According to Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, the Green Bay Packers have “a real issue on defense.” That issue: “in their front seven, they don't have that dictator no more,” as Lewis said on Showtime's “Inside the NFL.”
Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith — who spurned Lewis' Baltimore for the bright lights of Green Bay — needed one word to respond to Lewis' statement: “wow.”
https://twitter.com/TheRealZSmith/status/1180461747444031488
Lewis stated that there is no Clay Matthews in that defense, therefore they lack their leader in the front-seven. However, the Packers defense of 2019 isn't supposed to be a carryover of the olden days. It's a revamped unit with a lot of fresh faces.
Included in those fresh faces is Smith, who the Packers signed in the offseason to a four-year, $66 million deal. Through four games of play, the former Raven has played the part of an impact player, tallying 11 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks.
The Packers also brought in pass-rusher Preston Smith from the Washington Redskins by signing him to a four-year, $52 million contract. Through four games, he has 15 combined tackles, three tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Green Bay didn't stop with the two Smith's. They brought over safety Adrian Amos from the Chicago Bears — who gives them a much-needed centerfield presence — and drafted fellow safety Darnell Savage in the first round, who is looking the part. Before drafting Savage, they selected do-it-all athlete and edge rusher Rashan Gary.
In culmination, the Packers have a lot of fresh faces. Despite one poor defensive game (Week 4 – Philadelphia Eagles), they are building an identity of physical, fast, and talented defensive play. It may take some time to find a “leader,” but they are well on their way to defensive prominence.
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