What do we know about the Green Bay Packers’ new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine?
He’s been the coordinator of some great defenses. Five top-10 units in five years from 2009-13. He wasn’t so great as coach of the Cleveland Browns, going 10-22 in two seasons. But who has been great as a coach with that trash heap?
We’re also starting to hear from people who worked with Pettine and we’re hearing good things.
Here’s former boss Rex Ryan, who is now an analyst with ESPN. Ryan called Pettine the smartest guy in the room, regardless of who is in the room.
“He’ll be the best coordinator in the league; that’s how good he is,” Ryan said. “I think the big thing is, the fan base ought to be super excited about him because this is a good get. There’s other names out there or whatever, but this is the best coach out there that they could’ve got.”
And the defensive system?
“He’s not one of these guys who’s going to play one or two fronts and three coverages,” Ryan said. “This guy is going to give you the gamut. We have a philosophy, and Mike has it, it’s a ‘KILL’ philosophy — keep it likable and learnable — and that’s what we do, and that team is going to play fast and play physical, and I can’t wait to watch them.”
Former Packers and Cleveland Browns cornerback Tramon Williams also speaks highly of Pettine. Williams played one season under Pettine with the Browns.
“I love Mike,” Williams said. “One of the reasons I actually ended up signing with Cleveland. Really great guy, not only as a coach but a great guy in general. As a coach, man, very, very smart. Very smart and articulate. Obviously, his resume shows over the years that he’s done a good job as a defensive coordinator.”
And the system?
“I think it’s going to be a new beginning for him. Obviously, he’s got some good players to insert in that defense. I think the sky’s the limit for what that defense can do. A lot of moving parts to it but, man, it’s limitless. It’s limitless. I think it’s going to be good for Mike.”
The real question that comes to mind is if they system will be too complex for the Packers. The team constantly has a young roster and we’d expect more turnover on the defensive side of the ball to be upcoming.
In the same vein, Pettine’s system isn’t a total departure from Dom Capers’. It’s still a 3-4 and it will still rely on the blitz. Maybe the biggest change is more press-man coverage. And that could be the biggest issue. The Packers’ cornerbacks aren’t really known as physical.
The guy who was good at that role, LaDarius Gunter, was released during the season. The other guy who can work in that role is Davon House, who will be a free agent. So if like me, you hate watching the Packers’ corners line up seven yards off a receiver, well, this will be interesting to watch.