Should the Packers Consider Making Changes on Defense?

Going into Thursday night’s game, the Green Bay Packers defense knew they would have their hands full stopping Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks’ prolific running game.

However, I don’t think anybody expected Seattle to completely steamroll the Packers for 207 yards on the ground and a 5.6 rushing average on the night.

The Seahawks were nothing short of dominant on both sides of the ball in the season opener, and Green Bay just didn’t have an answer for Seattle’s offense. They pounded the ball between the tackles, were effective with play action, and gained big chunks of yards utilizing Percy Harvin‘s speed on the Jet Sweep.

One thing was clear midway through the third quarter–the Seahawks exposed plenty of weaknesses on the Packers defense.

A defensive unit that was determined to be better this season. A unit that was supposed to be more athletic and explosive and better against the run. A unit that was going to get after the quarterback and force turnovers.

On the contrary, Thursday’s 36-16 loss showed the same issues that have plagued the Packers defense the past few seasons. Stupid penalties. Poor gap discipline. Lack of speed to keep up with better athletes on offense. And sloppy tackling. Plenty and plenty of slopping tackling.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) breaks up the interception by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Brad Jones (59) during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Green Bay 36-16. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers also dropped what should have been two interceptions that could have turned the game around. The first one slipped through the hands of linebacker Brad Jones in the first half, and the second bounced off the chest of rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix as he defended a pass downfield in the third quarter.

Penalties also proved costly and negated big plays on defense, like when Brad Jones was flagged for defensive holding, which wiped out a Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers‘ sack of Russell Wilson late in the second quarter.

Green Bay has to make these plays on defense if they want to beat elite NFL teams like Seattle, especially on the road in tough environments like CenturyLink Field.

The good news is that the Packers still have 15 games to get it figured it out on the defensive side of the ball. Missed tackles and penalties can be fixed, but the way Seattle exposed the Packers soft defensive interior makes me wonder if Green Bay will need to make some significant personnel changes in order to improve and be competitive this season.

Any team watching Thursday night’s game and facing the Packers this season will now test the Packers’ ability to stop the run.

You can guarantee the Jets will make running the ball with Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson in their backfield a priority next week when they come to Lambeau Field to face Green Bay. Teams will continue to test the Packers in this area until they can prove they can stop it.

But where could the Packers improve on defense?

Green Bay Packers linebacker Jamari Lattimore (57). Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Every good defense in this league has imposing inside linebackers that can shoot the gap and meet the back at the line of scrimmage or chase down ball carriers outside of the tackles.

Unfortunately, Green Bay still has yet to find a true “thumper” in the middle of their defense. Starter A.J. Hawk struggled against the run in the season opener and failed to get off blocks, while not making any kind of impact in the game.

The Packers other starting inside linebacker, Brad Jones, had perhaps his worst game as a pro. He not only dropped an easy interception and committed two costly penalties, he also missed several key tackles and was pushed around by Seattle’s offensive linemen all night.

The Packers probably won’t overreact based on one game, but at what point does Green Bay bench Jones and try other players at the position, like backups Jamari Lattimore or Sam Barrington, who played physical in the preseason and flashed ability against the run this past summer?

The Packers need more from the inside linebacker position. Opposing offense don’t fear the middle of the Packers defense, and that’s a huge problem when you’re trying to stop the run and get the defense off the field. The Packers can’t afford more mediocre play from their inside linebackers.

Something the Packers might even try this season is trying Nick Perry at inside linebacker in certain situations. I know it sounds like a wild idea, but Perry holds his ground well against lineman and can get off his blocks. He at least wouldn’t be pushed five yards beyond the line of scrimmage and flushed out of the play. In the very least, he could fill the running lanes and get some push at the line.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs past Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) and outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) to score a touchdown during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

However, the Packers’ issues also extend to the defensive line, which was evident Thursday night without B.J. Raji in the lineup. Even with Raji, the Packers defensive line struggled to hold their own against the run in the past.

In the opener, second-year man Datone Jones performed the best against the run, but disappointedly, starters Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion had terrible nights. They were washed out of plays and struggled to hold the point of attack.

Perhaps, reserve Josh Boyd, who played admirably in 24 snaps, will get more looks going forward. Or, undrafted rookie nose tackle Mike Pennel will get some looks at nose as well. He was a gameday inactive Thursday night, but he flashed some ability in the preseason and could add some much-needed bulk up front.

The Packers may also consider playing more base 3-4 Okie looks, where they have three down linemen, instead of the usual nickel defensive look they play with, where only two down linemen anchor the middle of their defense. Or, Green Bay may have to play with more four-man fronts, utilizing versatile backers Peppers, Mike Neal, or Perry as an extra defensive end.

At this point, the Packers nickel defense hasn’t held up well against the run. I’m just not sure why defensive coordinator Dom Capers seems so in love with it, especially on obvious running downs. It seems to light to hold up well against power running teams, like Seattle.

The last change the Packers may consider on defense is at safety.

Converted cornerback Micah Hyde had a quiet night in his safety debut. Veteran Morgan Burnett didn’t look physical against the run and got beat on a handful of plays in coverage.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) avoids Green Bay Packers free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) and later scores a touchdown during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers might want to consider giving rookie safety Clinton-Dix more snaps. He missed a few tackles in his NFL debut, but he also broke up a deep pass downfield and showed more initiative than any other Packers defensive back against the running game.

He chased down Wilson in the flat to sack the scrambling quarterback. He shot up in the gap on a handful of running plays to either get in on the tackle or force the running back to change his course. Clinton-Dix played physical and was a more than willing tackler, despite not always hitting home on every attempt.

The Packers rookie safety showed plenty of promise at the position and may even eventually get consideration this season over starters Hyde or Burnett as the Packers look for more playmakers on defense.

Whatever they do, Green Bay needs to do something to improve a defense that looked like it couldn’t stop anybody in the ground game Thursday night. The Packers can’t afford to rank 25th in rushing defense again this year.

Their defense desperately needs more impact players on the field. In my opinion, they should play more young players, like Clinton-Dix, Lattimore, Barrington, or Boyd early on this season and see if a playmaker emerges out of this group.

Because at this point, I don’t think the Packers defense could do much worse than what they showed in the season opener.