The Packers got in one last good stretch Wednesday afternoon on Ray Nitschke Field in the final practice of the off-season program. The individual weight and conditioning program was followed by three weeks of Organized Team Activities and back to back on field mini-camp workouts. The final day of the mandatory mini-camp will be set aside for a private team function, a chance to gather the guys together one last time for some bonding and “have a little fun”, according to Head Coach Matt LaFleur.
Today’s practice looked a lot like Tuesday’s, only shorts and helmets with plenty of individual drills, group drills and half speed 11 on 11 periods. LaFleur even threw in a 7 on 7 set for the second day in a row, something he rarely calls up in training camp. Special Teams work was sprinkled in and Anders Carlson connected on all six of his placements outside. The idea was to keep the work from the neck up as he likes to say and avoid putting players in compromising situations where a needless injury occurs. The coach is going to need every one of his young players available when training camp begins in about six weeks.
I want to underscore the word young. After bidding adieu to the likes of Aaron Rodgers (18 years), Marcedes Lewis (17), Mason Crosby (16) and double digit tenured veterans like Randall Cobb and Adrian Amos, who by the way, signed a one year, four million dollar free agent deal with go figure, the New York Jets on Tuesday, the Packers are almost Pop Warner young. During a break at practice, I counted up 23 players on the roster who were born in the 2000’s. Another 37 have birthdays in 1998 or 1999.
LaFleur insists this off-season was productive in acclimating the nubile squad into the system installations and how practices will be conducted. He’ll have precious little time to review it all once camp convenes.
All hands were on deck for the last workout, including outside linebacker Jonathan Garvin, our first glimpse of him this year. A handful of players were withheld because of injury or continued with rehabilitation. That list included Rashan Gary, Eric Stokes, Jake Hanson, Dallin Leavitt, Tyler Davis, Chris Slayton, Grant Dubose and Tarvarius Moore.
The 1:45 practice ended with all three quarterbacks getting a chance to run a two minute drill. The scenario was – down by a touchdown, starting at your own 35 with 1:20 on the clock. Danny Etling got first crack and he completed his first five passes, including a pair from free agent receiver Bo Melton who snatched a high slant route inside and then made a fine sideline catch. The drive reached the defense’s 32 yard line and stalled from there. Etling sailed a sideline route high to Malik Heath, Heath slipped on an out route, on third down, Danny was flushed from the pocket and overthrew Melton. On 4th and 10 he had an open Jeff Cotton in the end zone but the ball sailed over his head.
Jordan Love and the starters got the next crack. Romeo Doubs, easily his favorite target this spring, caught a short hook but dropped a third and one slant. A 4th down checkdown to Patrick Taylor moved the chains but on the next snap, Love’s deep out to the left side for Christian Watson was underthrown and Jaire Alexander picked him off. Not a good throw to think about all summer.
Finally, rookie Sean Clifford took snaps. He ran a fine two minute drill last week but this one didn’t last long. On the second play, a pass over the middle in traffic got batted up in the air, was deflected again and finally was cradled by Innis Gaines who covered up after the interception and the practice ending horn sounded.
The work in progress that is Jordan Love flashed both good play and bad this spring. It’s almost a certainty he will play in Pre-Season games in August to continue to build the rapport with the young wide receiver room and two rookie tight ends. At least there is some comfort on the offense with an experienced line up front and two proven runners in the backfield.
Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones is the senior offensive playmaker in LaFleur’s offense. I asked the Head Coach before practice if Jones can be, or should be more of a focal point in the attack this fall.
Jones practiced today with an extra bounce in his step with his young son watching along with several other player and coach family members. I also caught up with Aaron on the same topic. Is he expecting even more touches while the rest of the QB/WR bond solidifies, especially early in the season?
The last huddle up of the off-season.
LaFleur is sending his team on vacation with cautionary words, be careful, stay conditioned and into the playbook as much as possible. He also announced when the team will gather again. Rookies, quarterbacks and injured players are scheduled to report on Friday, July 21. The first practice of training camp for everyone will be on Tuesday, July 25.
