When the Green Bay Packers hired former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley as their defensive coordinator, fans were excited and expected massive improvement from the defense. Joe Barry’s tenure in Green Bay was very disappointing, as was that of his predecessor, Mike Pettine.
Read also: Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander reveals injury was more sedate than fans thought
Hafley promised that by moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme, the Packers would put more pressure on the quarterback and be better on offense.
As it turns out, Green Bay is currently struggling with both.
The Packers have that top-10 scoring defensewhich allows you to score 21.3 points per game. However, he ranks 15th in rushing yards per game (119.6), 15th in total yards per game (329.0) and 17th in sacks (25).
Edgerrin Coopers has been a brilliant spot for the Green Bay Packers defense
As you can see from the statistics quoted above, Green Bay does not play bad defense. They are just pathetically average. This is disappointing considering the goals both the organization and fans set for this team before the season.
One position that has been disappointing this season is the linebacker position. Quay Walker has faced a lot of criticism from fans throughout the season for his inability to read offenses and blocking lanes. Isaiah McDuffie, who started the season as one of the Packers’ starting middle linebackers, has seen his role diminish with each passing week.
In Week 1, McDuffie played 97% of the defensive snaps. In Week 11, he played 29%.
One of the reasons he was pulled from defense is the play of rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, whom Green Bay selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
So far this season, Cooper has recorded 2.5 sacks, two passes defensed, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, five tackles for loss and 52 tackles.
After playing just 14% of the defensive snaps in Week 1 and 13% in Week 2, Cooper played 71% in Week 11 against the Bears.
He is swift, aggressive and effective in both running and passing. His style of play quickly made him a fan favorite in Green Bay, which made LaFleur’s latest statement about his youthful defenseman even more discouraging.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper suffered a hamstring injury in practice
Although Cooper was not injured in Sunday’s game against the Bears, he did appear on Green Bay’s injury report on Thursday. He apparently injured his hamstring during Wednesday’s practice and is now questionable for this weekend’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Knowing how cautious the Packers are about pliable tissue injuries (and rightfully so), it won’t be a surprise if Cooper doesn’t play. While LaFleur hasn’t ruled him out, it looks like fans already have:
Here comes a game built on the legacy of McCaffrey and Kittle. https://t.co/3AaIxugXo9
— Packers Posts (@PackersCenter) November 21, 2024
Well man…#GoPackGo🧀#NFL🏈 https://t.co/2OMImckeZp pic.twitter.com/YhRo0w5IyL
— Rip (@Gambling400) November 21, 2024
Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie have to start? Yes, Kittle goes for 150 yards https://t.co/mfrhaoKixD
— Fly High, Bryan Hudson 😢🙏🏼🕊️🧀🍺 (@GOATRodgersSZN) November 21, 2024
We won’t go back to the Detroit game if we’re lucky. I’ll be shocked if he plays this week or returns soon for Thanksgiving night. Unfortunately, Jaire is likely following the same trajectory.
— John DeSomma (@JohnDesomma12) November 21, 2024
Great news for Mcaffery fantasy owners
— Package (@_ratpackjack) November 21, 2024
As you can see, fans aren’t very confident about Green Bay’s ability to contain San Francisco stars Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.
Other players will have to step up and improve their game to beat him [possible] absence is not felt.
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