X's and O's with LeRoy Butler: Adjusting to Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's plays

Former Packers safety breaks down scheme's impact

Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler joined the X's and O's podcast this week to discuss the Packers' new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and how the team's defense is adjusting to his scheme.

Scheme overview

Hafley's scheme is a multiple front, pressure-based defense that relies on a variety of blitzes and coverages to confuse and disrupt opposing offenses.
It is similar to the scheme that the Packers ran under former defensive coordinator Dom Capers, but Hafley has made some subtle changes that have made the defense more effective.

Key changes

One of the biggest changes that Hafley has made is to the way that the Packers use their safeties.
Under Capers, the Packers safeties were often used as deep-lying free safeties, but Hafley has given them more freedom to roam and make plays near the line of scrimmage.
This has allowed the Packers to generate more pressure on the quarterback and has also helped to improve their run defense.

Another change that Hafley has made is to the way that the Packers use their cornerbacks.
Under Capers, the Packers cornerbacks were often asked to play man-to-man coverage, but Hafley has given them more freedom to play zone coverage.
This has allowed the Packers to match up better with opposing receivers and has also helped to reduce the number of big plays that they give up.

Early results

The Packers' defense has shown some improvement under Hafley, but it is still a work in progress.
The Packers have given up more than 30 points in each of their last two games, but they have also forced nine turnovers during that span.
The Packers are hoping that they can continue to improve their defense under Hafley and make a run at the Super Bowl.