All hands but two were on deck as the Packers opened the mandatory mini-camp week of their month long on-field off season program. And this off-season continues to careen to points unknown as MVP Aaron Rodgers was the only absent player on the roster.
Let’s get the elephant NOT in the room out of the way first.
After the 1:45 minute practice, Head Coach Matt LaFleur was asked if Rodgers was excused or unexcused from the week’s activity? “It’s team business”, said LaFleur and he said that remains between the team and the player. But LaFleur did acknowledge the obvious, it’s disappointing Rodgers is not in town, skipping a mandatory off-season practice for the first time in his career, but he’s still holding out hope against hope the “situation” that has divided the fan base according to team President Mark Murphy, won’t create division in the locker room and can get resolved.
A couple of veterans also held zoom court after practice including Davante Adams and David Bakhtiari.
David Bakhtiari addresses Rodgers rift
One of the quarterback’s best friends on the team who recently signed a massive contract extension, knows there’s a fine line between supportive of the disgruntled friend versus obligations to his employer but it can be managed.
Bakthiari by the way, looks remarkable just five months removed from ACL surgery. He’s still working on the side this week but is well ahead of schedule. He admitted it was hard dealing with his fate over the New Year’s Eve non-contact injury at practice, ending his All Pro season before the playoffs. He quickly turned to getting the knee fixed and stronger than ever, he even joked he has no doubt he’ll be the starting left tackle in “September……of 2022.” Might bet on this September 12.
As for Adams, he’s heading into the final year of his contract and you wonder how he’s approaching the impasse. Sign a lucrative, long term deal but lose your quarterback in a season, or sooner? Adams doesn’t plan on trying to persuade Rodgers to come back for 2021 and worry about ’22 later.
Adams didn’t jump right back into the practice reps, running on the side and letting the rest of the receiver corps get in the work with the offense. The top five receivers on the depth chart returned for the start of camp including Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown and Devin Funchess.
The prodigal receivers return.
It was the media’s first look at Funchess who signed with the Packers early in 2020 and a career in Carolina and only one game of the 2019 season with the Indianapolis Colts. He opted out of last season because of the pandemic but was all smiles to be back on a football field.
A first glimpse of Devin Funchess having fun as a Packer.
Funchess discussed his decision to sit out last season and how it became profoundly personal when his grandfather passed away because of Covid related issues.
As for Covid, it’s still causing issues for the team. Four players were excused from the opening practice for being a part of Covid Protocols. Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Elgton Jenkins and Dean Lowry were all absent because of the protocols but the team didn’t disclose as per policy if they tested positive, are dealing with close contact tracing or having vaccine related circumstances.
The only other players not taking part were Josiah Deguard, Chris Blair and Ka’dar Hollman.
Everyone else worked on a sunny, 90 degree day on Clarke Hinkle Field.
The 4 QB’s
The team had four arms at practice with former Central Connecticut product Jake Dolegala was throwing on a tryout basis. But this camp will be all about reps for Jordan Love. At one point, he took 12 straight during 11 on 11 periods. LaFleur said he’s going to get the vast majority of snaps during the rest of the week.
Love had some accuracy issues completing 12 of 23 passes during those team drills, some of the misses were well off target high. Love couldn’t get a score during his two minute drill but Blake Bortles did on his second try, going 5 for 5 and hitting tight end Issac Nauta from 35 yards away for a touchdown.
With the Smith brothers away, Rashan Gary and Randy Ramsey worked with the ones at outside linebacker.
Jaire Alexander made his first appearance of the off-season and didn’t take long to make an energetic play, hard driving MVS to the sideline to break up a pass in front of his roaring defensive teammates.
Funny how most of the practice notes get pushed to the end of the story but until the drama is resolved, it’s going to stay that way.
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