Who DOESN'T Fit Halfley's New Defense?

[Fritz]

We've all read, over and over, the accolades from the players and media about the new aggressive Green Bay defense. Artcle after article about how it will benefit guys like Kenny Clark and Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt and Rashan Gary and, of course, all the new guys drafted for said system.

But which defensive players will be hurt by this new style of defense? The only name I've read so far is TJ Slaton, who is said to be more of a space-eater type. But for whom else will this defense prove unfriendly? Any of the corners not built for it? Or maybe Preston Smith?

I'm wondering what you more knowledgeable Rats have to say about this. Who are the misfits for this defense?

And if you were calling offensive plays against this defense, wouldn't screen passes and misdirections be the way to go?

[Joemailman]

I think it will be interesting to see how TJ Slaton fits into this defense. Every team needs a run stuffer, but he played 56% of snaps last year. Seems like some of the lighter, quicker DL might be a better fit.

Overall though, it does kind of seem like a lot of these players are better fits for this defense than for Barry's defense. Was there a disconnect between the type of players Gute was drafting and how Barry was using them?

[run pMc]

Slaton is less of a fit because he's considered more of a space eater and hasn't shown the pass-rush chops Hafley's D prefers.

I absolutely think there's been a disconnect between players Gute's drafted and how Barry used them. Go back and read our comments about drafting Valentine last year - press man guy drafted into a zone scheme, etc.
I'm not sure Davante was a great fit, and Savage was a bad fit (although he was drafted in the Pettine scheme to which he was better suited).

I think Hafley's defense is better suited to Gute's preferences and picks. It might be out of habit as well- Capers and Pettine's defenses played more man or were at least more aggressive than Barry's.

I think Barry's flaws were he didn't take advantage of his roster's talents, and he didn't adjust on the fly well. Those are two major issues and likely end him being a DC ever again.
If he had Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice maybe he could successfully rush with 4 and sit back in zones, but I think most teams figured how to beat that out 20 years ago.
Teams have figured out Fangio now.

[Fritz]

So what about the corners? Any of them more suited to zone?

[Joemailman]

So what about the corners? Any of them more suited to zone?

I don't think Jaire, Stokes or Valentine are. Not sure about Ballentine and Kalen King.

[smuggler]

Pretty sure K. King is supposed to be a zone guy. I don't think he'll pan out, though. Hopefully I'm wrong.

[Fritz]

Guess he’s making waves as a slot corner so far in camp.

[Joemailman]

Guess he’s making waves as a slot corner so far in camp.

Mostly slot, although he had some reps outside too. His INT that likely would have been a pick 6 was from the slot.

On Sunday, King was tremendous. It started during individual drills, when he had excellent coverage on a deep incompletion to Samori Toure.

On a third-and-4 during an 11-on-11 period, he jumped a short pass by Jordan Love and took it back for a touchdown.


“I was just reading the quarterback, trusting my instincts, seeing the ball and making a play on the ball,” King said.

King wasn’t done. During a backups-vs.-backups 2-minute drill to end practice, he drove through receiver Julian Hicks to break up Michael Pratt’s pass at the sideline. He did the same thing moments later, this time almost snaring an interception.

Afterward, King was surrounded by reporters at his locker. Fellow defensive backs Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine joined the scrum, shouting playfully at King about his big day.


“It only gives me confidence,” he said.

[Fritz]

Samari Toure better be burnishing his resume so he can get that job at Famous Footwear come late August.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Guess he’s making waves as a slot corner so far in camp.

I recently visited Vegas, and sadly, it ain’t the Vegas of your youth anymore, Fritz. The “sin city” has morphed into a family-friendly amusement park without the rides. Anyways, the point is, Vegas is full of slot corners.

I tried playing the slots in Vegas, as if I were Micah Hyde, and like Micah Hyde playing the slot in Dom Capers’ D, I sucked. Lost like 40 frogskins. The frogskins ain’t what depresses me, though. What depresses me is, I failed to attract an “escort” while playing the slots.