The Lass Word: Accomplished DCs Are Out There

Surveying the landscape: 

It’s going to be a great offseason for teams in search of a defensive coordinator.  Three of the best are currently available.  The Packers are very familiar with two of them. 

Mike Zimmer has been designing defenses against Green Bay for eight years as head coach of the Vikings, and he’s done it pretty well.  Prior to that, Zimmer earned a reputation as one of the top DCs in the NFL at Dallas, Atlanta and Cincinnati. 

Vic Fangio was cut loose as head coach of the Broncos.  Fangio spent four seasons making life challenging for the Packers as DC for the Bears from 2015 through the 2018 season.  Prior to that he excelled coaching defense for the Saints, Panthers and Colts.  

Then there is Brian Flores, whom the Dolphins fired as head coach.  Flores was a key part of the top notch defenses of the New England Patriots during their dynasty run, though he was never officially named coordinator. 

Would the Packers be interested in any of them?  Should they be? Under first year DC Joe Barry, Green Bay’s defense has improved overall.  The unit is hovering around the top ten in all of the major categories.  It is ninth in total yards, tenth in pass yards, eleventh in rush yards, sixth in interceptions, eighth in turnovers and fifteenth in sacks.  But there has been a clear regression since a week ten shutout against the Seahawks.  In the Packers’ last seven games, the defense has given up an average of over 27 points per contest.  This, against quarterbacks like Justin fields, Tyler Huntley, Baker Mayfield, Sean Mannion and Jared Goff.  The return of Jaire Alexander, Za’darius Smith, and now linebacker Whitney Mercilus gives the unit a huge boost for the post season.  It also removes any excuses.  If the defense fails miserably in the playoffs, would the Packers contemplate a change?    

There are, of course, other factors.  Would Zimmer, Fangio or Flores coach the “Rams defense” that Matt LaFleur wants his team to play?  Do any of the three actually want to go back to being an assistant?   Flores, in particular, is thought to be a candidate for another head coach position.  I would be excited about any of the trio, but Joe Barry has probably earned at least another year in Green Bay.  The timing for a change is wrong.  

►  While we’re on the subject, how about fired New York Giants coach Joe Judge for special teams?  He held that position for the Patriots for eight seasons with much success.  LaFleur likes Mo Drayton and always makes it a point to praise him publicly.  But Green Bay’s kick and return units have been mediocre at best, downright disastrous at times.  

►  If the MVP race is truly down to Aaron Rodgers versus Tom Brady, it’s no contest.  Putting the two side-by-side is revealing.  Both led their teams to 13-4 records.  But Rodgers is 13-2 in games he started and finished.  Brady has more passing yards and passing touchdowns.  But he also threw the ball a whopping 719 times, compared to Rodgers’ 531.  Rodgers has a better completion percentage, averages more yards per completion, far fewer interceptions (4 compared to 12), and a higher QB rating (111.9 to 102.1).  If the voters stick to judging by what happened on the field, QB12 is clearly the better choice. 

►  This will be an awesome weekend of watching playoff football.  The three NFC wild card teams may be the strongest wild cards in league history.  The Cardinals, 49ers and Eagles all have a solid chance of upsetting their higher ranked opponents.  I actually think the Niners will beat the Cowboys.  Arizona is at least even money to handle the inconsistent Rams.  And don’t sleep on Philadelphia.  They are sneaky good.  Brady and the Bucs will have their hands full, especially with the injuries Tampa Bay is dealing with.  Which team emerges to play the Packers is going to be fascinating.