What Joe Barry Is Working With: Size and Speed
NFL defenses don't usually thrive with small, slow players. Joe Barry has an opportunity to create something special with the players he gets to work with.
By BruceIrons
We aren't entirely sure how Joe Barry's defensive scheme will look in his first year as the Packers defensive coordinator, but we do know what he has to work with: size up front and speed on the back end.
While there's a lot to be said for running a good scheme, calling good plays, and reviewing film, once the the ball is snapped, it's up to the players. If you have bigger players and faster players, you have an advantage that you can't get from scheme.
So let's look at the players the Packers have on defense.
We'll start up front with the size of defensive line and edge rushers:
- Kenny Clark: 6'3, 314
- TJ Slaton: 6'4 330
- Dean Lowry: 6'6 296
- Za'Darius Smith: 6'4 272
- Preston Smith: 6'5 265
- Rashan Gary: 6'5 277
The first thing that sticks out to me is that Za'Darius Smith is one of the little guys of the group. That says a lot. Any time Za'Darius Smith is one of the little guys in a group, you know that group is enormous.
For reference, Khalil Mack and Von Miller, two of the premier edge rushers of the last decade, are both 6'3 245. They would be downright tiny in this group.
Dean Lowry is one tailgating excursion away from 300 pounds. Kenny Clark, who has been an immovable force most of his career, has almost 20 pounds on him, and rookie TJ Slaton - brought in to be a space-eating run stopper - has over 15 more pounds than that.
It's going to be hard for offensive lines to move these guys off their spot.
When lines do have success holding this group at bay, their height becomes a factor. With most of these guys right around 6'5 (which is basketball player height), their wingspans come into play. Even if they aren't collapsing the pocket, getting their hands up is going to make it harder for opposing quarterbacks to see downfield and find good passing lanes.
This causes quarterbacks to have to release at a higher point and put more air under their throws.
Once those throws are in the air, the speed in the defensive backfield becomes a factor.
Check out the 40 yard dash times of the presumed starting secondary:
- Adrian Amos: 4.39
- Jaire Alexander: 4.38
- Darnell Savage: 4.36
- Eric Stokes: 4.25
It's hard to explain how fast that is.
Let's start by saying that legit 4.4 speed is fast for the NFL. From there, each millisecond makes a huge difference in on-field speed. Remember how Nick Collins could fly around like he was playing at a different speed that everyone else? His 40 time was 4.37. That small fraction easily separated him from the field of 4.4 speed guys.
Imagine how fast a backfield of four guys like Nick Collins would be.
This backfield is even faster.
It's probably the fastest backfield in the league by a fair margin.
Jaire Alexander looked like the fastest guy on the field most of last year and Eric Stokes is even faster. Heck, Stokes's 40 time was even better than Deion Sanders!
Quarterbacks are never going to be able to just "throw at the slow guy." No matter how opposing offenses line up, they will never get a speed mismatch against these guys. Never.
The speed on the back end is a perfect complement for the big bodies up front, swatting at passing lanes.
Scheme and play calling will be a big part of the success of the defense, but the physical tools that this group has will give them an edge that simply can't be coached. Enormous human beings up front and world-class speed merchants on the back end give Joe Barry a lot of flexibility to run whatever scheme he wants.
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__________________________
Bruce Irons has played, coached, and studied football for decades. Best-selling author of books such as A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Draft, A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Salary Cap, and A Fan's Guide To NFL Free Agency Hits And Misses, Bruce contributes to CheeseHeadTV and PackersForTheWin.com.
Follow Bruce Irons on Twitter at @BruceIronsNFL.
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Comments (53)
greengold
June 20, 2021 at 11:21 am
I agree, Bruce. This defense has been transformed from what we knew just a couple of years ago. Lots of size/speed added in that time, and having a new DC this season is encouraging.
Lots of ballhawks on board. Should be fun to see opponents trying to throw on us...! Every addition is a willing tackler in the run game too. A lot to like on this Packers D.
Happy Father’s Day to all you Dads out there!
CheesyTex
June 20, 2021 at 12:17 pm
It sure appears that the much maligned front office has done a nice job of putting together a D that should be a winner in today's game.
Maybe just in time as the D may have to carry the load after decades of leaning on the O.
BruceIrons
June 20, 2021 at 04:35 pm
I feel like the D was good enough to win last year. If Bakhtiari would have been healthy, I think they win the Super Bowl.
In the NFCCG, an injured Kevin King was the clear weak link. With more talent and depth added at the cornerback position, I feel like the defense can make a big jump this year.
BruceIrons
June 20, 2021 at 04:36 pm
The size-speed combo is really impressive. The pressure up front and the speed on the back end should be a great combination to force bad passes.
CoachDino
June 21, 2021 at 05:21 pm
Great points by Bruce though I would disagree to a degree when it comes to scheme.
Scheme is huge. Its why coaches get hired now days. To bring in the latest scheme. Its also why coaches get fired, their scheme is out dates. It's like computer software. Older versions still work but there are reasons new versions are developed and why they work better (Other than to just make more money.like phones etc)
Being a 3-4 dl they need big guys on the DL, where 4-3 will have smaller guys. But to the Authors point the GBP edge rushers are huge - they are more like 4-3 DE than 3-4 OLB/edge rushers. Gives them all sorts of flexibility to move guys inside.
Great point on the Hgt allowing IDL to obstruct passing lanes/over head.
ALso loved the points made on the DB Speed. Sure, if you are clueless, can't tackle, scared etc.. speed isn't going to save you but if you are a solid player and have incredible speed...It will make a difference...big time. Boy just look at the 2 slowest guys in the NFCCG Sullivan and KK, look who was picked on the most.
I also am encouraged by the xperience of the DBs. IMO The NFCCG against SF showed how young DBs can easily be fooled and that can mean their guy gets open but can also lead to multiple guys getting open due to poor read and communication. It's like what we speak to Matt L and scheming guys open. Won't happen as much against well seasoned DB.s.
Stokes and any other young inexperienced guys will have learning curves, Savage did even JA did, its part of the game. That's what will worry me with Stokes. The new scheme though similar may also have an impact as well with a learning curve.. My hope like many coaches in all sports is that by the end of the year the rookies are no longer playing like rookies.
jannesbjornson
June 21, 2021 at 06:09 pm
Then they should show more 4-2/4-3 looks
greengold
June 21, 2021 at 06:37 pm
I think Sullivan & King were targeted for different reasons. King being slowed by injury certainly didn’t help, just like being schemed without Safety help on that infamous gaffe, Mike Pettine was equally at fault, to you point.
The Packers really are changing into a kind of fluid 3-4, 4-3 Defense, with the new scheme adding fluidity in their coverages, which can change from man to zone coverage as quickly as pre snap to post snap. I’ve heard they’ll mix one or two players in man coverage and the rest in zone, and vis a vis. Constantly changing and fluid to handle whatever an offense presents.
Tell me that doesn’t sound like Matt LaFleur.
Kind of funny, really, but the guy knows what kind of defenses he doesn’t want to face, and why. Figures he’d have strong feelings about the kind of defense he wants for his own team.
I’m super encouraged by the added speed all over. De’Vondre Campbell 4.58. Ray Wilborn 4.56. Both 6-4 230ish. Similar to Allen Lazard’s 4.55. S Christian Uphoff at 6-3 220 runs 4.4, as does S Vernon Scott. S Innis Gaines looks to have good play speed too.
Up front, TJ Slaton was highly touted for his play speed & motor. I can’t wait to see what he and others here bring this season.
Great point, Dino, on that experience we’ve got now in our secondary. This whole D is getting experienced, like Jimi Hendrix. They’ve seen and done a lot since Dom Capers left.
CoachDino
June 21, 2021 at 11:15 pm
Great points GG. Fluidity -ability to make adjustments in game, in game plans per team along with increased ability to disguise coverage/play.
Dead on -IMO, on the Matt L bias toward the defense that gives him the most issues being the one he wants. Sounds like basic human behaviour to me....
I'm not versed enough to really have a clue but I'd figure, some of it will have to do with the personnel you have to work with.
Just read a great article on Staleys Scheme. Big part of it trying to dictate to the offense what they should run, trying to force them into playing to their weaknesses or out of their strengths but relied more on alignment than just what personnel. Meaning players flexibility/Fluidity to play multiple positions. Box Safety, Slot Man, Deep safety with one Guy (They used Ramsey for about 50% of those). Packers have Savage. JA.. Chasnges in schemes with less player substitutions.
Still a lot like Pettine with Zone focus (3) deep as the base. Pettine didn't seem to have the players that could play multiple assignments until Amos, Savage and JA toward the end of 2020.
greengold
June 22, 2021 at 05:39 am
Hey Dino,
I’m glad you mentioned Ramsey. When he was drafted he was 6-1 209 with 4.41 speed out of Florida State. Those Florida guys, man! We added a couple back there in Stokes & Jean-Charles.
What has me really excited are the UDFAs we added in S Innis Gaines 6-2 207, S Christian Uphoff 6-3 209 4.40, and ILB/S Ray Wilborn 6-4 230 4.56.
I keep thinking about that star position that everyone has been pointing to in this new scheme. Charles Woodson was that perfect “star” player. He had the size, speed & instincts to morph into whatever the situation called for: CB, Free Safety, Strong Safety or LB. I really do think he was the model “hybrid” before there were hybrids. Likely one of the most perfect DBs ever to play.
Charles Woodson was 6-1 210 4.44
Not equating here, because I know Charles a bit, and there is no equal. What I am excited for is the physical profile of these players mentioned, and their abilities to morph, be fluid within the scheme. Gaines, Uphoff and Wilborn are those guys. So is Vernon Scott.
These guys all lend themselves to that flexibility within scheme, to help take away/neutralize opponent’s strengths. Should be fun to watch.
mnbadger
June 22, 2021 at 01:02 pm
Bruce skipped the LB's. I guess we're not talking about that group. It should be fun though. Very strong at 2 of the 3 levels. Alot to work with. GPG!
ricky
June 20, 2021 at 11:57 am
Until the DL shows it can get consistent pressure on the QB and also stop the run, it's still the same defense as last year. Good enough to win in the regular season, but when put up against a really tough OL and opposing DL, the team comes up short. The DL is still Clark, some JAG's, and hope that Keke can contribute more, and that the rookie Slayton can contribute some meaningful snaps. And Joe Barry as DC? Another low rent coaching hire in a position that needs a major upgrade, even if it means paying a higher salary.
greengold
June 20, 2021 at 01:14 pm
“Low rent coaching hire?” Is this a joke? What, like the Packers can’t afford who they want to hire???
Matt LaFleur, with a .813 winning percentage, made Joe Barry his choice to run his D. I’ll gladly trust LaFleur made his best choice there, at such an important position for him, at such a crucial time to get it right.
Stroh
June 20, 2021 at 02:48 pm
Low rent as in he's been fired from 2 previous DC positions. LaFluer wanted to run a specfic Defense and he found a former friend w/ one or 2 years of experience w/ it. Afford as in contract had nothing to do with the hiring. And LaFluers winning % as HC means next to nothing.
greengold
June 21, 2021 at 09:42 am
LaFleur's 26-6 record as Head Coach "means next to nothing." A rookie Head Coach at that, coming in and throwing numbers up like that in his first two seasons...
Have you stopped to think maybe Matt LaFleur knows a thing or two about DEFENSE? What he wants run out there for his team? I do. In fact, I believe he chose Joe Barry to run what Matt LaFleur, himself, wanted run on D. He found a DC candidate who will do that for him. This is possibly one of his most important coaching hires ever. The magnitude of the hire was not lost on LaFleur. Do you really think a man that prepared, to win that many games, doesn't know what he is doing?
Never mind, Stroh. Believe what you want.
I'm trusting Matt LaFleur's judgement with his hiring of Joe Barry, to run exactly what he wants run on D. I think it will be fun to see the changes. Especially with his use of our DL this season, and all the scheme changes we will see. The added talent alone could tip the scales.
I anticipate seeing some of the same level of innovation we have come to know on Offense with Matt LaFleur realized on D this year.
Last year in the NFL, the Packers ranked #13 in points scored on D. #15 in rushing Yd/Avg at 4.5. The Packers ranked #13 in Rushing Yds allowed with 1805 on the season.
This year, I think we'll be in the top 10 in all 3 categories. If the Packers can significantly move the needle on Rushing 1D allowed, from their #24 ranking -and- their #21 ranking on Yds/Att at 4.5, you'll know this has been a great success.
In Passing D 2020, we were #10 in Net Yards/Att with 6.1, and #6 in 1D with 184. I see both of those going down as well, possibly putting us in the top 5 there this season.
The Packers didn't get worse this offseason on D. They will only get better. More help on the DL with TJ Slaton, Keke adding 15 pounds, more depth at ILB adding Campbell & Wilborn, Krys Barnes & Kamal Martin with another year's experience, plus the DBs added this offseason. Lastly, let's not forget Rashan Gary...
There is a lot to like on Defense for the Packers. JMTC.
flackcatcher
June 21, 2021 at 03:15 pm
Stroh's right on this one gg. Despite the screams from the usual suspects here. Pettine did not leave over the failure of his defense. He left because MLF had been pushing for his 'firing' since day one. GM Gute was Pettine biggest backer because of Lafleur's lack of experience as a HC. Bottom line, if Pettine had a contract he still would be the DC no matter what MLF wanted. The entire search for a new DC was a FUBAR from beginning to end. Whatever was going out on the coaching grapevine along with the late leaving of Pettine made finding a quality DC close to impossible. Lafleur wanted Wisconsin's DC, who turned him down flat. Barry, as I said before, was the 'last man standing'. He, was not the best hire possible.
ThxJackVainisi
June 20, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Of course size and speed are preferable to their opposites, but the inclusion of Lowry and two rookies should give us some pause. How did Lowry’s “great size” translate onto the field last season? Aaron Donald is listed at “only” 6-1 and about 280 pounds and Bruce reinforces the point of size on the DL not being all that important by referencing Mack and Von Miller.
I do expect the defense to be better this season – even if Barry “only” gets them to tackle better and play with ‘mean intentions’ that could be enough of a difference in the playoffs. I don’t think it’s a coincidence the last two times the Packers won super bowls their defense finished those regular seasons in the top two in scoring defense.
Coldworld
June 20, 2021 at 01:38 pm
We forgot about Keke. I’m hoping he keeps Lowry a lot more rested. We also forgot Kevin King ...
Roadrunner23
June 21, 2021 at 07:58 am
I like your user name, very clever, fitting and very true!
Bure9620
June 20, 2021 at 12:45 pm
I think this is the year the defense becomes "elite." Where the Packers will actually be able to win games through the defense and running game. The pieces are in place IMO. Best corner in the league, two great safetys (jump from Savage), elite pass rushers, one elite interior player. The biggest key is Gary and Savage becoming field flippers...
Coldworld
June 20, 2021 at 01:46 pm
I’m pretty happy with Clark, I’m hoping Slaton develops fast and is used a lot. I just can’t get happy with Lowry as a regular snap getter. Let’s hope Keke steps up.
As far as the rest of the defense, obviously we will be looking to see if Stokes can displace King, but all the other big questions lie in the middle. From ILB to S, what will Barry do, with whom and how will he use individuals. To me that’s the area that will determine whether the defense is good and the players noted allowed to shine, healthy (not battered from trying to be 180 pound ILBs) or just a retread with different nomenclature.
A system can undermine talent. Let’s hope this one doesn’t repeat Pettine’s errors.
Bure9620
June 20, 2021 at 02:29 pm
True, but I would point out, the defense Barry came from were below average at off ball linebackers, and they were statistically the #1 defense in the league. (I would argue Tampa had the best D).
Coldworld
June 21, 2021 at 07:55 am
I suppose seeing is believing. I’m hoping camp starts to give definition as to how Barry will pull that together and in what form.
mattgsx
June 21, 2021 at 02:25 pm
The ILB/SS is the area that still has the most uncertainty, for sure. We have two decent ILBs who were banged up last year, and a TON of safeties, some of whom have some experience playing in the box. Since Savage is looking like he will get a good share of snaps at nickel corner, it's likely we will have young unproven guys in the box. How much Stokes plays outside vs. inside will really determine who is available elsewhere on the field, and for that reason alone I'd like to see Stokes starting out as the third/nickel CB with King outside so Savage can go between traditional SS and more of a dime LB unless someone else shows they can thrive in one of those two spots.
BruceIrons
June 20, 2021 at 04:41 pm
I think if Gary and Savage play like they did last year and Stokes can be an upgrade, it could be just as effective.
They're so close.
Stroh
June 20, 2021 at 02:33 pm
Where do you get this garbage about Amos running a 4.39? It complete nonsense! Amos runs a 4.55 or worse. he is not fast and in fact has very pedestrian speed for an NFL DB. Safeties are generally not the type of athlete the CB is, but even by NFL Safety standards Amos hass no better than average speed! Stop putting it out there that Amos is fast, HE'S NOT! He certainly isn't sub 4.4 fast and he's not even fast for an NFL Safety!
BTW a 350 lb DL can easily be moved off the LOS if he doesn't play w/ leverage. I don't give a damn about pure size, neither Lowry or Slaton has been particularly good at holding the LOS!
BruceIrons
June 20, 2021 at 04:45 pm
Amos ran a 4.39 at his pro day. It's on his wikipedia page and was reported a lot of other places like here: https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-former-calvert-hall-stan...
As for moving defensive linemen, yes a 350 pound guy can be moved if he plays without leverage, but it's a lot harder than moving a 250 pound guys playing without leverage. Size is one part of the equation and the Packers have it.
Stroh
June 20, 2021 at 05:53 pm
Really? Wiki? Yeah on wiki you can find It saying anything. His combine 40 was 4.56 IIRC. Pick the most accurate not the one that fits a narrative. Pro day 40s are usually quite a bit faster and many times are hand timed. The combine time is the relevant time that matters! Wiki is the eorst source ever. No self repecting journalist would ever use it. But your just a hack writer, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. If anyone believed he ran 4.39 he would have been drafted 1st or 2nd (at worst) rd.
Yeah let me know about the Packers DL! It's been mostly terrible! A couple 5th rd picks (Keke and Slaton) aren't going to move the needle much. I like Gary alot, but Jeffrey Simmons would have been the better pick IMO. Maybe Gary will move to the Justin Smith role in what is effectively the same D. Smith played at 285 and was a BEAST. That at least would ensure the best players are on the field.
LeotisHarris
June 20, 2021 at 08:35 pm
"No self repecting journalist would ever use it. But your just a hack writer, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised." ...." I like Gary alot..."
You're, not "your."
A lot. Two words. Always. Never "alot."
I'll cut you some slack on all the spelling errors because hurrying to be abrasive isn't easy, but if YOU'RE going to call someone a hack writer, maybe you clean up your work first.
Stroh
June 20, 2021 at 09:06 pm
I'm not the writer/author! If it was for business or school I'd make sure it correct. Quite changing the subject from the author using wiki as a source!
You need a life!
NickPerry
June 21, 2021 at 06:21 am
Ne heeds a life? You come on here and are STILL verbally abusing people, telling people they're dumb, uniformed, or idiots is the norm for you. I'd call you a bully but we both know you're just a lame behind a keyboard who insults people because you're so unhappy with your life.
BTW...Google this: (Adrian Amos 40 time) and the FIRST thing that pops up is this:
4.39s
Amos attended the NFL combine and performed well, completing almost all of the combine drills, but chose to skip the bench press. His 40-yard dash time of 4.39s ranked seventh among all safeties and his 4.03s time in the three-cone drill ranked second amongst his position.
Granted, there are better places to get a 40 time for the combine but Bruce is here, at CHTV providing us FREE content and you want to treat him like he's writting something for the LA Times.
AL, can we PLEASE get rid of this guy once and for all? He will NEVER change!
Bearmeat
June 21, 2021 at 07:21 am
Agreed. Dan Stodola is a class 1 Jerk. I would gladly go without reading him and several other consistently abusive malcontents around here. The list is always growing. ;)
jannesbjornson
June 21, 2021 at 06:28 pm
No, leave him onboard. I miss his bullshit from the now censoring Packer Wire. I like the repartee'. The Acme melodrama has now become morosely predictable.
MTmind
June 21, 2021 at 09:44 am
The issue with banning jerks or bullies is that you’ll ultimately paint yourself into a corner where someone (an admin or editor) will have to act as a free speech referee, if you will. While this is a privately held page, the owners do have terms and conditions that people need to adhere to if they wish to post. While abrasive and crudely written, the response(s) doesn’t seem to violate any terms of service. I’m sure the author of the article has thick skin, otherwise he won’t make it very far in his profession. I bring all of this up because I would ask where one draws the line if you begin to only allow agreeable responses that don’t present an opportunity to hurt someone else’s feeling? Aren’t we all adults? Most of my recent comments have been a bit snarky and this has made me reevaluate “why?”. My intended purpose has never been to demean anybody or their thoughts… but when I think about it, yeah… I guess that’s what I was trying to do and really serves no purpose other than to try to make me feel superior. Pretty pointless. We’re at a point now with the whole Rodgers situation where the team management, the media, and Aaron (I would say less so for him, but of course I would because I’m on his “side”) have all been manipulating the narrative of what’s going on to serve their own interests. Now, Packer fans are becoming just as divided as the two political parties. Maybe we need less censorship, but more introspection?
Regardless, no reason to be a jerk in the comments and I’ll at least try to be less so. Thanks for initiating the thought process… for me, at least.
NickPerry
June 23, 2021 at 06:49 am
Just click on his name and you'll be able to read every post. The man can't help himself...EVER!
EVERY comment or at least 90% don't need to be abrasive insults to someone elses opinion.
greengold
June 23, 2021 at 09:01 am
Stroh is a pain in the ass, Nick. There’s just no way around that.
I’ve been on Packer forums & boards since the very first one started in around 1992 with the JS Packer Forum. It wasn’t without effort either, as I’ll never forget the 14.4 dial up modem and the slow speeds.
I recognize some posters here from those days, and that’s no joke.
The keyboard warriors generally offer little of substance, but toss a fuck ton of smack, and, yeah, it gets annoying. Comes with the territory, going all the way back to the start. They are on every board, every forum, and they've always been there. Stroh is entering into IGNORE territory.
Every once in a while he has a positive, reasoned offering... and, then it’s back to the same old weak ass, spiteful personal attacks.
johnkwesif
June 21, 2021 at 11:17 pm
I agree that Amos is no where near 4.39, but ease up on Slaton. Let the guy get some snaps first.
Qoojo
June 20, 2021 at 02:52 pm
If it was all about looking good on paper and being fast, then why is Davante Adams arguably the best WR in the league currently with a 4.56 40?
Barry's task is to get these guys to play decent run defense and figure out a way to prevent offenses from continually exposing the weak link 4th/5th db for an entire game.
BruceIrons
June 20, 2021 at 04:47 pm
I don't think size and speed are all that matters, but they are factors in the equation and the Packers have a lot of it.
[email protected]
June 20, 2021 at 04:24 pm
The Packers are going to be awesome this year.. Why would not AROD want to stick around and pertin, near guarantee a super bowl appearance. for 2021/2022? What ever irks Rogers about Gutie, can be dealt with.. If Rogers decides to sit out 2021, and the Packers advance to the playoffs with Love. How is Rogers going to rationalize his decision making?
stockholder
June 20, 2021 at 04:33 pm
Where is KeKe? I think they can do great as Pass Rushers. But what we've always needed was another Clark. And that is why were not champions.
jannesbjornson
June 21, 2021 at 06:31 pm
Two other Clarks.
TarynsEyes
June 20, 2021 at 09:30 pm
I think many are 'leveraging and rushing' faster than the new defense has had a chance to do so itself with a new DC who warrants a doubting scrutinizing eye. At least until we see what is brought onto the fiield.
Fabio
June 21, 2021 at 02:49 am
It seems that suddenly our D has become full of competitive "bad" players and big tacklers who intimidate the opponents ..... When your weed is always greener than that of the neighbor ..... (just don't smoke it too much LOLO )
The reality is that until today the D of the Green Bay Packers had to perform only a few games because the rest of the team was carried forward by the offense that kept the D off the field for a long time.
We will see how the D without AR will be ..... I hope it is clearly strong, but it is a doubt that certainly no one can eliminate with certainty just because we must necessarily say that we will be beautiful ....
10ve 💚
June 20, 2021 at 09:33 pm
Good article Bruce.
I thought that I'd help you guys out. Some minor errors that would benefit from spell/grammar checks. Three paragraphs could benefit as given below. For each paragraph, I first give the text in the article. That is followed by the text with the correction.
First paragraph:
"size up from and speed on the back end" --> "size up front and speed on the back end"
Second paragraph:
"...once the the ball is snapped..." --> "...once the ball is snapped..."
Last paragraph:
"Enormous human beings up front and wold-class speed merchants..." --> "Enormous human beings up front and world-class speed merchants..."
x24
June 21, 2021 at 09:20 am
Glad I am not the only one...
Roadrunner23
June 21, 2021 at 07:53 am
The talent is there for this Defense to Make a statement, how will Barry use this talent is still the BIG question mark?
Barry’s track record as a DC is BAD but who knows, maybe it was the talent he had to work with, maybe he has learned from his mistakes.
With the exception of Shawn Mennenga, MLF has been exceptionally good at hiring a coaching staff so he should have our complete trust in this DC hire.
Looking forward to see how it works out!
Bring on training camp man, can’t wait!
Go Pack!
jannesbjornson
June 21, 2021 at 06:38 pm
Remember, he wanted Ricci ,until carrot-top meddled.
greengold
June 21, 2021 at 06:49 pm
Great point, jannes. Whoosh! Yeah, that one pissed me off too.
Roadrunner23
June 21, 2021 at 10:38 pm
Yep
BJP
June 21, 2021 at 10:12 am
Good article. You could pay us the respect of proofreading your text before you submit it.
Fubared
June 21, 2021 at 12:15 pm
He is also working with guys that arent that talented or experienced too, hope his pea brain and compensate for that. Doesn't matter how fast a Kevin King is, when the receiver just ran by him as he was trying to figure out the coverage. I'll take smart and fast anytime.
Stokes the new guy is said to be slow to react which means his speed is being wasted by his brain.
The linebackers look way over weight and thus slow to the ball. I dont remember any of these guys putting pressure on Brady the entire game. Speed, agility, strength all seem to be missing in the line backer group.
As far as I'm concerned this Barry is a show me guy. Show me you can do more then Capers and the guy before you. LIke them, you have little to work with.
johnkwesif
June 21, 2021 at 11:23 pm
Don't care what Amos ran at his Pro Day, he does not play to that speed. Deion Sanders would disagree with you that does is faster and Stokes probably would too. I do agree our secondary is faster than years past.
greengold
June 24, 2021 at 04:31 pm
I'm really wondering how this was broken down and left without ILB being addressed...?
Studied up on what we might expect from Joe Barry's D. Looked to the Rams 2021 draft, and they took an ILB, Ernest Jones from SC with their first selection, which was an R2. Listened to their post draft staff interviews, saying he was the prototypical ILB that they have been looking for.
Ernest Jones has - nearly - the exact same measurables as Krys Barnes. 6-2 230. Barnes has a faster 40 time. Barnes' wingspan is 77.5" while Jones' wingspan is 80".
At UCLA, Barnes had more than double the PDs 13/5, double the sacks 5/2 and double the TFL 20.5/10.5. Both players had roughly the same tackles totals, with 2 INTs. Totals from both in their best 2 year span.
Here are the traits they were looking for as best as I could discern:
Run & chase LB who specializes in defending the run.
Good head for the ball. Able to flow laterally. Attacking attitude.
Athletic. Instinctive. Long arms. Good tackler. Good awareness in zone coverage.
Good hand use to get off blocks to redirect to the action.
Tough. Sudden.
I just found the similarities interesting between the Rams prototype ILB and the Packers Krys Barnes. Now we might have a DC who knows how to use him. Maybe this new Packers defense we have really does take off with Joe Barry running the show.