Back in 2010, the Green Bay Packers were a 10-6 Team that caught fire late in the season. They took the wild-card route to the playoffs and wound up winning three straight road games in the postseason. Victories over the host Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears put them in Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 31-25 victory in Arlington, Texas, gave the franchise a 13th NFL championship. But the Pack has not been back to the Big Game since. And a big reason has been the continued failures of their defensive unit.
Consistent inefficiency
For proper perspective, we will just use recent seasons as examples. Regardless of how you spin it, be in injuries or simple ineffectiveness, Dom Capers’ unit has not answered the bell. The Green Bay Packers have lost the NFC title game two of the past three years. In 2014, they squandered a 16-0 lead against the Seattle Seahawks. Back in late January, they were manhandled by the Falcons at the Georgia Dome, 44-21.
From the inability to stop the run to massive injuries at cornerback, the defense always seems to hold back this team. That’s not to say quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense is perfect. But more times than not, it’s been the inability to stop the other team that has cost Mike McCarthy’s team dearly.
This past season, Green Bay ranked 22nd in the NFL. Only the New Orleans Saints gave up more passing yards through the air.
What’s the latest?
The good news is that the team’s sack leader of this past season, outside linebacker Nick Perry (11), appears to be headed back to the club. A first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2012, he’s easily coming off his best showing to date.
But what about veteran Julius Peppers? He’s expressed a desire to play a 16th NFL season but will he back with this organization? The Pack got some bad news this offseason after learning that starting nose tackle Letroy Guion will be suspended by the league for the first four games of the season. And versatile defensive back Micah Hyde remains unsigned and could hit the free agent market. General manager Ted Thompson must once again plug some holes and this time may turn to other teams’ players for a change. That switch in philosophy must pay off in a big way this offseason.
