There was no way Mother Nature was going to mess with the Green Bay Packers. A line of morning rain showers and some thunderstorms swept eastward across the state Wednesday morning and clouds were still dripping when Head Coach Matt LaFleur met reporters just before 10:00 AM but he enthusiastically announced the opening practice of the 2023 training camp would indeed take place outdoors on Ray Nitschke Field. The event means too much to kids with bicycles and railbirds who have descended upon Titltetown from across the country to catch a glimpse of their team. By time time the American Family Insurance Dream Drive opened, the rain had stopped and by the end of the 90 minute practice, the sun was shining on everyone.
The quaint tradition of kids turning over their bikes to a player while toting their helmets has turned into quite a production with a fenced off route from the locker room to Ray Nitschke Field but it never loses it’s charm. It’s not unheard of to have these summer connections turn into lifetime friendships.
Christian Watson found his wheels.
After limbering up inside the Don Hutson Center for about 20 minutes, the team finally emerged to enthusiastic applause from the fans in the bleachers and circling the perimeter fence. Offensive line coach Luke Butkus strolled onto the field to the strains of Eye Of The Tiger on the big sideline speaker system. The theme from Rocky was perfect since he named his pet dog Butkus, in honor of Luke’s uncle, Chicago Bear Hall of Famer Dick Butkus.
One the team assembled, nearly every cellphone camera in the place got turned toward Jordan Love.
Eyes and lenses fixed on number 10 in red.
It was an inauspicious first snap in the first 11 on 11 team period, even without pads. Love and center Josh Myers botched the snap and the offense needed a do-over right out of the gate. The first snap in two subsequent team sets were more productive as Love hit Romeo Doubs twice on shallow crossing routes against tight coverage from Rasul Douglas. Downfield throws were tough for all the QB’s as the wind picked up during practice.
Afterwards, Love was surrounded by reporters in the locker room and he held court for a good 20 minutes, talking about practice number and the summer to come.
As for the rest of the offense, LaFleur announced before practice the team will be careful with David Bakhtiari during camp, no need to overwork him. He did take a share of team reps but Yosh Nijman also got snaps at left tackle with Zach Tom getting snaps with the starters at right tackle.
On the defensive side, Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens split reps with the one’s at the open safety position alongside Darnell Savage. Up front, T.J. Slaton and Devonte Wyatt flanked Kenny Clark on the line. Justin Hollins and Kingsley Enagbare took turns at outside linebacker opposite Preston Smith while Rashan Gary mends from ACL surgery.
Gary, as expected, opened camp on the PUP list along with Eric Stokes, they both worked on the side. Three players sat out because of illness, tackle Caleb Jones and defensive backs Tariq Carpenter and Tarvarius Moore. 7th round draft pick Grant Dubose, who missed nearly all of the spring workouts, is still sidelined. LaFleur announced he’s dealing with a back issue.
Rookie kicker Anders Carlson got in some swings in the breeze. After finishing his first set with a miss wide left on his last try, he bounced back with three in a row between 40 and 46 yards.
The “Guardian” headgear is back. The padded caps that fit over helmets are being worn by everyone except quarterbacks, receivers and secondary players.
There was one roster move made just as camp kicked off. The Packers have signed wide receiver Cody Chrest, an undrafted rookie from Sam Houston State who began his college career at Harvard. He spent time with two teams during spring workouts. To stay at the limit of 90, the Packers cut receiver Jeff Cotton who spent nine weeks with the team on the practice squad last year.
It appears LaFleur has taken the competitive nature of camp up a notch. He is keeping track of winning plays from the offense and defense in 11 on 11 team periods. When practice ended at high noon, the team circled the coach and it was the defenders who cheered and the offensive players who dropped and gave LaFleur 20. Score day 1 for the D.
Offensive push-ups post practice.
The team is back on Nitschke at 10:30 Thursday morning on what could be the hottest day of camp.
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