LaFleur correct that scheme isn't sole defensive issue. That's an even bigger problem

On Monday, Matt LaFleur insisted he wouldn't be making changes to the defensive coaching staff, at least not yet.

The Green Bay Packers head coach further contended scheme wasn't the biggest reason for the 40-33 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. And LaFleur is right ... to a point. Scheme wasn't the only thing, and that starts to raise questions about the other coaches on the staff, their retention in the wake of the Mike Pettine firing, and Brian Gutekunst's drafting.

First, the contention from LaFleur on scheme rings most true thanks to some of the worst tackling a football fan can witness. By his coaches' count, 20 missed tackles plagued Green Bay and on one of the Jalen Hurts scrambles, there were four all in one shot.

LaFleur referenced that play, in which the Packers forced a 3rd-and-10 on the opening possession of the game, had Quay Walker—the player drafted specifically for these types of moments with his athleticism and sure-handed tackling—as a spy, and Walker whiffed completely on the tackle. So did both Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage before Hurts calmly picked up the first down.

That's not a schematic issue. They had players in position to end the drive and they couldn't do it. That's a position coaching problem and it's a player problem, which is to say it's a personnel department shortcoming. All these first-round picks and high-priced free agents have added up to a whole on defense that is far less than the sum of its parts. But, at a certain point, it becomes necessary to ask if the parts were ever that good to begin with.

In some cases, that answer is obvious: De'Vondre Campbell was an All-Pro last year. Eric Stokes made Sports Info and Solutions All-Rookie team. Kenny Clark has been a Pro Bowl player, and both safeties have shown more than their share of playmaking and consistency in their careers.

Even Jaire Alexander, the best cornerback the Packers have had since Charles Woodson and one of the best in football, had poor moments. On two third downs, he was playing too far off at the line, including a 3rd-and-14 in which he was so far off the line of scrimmage, he wasn't visible on TV during the snap of the ball. Philly got 13 yards on the play and converted on 4th-and-short.

That's not on Joe Barry. He's not telling Alexander to play 15 yards off. For whatever criticisms one wants to level at Barry, that's not the call and cornerbacks have broad latitude to set their own alignments, especially corners as good as Alexander.