How the Packers’ gamble on a new defensive coordinator paid off – Green Bay Packers Blog

GREEN BAY, Wis. — There was a chance — and perhaps a good one — that Matt LaFleur’s plan for the Green Bay Packers defensive coaching staff this season could have blown up.

When he hired Joe Barry, twice a flop as a defensive coordinator, he wanted a new scheme but with the same position coaches who worked under previous coordinator Mike Pettine.

The potential pitfalls were plenty: Defensive backs coach Jerry Gray wanted — and interviewed for — the coordinator job. All the defensive assistants, except for line coach…