Paul Bretl | 11/27/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers potentially could find themselves quite shorthanded at the linebacker position in Thursday night’s game with Miami, who features an offense that can very much stress that position group.
On the two estimated injury reports that have been released this week, both Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie have been non-participants. Cooper is still navigating a hamstring injury that popped up during practice last Wednesday. McDuffie, meanwhile, is working through an ankle injury that was presumably sustained in Sunday’s win over San Francisco.
When Matt LaFleur was asked on Tuesday if he was concerned about the linebacker depth with these injuries, his reply was short and to the point: “Absolutely.”
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If the Packers are without both Cooper and McDuffie this week that will leave them with Quay Walker and Eric Wilson to handle the nickel linebacker snaps. Walker is coming off of what Jeff Hafley called his best performance of the season. In that game, he was decisive in his decision-making, which led to fast and aggressive play.
That success that we saw from Walker on the field Sunday began with his week of preparation, and improved fundamentals. The need for Walker to build upon that performance, given the injuries at linebacker and the opponent ahead, will be vital.
“I thought the way he responded and the way he practiced and in practice it was like he was on a mission last week, and then he went out and played like that,” said Hafley of Walker’s performance. “He was fast, he was getting downhill, he tackled well. He played with great fundamentals, he was using his hands, he had a couple TFLs.
“I mean he was just getting there, beating people to the punch, he was knocking guys back, he was setting the edge, he was really good in pass coverage. I think that’s the best game he’s played at least since we’ve been together and I hope he can build off of that. But again, I think the coolest part is how he responded. I mean, that says a lot about him and I was really proud of him.”
Against a Miami offense that features a ton of speed, while nickel is already the most often utilized defensive personnel package, we may see Green Bay lean into that even more in this week’s matchup. However, there will be instances where they do have to line up in their base 4-3 defense, which puts three linebackers on the field, which will thrust rookie Ty’Ron Hopper into a much larger role.
Hopper has been a core special teams player for the Packers this season, ranking fourth on the team in snaps. He didn’t see his first defensive snaps until this past Sunday, where he was on the field for seven, most of which came at the end when the game was out of reach.
When the Packers drafted Hopper in the third-round out of Missouri, GM Brian Gutekunst noted his “stopping-power” when taking on blockers and overall physicality, along with Hopper’s speed. Gutekunst added that they measured Hopper’s 40-time in the high 4.5 second range.
However, like many rookies, Hopper has been navigating the learning curve that comes with making the jump from the college to the NFL level, which includes learning a new system and the intricacies of it, along with adjusting to the play speed. But the Packers have continually seen progress from him on the practice field as the season has went on.
“He’s done a really good job,” Hafley said of Hopper. “Whether he’s on that look team, or whether we put him in on reps, you can see him getting better, getting more comfortable, being more confident. I thought when he did go into the game, I thought he was physical. I thought he played fast. I think he took advantage of the opportunity, and if he has that opportunity again, I think we’re all confident that he’ll be able to do it again.”
Between the speed that this Dolphins’ offense features, along with all of the pre-snap eye candy, this is a group that can really stress the linebacker position in particular.
All of the motion, which Miami uses extremely heavily, and misdirections are done, in part, to get the linebackers and the defense as a whole looking one way while the play is unfolding elsewhere. With players like Tyreek Hill, DeVon Achane, and Jaylen Waddle, it only takes a slight hesitation or a half-step in the wrong direction for a big play to ensue, with the defense being stretched horizontally, creating running and passing lanes.
This is also a Miami passing game that does an excellent job of getting their pass catchers the ball in space, oftentimes over the middle of the field on short to intermediate routes–where the linebackers are positioned–or on screens, forcing the defenders to make a play in the open field to limit any YAC opportunities.
“You’ll see them throw the ball downfield and hit some big plays,” added Hafley, “but then you’ll see a lot of catch-and-run, where in rhythm he’s throwing the ball, whether it’s play-action or he’s just getting the ball out quick in quick game. He does a really good job with it. He’s accurate. Like I said, he really throws the ball in rhythm well, and then he has those guys, when they catch it, you’d better be on them or you’d better take great angles.
“They probably throw as many screens as we’ve seen on film, and a variety of different ones. And it’s not just the receivers. It’s the backs, too. So they’ve done a really good job creating some mismatches, getting the ball in space and letting their guys kind of catch and run. So they do a really good job with that.”
Containing this Dolphins’ offense that is averaging 29.0 points per game over the last five contests with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback will take a complementary effort on the defensive side of the ball. But given the speed, all of the pre-snap eye candy, and how this Miami offense operates, the Packers’ potentially shorthanded linebacker position could be a focal point on Thursday night.