Packers coach discusses simple change that's helping the defense
If you've ever watched All-22 film from Soldier Field, then you are fully aware of the headache that comes with trying to evaluate the Chicago Bears and whomever their opponent is for that game you're watching. It's an awful angle that makes watching the film exponentially harder. It's become a running joke among tape evaluators. […]
If you've ever watched All-22 film from Soldier Field, then you are fully aware of the headache that comes with trying to evaluate the Chicago Bears and whomever their opponent is for that game you're watching.
It's an awful angle that makes watching the film exponentially harder. It's become a running joke among tape evaluators. Whenever you watch tape from Solider Field – you're going to hate it.
Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry has officially moved into the booth after testing it out during the preseason. He used to coach from the sidelines, but Packers head coach Matt LaFleur suggested he try the booth and as it turned out – Barry loved it. Therefore, that'll be how he handles business moving forward.
It only took one game in the Bears booth for Barry to notice it's not like the previous booths he's been in.
"That feels like like my spot," Barry told reporters Thursday. "I told you guys I really enjoyed it during the preseason and after those three preseason games I didn't even flinch. You always see our game film, whenever it's from Chicago, there's you know, that vantage point – it's always from a just a film standpoint. But to actually be up there it was. It was, definitely different than the four or the three other press boxes I had been in. But I'm really enjoying it up there.
"You know, all the things that I told you guys before just not only what you see, because I've always felt that I see the game pretty well on the sidelines, but just the just the overall atmosphere up there in the press box is great, especially to call a game so yeah, I enjoyed it a lot."
It's clear the setup that is Soldier Field didn't affect Barry's ability to coach the game. Coming into Thursday night's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers defense was in the upper-half of the league in points allowed, it had the sixth-best third-down defense (23.1% conversion rate) and tied for the sixth-most sacks (4), and it was eighth in total QB pressures (13). And, their two forced turnovers were tied for eight-most.
The Packers also led the NFL in defender's average depth of target, which was a measly 2.8 yards for the Bears.
It's only been one week, but it's hard to argue with the results. The Packers get a totally different challenge this week in the Atlanta Falcons, so it'll be interesting to see if the defense can replicate last week's results or get close to matching them. If they can, then there's a very good chance the Packers get to 2-0 on the season.
"So obviously a new challenge this week, but it's a big one because they they want to run the ball and they really know how to run the ball and they do a great job with it."
Packers offense already showing off its versatility in 2023
And there will be plenty more to come.
Featured image via Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
