2015 was the first season in recent memory in which the Packers defense stood the hero more often than the offense. So, of course, the defense is where the bulk of the changes should be this off-season (tongue firmly planted in cheek).
Before the steam had finished coming out of Packers fans’ ears from the loss to Arizona, coach McCarthy announced that Clay Matthews would be moving back outside. To my mind, this should have signaled that the Packers planned to sign a significant free agent. Why a free agent? Because the hole that Matthews filled at MLB was not just as a great player, not just as a leader, but also as the defensive game manager who makes sure that the strong side is correctly called and players are in the right positions. Sure, the Packers can draft linebackers in the draft…but who is going to run the defense. Well, now the most likely candidates are “Bucks” Jake Ryan, Nate Palmer, and Joe Thomas.
One scenario that has often come up is that the Packers could get Reggie Ragland in the draft. There are a couple problems with this (though I like the idea).
- I see it as unlikely that Ragland will make it to the Packers at pick 27
- As I have already said, I believe it is most likely that the Packers pick a DL with their first pick.
- Even our high draft pick (at number 5 overall), while being adequate, was not a stud. AJ Hawk handled the mental duties well, but was not a hero. I think we need a hero. Clay Matthews was the other first round LB that Thompson made a splash with…he needs the latter, not the former.
The Packers have done a good job defensively with what they have had, but the announcement that Clay is going back outside, coupled with no defensive pickup in free agency makes me think this team is just pushing the problem around rather than solving it. If we keep this up, we may very well get burnt eventually.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining here. I am excited to see what the pickup of TE 
Jared Cook will do for the offense, I can’t wait for the draft, and I am extremely excited to see Clay Matthews back on the outside terrorizing quarterbacks. But I see the MLB problem as a critical one for the success of the defense in 2016. With the Packers’ best player available philosophy, I have doubts as to whether we will have a legitimate (potential) star at the position and just picking a MLB in the first or second round doesn’t guarantee anything (AJ Hawk).
Will the Packers be willing to force Clay back to MLB if it is best for the team, even if it means going back on their word? Maybe. But I think the draft is our last chance to get the right player, or the right mix of competition to elevate a current player at this oh, so critical position.
Go Pack!
I honestly don’t care of they go back on their word. As long as they win that’s all I care about. I would be disappointed, but the good out weighs the bad in this case.
Agreed. And McCarthy went back on his decision to stop calling plays so I think he is willing to do what is necessary. I just want to stop pushing the problems around and fill that ILB position with a playmaker. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
The Packers could have gone after a couple of top rated, experienced ILB in free agency. Instead, Thompson chose to compromise this critical gap in the Packers defense. All the players mentioned in the article are serviceable at best when the Packers need a Pro Bowl worthy stud.
Yeah, to me, making the decision to move Clay before FA should have meant that we already decided to go after somebody. I can see if there was no money or they made offers but were turned down. But it seems that they just didn’t make much effort…that is what bugs me a lil…Thanks for reading!
As a lifelong Pacjers fan it is enjoyable to read an article written with intelligent debatable information. Your points are very tangible and make allot of sense and it is all of our jobs as fans to follow the organization closely and discuss the moves that are made (or not made) but the truth is our organization and Ted Thompson specifically (with some extreme situations I might add) proved that they know what they are doing year in and year out placing a top 5 product on the field. Long windedon my end I know but wanted to point out that it is appreciated to be able to read the ideas you have without tongue lashing the front office. It is hard to do every year around this time when the “big” names are flying around and other teams always seem to make “big” noise. Truth is I think way more times than not those moves end up costing those teams financially for a long period of time.
Thanks for reading Josh. I admit, I truly thought that this year they were planning to do more in FA. Mostly based on the rumblings I heard out of the front office…but you are right, we Packers fans are spoiled with good teams that could go the distance year in and year out. Just imagine how it feels to be a Tampa Bay fan or a Jags fan. I just love the Packers team, community, history, and FANS! Thanks so much for the comment. And yeah, others have disagreed with me. Jeff, one of our writers, doesn’t think ILB is going to be a concern so he has the opposite perspective. We will see! But mostly, I am excited for the draft and a new crop of young players who love this great team and can be embraced by (and, in turn, embrace) the community!