Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
New energy, takeaway ability powers defensive revival
Green Bay — One by one, the various members of the Green Bay Packers defense raced to the south end zone of Lambeau Field.
There were big things to celebrate, and everyone had to join. Moments earlier, outside linebacker Preston Smith – one of the team’s prized free-agent acquisitions – was in the right place at the right time to intercept Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, who had his pass intended for Stefon Diggs tipped by rookie safety Darnell Savage and into the waiting arms of Smith during the second quarter of the Packers’ 2116 win over their NFC North rivals.
Smith, Savage and roughly 18 other members of the Packers defense – including those not on the field for the interception – ran down the field and got together in front the many cameras situated behind the end zone for an impromptu photoshoot. The entire sequence was the perfect encapsulation of a newly constructed but perfectly connected defense that now has the energy and playmaking ability to carry the Packers to greater heights in 2019.
“That’s just the guys, taking ownership. We’ve said it before, this is their team,” coach Matt LaFleur said of the group celebration. “I think that shows the connectedness of those guys and that they care for each other and they get excited when, it doesn’t matter who makes the play, they’re excited for the other guy.”
The Packers have a different feel after two games. Everyone in the locker room can sense it. A franchise that has for so long relied on the unrivaled abilities of quarterback Aaron Rodgers now possesses a defense that can not only hold its own, but change games and finish off wins.
The Packers have allowed 19 points in two games, the team’s best two-game start since 2001.
There’s a confidence building in a group bound together by several important additions made by GM Brian Gutekunst this offseason. Rodgers can feel the shift, and it starts with the energy and leadership brought to Green Bay by Preston and Za’Darius Smith.
“Just the whole energy of the building is different,” Rodgers said. “I just think we’ve put together a roster of guys, enough veteran leadership with enough young guys who are hungry, and then enough personalities who are not cancers to a team. These guys are great team guys, and as opposed to some years in the past where we didn’t have that stand-up, charismatic leadership on that side of the ball, these guys want it, and they both will get up and say things.
“Their word carries a lot of weight because of the way they practice and the way they play, and they’re a lot of fun. I told you guys after the game in Chicago last week how much fun that was in the locker room. (It’s the) same thing coming in now after this one. It’s just guys I think really enjoy each other.
“Those two I can tell you really do enjoy each other and hang out off the field, but it’s a lot closer-knit group than we’ve had in years past I think, and I give Brian and his staff and everybody buying into Matt’s system the credit for that.”
The Packers had opportunities to crack under pressure in the second half of Sunday’s victory. The Vikings closed the gap to five points in the third quarter, and with the offense consistently stalling, the Packers’ 21-16 lead felt precarious, at best.
Mike Pettine’s defense ensured the scoreline would hold. Over the Vikings’ next five possessions, the Packers forced three punts and delivered two takeaways.
It took a team effort on defense. Kenny Clark drew holding penalties on back-to-back drives following the Vikings’ final touchdown, helping kill each possession. Kevin King skied for a leaping interception in front of Diggs in the end zone, preventing a golden scoring opportunity for the Vikings. Jaire Alexander had smothering coverage on Adam Thielen on back-to-back plays, forcing a punt. Tramon Williams forced a fumble on the final play and recovered it, ending the game.
“We’re just going to keep pounding,” King said. “This defense is very fun to play for from the top down. Everybody wants to win. Everybody wants their brothers to do good. And we’ve got a next-play mentality; good, bad or indifferent. That’s how we’re coming, so next play we turn it up. We like the energy that’s going on.”
Through two games, the Packers have five takeaways, including a pair of crucial interceptions in the end zone. Last year, the defense had 15 total takeaways in 16 games, including only seven interceptions.
Alexander, who is emerging as a legitimate shutdown cornerback in his second season, was a fingertip away from two more interceptions of Cousins on Sunday.
“When we’ve been at our best over the years on the defense, we’ve been an opportunistic, turnover-machine type of defense, and it’s shaping up for sure that way with those guys,” Rodgers said.
Many times during the offseason, Rodgers spoke of the new “juice” on defense. That juice is manifesting itself in the results on the field and the celebrations after big plays. Following one run stop Sunday, Alexander and Za’Darius Smith stopped in the backfield to showcase their special new handshake.
The energy is infectious, whether it’s in practice or on gameday.
Can the defense keep it up? Rodgers is confident they can.
“I really do. They just played an offense that has a franchise quarterback, two stud receivers, a really good tight end and a (running) back who obviously is one of the top five backs in the league and we held them to 16 points, and we put them in some tough spots — and then obviously what they did in Week 1,” Rodgers said.
“We’ve got to start doing a better job of putting teams away on offense, but we can definitely close out games on defense as you’ve seen the first two weeks.”