Green Bay — Protecting the inside linebackers was a way of life for the defensive linemen of the Green Bay Packers in their first six years under the current coaching staff.
It was the only way coordinator Dom Capers probably thought the run defense could hold up with A.J. Hawk and other lightweights stationed at inside linebacker.
Moving Clay Matthews from outside to inside linebacker changed everything. Installing another heavy inside linebacker, Nate Palmer, has continued to provide unexpected benefits.
The veteran corps of defensive linemen was granted more freedom by the coaches to penetrate and make plays, and respectfully assumed some more liberty on their own.