Pack-A-Day Podcast - Episode 919 - Will Mike Pettine be Back?
On today's show, Maggie Loney and Jimmy Christensen discuss the hiring of Maurice Drayton as special teams coordinator, discuss whether or not they think Mike Pettine will be back as DC, and look at the list of free agents Green Bay will have to consider re-signing this offseason.
By AndyHerman
On today's show, Maggie Loney and Jimmy Christensen discuss the hiring of Maurice Drayton as special teams coordinator, discuss whether or not they think Mike Pettine will be back as DC, and look at the list of free agents Green Bay will have to consider re-signing this offseason. Enjoy!
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Andy is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh and owns & operates the Pack-A-Day Podcast. Andy has taken multiple courses in NFL scouting and is an Editor for Packer Report. Andy grew up in Green Bay and is a lifelong season ticket holder - follow him on Twitter @AndyHermanNFL!
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Comments (12)
Alberta_Packer
January 29, 2021 at 10:16 am
Further to podcast - Pettine should not be back. The defense has been the beneficiary of an elite offense - not defensive coaching or scheming. Also LaFleur has earned the right to install his own guy. If internal, certainly Jerry Gray deserves consideration.
As for special teams, perhaps the team can draft someone who can both catch and run the ball. Tyler Ervin was pretty good but lacks durability. While at it, let's audition some new punters. If the Packers are only going to punt 3-4 times a game - 1/2 of the punts can't be "poor."
My priority UFA signing is Linsley ( sorry A. Jones) - followed by Jamal Williams, Marcedes Lewis and Lane Taylor (one last kick at the can). For RFAs - Tonyan, Greene, Sullivan and Lancaster. May also look to jettison the contracts of Dean Lowry and perhaps Preston Smith in order to re-imagine the defensive line.
Leatherhead
January 29, 2021 at 10:46 am
Do not return punts. Take a fair catch and put your offense on the field.
Do not return kickoffs unless you have to. If you have to, the returner should get on the ground before he loses the ball.
Problem solved. Return game goes the entire season without a turnover, penalty, or injury.
Fubared
January 29, 2021 at 11:38 am
My take they are afraid to replace him and find out the new guy tells them what they dont want to hear. The talent on D is awful and you need to spend capital on free agents, get linebackers and draft some safeties and get rid of dead wood.
Smith Bros have done their job, ran out of gas, what linebackers are on this team that can cover, where are the dbacks with speed, size and cover ability. Total rebuild needed.
Alberta_Packer
January 29, 2021 at 12:20 pm
Certainly the defense should be re-created - starting with the d-line which has only 2 starting caliber players (Clark, Keke). In better shape with LBs with Barnes, Martin and Kirksey. Also prime rushers - Z. Smith and R. Gary. For salary and athletic reasons, I would look to drop P. Smith (for a cheaper and more athletic player). DBs are are a solid group with Alexander, Savage and Amos. King was the weakest link but can be replaced in free agency.
PhantomII
January 29, 2021 at 02:26 pm
The Defense needs a better and faster replacement for King at CB. A better Slot CB and a big and quick DT who can push the pocket next to Clark. A couple rotational DL also. I like the two rookie ILB's. I think Gary starts over P. Smith who may be released for salary CAP along with Linsley not picked up. I believe Gray takes over at DC if Pettine is released.
Leatherhead
January 29, 2021 at 02:55 pm
How stupid do you think the 1265 brass is?
They've just finished as 28-8 stretch. They've lost in the Championship game on the road by a lot and at home by a play or two. The defense has been ABOVE AVERAGE both seasons in scoring, yards, etc.,.
And this is accomplished with a bunch of players who are crap, trash, inadequate, overpaid guys with no heart ....ACCORDING TO THE FANS. Not to the 1262 brass, of course.
So yeah, let's fire the DC and draft a superduper WR. That's the solution. I'm sure that's what they're thinking in the War Room.
Look, I get it. We've been hurt and we want to blame somebody and hold them responsible. That's human nature. But just tearing things apart because you're hurt isn't useful or healthy. You don't make big changes to a team that's winning like this just because you fall a little short. You get up, knock the mud off your pants, and go back to work.
We'll have to replace King. but we can bring back pretty much everybody else on defense. Kirksey, Lowry, and P. Smith have all been mentioned as potential salary cap casualties, but I'm not going to speculate on that until I know what the cap is going to be.
King is going to have to be replaced with a real guy, not some UDFA hopeful. Whoever starts opposite of Alexander is going to get thrown at plenty. Personally, I was hoping we could add a stud DL to pair up with Clark for the next 4 years but replacing KIng might be a bigger priority.
I'll be beyond stunned if Pettine doesn't come back.
PhantomII
January 29, 2021 at 05:17 pm
2020 NFCC Niners ran all over us. We didn't spend enough time setting the edge in practice and Pettine had no answers to stem the bleeding. 2021 NFCC game Brady had plenty of time to throw down field. I think like most here we are a good defense despite Pettine coaching these last few years. Pettine rarely blitzes and usually has a light front. I don't think he's the worst but I see a lot of teams with better coaching and more answers for teams strengths and can put pressure on the opposition. Most people are not stunned as you are. The good news is we have 1 All Pro CB, 2-Pro Bowl caliber Safeties, a Pro Bowl OLB in Z and Gary should start this next season. Both ILB's are playing well early. Clark is healthy and doing well. The new coach has nice tools to work with. We will have a few more after the draft and possibly FA.
Fignan
January 29, 2021 at 04:01 pm
Good post!
Lphill
January 29, 2021 at 04:45 pm
Pettine not coming back thank God its already out on other sites , he should have been gone last year , he cost the Packers this year , another dumb move promoting a special teams assistant who was part of a awful special teams ? Lovie Smith already hired , Dan Quinn hired, who will the Packers bring in now, some nobody? This team turned into a laughing stock very quickly , but to the homers golly gee we won 13 games , big shit !
PeteK
January 29, 2021 at 06:17 pm
You have now been reduced to a 45.
Alberta_Packer
January 29, 2021 at 06:17 pm
As much as anything, the D requires a philosophical and schematic shift(s) for next season. Ergo a new DC! Agree with Phantom ll - there are some nice parts of the defense to work with. Shopping list - 2 good d-linemen (presently not on roster), 1 solid CB (not King) and 1 quick/fast OLB (may or may not be on roster). Can complete re-vamped D with other current roster players. Also please - no more exclusively 3-4 defenses!
Crankbait
January 30, 2021 at 06:13 am
Packers need to replace Kevin King, get a pass rush, get better linebackers. Then they have to hire a new defensive coordinator who knows how to teach tackling.