For a team that plays in some of the harshest elements in the legaue, the Packers have been a bit of a finesse team lately.
And after that manifested itself by opponents running all over their defense last year, defensive end Mike Daniels has had enough.
He wants the Packers defense to play meaner, and he’s willing to administer beatings if that’s what it takes.
“I think that’s been our biggest problem on defense,” Daniels told Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “So I’m personally going to really get the best out of everybody. I don’t care if I have to hit somebody before we get on the field.”
If you think this is just bluster, teammates aren’t convinced.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s probably going to do it,” linebacker Andy Mulumba said. “I don’t see myself fighting that guy. He’s pretty strong. I know his strength. I’m willing to do whatever he tells me to do.”
It’s clear that Daniels would rather his team play better and not make him have to start handing out beat-downs in the locker room.
“If something has to be said, I’m going to say it,” Daniels said. “If somebody has a problem with it, we’re grown men. We play a violent game. We get paid to be violent. So why not? If you deck somebody in the locker room because you have a disagreement, there’s not going to be any sensitivity training.
“It’s a barbaric sport. So that’s how you’re going to have to approach it. I’m tired of getting our face punched in by other teams. I’m not used to that.”
The good news is, there are reasons to think the Packers defense will improve other than the risk of a good thrashing. With pass-rusher Julius Peppers added to the mix and Clay Matthews getting healthy, they ought to be more potent.
But if they aren’t, Mike Daniels is ready to smack somebody, just in case.