Three things is a short list. They need to be better in every aspect. They can't be much worse.

If Hafley can get the Packers defense to achieve the 3 points in this article then the Packers defense will be improved. Better tackling and stopping the run have been issues for years for the Packers defense. Better tackling and stopping the run should result in creating more turnovers as the opposing offense will be in more 3rd and long situations. With Hafley's attack mode of defense this should create more pressure on the QB resulting in more turnovers. Most importantly if these 3 objectives are achieved the Packers defense should be getting off the field on third downs rather than remaining on the field until the opponent scores.
Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61.

No. There is a fourth thing the defense has to do better. And it happened each of the last three years. And that is get a stop late in the fourth quarter. Happened against SF last year when they gave up go ahead TD. Two years ago when they got knocked out of the playoffs by Detroit. The Lions ran out the clock. And again against SF after playing a great defensive game, but couldn't stop SF and they ran out the clock.

A great defense will rise to the occasion in the big games snd get stops. KC defense did it twice in the Super Bowl. Once at the end of regulation holding SF to a FG and gave Holmes a chance to tie the game. And then again in overtime holding SF to a field goal and giving Holmes another chance to score the winning TD.

That's all I want. The Packers will win their share of games. I wanna see the defense get stops in big games.

Instead of 1 or 3 there should be: not be pathetic on 3rd/4th and long.
I think taking more calculated risk in D is better than playing butter soft Barry football. 1. Even if we assume bigger risk means sometmes you lose more yards than you defend, you surely create more turnovers. 2. Whatever happens you give yourself more time to answer. Too many times we watched 7 minute drives with sure TD ending up with drained clock.
Hafley seems to be an intelligent guy. One of these who can change their direction when thngs do not go their way. I hope he is like this, and we will not be kept hostage for next 3 years.

#4 Don't be an absolute push over on third downs

Couldn't agree more.

But I would add three more things: 1) Better communication between the linebackers so everyone is sure of their assignments, 2) While pressure on the QB is important, the back end players must be in the position to create turnover opportunities, and
3) Hold on to those turnovers when they come your way!

Run defense is still the biggest question mark for me. It really hasn't been emphasized by either Gute or the previous two DCs we have employed. While Hafley may be hoping his penetration style will get the job done, containment is equally important. We want younger players like Van Ness diagnosing plays properly and not taking themselves out of plays by being too aggressive and becoming lost in the backfield. I still think we may have a ways to go in this department, but we'll see.

For me, I just would like to see them give up less points than the Packer offense puts on the board. I don't really care about style points.

The Packer defense was good enough to get to the playoffs last year and to destroy the Cowboys, and hang in on the road against SF. Shield your eyes if you want, but the offense needs to put up more points. The defense was good enough to get to the super bowl last year, the offense failed on the last series and it cost them the game.

One, In 2023, the Packers were credited with 101 missed tackles, which put them smack dab in the middle of the league. It isn't poor tackling, it's AVERAGE tackling.

Two, stopping the run. I think it's better to give up 5 yards than 7. In fact, if I were defending a team like the Packers, I'd much rather see Love handing the ball off instead of throwing it. We all acknowledge it's a passing league, we pay QBs $60M a year, but somehow what's really important is stopping a RB from getting 5 yards?

We surrendered 4.4 yards/attempt last year. Better than Baltimore, better than KC, better than the Bills, better than the Seahawks......all of them playoff teams. We gave up 15 rushing TDs, the same as Detroit and Cleveland, and better than the Texans and Seahawks.

Three, " If the Packers blitz more and are more aggressive on defense, they are more likely to make more big plays this season. " True. They're also more likely to give up a big play. There once was a guy who went by Tuesday Morning Quarterback, and was named Easterbrook, who laid that out to me point blank: A blitz is more likely to result in a big play for the offense, than the defense.

I think if you want more turnovers, the best practice is to rush with 4 and cover with 7. I think that with the guys we have this year, even through 17 games and injuries, we're going to be able to pressure the QB. These guys like Gary and VanNess and Clark and Wyatt and Smith can all win one-on-one matchups. I'm not in favor of doing a lot of blitzing. Every now and then, just to keep the offense honest, but mostly just rush with 4 and cover with 7.

Here's an excerpt from waaaay back in 2000. It's still true.

""Blitzes work sometimes but more often transform long-yardage down-and-distance that favors the defense into big gains for the offense. Why? Because offenses want to be blitzed. A surprise blitz can really hurt, but a blitz in an obvious passing situation, when expected, leads to man coverage on receivers, and man coverage is what every QB nods off at night dreaming about.""

If you google Easterbrook, or TMQ, and add the term "blitz" you can find quite a bit of stuff he'd written on the topic. Or try "Stop Me Before I Blitz Again".

Hard to agree more. 4 man front will definitely help but that also means inside linebackers and D-Backs need to be on their game. The best statement in the article; "FINISH EVERY TACKLE" No arm tackles boys, put your shoulder in it !!!

Can't wait to see all this unfold.

GPG

Joe Barry is now the LBs coach for the Dolphins which is probably his ceiling. He is also their running game coordinator, maybe they want to keep their offense rested and off the field while the D gives up 200 yards on the ground?