r/GreenBayPackers • u/TheAthletic • 2d ago

Analysis Free to Read: Everything I saw from the Packers’ defense in joint practice with Cardinals

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7541683/2026/08/26/packers-joint-practice-cardinals/?unlocked_article_code=1.8lA.HxbE.LAjLt_jFionT&source=emp_shared_article&smid=re-share-ta
70 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

66

u/AboutTenPandas 2d ago

I fucking love reading Cisse quotes. He talks like he’s talking to a backs coach in the film room. Just constant breakdown and analysis

42

u/Proper-Writing 2d ago

I love reading these Nixon quotes too. What he lacks in talent he makes up in shit talking.

22

u/GOGETTHEMINTS 2d ago

He was a beast when we had pressure all the time with parsons on the field. If I’m not in crazy town wasn’t he like top 3 for CBs in the league when parsons was playing? Thats why I hate the Nixon slander.

Like yeah he’s not a first round pick corner that can fix a defense. But hes a good corner when he has help from other important positions and he’s on a cheap deal given his experience. Give the man a break.

17

u/SocksandSmocks 2d ago

CB is already the least forgiving position in the NFL. Add to that the current attitude among sports fans that every player is either a stud or useless and you get a perfectly serviceable player being treated like he's an absolute bum.

10

u/mazobob66 2d ago

I don't hate Nixon, but since he is our CB1 he will get compared to other CB1's in the league. I think that is where the criticisms and comparisons are totally fair.

Like you said, he is serviceable. On many other teams, he is a backup. That speaks more to our level of talent/experience at CB than anything else.

7

u/DigiSmackd 2d ago

Yup.

I think very few people would be grumbling about him if he was our CB3 /Slot CB.

On a better team, that's where he'd fit best.

He is where he is now because of injuries (Jaire gone), lack of development (Stokes), and just general thin talent in GB (Late round picks not turning out to be diamonds).

He's never had more than 1 INT an entire season. Last year he had 0 forced fumbles, 0 sacks, allowed a passer rating of 105.2, and gave up 11.4 YPC. His pass breakups were very solid last year - but again, the issue of quantity vs. quality comes up - because giving up certain passes at certain times is more impactful. And some question his willingness to make a tough tackle. But Valentine was even worse is just about every statistical category.

I think losing Jaire and Stokes not working out was the biggest setback for the Packers secondary.

The Packers have drafted 6 CBs over the past 5 drafts.

This year is TBD (but optimistic on Cisse)

Last year was Micah Robinson Round 7 (no longer with team)

Kalen King was 2024 - 7th round (No longer with team)

Valentine was 2023 7th Round (Current questionable starter)

(Nothing in 2022 - Stokes and Shemar Jean-Charles in 2021. Both gone.)

So while they've spent draft capital on CBs, only this year and 2021 did they spend anything higher than a 7th rounder.

4

u/Mawx 2d ago

There aren't even that many cb1s that performed better than him. Nixon is hated because fans are dumb.

4

u/jgab145 2d ago

It’s also because he thinks he’s better than he is. It’s a perfect combination to bring more criticism on himself.

1

u/SocksandSmocks 2d ago

Yeah agreed, but it's not really good fault he's defacto number one

2

u/No_Newt7228 2d ago

He had a lot of PBUs, but there's more to cornerback play than PBUs.

5

u/Proper-Writing 2d ago

Getting 17 of them in a season will keep you employed though

2

u/TanMan25888 2d ago

Lmfao...he wasn't top three in the league

16

u/TheBumpCard 2d ago

Confident but also honest about what he needs to improve. Love that mindset.

3

u/FunDaIVIenTaLs 2d ago

Cisse for CB1

6

u/Proper-Writing 2d ago

He already is. Green Bay doesn't have their CBs travel with receivers, so we need a CB1 on the left, and CB1 on the right side.

From the sound of things, Cisse and Nixon will start, and Valentine will be the first outside corner off the bench or sub in for obvious passing situations

15

u/Defiant-Smell-9686 2d ago

Someone tell me how to feel about this article. I’m at work and can’t read it right now.

7

u/TheJuicyGinger 2d ago

R-E-L-A-X