The 4th straight day of training camp and the first Saturday practice brought out by far the biggest crowds to Ray Nitschke Field to watch the Green Bay Packers put in their longest on field workout yet. Head Coach Matt LaFleur had ’em out there for about 1:52 as the re-installation of his systems included some new competitive team periods. There was a brief move the ball session and each of the first three teams on the depth chart got a chance to run a two minute drill. It was all conducted on another sunny, 80 degree day with low humidity. That’s forecast to change (not for the better) next week.
It’s been a while since I’ve witnessed some up-downs or as Vince Lombardi called ’em, grass drills. St. Vince would have his guys run in place, blow the whistle to have players lay prone on the ground, get back up and continue pumping the legs. Only thing, he’d keep it going for minutes on end nearly killing ’em. Today, Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry had his D line up in formation, blow the whistle and watch all 11 lay down, get up and then sprint to the corner of the end zone. Certainly not a grass drill, barely an up-down but it had that look with the intended get off the ground and run to the ball conclusion to the drill.
The rehabilitation group had a welcome newcomer, at least outside for the first time. David Bakhtiari joined Robert Tonyan, Elgon Jenkins and Kylin Hill and Malik Taylor doing rehab drills. We know he’s been working in the Hutson Center but he couldn’t resist the sunshine.
The line for punt return drills involved Romeo Doubs, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers and Ishmael Hyman.
In one team period, it was maybe the prettiest play of camp. Jordan Love faked a handoff to the right, spun out hard to his left. No pressure was applied but no one downfield was getting separation either. But Love flipped his hips and sent a high, long pass clear across the field on a deep right corner route and Doubs was able to pull it down despite tight coverage. Highlight reel stuff that made you think this kid’s got something.
Next snap was botched between center Jake Hanson and Love.
Then came the two minute drill and Jordan got nothing accomplished. A three and out with a deep shot to Amari Rodgers that missed, T.J. Slaton batted down the 2nd and 10 pass at the line and on third, Love’s try for Rodgers over the middle was blanketed by Rico Gafford.
That’s the highs and lows of camp Jordan told me after practice but he also said his ability to process play calls and what he’s seeing from the defense from pre-snap to whistle has gotten considerable better this camp. With only 3 quarterbacks in town, he knows those 4th string reps are his and he welcomes the increased on-field workload.
As for the Aaron Rodgers-led two minute drill. He made some plays connecting with Randall Cobb, Aaron Jones and Allen Lazard. On 2nd and 10 from the 16 with about :20 left, Rodgers tried a corner route to the end zone for Cobb but Shemar Jean-Charles made a quick turn on the ball in coverage and made what looked like a drive killing interception. Officials, back at practice for the first time, called him out of bounds. Given another shot, Rodgers back shouldered Lazard to beat Eric Stokes for the touchdown.
In a brief field goal drill, Gabe Brikic, getting all the kicks with Mason Crosby on the PUP list, was wide right on kicks from 45 and 49 yards.
With the big construction project expanding football operation and meeting facilities on the east side of Lambeau continuing, the bike brigade traffic has shifted and players who don’t take two wheelers aren’t being asked to walk. The team has deployed a couple of 6-man golf carts to whisk players back and forth to Nitschke Field. Of course Aaron Rodgers has his very own MVP-mobile, given to him by Bakhtiari a year ago. The decked out cart has drawn a lot of phone camera video with those two inside.
It was great to see some old friends in town for the day. The NFL Network’s Training Camp blitz coverage brought former Packer assistant Steve Mariucci and reporter Stacey Dales to practice. Always nice catching up with two of the nicest.
The players couldn’t wait for the entre day off Sunday. Shoulder pads go on Monday and the first full pad practice of camp is Tuesday.
As for the Mega-Millions drawing. Someone in Illinois hit the jackpot. The media pool led by Packers.com staff writer Wes Hodkiewicz didn’t fare quite as well. For all the tickets the group purchased and convinced LaFleur to go in on, won a grand total of $12.00, or $1.33 per man. LaFleur said he’ll pony up the 10 spot.
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