Packers Hire New Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Hafley, formerly Head Coach, Boston College

[Heyjoe4]

I would say that the defense we had on the field this season without Parsons, Wyatt and don't forget Kenny Clark, was actually worse than last season's. Eye test tells me that Hafleys defenses collapsed multiple times in the 2nd half this season - I was calling it Hafley's Hot Knife Thru Butter Defense. It's better than the cliché rubber band schtick. Be that as it may ... the offense was put in a position of trying to outrun their own defense - giving up 500 yards of total offense is never an indicator of solid coaching. Hafley isn't the answer.

Yeah weeds the D has been a long way from dominant, even when Parsons was healthy. Even so, I think Hafley is the Best DC the Packers have had in a while.

The offense, when healthy, is in pretty good shape. The D is another matter. They have talent - Parsons, Wyatt, McKinney, even Walker, Cooper. But they need help, especially at CB and DE. As good as he is, Parsons is one guy. Gary and LVN have been unimpressive.

But you're right - the D has played great in the 1H only to disappear in the 2H. Exactly what happened last night.

 

[lambeaulambo]

Hafley exposed himself here a bit. HC vacancies be damned. Other teams saw his defense collapse. GM will stay but MLF might be toast.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Is Leonhard the former DC for the Badgers? Either way, he i a v good DC. And if the Packers whack MLF, as they should, Hafley would be a candidate for HC and would need to hire a DC.

Yes, Jimmy Leonhard is the former D.C. and interim coach for the Badgers. What he did with the talent he had in Madison was remarkable.

After McIntosh kicked him out, he went to Illinois and turned that program around with Bielma. Afyrr that, he went to the Broncos. Not a coincidence they can play defense.

 

[milani]

Agreed D. After the 2H total collapse (and by total, I mean the Bears should have won by at least another TD after trailing 18 at half), it's hard to see MLF getting a "Get Out of Jail Free"card from Policy. Everything he did so well in the 1H just vanished in rhe 2H.

I'm not ok with giving him an extension. I get that they had a ton of injuries, but that's not a good enough excuse.

In general, he does not motivate well, and his game plans have become saccharine. He showed he can win, even with a depleted roster, on the road last night. And then it disappeared as quickly as a "fart in the wind" (Ron Wolf, 1998).

They have a HC candidate right on staff in Hafley. Maybe it's time to shake things up at the top. Gluten has given MLF plenty of talent.

We know Hafley can implement a very good defense and he scouts the opponent well. But can he do the same on the sideline with an offense and special teams?

 

[milani]

Only issue with this plan is schematic... would GB need to find another Gilbert Brown-type NT (340+ lbs) to help switching back to a 3-4?

Yet, Gilbert played in a 4-3.

 

[Pkrjones]

Yet, Gilbert played in a 4-3.

Huge NT is critical to 3-4 success, but who couldn't use anothwr Gilbert, anyway?

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yet, Gilbert played in a 4-3.

Interesting. I didn't know that.

In the SB win in 2011, were they in a 3-4. I know Raji was the NT, and a good one. Persoinally, I can't tell by looking if a team is playing 4-3 or 3-4. Guys seem to lineup all over.

 

[lambeaulambo]

yes 3-4 in 14 4-3 in 96

 

[milani]

Interesting. I didn't know that.

In the SB win in 2014, were they in a 3-4. I know Raji was the NT, and a good one. Persoinally, I can't tell by looking if a team is playing 4-3 or 3-4. Guys seem to lineup all over.

Gilbert played next to Santana Dotson at DT. Both came from other teams and both were acquired for stopping the run in light of Emmet Smith with Dallas, which was our nemesis. Throw in Robert Smith with the Vikings and Barry Saners with the Lions and we had to stop the run. We had Reggie and Sean Jones at DE. Both could rush and stop the run. Recognize any of these men from our SB 31 team?

 

[milani]

Interesting. I didn't know that.

In the SB win in 2014, were they in a 3-4. I know Raji was the NT, and a good one. Persoinally, I can't tell by looking if a team is playing 4-3 or 3-4. Guys seem to lineup all over.

2014 was a Capers year. That meant 3-4.

 

[Half Empty]

Interesting. I didn't know that.

In the SB win in 2014, were they in a 3-4. I know Raji was the NT, and a good one. Persoinally, I can't tell by looking if a team is playing 4-3 or 3-4. Guys seem to lineup all over.

Who was that?

 

[milani]

Who was that?

The SB win was 2010. Next to Raji in the 3-4 were Cullen Jenkins and Ryan Pickett. Howard Green was acquired mid-season to supplement. We had some big boys that year on the front.

Who was that?

 

[Heyjoe4]

Gilbert played next to Santana Dotson at DT. Both came from other teams and both were acquired for stopping the run in light of Emmet Smith with Dallas, which was our nemesis. Throw in Robert Smith with the Vikings and Barry Saners with the Lions and we had to stop the run. We had Reggie and Sean Jones at DE. Both could rush and stop the run. Recognize any of these men from our SB 31 team?

Thanks for the reminder milani. I had forgotten about Sean Jones. Great pic!

 

[Heyjoe4]

Who was that?

Oops - that should have been 2011. 2014 was exactly the opposite - from the ecstasy of the 2011 SB win over the Steelers to the agony of the 2014 NFCCG loss to the hags.

Thanks for the catch!

 

[lambeaulambo]

Gilbert played next to Santana Dotson at DT. Both came from other teams and both were acquired for stopping the run in light of Emmet Smith with Dallas, which was our nemesis. Throw in Robert Smith with the Vikings and Barry Saners with the Lions and we had to stop the run. We had Reggie and Sean Jones at DE. Both could rush and stop the run. Recognize any of these men from our SB 31 team?

I wanna say Gilbert was cut by the Vikings!!! LOL oh the humanity

 

[lambeaulambo]

2014 was a Capers year. That meant 3-4.

im old sorry

 

[milani]

I wanna say Gilbert was cut by the Vikings!!! LOL oh the humanity

Yes. We got Gilbert from Minny, Reggie from Philly, Santana from Tampa, and Sean Jones came from Houston. Eugene Robinson came from Seattle. Ron Cox came from the Bears and Mike Prior from the Colts. Wolf built a team.

im old sorry

I'm really old.

I wanna say Gilbert was cut by the Vikings!!! LOL oh the humanity

 

[lambeaulambo]

Yes. We got Gilbert from Minny, Reggie from Philly, Santana from Tampa, and Sean Jones came from Houston. Eugene Robinson came from Seattle. Ron Cox came from the Bears and Mike Prior from the Colts. Wolf built a team.

I'm really old.

dont forget bad moon keith jackson beebe and mcmahon

 

[milani]

dont forget bad moon keith jackson beebe and mcmahon

Keith from Philly on that side of the ball. Along with Beebe from the Bills. McMahon played for 3 other teams. And do not forget Desmond Howard, a Heisman winner who we got for one year.

 

[AKCheese]

Why would Hafley be getting a lot of juice for a HC gig after his D gets boat raced by Baltimore w/o their QB and gives up 25 points in the 4thquarter in the playoffs. Sure TV announcers say it - reminds me that every year there are about 60 guys who “were projected to be 1st round picks” LOL

 

[Pugger]

Any news of Hadley getting interviews for any of the open HC positions?

 

[Magooch]

Any news of Hadley getting interviews for any of the open HC positions?

He's interviewing with the Titans today.

The Raiders and Dolphins have also requested an interview. Not sure if/when they are scheduled.

 

[Pkrjones]

Any news of Hadley getting interviews for any of the open HC positions?

So far: Raiders, Dolphins, Cardinals, Falcons, & Titans will be interviewing.

 

[mradtke66]

Interesting. I didn't know that.

In the SB win in 2011, were they in a 3-4. I know Raji was the NT, and a good one. Persoinally, I can't tell by looking if a team is playing 4-3 or 3-4. Guys seem to lineup all over.

More specifically, Fritz ran a 4-3 under, which can be thought of as "playing a 3-4 with 4-3 personnel." You had Gilbert at NT, Dotson slightly undersized at 280-ish 3-technique, Reggie oversized at 300+ at left end. Squint and tilt your head and its a shaded 3-4. Sean Jones was on the smaller side (at the time) at 260-ish playing right end. If he stood up and rushed from a 2-point stance, it'd be near identical to a modern 3-4.

 

[milani]

He's interviewing with the Titans today.

The Raiders and Dolphins have also requested an interview. Not sure if/when they are scheduled.

Probably could get more if he wanted.