When it comes to the Green Bay Packers, there’s usually two topics that come to mind these days. The first is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But 1b and No. 2 is certainly a defensive unit that has not answered the bell in recent years. In 2016, the team allowed the second-most passing yards in the league and 32 scores through the air. And the team’s ranking in terms of rushing defense (8th) is somewhat deceptive considering the drop-off after a good start. And since we’re on the subject, what’s the status of Mike McCarthy’s defensive front these days?
What’s Green Bay’s line?
As it stands at the moment, taking into consideration that nose tackle Letroy Guion is slate to serve a four-game suspension to start the season, the three-man front of the Green Bay Packers consists of end Kenny Clark (the team’s first-round Draft Choice in 2016), tackle Mike Daniels and Guion’s fill-in Christian Ringo. The latter was a sixth-round draft choice in ’15. In terms of depth, there’s defensive end Dean Lowry (fourth-round pick in ’16) and former undrafted free agents Reggie Gilbert and Brian Price. Keep in mind that in the team’s first four games this past season, the Packers allowed a TOTAL of 171 yards on the ground. But if you include their three-game playoff run, this same team surrendered a disappointing 110.2 yards per game rushing in their last 15 outings.
Thompson needs to find some help on the line as well.
Free-agency fixes?
The biggest name out there free-agent wise in terms of defensive tackles is Johnathan Hankins. As a member of the New York Giants, he’s been an inside presence in the 4-3. But could he move inside to nose tackle in the Green Bay Packers’ 3-4 defense. That’s an intriguing question and perhaps one the Packers don’t want to ask.
Sean Lissemore, formerly of the Chargers, has experience at nose tackle in this scheme. Paul Soliai has made his stops around the league and was recently cut loose by the Carolina Panthers. He’s 33 years old but could be a nice fill-in on the nose while Guion is serving his suspension. At defensive end, Ricky Jean-Francois and Kendall Reyes are certainly possibilities as well. This is an area that also must be addressed in the draft as well, especially with Guion’s recent unpredictability.
