GREEN BAY (Wis.) — The second consecutive offseason has been the Green Bay PackersWe have made a change in the position of special teams coordinator. This means that Matt LaFleur, his coach for the fourth season, will have his third different person leading those units.
After special teams mistakes played a significant role in the Packers’ 13-10 defeat to the Packers, Maurice Drayton has been removed from his role. San Francisco 49ersESPN confirmed the confirmation of a source that NFC divisional playoff rounds were held.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported the news.
The Packers were the NFC’s top seed despite the ongoing special teams issues. Drayton’s units were 31st on ESPN’s FPI, and last in Rick Gosselin’s highly respected special teams rankings.
Drayton is now the eighth Packers special team coordinator to be fired. Six were fired while two were forced to retire.
Drayton was appointed to the position last offseason, after Shawn Mennenga was fired by LaFleur. Mennenga lasted for two seasons. Drayton was an assistant to Mennenga but could not get the units running.
In their loss to the 49ers the Packers became 33-years old and the first to have both field goal and punt blocked in the playoff game. On the final play in the first half, the Packers had a field goal blocked at 39 yards. This would have given them a 10-0 lead. The Packers were at their 12-yard line and blocked the punt. However, the 49ers returned the ball for a touchdown which was their only score of the game. The game was tied at 10-10 at 4:41.
LaFleur spoke of the blocked punt, saying that “you could argue that it was the difference between the games.” “But I think it was much more than that play.”
A 45-yard kickoff return by the Packers set up a 49ers field-goal. The Packers then had 10 players on field against San Francisco’s game winning field goal.
Last season, LaFleur assigned three coaches to special team teams: Drayton, assistant Rayna Stewart, and Connor Lewis. Stewart and Lewis might be considered, but LaFleur may prefer to go outside of the organization considering Drayton’s promotion. When the elections were held, one strong candidate from outside was already on the board. Carolina PanthersFormer employees were hired this week Chicago BearsChris Tabor is the special teams coordinator and one of the most respected special teams coaches in the league.
It may not be just coaching. LaFleur stated that he would be open to using more veterans on special teams next season, but pointed out that they had lost running back. AJ Dillonwhile covering a kick against 49ers, he suffered a fractured rib.
LaFleur stated, “We can do much better work starting with me emphasizing the special team, allowing some or our starters to participate on more phases of that.” “Granted, this has its own set risks that we experienced the other night when A.J. was killed,” LaFleur said.
“I don’t think it’s ever just about one thing. But, I believe that it’s a priority we have to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.” We have to take a holistic view of everything. That starts with me making sure it is a top priority.