Green Bay Packers’ defense uses rare word: ‘Dominant’

A downtrodden unit might not be just good. It could be really good.

On the second play of an 11-on-11 drill against the Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez stormed into the backfield to make a tackle. A moment later, he did it again, letting out a loud, “Woo,” that could be heard by everyone filling the bleachers at Ray Nitschke Field.

“When you’re dominating out there like we did, it just felt good,” Martinez said after practice. “Knowing the work we’ve put in, it was good to get a new face out there and see how we would respond.”

The word “dominating” isn’t a word often associated with the Packers’ defense, unless it’s a top quarterback doing the dominating. However, that unit has gotten off to a strong start to training camp. It’s regularly had the upper hand over Aaron Rodgers and the offense, though some of that is to be expected as the defense finds its groove under second-year coordinator Mike Pettine while the offense is trying to find its way under new coach Matt LaFleur.

Monday’s practice, however, was more of the same. No asterisks. The defense wasn’t perfect – the Texans had success on a couple read-option quarterback runs and the tight ends caused the Packers fits – but, for the most part, Green Bay’s No. 1 defense took care of business.

“I just watched every single rep of practice. From what I saw, I think we did really well,” Martinez said. “I think it’s another challenge. For us, it’s keep stepping up those challenges, keep getting better. Obviously, there’s going to be little things here and there to improve. Each and every day, it’s chopping wood and making sure we’re fixing those little things so, when it comes to the real deal, we’re all locked in.”

Green Bay’s primary defenders made a bunch of plays during 11-on-11 periods. Outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Kyler Fackrell and safety Raven Greene had sacks during a third-down period. Inside linebackers Martinez and Oren Burks combined for another sack later. Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Ka’Dar Hollman defended passes. Martinez and defensive tackle Montravius Adams demolished a screen.

It’s early – Monday’s practice was the 10th of training camp and the team hasn’t even played an exhibition game – but a defense that finished 22nd in points allowed in 2018, 26th in 2017 and 21st in 2016 might not be just good this season. It might be really good.

“Just the connection with the room,” Adams said. “All our guys are on the same page. I’m not going to say that’s not normal but for everyone to be on the same page? That’s when you know you have something special. You know every guy’s going to come in and work the same way that you’re going to come in and work. You can’t ask for more. Everybody’s going to take coaching well. That’s why I always say the sky’s the limit. Everybody on defense, we’re hyped about ourselves. Every guy loves every guy. You come out and play for everybody.”

Added outside linebacker Preston Smith: “The guys know the potential of this defense and we know the potential of the players on this team. We all have a good sense of how things could be if we play together and we play hard and we execute at a high level. These guys all have a good sense and they all have high expectations for themselves and this defense. We all seem to be on the same page with the same thought process.”

Whether it’s general manager Brian Gutekunst or his predecessor, Ted Thompson, the team has poured an incredible amount of resources into fixing a perpetually broken defense. Including first-round picks Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage this year, the Packers used at least their first two draft picks on defenders four times in the past five drafts. Gutekunst went on a free-agent shopping binge this offseason by signing outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith and safety Adrian Amos in hopes of fixing some chronic issues at those positions.

That’s a lot of treasure poured into that side of the ball. There was no return on investment the past three seasons, a fact that bothers defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who with Fackrell, Martinez and Dean Lowry form the nucleus of the team’s excellent 2016 draft class.

“Everybody’s committed to one goal,” Clark said. “We talk about it all the time. We’re tired of us being talked about. Every year, the defense isn’t this, the defense isn’t that, we don’t have the guys. We truly believe that we’ve got the guys and we can make plays all around the field. As long as we’re healthy, I feel like we can be dominant. We’re just tired of all the talk. We want to make sure we’re leaving no stone unturned and we don’t take any shortcuts. We want to be the players we can be and the best defense we can be.”