Packers DC Jeff Hafley wants players to 'play with their hair on fire'

New Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley plans to unleash ferocity on opponents by freeing up his players.

Hafley, the former Boston College head coach turned NFL coordinator, told reporters on Thursday he believes in system simplicity to allow players to react and make plays without overthinking.

"We try and make it simple for the players so they can play fast," he said, via the team's official website. "So they don't have to think. So they can be confident and not be afraid to make mistakes. So they can go out there and play fearless and play with their hair on fire and run and hit and cover and get off blocks and tackle. That's the beauty of the scheme."

Packers fans who gnashed their teeth at former defensive coordinator Joe Barry's scheme and calls must be on cloud nine hearing Hafley's plan. Green Bay consistently suffered communication breakdowns over the past several years. It's February, so at this point, everything is "coach speak," but cleaning up those breakdowns will immediately boost the Packers' profile.

Hafley plans to employ a 4-3 scheme, something the Packers haven't utilized regularly since 2008 -- in real-life terms. Hopefully, this change means we will no longer see Preston Smith getting lined up 1-on-1 versus Davante Adams.

The base might be different, but Hafley believes the key to any defense is fluidity and the ability to adjust to take away what an opponent does best and utilize the talents at his disposal.

"The things I believe in defense -- whether you're playing 3-4 or 4-3, press man, which I do love … it comes down to can you take your players who you have and put them in the best position to succeed?" Hafley said. "Can you take your players and maximize their ability? Every player