Green Bay Packers: Green Bay Next Stop for Rex Ryan?
By Tom Mrozla
Oct 19, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers talks with the defense during warmups prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers are confusing. What exactly is the defensive philosophy in Green Bay? I don’t think there is one.
Here I am, gearing up for some good old Green Bay Packers playoff football … hopefully!
The question is, am I gearing up to watch the defense miss a million tackles and fold again?
Or, am I gearing up to watch the defense play lights out?
Over the recent years, the lights out option has been very rare. However, it is the National Football League and nothing is for sure … unless you’re playing Jay Cutler.
"“What exactly is the defensive philosophy in Green Bay?”"
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
It’s week 16 and the Packers defense is still leaking like a sieve. Consider the past two weeks against the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons who had their way.
The Packers defense currently ranks 26th in run defense, giving up nearly 130 yards a game to opposing backs. They are giving up an average of 24 points per-game and giving up nearly 400 yards per-game to opposing offenses.
Though they rank fifth in interceptions they are failing to remain reliable. Yes, this problem has been going on for a while, so I am not making any new statements.
When it comes to analyzing the Green Bay Packers, what do all people have a problem with?
The defense.
Just because they’re 10-4 doesn’t mean defensive coordinator Dom Capers should get a pass.
Say, however, the pendulum swings in such a way that the defense continues to struggle? The person held accountable would be Dom Capers. Afterrall, this problem is not new. He’s had his chances and is still struggling. You can only send 7 rushers so many times without a sack.
What would the Packers do next if Dom doesn’t turn it around?
They need a change and a spark to put the defense back on the map. The Packers have some big talent that is being wasted each year Capers is up in the booth calling defensive plays.
I don’t know how I feel suggesting this, but what about Rex Ryan as a possible replacement for Dom Capers as defensive coordinator in Green Bay?
Sure, he’s the coach of the subpar New York Jets, and he’s struggled to build anything sustainable there, but he also hasn’t had much to work with. Chances are, his time in New York will come to an end after this season and there is no doubt some teams will try to land him.
Rex Ryan is not a head coach. He’s a defensive coordinator. The perfect spot for Ryan is the defensive coordinator position in Green Bay. He has an innovative defensive mind and has the personality that can rally players.
Ryan’s teams have been highly regarded for their defensive capabilities. In his first year under Brian Billick, the defense was ranked second overall and second in rushing yards allowed.
New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
By his second year, in 2000, the Ravens’ defense set NFL records for fewest points allowed and fewest rushing yards allowed. The defense allowed a combined 23 points in four playoff games en route to a Super Bowl XXXV victory. Since then, most of his teams have played well defensively.
Ryan’s premise that “whatever you do best, we’re going to take away from you,” is something that has been absent in Green Bay for a while.
Every week I just can’t decide what the next step for the Green Bay defense should be.
Sometimes they surprise me, sometimes they make my blood boil. Injuries have not been too big of a problem this year which takes away past excuses of a ton of injuries slowing our defense down.
Thinking ahead to the playoffs, there’s a good chance we could now be playing in Seattle against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. That’s a real bummer to think about considering our playoff history against running quarterbacks.
It’s an unnecessarily puzzling situation, but plenty of solutions remain. The status quo has just not been enough.