The biggest flock of railbirds and fans, on the most pleasant day yet, gathered Saturday to see the Green Bay Packers defense remain undefeated in competitive team periods so far in training camp, winning two of three, end of half, two minute drills.
The first test was one snap for each side. Ball on the plus 43, :11 left. The starting offense went first with Jordan Love hitting Christian Watson out on the left flat with a crossing route against Jaire Alexander that picked up about 9, maybe 10 yards out of bounds. That would have left about a 40 to 42 yard field goal chance, not bad. Alex McGough took the number 2 snap and flared a pass to the left for Patrick Taylor that might have gained 7 or 8 with time to spare, passable.
Next came the big test. 1:40 left on the clock, starting at your own 25. Danny Etling and the back up boys couldn’t convert a first down, nor could rookie Sean Clifford on the final series. But in between, there was plenty of excitement.
Love and the starters against the number one defense. Quay Walker blitzed up the middle on first down forcing a high throw incomplete to A.J. Dillon. Another blitz was beaten when Love found Watson tumbling down over the middle for 14 yards. A Dillon draw gained 7 and on second and three, Rasul Douglas broke up a pass inside to Watson, nearly picked it. Facing third and 3 from his 46, the offense ran a shot play. Solid play action and protection allowed Samori Toure to deliver a clean out and up route against Alexander. Love delivered a pretty ball up the sideline before Darnell Savage could close and the play gained 33. Taylor got off left tackle for a gain of five before Romeo Doubs went low to snatch a slant for 9 more and the offense called timeout with :29 left. Things got squirrely then. Taylor ran another draw and reached the end zone with no whistle blown. Without live tackling, officials and coaches often blow whistles when a defender is close enough but as the offensive players were yelling touchdown, the ball was eventually settled at the one. Funny thing was, the clock kept rolling until Love spiked it with :06 to play. On third and goal from the one, Love flipped a quick, shallow out to Luke Musgrave who may have had his feet in the end zone when the ball left Jordan’s hand, but the catch came right along the goal line stripe and he couldn’t twist his body in for the score, again with noisy chatter from both sides. That brought on Anders Carlson to kick a chip shot, 19 yard field goal at the gun. The offense scored but the defense kept ’em out. It was a nice drive but didn’t prevent the offensive players from a couple more up-downs in front of the still beaming defense after practice, now 3-0 for the camp.
The team is having some fun with Matt LaFleur’s reward and punishment team periods
It also underscored the best day yet for Love. He was 16 of 22 during the various 11 on 11 periods for the day and seemed to save the best for last. Yes, he had another botched exchange with center Josh Myers, the second of camp but Love ended one team period with another strong play fake and deep corner ball out left for Jayden Reed. Another set of downs later in practice had Love snap off a well run “in” route to Romeo Doubs who snatched the ball with strong hands with Rasul Douglas in very tight coverage.
LaFleur is asked about Love almost every day and it was great to have the NFL Network’s Stacy Dales in town today, one of my favorites. She asked LaFleur what he thinks are the strengths of Jordan’s game that can produce days like this.
While the defense was happy to win another day, Kenny Clark told me after practice there were too many chunk plays allowed. I asked Toure about the big play in the two minute drill and he said it was the first time in camp that play was called. Samori said the corners like to press and are anxious to end the drill with a pick six and he sold the double move well against two good defenders and Love’s ball was perfect. “It’s starting to come together”, Toure told me.
I also congratulated Clark for a remarkable family reunion this summer, written about very nicely by Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. He told the story of how Kenny’s father finally emerged from prison after 19 years, how his mom held the family together during that time and the emotional sight of having his parents renew their marriage vows.
It was a feel good field goal for Carlson to cap that two minute drive. The rookie from Auburn struggled in his two sets, going 0 for 3 from between 40-50 yards. The second set, into a strengthening breeze, saw him miss wide left from 50, make one from 51 and miss left again from 53, ending a 1 for 6 day before the chippie.
The wind was also a test for back up punter Danny Whelan. The first year pro out of UC Davis who was with the New Orleans Saints camp last year, is pushing 10 year veteran incumbent Pat O’Donnell. Downwind, Whelan finished his set with a rocket from his own 30 that was fielded at the goal line, 70 yards away. Danny told me after practice he was more pleased with his boots into the wind. Excellent hang times between 4.5 and 4.9 with his last caught by Keisean Nixon at the one. A very good showing.
On that return, Nixon gave the team a scare. He slipped on the catch, got up and scampered about 10 yards before slipping to the turf again. The All Pro returner stayed down in a crouch for a couple of moments as trainers arrived but eventually walked off on his own power and actually returned to team drills in the secondary later.
The protectors (David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins) are back and healthy.
It’s encouraging to see David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins side by side again at left tackle and left guard. It’s been almost two seasons since both were completely healthy at the same time. LaFleur said they were making a case for the best left side in the NFL. Bakhtiari was All Pro, Jenkins picked for the Pro Bowl. Bakthiari’s best friend now wears green and white and he’s adjusting to a much different and younger locker room and he told reporters Friday it won’t impact his desire to play at his best. He told me Thursday he’s in a great place, evidenced by a family stroll to practice with his young daughter, a knockout by the way and he’s also fine with what I chided him as the “Big Dog” treatment, getting select practice days and team periods off, much like the team handled Marcedes Lewis the past couple of years. Having those two seal Love’s blind side will be huge for the offense.
Some other observations….
Couldn’t help but notice a deuces wild play for the back up defense. Shemar Jean-Charles, number 22 in green, smartly broke up a pass intended for number 22 in white, who happens to be receiver Deuce Watts.
Rookie tight end Tucker Kraft’s day ended early with ice wrapped around his right thigh.
Number one pick Lucas Van Ness got some quality snaps with the starting defense at outside linebacker.
LaFleur cautioned reporters to not read so much into depth charts and who’s playing where right now. The depth chart separation he said, really begins when the pads go on.
That’s coming Monday.
