Offense Wins Games, Defense Wins Championships.
Without vision, a man shall perish. Declaring his new vision, Coach LaFleur wasted no time in making a defensive coordinator change within days of the season-ending. Going with a hire out of the college ranks, the Packers head coach is clearly opting for a more aggressive style of defense. Jeff Hafley has been quietly praised by players both current and former, for his preparation, including Richard Sherman in a recent interview. Known for more blitzing, and man coverages, it certainly will be a face-lift from all the soft zones in Joe Barry’s scheme. Should really showcase the young talent that is on this roster, letting them impose their athletic ability as soon as the ball is snapped. Versus Barry’s system, which had a lot of our defenders sitting back out of position against quick plays, always chasing the ball carrier. The swift hire tells me Matt knew exactly what type of coach he wanted to get the defense into another gear.
Although they haven’t worked together formally before, Hafley has been with his brother Mike LaFleur, Robert Salah, Kyle Shanahan and Mike Pettine on some other NFL staffs in recent years. A common theme I keep reading about Hafley from the Packers press, and videos of his former players, is how he relays the concepts. His players agree that he simplifies things down to a level that creates more freedom to play without overthinking assignments. He preaches and practices preparation at the highest level of anyone, and although he calls aggressive styles, they are very simple. Personally I’m excited to get back to an even front on defense, 4 hands in the dirt has been one of Hafley’s hallmarks during his last 4 years at Boston College. The Packers have been operating most of their defenses with an odd front ever since 2009 when Dom Capers got hired in the Mike McCarthy regime.
The other main flavor of his defense is that he wants to live in single high coverages. In a past interview, Hafley described his philosophy at Boston College like this; “We’ve been more middle-closed defense with a safety in the middle of the field than most people in college football.” All in all, it’s only minor tweaks that are different from Joe Barry’s scheme, the difference is how they get to the end result. Joe Barry liked to use two high safeties pre-snap before rotating them, whereas Hafley will line up pre-snap with just one back there. Definitely a formula he cooked up over his resume’ which includes defensive backs coach and co-coordinator at Ohio State. Then seven more years in the NFL as a positional coach with the Buccaneers, Browns, and 49ers organizations before his time at Boston College.
Matt LaFleur said, “Jeff has had success at every stop of his coaching career with an impressive track record of developing players at every level. We look forward to him leading our defense.” Which is exactly what coach needs next year. Someone who can simplify and continue to develop the young roster, and lead that side of the team so he can apply more energy into Jordan Love and the offense. It’s great that Matt got the jump on this hire too so that they can build their working relationship going into the offseason, just as they’re putting draft plans together. Which should feature targeting of more secondary players for the defensive system that will require more man coverage this year.
Lots on the horizon for this Pack, I think Coach LaFleur has a steady hand on his ship even when some folks cry for a mutiny, he’s growing his vision with a credible hire, and cheesehead nation can’t wait to see this group start reaching its full potential. Every team in the National Football League should consider this a notice, a new dynasty is brewing just outside brew city, on the frozen tundra.
Go Pack Go 2024!
