Green Bay Packers: Mid-Season Superlatives ahead of Week 9

Rebound: Dean Lowry

Few people have been as critical of Dean Lowry as myself, so I’m happy to be writing that I was wrong about his one. Lowry was an overpaid non-factor for much of the last two seasons, but has turned things around in a big way in 2021.

One could point to new defensive coordinator Joe Barry as a possible reason for the newfound success, but one thing is for sure – he’s making an impact as a pass-rusher. He’s also matched his sack total from last season in just eight games (three). Lowry has also matched his pass deflection total from last season (two).

He’s been pretty “blah” in the run game, but that’s never really been a strong point for the former Northwestern product.

Lowry took a bit of a pay reduction prior to the season, and is finally performing like the player most people were expecting when he was given his first extension. Green Bay needed someone to step up on the defensive line to give Kenny Clark some help, and Lowry has answered the call.

Biggest disappointment: Kevin King

I was in favor of Kevin King returning on a one-year “prove-it” deal, because you can never have enough playable depth in the secondary – especially when it’s someone who has experience.

All Kevin King has done is miss five of the eight games due to injury, and was flat-out terrible in two of the three games he did play in. At this point it’s anyone’s guess what kind of role he may return to when the cornerback room is in fact healthy, but he’s not been much of an asset.

King also doesn’t offer anything in terms of special teams play, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can repair his image and on-field play down the stretch.