Matt LaFleur's experiment could pay off big for Packers and Joe Barry
There's no question that Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry is entering a make-or-break year. Therefore, he has to make sure he's doing everything he can to right the ship in 2023. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur knows the pressure his defensive coordinator is under, as well. So, he advised Barry to move from […]
There's no question that Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry is entering a make-or-break year. Therefore, he has to make sure he's doing everything he can to right the ship in 2023.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur knows the pressure his defensive coordinator is under, as well. So, he advised Barry to move from the sideline and into the booth during Friday night's win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I just know from my own experience of being up there and being a play caller – I think it's a much less emotional environment up there," LaFleur told reporters after the game. "And you can see everything. [It's a] much better vantage point. So, I just wanted him to experience that and try it out and then we'll kind of reconvene and talk about it, but I thought, all-in-all I thought he was doing a good job getting the play calls in."
It's a move that makes a lot of sense and while, sure, it's the first game of the preseason – the defensive played pretty well the whole night. The unit didn't give up an offensive touchdown all night long and forced two interceptions while holding the Bengals offense to 4-of-15 on third downs.
It'll be interesting to see if Barry is in the booth against the New England Patriots when the Packers take them on in Week 2 of the preseason. It's safe to say Friday night's defensive performance at least warrants another conversation.
Could this be something that helps the Packers defense finally come together and perform like the talented unit it is? We'll have to wait and see, but so far, it's certainly not hurting anything.
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It’s for the best.
Featured image via Mark Hoffmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
