Packers reportedly hiring Jerry Gray as secondary coach
The former Vikings defensive backs coach is also a former defensive coordinator.
By PackerAaron
Spoon has the scoop:
#Packers coach Matt LaFleur is hiring former #Vikings DBs coach Jerry Gray to be his secondary coach, according to a source. Gray doesn't come from the Mike Pettine system and will have strong opinions on how to play defense after being a coordinator in two different places.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) January 28, 2020
As Tom indicates, Gray brings a lot of experience to Matt LaFleur's coaching staff, having been a defensive coordinator with the Bills and Titans during his 20 year NFL coaching career.
A four-time Pro Bowler during a nine-year playing career at cornerback, Gray began coaching defensive backs in 1999 with the Titans. He joined the Vikings in 2014 as part of Zimmer's original staff but seemed to fall out of favor this past year as the secondary was a consistent issue for Minnesota's defense. Asked about Gray potentially moving on during his season ending press conference, Zimmer said it was "probably for the best."
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Comments (21)
zoellner25
January 28, 2020 at 01:44 pm
I think this is a great move.
CAG123
January 28, 2020 at 01:47 pm
Sounds like a potential replacement in case Pettine gets fired during the season doesn’t seem like a bad hire though I mean it’s not his felt Rhodes fell off a cliff athletically. Maybe he can get both Jaire and King to the next level.
BBlake
January 28, 2020 at 03:03 pm
The Packers passing defense and the Vikings passing defense were ranked about the same this season.
As you say, it'll be good to let the DB's hear a different perspective and Gray may be a possible replacement for Pettine if/when his rushing defensive scheme tanks again next season.
CAG123
January 28, 2020 at 05:27 pm
Yeah Im actually wanting to see what improvements he brings to the Packers secondary the Vikings safeties were pretty damn good I don't think its absurd to say the Packers have the better CB tandem. His first move should be to drag both Jaire and King out of their houses right now and put them on the jugs machine and spend the rest of the offseason popping up randomly, throwing footballs at them and yelling "THINK FAST"! Those guys should have easily had about 7-8 picks a piece.
NickPerry
January 29, 2020 at 06:54 am
This comment right here should have at least 19 "Likes", especially regarding the jugs machine.
mamasboy
January 28, 2020 at 03:09 pm
Pettine's replacement was the first thing that popped into my head too. Hopefully they won't have to replace him. We'll see.
mamasboy
January 28, 2020 at 03:09 pm
Pettine's replacement was the first thing that popped into my head too. Hopefully they won't have to replace him. We'll see.
mamasboy
January 28, 2020 at 03:10 pm
I didn't think this was worth repeating, I just double submitted.
Razer
January 28, 2020 at 03:28 pm
I don't really know much about him - just hope he can make a difference.
What I do like is that Matt Lafleur went out and found a positional coach who has a pedigree in the position. It drove me nuts when Mike McCarthy tried all this cross training of coaches and remapping of players. We have player potential - we just need a coach who can train them up.
Good Luck Mr. Gary
carlos
January 29, 2020 at 08:56 am
Good point Razer
Lphill
January 28, 2020 at 03:50 pm
It’s a positive change. He was a first round pick in 85.
Doug_In_Sandpoint
January 28, 2020 at 04:14 pm
Kind of wish it was Johnnie Gray. Loved him!
carlos
January 29, 2020 at 08:56 am
Or Leroy Butler.
RCPackerFan
January 28, 2020 at 04:16 pm
One thing I know is that the VIkings have had really good Safety's while Gray has been their DB coach. Hopefully he can help improve our Safety position!
From everyone smarter then me, they are saying this is a great hire. I hope they are right and this is!
Doug Niemczynski
January 28, 2020 at 06:40 pm
"Sounds like a potential replacement in case Pettine gets fired during the season"
Thst was my first thought.
Thegravedigger
January 29, 2020 at 01:48 am
Our corners have some real talent. Hopefully the right coach can get them to be more consistent. Josh jackson is another guy id like to see take a step. We will see.
HankScorpio
January 29, 2020 at 07:06 am
A veteran coach that has seen a ton and has DC experience sounds pretty good to me.
SterlingSharpe
January 29, 2020 at 07:27 am
I wonder why the brilliant defensive mind of Zimmer was happy to throw him to the curb.
My Viking fan buddies up in Minny aren't sad to see him go, and go to the Packers.
Hopefully this comes back to bite them in they azzes.
HankScorpio
January 29, 2020 at 07:31 am
It probably has a lot to do with the step backward that Xavier Rhodes took. I read someplace that he's ticketed to be a cap casualty. Sometimes others pay a price too.
CAG123
January 29, 2020 at 07:52 am
Probably their own ignorance he helped shaped that secondary and they're ready to give him the boot after one down-ish season. Zimmer probably needed another scapegoat.
mnbadger
January 29, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Glad to see an assistant coach with so much experience, especially in the NFC north. One thing is clear is 'queens defensive backfield were far better tacklers than ours.