Lambeau leapin’
New defensive coordinator Joe Barry gives needed energy boost to Packers
New Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry can only hope his players display the same spirit on the field that he brings to meetings and practices. The word “energy” comes up constantly when players talk about Barry. Cornerback Jaire Alexander tells a story that exemplifies Barry’s approach.
Barry,51,wasdiscussingtacklingtechniques during a meeting when he gave an impromptu demonstrationbyhittingthegroundandessentially tackling the air.
“It was amazing to see,” Alexander said. “He got right back up. His glasses were still on the shirt. It was cool, man.”
Even if it didn’t turn out quite the way Barry had planned.
“In the moment, I just flailed on the ground and rolled,” Barry said. “I actually hit my fricking elbow on the damn ground and that hurt. But the guys loved it.”
Packers coach Matt LaFleur hired Barry to replaceMikePettineaftera31-26NFCchampionshipgamelosstotheTampaBayBuccaneers. Barryspentthelastfourseasonsasalinebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams and worked alongside LaFleur there in 2017.
“I firmly believe, let’s be consistent and let’s bring energy, Barry said. “And hopefully that translates, from a player standpoint, to great effort.”
Barry can hope it will translate to better results than his defenses produced in his two previous stints as a coordinator — with Detroit from 2007-08 and Washington from 2015-16.
The Lions ranked last in the NFL teams in total defense and scoring defense in both of Barry’s seasons — and in 2008, Detroit didn’t win a single game.
Washington was near the bottom of the league in both yards allowed per play and per game in both of Barry’s seasons.
Barry said earlier this year he has “scars” from those previous stops and noted how adversity can lead to growth. Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith played on Barry’s Washington defenses.
“Regardless of his past as a coordinator, I don’tkeepupwithstatistics,”Smithsaid.“Ijust keepupwithwhatyou’redoingnow.Rightnow,
I like what he has going on. I like what we have going on. I like the energy he brings. I like the system.”
Barryisworkingwithmuchmorefirepower in Green Bay than he had in Detroit or Washington.
Alexander earned second-team honors in lastyear’sAll-Proballoting.Outsidelinebacker Za’Darius Smith has earned Pro Bowl honors each of the last two seasons and has 26 sacks during that stretch.