Despite their continual appearances in the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers have some major concerns when it comes to their defensive unit. This past season, coordinator Dom Capers’ ground finished 22nd in the NFL in total yards per game allowed. But the Pack also surrendered the second-most passing yards in the league, as well as 32 touchdowns through the air. General manager Ted Thompson once again has his work cut out for him. And this past week didn’t help when the franchise found out that they will be minus starting nose tackle Letroy Guion for the first four games of 2017 due to a league suspension.
But let’s not bury the lead.
Pass-catchers could not Hyde
A secondary that took its lumps this past season will now be without a key component going forward. Via the fine folks at Spotrac, highly-versatile safety Micha Hyde has shuffled off to Buffalo. The 2013 fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers from the University of Iowa inked a five-year, $30 million deal with the Bills – with $14 million of those dollars guaranteed.
While it’s a terrific addition for the Bills, it’s a huge loss in many ways for Mike McCarthy’s club. In four seasons with the Pack, Hyde has made 63 regular-season starts. He’s totaled eight interceptions – all of those coming in the past three years. Add in four sacks and six fumble recoveries in four seasons and the play-making ability is evident.
Now add in the fact that Hyde can also help you on special teams. He has three career punt return touchdowns, all coming in his first two seasons in the league.
Who will fill the void?
The Green Bay Packers are in much better shape at safety than they are at cornerback. The tandem of Morgan Burnett and standout Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is one of the better combinations in the league.
But Hyde has also lined up at corner and played well at the position in 2016. And that’s where Capers’ defense will miss him the most. A total of 14 takeaways in four seasons is nothing to sneeze at. That nose for the football and his return ability made him a hot commodity in free agency. And now the Packers will have to find a way to fill his various roles with the club, which may be easier said than done.
