The challenge for Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley? Getting rookie safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams on the field.
With cornerback Jaire Alexander inactive last week at the Rams, the problem solved itself via some outside-the-box thinking. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley moved Keisean Nixon from the slot to cornerback, slid safety Javon Bullard into the slot and inserted Evan Williams at safety.
Bullard’s work near the line of scrimmage has allowed Xavier McKinney to become an interception machine at free safety. So, Hafley found it a natural fit to move Bullard to the slot. Moving Bullard to the slot allowed the coaches to get Williams on the field. He had a superb training camp and preseason but played zero defensive snaps in Week 1, 20 in Week 2, four in Week 3 and 10 in Week 4.
“That’s a huge moment not only to recognize the play but to stay poised. He stayed square, he was balanced, his eyes were in the right place. He had a hand on the back but he didn’t tug, He got the arm out, he got the ball out. The cool part is it wasn’t too big for him. That’s fourth-and-5 against one of the best quarterbacks in this league and he was able to get a huge stop.”
But that would be a slight toward Nixon, who Hafley was eager to praise on Thursday. According to PFF’s judgment of coverage responsibilities, Nixon gave up 28 receiving yards in seven targets against the Rams. His tight coverage on Tutu Atwell forced Stafford to put too much air under a pass that was intercepted by McKinney.
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