Jeff Hafley isn’t traveling to the Midwest to implement an intricate plan that will make players question their own abilities.
The new defensive coordinator for the Jeff Hafley intends to accomplish the exact opposite. In addition to taking a more straightforward approach, he wants to put general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur in positions where they can thrive with the talent they have amassed over the years.
It didn’t always seem that way under Hefley’s predecessor, Joe Barry. Before the snap, players were frequently outmatched, out of position, and appeared to be unsure of their task. The opposition offense would only need to make a few minor changes to effectively capitalize on whatever defensive strategy the Packers were attempting. A situation in which there were no mismatches whatsoever would be exceptional.
It all boils down to whether you want to play a 3-4, 4-3, or press man, which I adore. The key is to be able to maximize the potential of the players you have. Can you use your players to the fullest extent possible?” asked Hafley during his news conference on Thursday to kick things off.
LaFleur brought in the former head coach of Boston College earlier this month to take charge of the Packers’ defense, which has eight past first-round picks. Hafley stated, “Watching the talent [Gutekunst] has acquired the last few years, I saw the last few draft classes and the job he’s done and will continue to do going forward, that was extremely significant to me.” There are certainly enough of resources available for Hafley to use, and more are probably on the way. The Packers will probably add additional starting-caliber defenders to their roster from among the first 100 picks in April’s draft, of which they now control five.
Hafley’s game plan will likely remain flexible and perhaps alter from week to week, although he will primarily rely on a 4-3 base defense. Although the Packers don’t usually line up in base alignment, that can alter. That defense hasn’t been used by them since 2008, the year before Dom Capers arrived and they adopted a 3-4 defense in his wake.
Throughout his press conference, Hafley frequently voiced his appreciation for man coverage, which has grown to be a mainstay of his coaching career. Given that he has coached some of the greatest cornerbacks in league history, it is easy to understand why. In the latter year of Darrelle Revis’s college career, he served as Pittsburgh’s defensive assistant. Six years later, as Hafley was coaching the defensive backs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Revis was a free agent, the two met again.
Hafley worked with Richard Sherman in his last season as the defensive backs coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Sherman was a member of the team from 2018 to 2020.
Regarding his plan, Hafley is clear about what he wants to run and how he wants to do it, and LaFleur seems to share his vision, stating, “I want us to be physical and quick as we attack the ball.” On the back end, we’ll be a little bit more visual, and I believe that is a fantastic chance to go out there and produce takeaways.”
Hafley will get the chance to elevate Jaire Alexander’s game after working with some of the greatest the game has ever seen. Apart from Alexander, it is hoped that every member of the Packers defense will see an improvement in play. The Packers will need to make an extra effort to create takeaways because only the Tennessee Titans had less interceptions as a club in the last campaign. Out of the seven interceptions the Packers have, Rasul Douglas’s went to the Buffalo Bills on Halloween.
“We aim to simplify the game for players so they can play quickly and without having to think.” in order for them to be self-assured and unafraid of making errors,” Hafley stated. “In order for them to play fearlessly, run, hit, cover, get off blocks, and tackle while having their hair set on fire.
“The scheme’s brilliance lies in there.”
