelings when in the early 2000’s we hired a little known OC from a team coming off a 2-14 season to be our new HC. I had never heard of Mike McCarthy at that time and thought hiring a guy who just piloted the offense of a team that went 2-14 was crazy, but he turned out to be a pretty solid hire until he got stale. Like in most of life, we learn a lot more from adversity than we do from success, and Barry’s record indicates he’s had a lot of teachable moments!

6 points
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murf7777's picture

February 07, 2021 at 12:24 pm

Two thumbs up!!

2 points
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The_Justicar's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:12 pm

It isn’t an apples to apples analogy to compare MM hire to Joe Barry. When MM was hired he was not being hired because of his ability as an OC (same can be said for ML). I’m sure success in his /their prior roles would be preferred but....they were being hired to be a head coach, not the OC. They were hired to lead an entire team, be the CEO, delegate out to others, etc. totally different roles than their OC jobs. A role their hiring managers had to project their success since neither MM nor ML had been head coaches before.

Barry had been a DC before. His resume and qualifying traits would be based solely on his prior success or failures of being a DC or his resume of being a defensive assistant if he had never been a DC. There was / is ample history of him being a DC and it is ! Frankly, horrible to say the least.

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NickPerry's picture

February 07, 2021 at 09:43 am

I'd would have rather have had Wade Phillips instead of Barry. Even at 74 years old with the possibility of staying just 3 years would have been better. IF the Packers were going the retread route, get a PROVEN winner!

Now, with all that said MLF said he KNEW what he was looking for. He made a statement that he wasn't going to say what he was looking for because he felt that was giving away the answers to the test which I sort of liked. Personally I thought Evero was going to be the hire but they went with Barry.

I'm curious if Murphy had ANYTHING to do with this? Or if Murphy and/or Ball LOWBALLED the hell out of Leonard, which they've done in the past with other position coaches. I have no idea but I wonder.

After watching MLF first press conference I was certain the Packers hired the wrong guy. MLF has done NOTHING but answer the bell. If you want to bash the hell out of him for not calling TO at the end of the first half vs TB go ahead. BUT is was STILL Pettines call who put the Packers in that defense in the first place. There's also the fact MLF is 28-8 in 2 years.

This may have not been the hire I was hoping for, BUT like the MLF hire I've learned these guys making the decisions know one hell of a lot more than I ever will and I'm assuming more than 99% of the posters here. It's done, Joe Barry is the DC of the Packers. I'm guessing he's learned one hell of a lot from his previous stints as DC, and learned some more under Phillips and Staley. Lets hope it's enough to help the Packers get to SB 56.

5 points
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CheesyTex's picture

February 07, 2021 at 02:03 pm

Well said, NickPerry.

I do wonder why Barry would be the pick over Jerry Gray, and how being passed over might affect his performance.

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NickPerry's picture

February 10, 2021 at 03:47 am

That IMO would have been an excellent hire too. I don't think it's a coincidence Savage, Amos, and Alexander all got better with Grey there.

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Ferrari-Driver's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:32 pm

Well, I've read all the posts and decided it's time to weigh in. First off my credentials: I'm the guy who opposed the hiring of Matt LaFluer and jumped up and down when we drafted Rashan Gary declaring that he will never be any good and will be out of football in three years. Of all the candidates to become our defensive coordinator, the only one I absolutely did not want is JOE BERRY! So with my track record you have reason for optimism that Joe Berry will be outstanding. I'm an avid fan with opinions and you can be glad I have never been the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers.

11 points
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Oppy's picture

February 07, 2021 at 10:55 am

Ferrari-Driver, I often disagree with the stances you take on this or that over the years, but I appreciate the honesty and humility expressed in this post.

We're all wrong about this and that from time to time, the important thing is to acknowledge it, understand being wrong (even horribly wrong) in the past doesn't invalidate our opinions as fans going forward, and have a sense of humor a perspective about our fandom.

2 points
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Guam's picture

February 07, 2021 at 11:39 am

Great post FD and we have all been where you are. Appreciate the humor and humility.

4 points
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Since'61's picture

February 07, 2021 at 09:59 am

First, what Barry did as a DC over 10 years ago really doesn’t matter. Most employers don’t even look at a candidate’s employment history beyond 10 years and many stop at 5 years. Also many candidates don’t include their job history beyond 10 years because it is often irrelevant.

If Barry had a top 10 defense in Detroit 13 seasons ago it would not be a guarantee of success with the Packers in 2021.

I don’t know if Barry will be a good DC or not. It’s not all about Barry, it is also about the staff he will hire to teach and execute his schemes. If he can get the Packers defense to tackle better that alone would be a significant improvement for the defense.

MLF will need to live with his hire for better or worse. For now, let’s give him a chance. We gave MLF a chance a d that’s worked out pretty well so far. Thanks, Since ‘61

4 points
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Qoojo's picture

February 07, 2021 at 10:00 am

All I have to say is "Well isn't that special?"

2 points
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cheesehead1's picture

February 07, 2021 at 11:25 am

Wishing our new DC the best. I’m sure Gute and Lafleur did their homework, let’s give him a chance. He could be a dud or be a great improvement, no one knows at this point.

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CoachDino's picture

February 07, 2021 at 12:59 pm

Pretty self serving comment on hiring Barry and saying his previous failings have nothing to do with hiring him now then making your SJW comment about getting a 3rd chance. Talking out of both sides of your mouth. Even trouncing a superchat for saying how he's had 2 previous chances and did poorly.

Plus Leonhard was offered so the first wasn't a retread.

You are just making assumptions and using it to "feel good about yourself"

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PhantomII's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:28 pm

It doesn't matter who the DC is unless we pay a very good CB in FA and also a very good DT in FA and that is on Gute. Draft a CB in RD 1 or 2 even if he has to move up or dare use a future #1 pick to get something special under the tree. Draft OT, ILB, RB, Several DL to get rid of under performers. A faster vet WR next to Adams who has good hands would be great to open up the field to everyone else. Our new DC has a lot of good players to utilize but big holes to fill to get us over the hump and into the show.

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Rebecca's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:30 pm

Does Aaron Rodgers approve?

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PhantomII's picture

February 07, 2021 at 03:30 pm

I think he could agree with it. Unfortunately, it's very obvious to me.....Gute is his own man. ML wants more pressure dialed up on the opposing QB. Hope the new DC can do that for us.

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alal's picture

February 07, 2021 at 01:41 pm

sadsad

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Lare's picture

February 07, 2021 at 02:25 pm

I personally don't believe the Jim Leonhard reports. In every job interview I've ever been involved in one of the first questions is "if you're offered the position will you accept it?". In this case, if Leonhard did get multiple interviews he either lied or he was just stringing the Packers along to make himself look better.

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dobber's picture

February 08, 2021 at 08:45 am

"I've ever been involved in one of the first questions is "if you're offered the position will you accept it?"."

That's very different from my interviewing experience.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 08, 2021 at 09:03 am

You and I work in a very different field than most. Supply side economics runs our field (and NFL teams FWIW).

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Lare's picture

February 07, 2021 at 03:59 pm

So, are the Packers better with Joe Barry and Maurice Drayton as coordinators than they were with Mike Pettine and Shawn Mennenga?

I doubt it.

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White92's picture

February 07, 2021 at 06:38 pm

I would have rather they elevated Grey, but I'm just a fan

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Swisch's picture

February 07, 2021 at 07:15 pm

If I was a general manager in the NFL, I wouldn't base my actions on the fans, but I wouldn't ignore them, either.
The fans have worthwhile things to say, at least in some measure; and it would be wise, I think, to take their views into consideration to a degree.
Then, as a GM, I would think to myself that if I succeed or fail, I'd want to do it by making my own best decisions -- even if the fans, and others, don't agree.
***
I'll add that it is hard to figure out what the fans really want. There's so many of us, and we can be fickle.
Then again, reading comments from fans here at CHTV can offer a lot of good insights gleaned from years of following the Packers.
There's something to be said for listening to outside observers, including the common fan-- while at the same time being careful not to follow the mob.

1 points
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Fubared's picture

February 07, 2021 at 07:28 pm

I got nuttin

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Fubared's picture

February 07, 2021 at 11:18 pm

Why would you bring in someone with his credentials and you have a defense that needs talent, speed and size. The Bucs rushed four and put a lot of pressure on Mahomes. They didnt rush five of six and leave all those fast receivers of KC to run free.
The packers would not have stood a chance against KC.

-1 points
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Nate-1980's picture

February 08, 2021 at 10:26 pm

What?? Dumb

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