When Matt LaFleur chose Joe Barry to replace Mike Pettine as the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator two years ago, there was a clear intention in mind: the Packers wanted to replicate the Los Angeles Rams' scheme, a Vic Fangio-style system adjusted by Brandon Staley, who created the best NFL defense by most metrics in 2020. It was a quarters-heavy two-high coverage, built to stop the pass first, especially explosive throws, and to avoid big run plays even with lighter boxes. For the most part, none of this has worked for Barry in his first two seasons in Green Bay.

The Packers have been mediocre against the pass — last year, they were 14th in dropback EPA and 24th in net yards per attempt — and flat out awful against the run — 32nd in EPA/rush since Barry became the defensive coordinator, 28th in yards per attempt last season.

So, what happened?

Basically, the Packers plan was flawed from the get go. Even though Joe Barry coached under Staley with the Rams for one year, yes, it was just one year — he worked three other seasons for the Rams, but it was under Wade Phillips. So the Vic Fangio-based scheme wasn't in Barry's schematic roots as a coach. He was relatively successful as a linebackers coach in 2020 for the Rams, but, according to a source close to the scheme tree, he never fully mastered the scheme.

The Packers may have finally realized that incongruence. By the end of last season, it was possible to see some tweaks, and the defense got better in the final games. So don't be surprised if they lean more heavily into this plan for 2023: let Joe Barry run the scheme he dominates. And this is a Rod Marinelli-inspired, classic cover 2 system. The basics are not that different in terms of coverage shells, but you might see less quarters.

Barry worked with Marinelli under Monte Kiffin for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when the Tampa 2 system became prominent around the league. When Marinelli went to the Detroit Lions as the head coach, Barry was the defensive coordinator. The ran a more classic version of cover 2, which is expected to be heavily used in Green Bay now.

There are different approaches related to the front too. Brandon Staley became famous for running a front logic called one-and-half gap technique. Each front player was responsible for his gap, but two players around the line shared the remaining gaps. That allowed the Rams to limit the opposing run game with lighter boxes. The Packers haven't been able to do so, but they haven't been much willing either. Last year, the normal one-gap schemes were already more frequent. This year, the expectation is that they look for more disruption from the defensive line.

"We got a different plan," defensive lineman Kenny Clark said on Monday regarding the run defense. "You'll see on Sunday as far as the plan. As far as the techniques and everything, how we playing defense, we're just being more aggressive. Going to move a little bit. You got guys like myself, TJ (Slaton), D-Wy (Devonte Wyatt) that can play stout and get off of blocks. That's all we got to do. Get off blocks at the end of the day. Stop the run and plug gaps."

While Rod Marinelli usually runs a traditional 4-3 base front, Barry kept the 3-4 base for multiple reasons. One, it avoided a big front change for the Packers, who have been running a 3-4 front since 2009. Two, that was the front proposed by the Vic Fangio/Brandon Staley defenses. And three, Barry was also influenced in recent years by Wade Phillips, who likes to run okie and bear fronts — and a lot of man coverage on money downs.

It's yet to be known how much the Packers will change from the last couple of years' approach and how much Barry will get from Staley, Marinelli, and Phillips.

However, Rod Marinelli is Joe Barry's biggest influence, and his classic cover 2 scheme could allow the Packers to maintain a similar coverage scheme, but also open the door for more cover 2 man on third downs, plus blitz and stunts with a flexible and versatile front.

Considering how young the Packers offense is, the defense should have more on their shoulders this year. And if they don't get it done, Joe Barry's job might be in jeopardy. With that in mind, it makes sense for the Packers to let him run what he wants, and a more aggressive style bodes well with Green Bay's personnel.

Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports