Doubt Aaron was humming along, perhaps from above, Fred Rodgers had to be smiling because it really was a beautiful day in the neighborhood for the second media in attendance day at the Green Bay Packers organized team activities. Sunshine and 70’s greeted the team on Clarke Hinkle Field for the one hour, 45 minute workout.
Even with an attendance rate of better than 80 percent, the noteworthy absences will still get a lot of attention. That list is led of course, by the Pack’s Mr. Rodgers, but the five veteran wide receivers who stayed away last week, Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Equanimeous St. Brown and Devin Funchess, are still out of town for the voluntary workouts. The others missing today were Jaire Alexander, Ka’dar Hollman, Stanford Samuels and Elgton Jenkins who did practice last week.
The most notable veteran back at work was David Bakhtiari. While he only worked on the side, it was amazing seeing him work just five months removed from major knee surgery after ripping his ACL at practice before the regular season finale. Bakhtiari quick stepped and hopped over bags on the ground while wearing a black compression sleeve over his healing leg. To say he’s ahead of schedule would be an understatement and it was as if the All Pro was stating he’ll be there come September.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur was asked if he’s heard from Rodgers about whether he’s coming or skipping the mandatory mini-camp portion of the off-season program next week. Nothing new to report said the coach but hopes everyone under contract is here. With no end in sight to the drama, I spent the majority of today’s practice time just watching the quarterbacks, every drill, every throw.
After staying on the sidelines in week one, veteran Blake Bortles put on the red, #9 jersey and got into the mix with Jordan Love and Kurt Benkert.
Blake Bortles ready for an OTA rep.
Post practice, I asked LaFleur how Bortles is getting a handle on the language of and the execution of his offense and in general, how all three quarterbacks are throwing the ball at this stage of the off-season.
Bortles has a quirky little dip in his shoulder and arm before pulling the trigger on balls but he had the best deep throw of the day, hitting free agent Bailey Gaither who made a terrific laying out catch on a middle post route to the goal line. Benkert definitely has the arm strength but exactly where it’s going can be a mystery. As for Love, during individual and running back drills, I felt he was more concerned about accuracy than velocity. Not that he couldn’t fit balls in tight windows. He had DeAndre Thompkins over the middle in coverage and the pass got in there on time but went right through his arms and into the hands of Kabion Ento for a pick. LaFleur said today’s practice added an ingredient that’s an adjustment for any quarterback.
And that offensive line was without Bakhtiari, Jenkins and Corey Linsley. Ben Braden got looks at left tackle and other youngsters like Zack Johnson and rookie center Josh Myers got a bit winded trying to slow down the number one defensive front seven.
There was one other play that’s worth mentioning. 5th round pick Shemar Jean-Charles vs 3rd rounder Amari Rodgers. On a third and two situation, Jean-Charles closed hard on a quick curl by Rodgers at the first down line and physically broke up the play. This should be a competitive pairing all summer.
Post practice we heard from second year running back A.J. Dillon.
A.J. Dillon in line.
The Boston College product, taken in second round last year, is just happy to be getting reps in the spring. The pandemic eliminated that last year and just as he was getting his feet wet in the offense, the pandemic took out Dillon for five weeks. We all saw his potential against the Tennessee Titans in the snow last December and with Jamaal Williams now in Detroit, A.J. knows his role will be expanding in 2021.
Not sure his quadricep muscles can expand much more. A video since gone viral shows A.J. squeezing the seeds and the pulp out of a watermelon when he used those quads as a vice. Dillon said it came about from a Tik Tok challenge. You hit 2000 friends, squish the melon. Dillon said it was harder than it looks but now he has another tough choice. A nickname of QuadFather? That was scrawled across the sweatshirt he donned for his media session. Or should he go with QuadZilla? Choices, choices…
I’ll vote QuadZilla actually, give Dillon a few more years of experience in the Packer “family” business before he assumes the mob’s QuadFather status.
Another player visit today was tight end Robert Tonyan.
Robert Tonyan (left) with 2 biggest influences, TE coach Justin Outten and veteran Marcedes Lewis.
Talk about a breakthrough season! 11 touchdown catches shared the NFL lead among all tight ends. Tonyan was a restricted free agent and the Packers brought him back on a one year, second round tender deal. Frugal considering his production and value to the offense. LaFleur said it’s great having Tonyan at camp.
Even with most pass catchers staying away, Tonyan said he never considered not coming in for the voluntary sessions. He said the OTA’s give him another great opportunity to work for his position coach Justin Outten and his tight end Jedi master instructor in Marcedes Lewis. Tonyan said his goals for 2021 are simplistic, take another step onward and upward.
Tonyan said after next week’s mini-camp followed by the final OTA session, he’s off to Tight End University for a three day course. Tonyan, along with the like of George Kittle, Travis Kelce and other prominent tight ends get together to work out, network and just BS as a group to heighten the awareness and importance of the position in NFL football.
A late afternoon contract signing brought first round draft pick Eric Stokes into the fold. The Georgia defensive back, taken 29th overall, presumably signed the four year deal with a club option for the fifth year. The Packers don’t disclose financial terms.
