Post-Game Analysis: The Defense - Backfield in Motion

The play of the secondary has been much better than I would have guessed, but in a different way. With the loss of Tramon Williams and Davon House to free agency there is a big hole to fill on the left side at cornerback and it seems it just might have been filled, but not by the person everyone would have thought, except for me, of course.

On the Island:

The game started with Casey Hayward manning Williams' spot and Sam Shields on the right side. Neither had any stats, but did a decent job of keeping Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo in check holding them to 2-of-4 with one long pass by Garoppolo for 16 on the left side.

Quinten Rollins

2015 #2 (62) draft pick Quinten Rollins took over for Hayward and undrafted free agent rookie LaDarius Gunter replaced Shields. These two have been the talk of the camp leading up to the game and Rollins has been the talk of the town afterwards.

Rollins had a great game with 3 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle and 2 passes defended. Since the game he has been working with the starting unit on the left side and Hayward has settled into the slot where he picked off six passes as a rookie. I think this is probably a permanent move and I'm all for it. He is smooth in coverage and willing to tackle. Hayward has injury issues.
 

LaDarius Gunter returning his interception

Gunter has been making plays all camp even picking off Aaron Rodgers. He also had a great game with 2 solo tackles, 1 assisted, 1 interception and 1 pass defended. However, since the game he has been torched by Davante Adams (who also torched Sean Richardson and Rollins), but I don't see a drop off of his play. I think he might even push Hayward for playing time in the slot and might end up being better than House.
 

Who is this Gunter kid you may ask and I asked the same thing and found out he had good enough credentials heading into the draft that he was almost assured being drafted in the fourth or fifth round, but luckily for the Packers and unluckily (or maybe not) for Gunter he was passed over and Ted Thompson did the right thing by signing him before some other team.
 

He played at Miami where he had six interceptions while starting 30 of 37 games in three years after beginning at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas where he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown. He played corner, safety and outside linebacker in high school. Like I said from what I've seen he seems like the real deal a tough kid with speed and instincts.
 

Recently signed Ryan White (who was cut in training camp last season) played left corner in the second half. Garoppolo completed 15-of-17 in the second half.
 

The corner position has been hard hit by injuries. 2015 No. 1 (30) draft pick Damarious Randall (groin), 2014 No. 6 (197) pick Demetri Goodson (calf) and street free agent Tay Glover-Wright (hamstring) didn't play. Randall has returned to the practice field this week, so maybe he will play against the Steelers.
 

Manning the Slot:

Micah Hyde is a poor man's Charles Woodson. He plays back and out in coverage and he plays up in support with a nose for the ball. He didn't have any stats in the game. Chris Banjo was on the practice squad last year and was activated for the last three games and the playoffs. He also lined up in the slot and had a nice game with 2 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle.

And the Men in the Back Said Everyone Attack:

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at free safety and Morgan Burnett were solid and will continue to get better. Dix had one solo tackle and Burnett has two assisted tackles.

Jean Fanor getting down and dirty

Former Chiefs undrafted free agent and last year on the practice until he elevated at the same time as Banjo Jean Fanor came in for Clinton-Dix and was very productive with 2 solo and 2 assisted tackles. He was around the ball and looks good. I like him.
 

Kyle Sebetic

Former Giants undrafted free agent Kyle Sebetic relieved Burnett and also had a good game with 3 solo and 1 assisted tackle. Look at his highlight reel on one of my previous posts (April 3). He is a tackling machine. I like him also.
 

Sean Richardson (pectoral) sat out the game, but returned to practice and was turned around and beat by Adams this week.