While the intensity wasn’t appreciably more noticeable at the second practice of training camp, the heat and humidity spike certainly was. When the Packers bounded back onto the turf of Ray Nitschke Field today, the temperature was already at 84 degrees at 10:50 AM with a feel like temp of 90. A robust dew point added plenty of moisture to a high, hot and hazy sun. It wasn’t complete torture though as a few clouds and a breeze arrived late in the 95 minute session.
It was similar looking workout to the opener, plenty of individual and fundamental drills, a special teams period or two wrapped around 11 on 11 team periods. I like to take note of what kind of drills the position groups are doing, it’s an indication of what position coaches think their guys need to work on. Defensive linemen for instance were working on high hand, hard charging inside pass rushing techniques around tall dummies. Quarterbacks, always put through footwork drills, worked on handoff fakes and rollouts, snapping throws toward a net 15 yards downfield. Both Jordan Love and newcomer Alex McGough got high marks when McGough rolled right and hit the net while Love completed the more difficult throw by moving to his left.
Both QB’s made noteworthy plays in team periods too. Love threw a perfect pass to rookie receiver Jayden Reed during a red zone drill. McGough ran the final play of practice and on a goal to goal snap, drilled a low pass to a rolling Bo Melton for a score. Reed also flashed with his legs, taking a jet sweep lateral around the left side, quickly reaching the sideline and gaining a big chunk of yards. The second round pick from Michigan State is well on his way to earning touches right out of the gate in the regular season.
For the second straight day, Zach Tom got first look at right tackle. Yosh Nijman was getting reps at left tackle because David Bakhtiari was given the day off in team periods.
Over on defense, one snap after the Love-Reed touchdown connection, De’Vondre Campbell went up to snatch a deflected ball for an interception. On the last snap of goal to go period when it was starters versus starters, Love was looking at 4th and goal from the 4. He threw a quick turn out pass to Luke Musgrave at the goal line. The ball was low, the Oregon State rookie pulled it in but he couldn’t turn into the end zone thanks to Jaire Alexander who was right on the rook and leaned him to the ground. Alexander stayed down for a moment with what looked like a quick cramp after the play.
Christian Watson also caught a well thrown touchdown just before Rasul Douglas had a shot to break it up. Douglas was so flustered when his momentum carried well out of bounds, he kicked over a trash can sending empty Gatorade bottles bouncing up along the Hutson Center.
On the medical front, only one new absence was reported by the team. Rookie receiver Dontayvion Wicks sat out because of a concussion. All three players who skipped Wednesday’s practice because of illness, have recovered. Caleb Jones, Tariq Carpenter and Tarvarius Moore have all recovered.
Tight ends at work.
Throughout camp, I’ll serve up some interviews and soundbites regarding the competition at a specific position and we’ll start with the overhauled tight end room. Bobby Tonyan is now a Bear, Marcedes Lewis I’m sure is chillin’ somewhere but their departures have left Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis as the veterans picking up the leadership torch.
I caught up with Davis and asked him how often he spoke with Deguara as the off-season was unfolding it was clear they would be tutoring the tight ends of the future in draft picks Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft.
LaFleur was asked about the two rookies before practice:
And I caught up with Musgrave in the locker room after practice who told me his head isn’t spinning…yet.
The sooner the kids become reliable blockers in the run game and productive in the passing game, the more options will become available for a new quarterback running the offense.
Have to hand it to the DJ too. Two large speaker stands blare music across Nitschke Field during practice and it was a turn back the clock, classic rock Thursday. A little Black Dog from Led Zepplin followed by Start Me Up from the Rolling Stones and Credence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising was a sweet sounding triple play.
The team announced the three public practices next week will be on the same schedule. It will be 10:30 AM starts on July 31, August 1 and August 3. Friday will be a practice open to the media but closed to the public. Fans are welcomed back on Saturday at 10:30 AM.
