With Micah Parsons set to potentially make his debut in green and gold on Sunday, a former Green Bay Packer is calling the trade a big-time move for the organization.
Parsons was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Packers late last week in exchange for Kenny Clark and a pair of first-round draft picks, a move that has many calling it a steal.
Some have said it is very un-Packer-like, but Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman Evan Smith disagrees, calling it a “total Packers move.”
“This is grandma’s good ‘ol recipe,” the former Packer Center explained. “They don’t make moves like this unless it’s generational talent. Usually it’s a free agency move.”
Packer fans have been sad to see Clark leave, as he has been a staple of the defense since he was drafted 27th overall in 2016.
His size made him the perfect run stopper up front, but as Smith noted, Jeff Hafley’s defense is not a three-down front where a big body like that is needed in the middle.
“With Hafley’s front, you got your tackles and things of that nature…those guys are hitting gaps. You really only got maybe like two guys eating double teams,” he explained. “It’s all about creating edges, penetration in the backfield, making the running back have to cut in the backfield. You have less guys doing a two-gap role, which Kenny kind of comes out of.”
Evan also noted that Parsons’ pass-rushing ability will be a big determining factor on whether the defense can take the next step towards dominance.
“The defense as a whole, Hafley’s second year, you give him just a group of pass rushers because that’s what you’re going to have to do to win,” he noted. “You have to be able to stop the run, but you’re going to have to be able to go after these quarterbacks.”
The Packers are coming off a year where they were 5th overall in total yards allowed, 10th in sacks, 11th in touchdowns allowed, and 4th in takeaways and interceptions.
It is unclear at this time if Parsons will play on Sunday, as he his dealing with some back tightness; however, ESPN has reported that he may receive an injection ahead of the matchup with the division rival Detroit Lions.
The Packers will kick off the season with a home game against the Lions this Sunday, with coverage on 1240 WOMT beginning at 2:05 p.m.
SeehaferNews.com will be on hand with comments from the players after the game.
You can hear more regarding Smith’s take on the trade by going to SeehaferPodcasts.com.
