Rebuilt Packers D showing big gains
The Green Bay Packers’ ranking in points/yards allowed the last three years — 21st/22nd, 26th/22nd and 22nd/18th.
But entering Sunday’s game against the Broncos, the Packers are experiencing a defensive turnaround. They rank second in fewest points allowed and 13th in fewest yards.
Coordinator Mike Pettine was retained by new coach Matt LaFleur, and management’s commitment in the draft and free agency to rebuild the defense is paying off.
“The last two years, they’ve made it a major emphasis to improve their defense and they’ve drafted well and they’ve signed free agents that fit their scheme,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday. “They have a bunch of guys playing together now that believe in the scheme. They’ve got really good speed. They have versatility. … They’re really good right now, but it’s not a mystery.”
Five of the Packers’ top seven defenders in playing time during last week’s win over Minnesota were acquired last year or this year.
Last year: The Packers drafted first-round cornerback Jaire Alexander.
This year: The Packers signed safety Adrian Amos (Chicago) and outside linebackers Preston Smith (Washington) and Za’Darius Smith (Baltimore) in free agency and drafted first-round safety Darnell Savage.
The last time Green Bay finished in the top 10 of scoring defense, it won the Super Bowl in 2010. Injury report. Cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot), fullback Andy Janovich (pectoral) and inside linebacker Joe Jones (triceps) all were limited in Wednesday’s practice. Inside linebacker Todd Davis (calf) was a full participant.
Right guard Ron Leary (rest) did not work, and receiver Emmanuel Sanders participated in individual drills but was limited in team drills.
Janovich and Jones were injured in the Aug. 8 preseason game at Seattle and had not practiced since.
If Davis and Callahan are active Sunday after missing Weeks 1-2, Fangio didn’t anticipate them playing every snap.
“I think we’ll still have to manage them a little bit, although in Todd’s case, he did get a good week of practice (last week) and hopefully a good week (this week),” Fangio said.
Fangio said Callahan, if active, would “probably” play outside only, meaning Chris Harris would be over the slot receiver on subpackage downs.
New work schedule.
The Broncos are finally getting a regular work week after opening on a Monday night and having a quicker turnaround for Week 2.
Fangio has moved the players’ day off from Tuesday to Monday.
“I like this,” Harris said. “In the past, on Tuesdays, I’d do (video work) on my own; I get ready for the week early anyway, so having it like this kind of just helps me do it with the coaches now.”
Harris said he was at the facility on Monday to review the Bears game and “try to figure out what I can do to get better.”
Colts waive Kelly.
Former Broncos quarterback Chad Kelly was waived by the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday.
Kelly, 25, signed with the Colts on May 20. He was suspended by the NFL for the first two games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
In four preseason games with Indianapolis, Kelly completed 74% of his passes for 583 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 10 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
In March, Kelly pleaded guilty to a second-degree criminal trespassing charge after entering an Englewood home last October. The homeowner chased him from the house with a vacuum cleaner pipe. Kelly was released by Denver following the arrest.
Kelly was the 2017’s “Mr. Irrelevant” — the final player chosen in the NFL draft — when the Broncos used their 253rd overall pick on him.
Footnotes.
The Broncos have never won at Lambeau Field — 0-4 with losses by three, 35, 28 and 26 points. The Broncos were 1-1 against Green Bay at Milwaukee County Stadium. … Packers coach/offensive play-caller Matt LaFleur and Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello come from the Shanahan coaching tree, so their systems have similarities. “There’s no doubt about it,” LaFleur said. “When I turn on the film, there’s not too much I haven’t seen before from our offense. I have a lot of respect for Rich. We worked together in Atlanta in 2015, and I thought he did an outstanding job. I know he’ll have some good stuff schemed up for us on Sunday.”