NFL: Offseason moves paying off for Packers

Team hits on free agents, draft picks
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

GREEN BAY — When people think about the Green Bay Packers, many immediately picture Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre or some other offensive star the team has had over the years. The 2019 Packers still have Rodgers calling the shots, but its the defense that has stolen the show during the 3-0 start.

The team has long been trying to improve its defensive unit, and after years of failing, Green Bay seems to have struck gold in the offseason.

General manager Brian Gutekunst made three big splashes when the free agency period opened, signing outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith and safety Adrian Amos to multi-years deals.

The trio has played a big role through three games. Amos made the game-sealing interception to open the season in Chicago and is currently second on the team with 16 total tackles. Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith have been sparkplugs for the Packers’ pass rush, combining for 7½ sacks — five of which came in Sunday’s gritty win over the Broncos.

“Those guys have done a tremendous job,” said first-year coach Matt LaFleur on the Smiths after Sunday’s win. “I’ve said it before, not only on the field, but in the locker room as well, and they’ve been great leaders, and we’re really fortunate to have both those guys.”

The defense has carried an inconsistent offense so far, but they don’t mind being relied upon.

On Sunday, the Packers’ defense spent more than 35 minutes on the field, including a couple of long Denver drives. Despite allowing 149 rushing yards, the defense surrendered just 310 total yards of offense, registered six sacks and forced three turnovers.

“We always go out there with the mindset that we’ve got to make plays,” said Preston Smith after Sunday’s win. “We’ve got to make plays to put our offense in good position. And we’ve got to put them in position to score. So we knew every time we touched the field, we’re like, ‘Someone’s got to make a play,’ no matter who do it. We’ve just got to execute, make a play. Make sure we don’t give up big plays.”

For much of the first three games, Green Bay’s pass rush has been in the face of opposing quarterbacks.

With the Smiths leading that charge, its fair to assume that upcoming opponents are going to give their offensive line some extra help in trying to slow the OLB tandem, which should open up opportunities for defensive linemen Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry and Rashan Gary.

Gary, one of two 2019 first-round picks of the Packers, posted his first career sack Sunday and seems to be getting more comfortable with the NFL game. The rookie also fell on top of a fumble forced by Preston Smith to set up one of the Packers’ touchdown drives.

“I feel like as a defense, we have a good swagger about ourselves, and we trust in one another — that we look to the left and right of us and know that everybody’s going to do what they need to do to come out with the win,” said Gary.

Darnell Savage, the team’s other first-round pick, has also had a huge impact on the defense’s strong start.

The rookie safety has drawn national praise for his speed and ability to make open-field tackles. Savage is often around the ball and was in the right place Sunday when he made a diving interception.

The five new additions to the defense has helped cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Kevin King play more aggressively on opposing passing weapons. Each player already has a takeaway this season.

Linebacker Blake Martinez has been the steady anchor in the middle of the defense, already totaling 32 total tackles on the season.

While the sacks and takeaways are way up for the defense, the unit’s play against the run appears to be its only weakness so far.

The Packers have allowed 393 rushing yards (131 per game) already on 80 attempts (a 4.9 yard per carry average). But when you break the tape down, the run defense is actually playing better than you might think.

The yards per carry average is skewed by the 75-yard touchdown run from Vikings running back Dalvin Cook in week two. And in week three against the Broncos, when the Packers allowed 149 rushing yards, it did come on 38 attempts for an average of 3.9 yards, or a full yard below their season average.

The Packers are primarily playing a nickel defense this season, and opposing offenses are choosing to try and overwhelm the smaller defense with a focus on the run. Green Bay seems content to allow its opposition to try and put together long drives with the run and are making it work with sacks and takeaways on the few passing attempts.

With the return of the now-injured Oren Burks, the Packers could play more of their 3-4 base defense, with Burks and Martinez at middle linebacker, in the future. For now, they are likely going to keep going with what’s worked on its 3-0 start.

Up next for the rejuvenated Packers’ defense is a Thursday matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are 1-2 after a surprising loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

So far, Philadelphia has averaged 265.3 passing yards per game and 99.7 rushing yards. The Eagles are minus-2 in turnover differential, near the bottom of the NFL, while the Packers ranked first after Sunday’s slate of games at plus-6.

Expect the Eagles to try and get their run game going with receivers DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery expected to miss Thursday’s contest.

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