Packers HC Matt LaFleur gives new special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia the ultimate compliment
The Packers special teams were not good in 2021. Everything hit a head in the playoff loss to the 49ers after San Francisco's special teams blocked a field goal attempt and a punt during the game. Both plays were the difference in the 13-10 loss. As you can imagine, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur fired […]
The Packers special teams were not good in 2021. Everything hit a head in the playoff loss to the 49ers after San Francisco's special teams blocked a field goal attempt and a punt during the game. Both plays were the difference in the 13-10 loss.
As you can imagine, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur fired then-special teams coordinator Maurice Drayton not too long after. While it was a decision that had to be made, it turned out to be a great one because LaFleur was able to replace Drayton with longtime special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
Bisaccia is widely regarded as one of the best special teams coaches in the league. His latest stop before Green Bay was Oakland/Las Vegas, where he recently took over as interim head coach after Jon Gruden resigned. Bisaccia took over the 3-2 Raiders and managed to keep their season afloat despite numerous bouts with adversity. He even led the Raiders to their first winning season (10-7) and first playoff berth since 2016.
The Packers special teams should see considerable improvement under Bisaccia in 2022 and LaFleur knows it.
"You just look at the guy's experience. He's got such a proven track record," LaFleur told the media Wednesday. "In my opinion, he should be a head coach in this league. I thought the job he did with the Raiders last year was unbelievable.
"Getting a chance to be around him and get to know him – it's not a secret as to why guys love being around him [and] love playing for him. I can tell that he's going to demand a lot from our guys, but he also cares so much about everybody he's working with. We're super excited to have a guy like that and again, I'd say his track record speaks for itself. And I think we're all going to benefit from learning from him."
Per Football Outsiders, Green Bay's special teams finished dead last in total DVOA last year. So, there's nowhere to go but up in 2022.
If anyone can get the Packers to the top, it's Bisaccia. The only question is: how far will they go?
Featured image via-Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
