Examining New Packers Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon
Let’s delve into what Jonathan Gannon, the new defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, will contribute to the team. Earlier today, we analyzed his career background; now, we will explore the coverages he prefers. Hint: He favors the Quarters/Cover 4 scheme.
Understanding Gannon’s Coverage Approaches
To better understand Gannon’s defensive style, it’s important to familiarize ourselves with key terms. We will categorize coverages primarily into three groups: man coverages, traditional zone coverages, and those in the quarters family.
Types of Coverage
- Cover 0 variations
- Cover 1 variations
- 2 Man
- Cover 2 (including Tampa 2 and Inverted Cover 2)
- Cover 3 (including Match 3)
- Cover 4 (often referred to as quarters)
- Cover 6 (sometimes called quarter-quarter-half)
- Cover 7 variations (generally indexed as Cover 4 or Cover 6 by data services)
Coverages Explained
Explaining these coverages thoroughly could take an extensive amount of text, so here’s a brief overview: man coverage assigns defenders to cover specific receivers based on their pre-snap alignments without passing them off.
In contrast, zone coverages involve defenders anticipating receiver routes, covering specific areas based on route combinations. Traditional zone often employs three-deep coverages, whereas quarters schemes allocate an additional player to defend deeper zones. Cover 6 is a hybrid, using Cover 4 on one side and Cover 2 on the other.
The Confusing World of Cover 7
A noteworthy aspect of coverages is the Cover 7 family, which adjusts to man coverage after a certain depth, demanding defenders to adapt continuously. This contrasts with traditional spot-drop zones where defenders focus on area coverage while watching the quarterback.
Assessing Previous Defensive Strategies
Before diving deeper into Gannon’s strategies, it’s useful to review the Packers’ recent defensive performances. Over the past five seasons, the defensive systems utilized by Joe Barry and Jeff Hafley yielded varying results in man coverage, traditional zone, and quarters, with notable fluctuations year to year.
Anticipating Changes Under Gannon
After Barry’s departure, the Packers have brought in Hafley, who previously emphasized old zone coverages in his strategy. However, Gannon’s approach will notably differ, leaning more towards the quarters family of coverages and using tighter coverage strategies.
