It was a hard earned, well deserved and light work week for the Packers. The NFC’s number one seed have the conference’s only bye heading into the playoffs after roaring to their second straight North Division title and second consecutive 13-3 regular season record. It earned them a bye last year but as the second seed, they endured the unceremonious playoff exit in the NFC Championship Game in Santa Clara, California, 37-20 to the San Francisco 49ers. This year, the road to the Super Bowl runs through Lambeau Field.
Here’s an assortment of notes on the bye week for the NFC’s top dogs.
Practice
Head Coach Matt LaFleur conducted a pair of light workouts outside on Clarke Hinkle Field but said anytime you practice, it’s important to get football work done playing football. The sessions were fundamentally based, tuning up the playbooks on both sides of the ball and cleaning up what has been mistake prone special teams. When asked if he was concerned about the third phase of his team heading into the playoffs, LaFleur said the slate is wiped clean for all three phases. “Everbody’s 0-0 now”, he said and it’s all about how those units perform from here on out. Wide Receiver Davante Adams was on the field but did very little team work but LaFleur said it was more rest related and he’ll be fine when they return next week.
Aaron Rodgers
After throwing 15 touchdown passes over the five December and January games, all victories, Rodgers was named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Month. It may be just a prelude to the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award which is being voted on now. Rodgers was named the All-Pro first team quarterback Friday, the third time he’s been accorded the honor. He was the MVP in the other two years of 2011 and 2014. He was the second team All-Pro QB in 2012. Rodgers met reporters this week and said he’s feeling as healthy as he ever has, entering his 10th playoff campaign as a starter. A diligent off-season program and a year in which he was sacked only 20 times played the biggest roles.
Damon Harrison
The media heard from Damon “Snacks” Harrison for the first time since joining the Packers on Thursday. First and foremost, he set the record straight on his nickname. “Legend has it”, he started, “I used to get caught with Rice Krispie treats in my socks at practice.” That was when he began his career with the New York Jets and the “Snacks” moniker was coined. Harrison said he wasn’t that fond of it until his mother started calling him Snacks and then it was fine with him. On the serious side, Harrison was miffed that Seattle wanted him at mid-season following his release from the Lions after 2019 but when he was a healthy scratch three weeks ago, he asked to go somewhere else. He received interest from several teams but ruled them out until the Packers called. In his nine years, Harrison has been in the playoffs just once and he’s grateful to get a chance to help the Pack make a deep run this year.
Dominique Dafney
Maybe the most interesting and surprising late season contributor met reporters as well on Thursday. The undrafted rookie free agent from Indiana State talked about his journey from the University of Iowa, to Indiana State to the end zone for the first time last Sunday in Chicago. After not getting on the field much with the Hawkeyes, a friend who played for the Sycamores convinced him to transfer. He put up decent numbers as a running back but he didn’t get invited to the combine or receive a phone call on draft weekend. He was signed by the Colts but was released in camp. He returned to Des Moines to work out but he also needed a job so he became a bouncer at a rooftop bar downtown. When the Packers called in early October offering a spot on the practice squad he jumped at the chance. Dafney then dove into the playbook, studying 4 hours a night. After draft pick Josiah Deguara got hurt early and his replacement at the “F’ position in the offense, John Lovett got injured later, Dafney finally was brought up the active roster December 12 and made the most of his chance. On his touchdown grab he said once the play was called he thought the ball might come his way and when his route got him open he realized Rodgers had him targeted. Dominique said he stumbled backward because “my feet went dead” over the nerves of making sure he caught it. He did and a great story of determination was written.
Nathaniel Hackett
Green Bay’s Offensive Coordinator was interviewed virtually by the Atlanta Falcons for their Head Coaching vacancy. When Hackett met with reporters Wednesday he said “I’m definitely ready” for the next step up the coaching ladder. He’s the son of Paul Hackett, a west coast offense forefather, he’s been around the NFL his entire life and he’s also put in the work to become a creative, enthusiastic offensive mind. Both Rodgers and LaFleur gave Hackett glowing recommendations for the job but Nathaniel says his first priority is finishing the quest for a Super Bowl trophy in a place and with an organization he’s come to really love.
Let there be FANS!
Packers president Mark Murphy announced Thursday night up to 6000 season ticket holders will be able to attend the NFC Divisional Round playoff game, in addition to invited employees, first responders and medical professionals and their families. Tickets can be purchased on line through next Tuesday for season ticket holders who opted in last summer. Prices set by the league range from $127 to $177 dollars, re-sales will not be allowed and fans will be seated in pods of 2, 4 or 6 seats around the bowl. Masks will be required, other safety protocols will be in place and tailgating in the parking lot won’t be allowed. The Pack’s homefield advantage just got a lot more advantageous. LaFleur said the team is very excited over the news and urged each fan to be just a little extra louder to deliver a very welcome surge of energy to his players.
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