Jonathan Gannon new Packer DC

[Sanguine camper]

Ok, my bad about the ring, but they still went to the Superbowl and had the 2nd ranked defense that year. In fact, he took the #19 defense and improved them to #10 his first season and #2 his second season. In 2022 the Eagles were #2 in yards allowed, trailing only SF by less than 1 yard per game. They were #1 in sacks and it wasn't even close and they were #3 in turnover differential. So if it's not Jim Leonhard (who would have gotten a pass from you on being unfairly criticized just because MLF might have hired him) then anyone else has to have a track record of absolute perfection. Got it.

There's no question Gannon has done more than Leonhard in the NFL to prove himself a good NFL DC. Jim has only managed the defensive passing game in Denver, and while the results have been good, you can't pretend he hasn't benefited greatly from the fact that the Broncos have the best pass rush and opposing QBs barely have time to scan the field. I'm not saying he won't be a good DC at some point. But for you to pretend that Gannon isn't just because he didn't play for the Badgers isn't supported by the evidence.

We'll see about Gannon. In any case, how bad can you be if you have Micah Parsons.

I would be quite surprised if Leonhard's influence in Denver doesn't impact the entire defense even though he doesn't have the DC title. I don't think its a coincidence that Denver's defense rose to the top 5 when got there. Like Indiana under Cignetti, his defenses at Wisconsin were disciplined and fundamentally solid.

Given the Packers problems, whoever takes over the DC position may not be that important. Until the team decides to play 60 minutes and disaster free special teams, the choking will continue no matter who's the DC.

 

[rmontro]

Lots of weird voting going on. If Bill Belichick can't be a first ballot Hall of Famer, then nobody should be.

Some say they're waiting for him and Brady to go in together, but that's a dumb idea, and there is no good reason in the world not to vote Belichick in first ballot. I mean I'm no fan of his, but there's no denying his success.

 

[SudsMcBucky]

To me, this is a big "meh." What does it really matter if he's "punished" for 1 year. He's a HOF'er and will go in next year. Not a big deal. I never understood this "I have to be a first ballot" fetish.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't see Nixon getting paid here, if that's what he is going to be valued at.

Nixon isn't a free agent and is under contract for another season @ $4.3M base + $200K workout bonus and Per Game Active Bonus: $29,411 ($500,000).

Now if you are implying that Nixon will threaten to sit out the 2026 season if the Packers don't pay him more, I doubt the Packers would budge.

As I stated earlier, the Pro Bowl designation, due to a clause in Nixon's contract, should net him another $250K from the Packers.

Another clause that Nixon has in his contract is bonus pay for multiple interceptions in a season, he only has had 1 per season, in his 2 seasons with the Packers, so he didn't earn the bonus. I don't think Nixon has had more than 1 interception in any NFL season that he has played in.

Interceptions (non-cumulative)
2: $50.000
3: $100,000
4: $150,000

 

[rmontro]

To me, this is a big "meh." What does it really matter if he's "punished" for 1 year. He's a HOF'er and will go in next year. Not a big deal. I never understood this "I have to be a first ballot" fetish.

I don't really care, but I just don't understand the mindset of someone who wouldn't vote for him. Maybe there's some resentment involved.

 

[AmishMafia]

I am wondering why we haven't heard more about assistant coaches coming or going. Then I realize that MLF's extension has not been officially announced by the Packers yet either.

The hiring process usually includes a discussion of assistants the new coach wants to bring in. And I am sure that Gannon prepped by asking these coaches, would they be interested in coming with him? Probably some formalities with the Cardinals side, but you would think they would allow assistants to interview as the new HC will likely want all of his people.

 

[AmishMafia]

I don't really care, but I just don't understand the mindset of someone who wouldn't vote for him. Maybe there's some resentment involved.

There should be some extra recognition for being the most successful HC in history. Jealousy of his GF? Disgust of his GF? Tiff with owner? I doubt any of that.

Is it all of the cheating allegations? Video taping opponents. Inflate gate. Rumors of potentially electronic surveillance of opponents locker room and taping opponents field communications during games at Foxboro.

I think its just because he didnt cooperate with the media. Just did bare minimum on media accessibility, gave short answers with evasive answers after long pauses (thus limiting the number of questions possible during a timed press conference).

 

[tynimiller]

I don't see Nixon getting paid here, if that's what he is going to be valued at. Not saying he didn't play well. But I wouldn't bank on him playing opposing star receivers, and winning consistently.

Confused by this...and maybe someone else already commented but why in the world would GB do anything? He isn't a pending FA....

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Nixon isn't a free agent and is under contract for another season @ $4.3M base + $200K workout bonus and Per Game Active Bonus: $29,411 ($500,000).

Now if you are implying that Nixon will threaten to sit out the 2026 season if the Packers don't pay him more, I doubt the Packers would budge.

As I stated earlier, the Pro Bowl designation, due to a clause in Nixon's contract, should net him another $250K from the Packers.

Another clause that Nixon has in his contract is bonus pay for multiple interceptions in a season, he only has had 1 per season, in his 2 seasons with the Packers, so he didn't earn the bonus. I don't think Nixon has had more than 1 interception in any NFL season that he has played in.

Interceptions (non-cumulative)
2: $50.000
3: $100,000
4: $150,000

No im just saying that if we plan to keep him, he needs to get a deal within the year....and that's going to be substantially more than $5mil.

Id like to see Diggs in a one year prove it deal, at that same $5 mil plus incentives, rate. Give GB another year to decide who gets the $20m/yr deal. Go into 2026 with 3 starting pro bowl caliber CBs...

 

[Magooch]

Not sure if it's been shared here already or not, but I appreciated this perspective from Bryan Bulaga on the Gannon hire:

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Also, as a side note, MAN has Bryan really slimmed down Borderline unrecognizable at first glance!

 

[DoURant]

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[Pokerbrat2000]

No im just saying that if we plan to keep him, he needs to get a deal within the year....and that's going to be substantially more than $5mil.

Id like to see Diggs in a one year prove it deal, at that same $5 mil plus incentives, rate. Give GB another year to decide who gets the $20m/yr deal. Go into 2026 with 3 starting pro bowl caliber CBs...

I hope that the Packers don't extend Nixon. Despite him being named to The Pro Bowl, I don't see him as a quality starter.

As far as Diggs. I would be kind of surprised to see him back in GB. The Packers were under no obligation to release him, until his 2026 guarantees kicked in, which I think was the 3rd day of the new league year in March. While there was no way they were going to keep him under his former contract with the Cowboys, they still "had his rights" until they released him. My feeling is that if they wanted to keep him, under a new contract, they would have used those 3 months to try and renegotiate his deal. Now that he is officially a Free Agent, I don't think they can't enter into contract talks with him until the legal tampering window.

Gute is going to need to address the CB position X 2 in Free Agency and the Draft.

 

[Magooch]

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I don't have a particularly strong reaction on Babich himself, but it's interesting to hear it reported that he's being brought in as our "DB and defensive pass game coordinator" when Derrick Ansley had been our defensive pass game coordinator and as far as I know there'd been no official announcement about him leaving yet?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't have a particularly strong reaction on Babich himself, but it's interesting to hear it reported that he's being brought in as our "DB and defensive pass game coordinator" when Derrick Ansley had been our defensive pass game coordinator and as far as I know there'd been no official announcement about him leaving yet?

One would have to assume that Ansley is out or given a different coaching position. I just hope if he is out, the Packers let him know, before announcing the Babich hire.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

I hope that the Packers don't extend Nixon. Despite him being named to The Pro Bowl, I don't see him as a quality starter.

As far as Diggs. I would be kind of surprised to see him back in GB. The Packers were under no obligation to release him, until his 2026 guarantees kicked in, which I think was the 3rd day of the new league year in March. While there was no way they were going to keep him under his former contract with the Cowboys, they still "had his rights" until they released him. My feeling is that if they wanted to keep him, under a new contract, they would have used those 3 months to try and renegotiate his deal. Now that he is officially a Free Agent, I don't think they can't enter into contract talks with him until the legal tampering window.

Gute is going to need to address the CB position X 2 in Free Agency and the Draft.

Not under his old deal at all. But as a free agent, one year signing.

 

[Pugger]

There goes another one to Hafley's staff. With the way the secondary overall played this past year, I'm fine with that.

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Yes, addition by subtraction.

 

[Pugger]

I'm not certain Leonhard was actually interested in the job to be honest. I believe he has his sights set on becoming the Badgers head coach when Fickell gets canned. It's possible the Packers realized that through casual conversations and had him and Gannon on an equal footing. They wouldn't have wanted to lose both, so they pulled the switch and grabbed Gannon.

I think people are overreacting to be honest. Some say Gannon is a great hire, others say it's a catastrophe. I don't think there's a strong case that can be made for either school of thought at this point. We're not going to really get a handle on how he moves forward with our defense until it plays out on the field. But there is one thing I'm pretty certain of. If Gannon fails for two years, and I think he's going to pretty much guaranteed two years of service, he will be fired, but quite possibly LeFleur could go with him.

I hear both the Bills and Chargers are interested in Leonard so unless Jimmy doesn't want to work for MLF he will be moving on to DC for somebody.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Not under his old deal at all. But as a free agent, one year signing.

Diggs?

There will be someone that still sees potential greatness in Diggs and will overpay him with a bunch of guaranteed money and a 3 year deal. Nothing compared to what he was making in Dallas, but still more than I would want the Packers to pay him.

I am just guessing here. But again, the fact that the Packers straight out cut him after the season, tells me they didn't like what they saw and thus, as a Packer fan I don't see him being back in Green Bay.

Also, remember that the Packers picked up Diggs off of waivers, so he had no choice but to come to GB. Maybe Diggs himself didn't like what he saw in GB and asked to be cut?

 

[BrokenArrow]

his defenses at Wisconsin were disciplined and fundamentally solid.

So was Gannon's defense in Philly.

 

[McKnowledge]

That is incredibly unlikely. We just came from a 3-4, we should know how this will go. Parsons, LVN, Brooks, Gary (if he happens to stay) become our OLBs.

For approximately the 5,000th time: 4-3 ends ~= 3-4 OLBs.


We'd need a NT if we swapped to a 3-4. We also need a NT if we stay in a 4-3.

Gannon utilizes heavy dime package schemes with a base that incorporates 3-4 or variation (4-2-5).

With a need for NT and Wyatt approaching 30, GB needs to go younger and cheaper.

I think this draft will go heavy on D-Line and DBs.

I would also argue, that when full healthy Parsons would create absolute havoc as a 3-4 OLB, especially if Clay Walker leaves.

With pass rushing at NT, DT, and opposite OLB, the secondary would get more turnovers.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Diggs?

There will be someone that still sees potential greatness in Diggs and will overpay him with a bunch guaranteed money and a 3 year deal. Nothing compared to what he was making in Dallas, but still more than I would want the Packers to pay him.

I am just guessing here. But again, the fact that the Packers straight out cut him after the season, tells me they didn't like what they saw and thus, as a Packer fan I don't see him being back in Green Bay.

Also, remember that the Packers picked up Diggs off of waivers, so he had no choice but to come to GB. Maybe Diggs himself didn't like what he saw in GB and asked to be cut?

Nawwww. GB picked him up for a zero risk, playoff run...

Let him go because they never planned to pay him $34m over the next two years.

Bit that doesn't mean they wouldn't pay him enough to come here. Wish we would've got a better look......

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

especially if Clay Walker leaves.

Is that Quay Matthews brother?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Wish we would've got a better look......

Well Diggs did get 33 snaps in the Viking game, which was about half of the defensive snaps in that game. I have to guess that the Packers weren't that impressed, since he only played 1 defensive snap in the playoff game against the Bears.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Gannon utilizes heavy dime package schemes with a base that incorporates 3-4 or variation (4-2-5).

With a need for NT and Wyatt approaching 30, GB needs to go younger and cheaper.

I think this draft will go heavy on D-Line and DBs.

I would also argue, that when full healthy Parsons would create absolute havoc as a 3-4 OLB, especially if Clay Walker leaves.

With pass rushing at NT, DT, and opposite OLB, the secondary would get more turnovers.

I talk a lot about getting this player or that. But I think Walker is the #1 priority.

Well Diggs did get 33 snaps in the Viking game, which was about half of the defensive snaps in that game. I have to guess that the Packers weren't that impressed, since he only played 1 defensive snap in the playoff game against the Bears.

Yikes. I didn't even realize he played in the Vikings game. That's not a good sign...

 

[Magooch]

Update on a name some had mentioned as a possible Packers DC candidate:

The Browns today announced today that Todd Monken (former Ravens OC) would be their next HC.

Jim Schwartz (Browns DC) was reportedly "fuming" and "visibly upset" upon learning that he was getting passed over for the HC opening....and apparently went ahead and said his goodbyes, told his colleagues that he wouldn't be coming back, and left the building