The Packers had a long list of candidates interviewing for the DC position but after a chat with former Cleveland Browns Head Coach Mike Pettine on Tuesday night it appears the search has quickly come to an end.
Green Bay’s defense has basically become a laughingstock over the last few seasons as team seem to be able to throw deep on them almost at will in the third and fourth quarters of games. The team seems to have very solid personnel on that side of the ball but has struggled to find the right schemes. That should end soon as they hire a guy who loves to bring pressure and who’s defenses regularly finish in the top ten.
Mike Pettine, currently 51 years old, wasn’t employed by an NFL team in 2017 but he did spend the season with the Seattle Seahawks studying their defense. His last job in the NFL was as Head Coach of the Browns and before that, he spent four seasons as defensive coordinator for the N.Y. Jets under Rex Ryan and one season in Buffalo as DC under Doug Marrone.
Pettine got his feet wet in the NFL by coming up through the Ravens defensive system. This is where he began to develop his aggressive hard nosed style of attack and where he learned the value of being able to switch between fronts and adjust to individual opponents.
It may not have been the exact hire Packers fans were looking for to replace Dom Capers but it is definitely a solid one nonetheless. It also places a definite stamp of the direction Coach Mike McCarthy is heading with his new look staff and team.
