While the Green Bay Packers won the NFC North and get to host a playoff game, it’s time to look at how far they can go in the playoffs? This team will likely go as far as the defensive backfield will allow them to.
An already struggling Cornerback position lost Quinten Rollins and Makinton Dorleant for the foreseeable future. So who’s left? Damarious Randall should be ready, but is currently battling both shoulder and knee injuries. LaDarius Gunter had continued to develop and is probably the steadiest option at this point. Josh Hawkins was inactive this week, but will probably be in the mix against the Giants. Micah Hyde is now playing more CB than he is Safety, and would operate primarily as the Nickel Corner in the slot, and Morgan Burnett showed the capability of covering slower Wide Receivers and most Tight Ends.
The Packers face a challenge against Odell Beckham Jr, Sterling Shephard, and Victor Cruz, and may not have much experience on the backend. The only Cornerback on the Practice Squad is Herb Waters who was on the preseason roster… as a Wide Receiver. While Sam Shields made that transition successfully, he had an entire collegiate season and a season to play behind Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams.
It seems to late to go out and acquire a free agent at the position, so the Packers are largely left with who is currently on the roster. The play of the Cornerbacks will likely go a long way in determining if they can win on Sunday, and if they can continue their effort to “Run the Table”.
Andrew Mertig is a a lifelong Packers fan and draft enthusiast. He has covered the NFL draft for radio and television stations in Green Bay. He is currently a host of the Pack-A-Day podcast and a writer for PackersTalk.com. You can follow him on Twitter @andrewmertig
2 responses to “Green Bay Packers: Who is Left at Cornerback?”
too little, too late.
I’m with Peter Maiz, it’s too late now baby! Ted Thompson has signed enough FA’s and draft picks over last SIX seasons to build SIX COMPLETE defenses, yet Coach DUMB Capers can’t put a unit on the field that can protect a lead or defend a win at the end of games. Hey, Aaron, P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C, that’s what this defense IS compared to R-E-L-A-X. The best hope against good passing teams is PRESSURE up front–IF Peppers, Matthews and Perry can’t get any–Rodgers will have to play QB like he’s an Oregon duck–score everytime he gets ball ’cause DUMB Capers’ defense gives up points faster than snap of the ball. It’s just a shame AGAIN, a team with an NFL MVP at QB that can’t put a “D” on the field that can actually PLAY defense as good as some losing teams can. Ya’ll notice last week, INSTEAD of McCarthy letting Rodger TAKE A KNEE on fourth down–running DOWN game clock with the 40 seconds until only 5-6 seconds remain and Lions with time for ONE play-McCarthy PUNTS the ball and instead gives Stafford MORE TIME–results in TD and onside kick attempt. WHY? The OBVIOUS MOVE was Rodgers TAKE A KNEE at line when 40 second clock runs down to 5,6,7 seconds left–Lions get ONE opportunity at score instead of MULTIPLE attempts!