The Packers defense statistically has a great defense.
But for the past several weeks, there has been an obvious problem with the defense.
No, it’s not the front four, which has greatly improved with the addition of Micah Parsons.
And it is not the Packers linebackers, who have held their own this season.
It’s the secondary of the Packers that is one of the biggest concerns.
In fact it was one of the concerns this off-season that the Packers thought they had addressed.
You seen the past couple of weeks QB’s pick apart the Packers secondary, especially their corners.
The concerning part is that these are backup QB’s that are picking apart the Packers Secondary.
While some of these teams have big time receivers, it just seems like the Packers defense are allowing big chunk plays.
Cause for concern
Nate Hobbs signed with the Packers to bring some depth in to a cornerback room that later lost Jaire Alexander.
So far though the signing hasn’t looked the best as Hobbs performance hasn’t been as good as expected.
That was evident in the Packers 27-23 win over the Cardinals.
Hobbs allowed six targets for 86 yards and a 109.7 passer rating against the Cardinals.
For the season, Hobbs has allowed nine catches on 15 targets.
He has also allowed a pair of touchdowns as well.
That is definitely not what you want from one of your starting corners.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday though that “Hobbs will bounce back”.
The Packers coaching staff still believes Hobbs can play opposite of Keisean Nixon but his best option might be to play slot corner.
Carrington Valentine
A lot of fans would like to see a change at the opposite corner position.
One name that has come up is Carrington Valentine, who has experience starting at cornerback.
Last year Valentine showed real flashes of being a starting corner.
Valentine had 2 interceptions and allowed a passer rating of 82.8 with zero touchdowns allowed when targeted.
What is more confusing is when Hobbs was struggling against the Cardinals, Valentine was not put in to replace him.
Instead Valentine only played two defensive snaps against the Cardinals.
Moving Hobbs to the slot and having Valentine play the opposite corner could help the Packers Defense.
It is the most likely move if Hobbs keeps this performance up.
Do the Packers look on the outside for help?
Very rarely do the Packers look for help, especially in Free agency or during the season.
But does this call for the Packers to look else where for a corner?
Short answer? No.
Nixon has done well as the starting corner and getting Valentine to play on the outside, while Hobbs plays slot mgiht suit the corners well.
Of, course the Packers could go look else where as well.
One name that has popped up is former Packer Rasul Douglas.
Other names that the Packers could sign are Stephon Gilmore and Asante Samuel Jr.
Both big names with experience that are free agents currently.
But the chances of that happening is very slim as the Packers rarely make in-season moves.
Conclusion
For now it seems like the Packers are sticking with Hobbs as the outside corner.
But if Hobbs doesn’t play up to the level the Packers feel like he should play, Valentine will be waiting.
The Packers though have a tough couple of game ahead if they don’t fix their glaring hole on the defense.
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Hau Khuong has been a Packers fan since 1996. He currently works as a video editor in Green Bay and writes for PackersTalk.com and you can follow him on twitter at @HauKhuongSports.
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