<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1v333m_0wA1Rg8i00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1v333m_0wA1Rg8i00" width="1280" height="640" ></figure><p>The Green Bay Packers have made changes to their secondary in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. This is an ongoing situation which may not be fully resolved yet, but that may not be a bad thing for the team. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley continues to be flexible and to seek out the right combinations to make the secondary more effective.</p><h2>The Packers Made Changes to their Secondary: The Offseason</h2><p>Over the offseason the Packers revamped their safety room completely. They signed Xavier McKinney as a free agent and then drafted Javon Bullard in the second round and Evan Williams in the fourth round. It was expected the rookies would get a chance to play often as soon as they were up to speed.</p><p>At cornerback, the team was counting on a return to health of veterans Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. Carrington Valentine would be back with one more year of experience and was expected to battle Stokes for the starting job opposite Alexander on the perimeter. Keisean Nixon was the favorite to retain the slot corner position.</p><p>In the preseason, Valentine dealt with injuries and Stokes won the starting job opposite Alexander. The rookie safeties showed promise in preseason games and in training camp, but their roles were not clearly defined by the start of the season in Brazil. They hoped to earn more playing time as they got more comfortable in the defense.</p><h2>Once the Season Started</h2><p>In the early season, Stokes started but struggled. He allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 72.4 percent of their passes when targeting receivers covered by Stokes according to pro-football-reference.com. Their quarterback rating was 122.2.</p><p>Bullard earned a starting safety job, mostly playing strong safety and lining up close to the line of scrimmage. On occasion, he would line up in the slot.</p><p>Nixon played in the slot for the most part while Williams didn’t take any snaps on defense in the season opener and played sparingly over the first four games. When he did play the rookie made an impression including his first career NFL interception that clinched the Packers win over the Indianapolis Colts.</p><p>Valentine played a handful of plays on defense against the Eagles and then missed two games due to injuries. He returned for Week 5 but did not take a single defensive snap in Week 6.</p><p>Meanwhile, McKinney played at an All-Pro level and intercepted a pass in each of the team’s first five games. He played free safety and demonstrated an outstanding eye for the football.</p><h2>The Packers Made Changes to their Secondary: Recent Changes</h2><p>Over the last two games, Hafley has made changes to the lineup. Valentine and Stokes were not starting at cornerback. Nixon was moved to the perimeter at corner and Bullard to the slot. That allowed Williams to step into the lineup as the starting strong safety opposite McKinney. The result was more playmakers on the field.</p><p>Williams played well when given the chance to play a larger role. He forced a fumble last week against the Cardinals when he punched the ball out of the hands of an Arizona receiver after he made the catch. He has also done a good job of reading plays despite his inexperience.</p><p>Bullard has held his own playing in the slot and continues to learn on the job. His versatility allows Hafley to have many options in any given situation.</p><p>Nixon has done well on the perimeter, using his speed to keep up with the speedy receivers.</p><h2>The Future Outlook</h2><p>While Stokes and Valentine have received less playing time over the last two games, don’t overlook their potential future roles on the team this season. Hafley likes to rotate his players in and out depending on the situation and matchups. Injuries could also cause any player to switch roles or take on a larger role at any time.</p><p>Bullard and Williams should continue to improve as they get more comfortable in the defense and in the NFL. If they continue to play well, they both have All-Rookie Team potential.</p><p>While the situation may be fluid, Hafley will look to get his best players on the field as often as possible and to get the most favorable matchups in any given situation. The secondary has improved over last season but still has the chance to get even better.</p><p>Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers</p></div></body>

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The Packers Made Important Changes to their Secondary

The Green Bay Packers have made changes to their secondary in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. This is an ongoing situation which may not be fully resolved yet, but that may not be a bad thing for the team. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley continues to be flexible and to seek out the right combinations to make the secondary more effective.