Training Camp 2022 is in the books. The final practice before the final Pre-Season Game before the final roster cuts took place today. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst joked last week this summer might have been the best weather camp in his 25 years in Green Bay. Fitting that as the last of the roster battles are reaching the boiling point, temperatures climbed into the mid-80’s by practice’s end, as warm as it’s been all month.
Wide Receivers in line for the last time in camp.
It was a one hour, 45 minute workout in helmets and shorts. There were a couple of team periods including some red zone snaps that produced a couple of highlight reel plays. Defensive back Kabion Ento displayed an impressive vertical leap and an even more impressive one handed interception in the end zone. On the next snap, 38 year old Marcedes Lewis caught a pass in the left flat and turned up for a score that got the entire offense woofing in honor of the Big Dog.
There were plenty of ups and downs for many players over the past four weeks. The rollercoaster ride was arguably steepest for tight end Tyler Davis. The former college quarterback and third year pro joined the team after Robert Tonyan got hurt last year. He got rave reviews throughout the off-season program in the spring with his speed to stretch the defense and sure hands. Even Gutekunst said at the time “I think we’ve got something in him”. But once camp began, Davis started spinning his tires. When Aaron Rodgers publicly criticized his young receivers for “silly” mistakes in formations and routes after one practice, most assumed it was directed toward the rookie wide receivers but Davis was in that mix. He may have led the team in false start penalties among perimeter players and then he was involved in a pair of turnovers, one in each pre-season game. The first of Jordan Love’s three interceptions against San Francisco clanked off Tyler’s hands and chest on a short slant. Last week against the Saints, he coughed up a fumble that New Orleans turned to points. Considered the top replacement for Tonyan’s role in the downfield passing game early this season, some began to wonder if he might not wind up on the waiver wire.
To Davis’ credit, he may have saved his best practice for last. In an early 11 on 11 drill, he pulled in a deep ball down the middle of the field. In the red zone drill, Aaron Rodgers connected with him not once, but twice for touchdowns, which drew a fist pump and up close exchange of words.
Talk about a bounce back effort, it was a determined Davis that showed up just in time and I was among a crowd of reporters to visit with him in the locker room after practice.
Another tight end, Sal Canella with a sore knee and defensive back Rico Gafford with an ankle sprain were held of of practice. After handling individual drills on consecutive days since coming off the Physically Unable to Perform list, David Bakhtiari was given a day of rest as was part of his overall plan, there weren’t any setbacks.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur offered his summation of his 4th training camp in charge of the Pack.
That would be Bakhtiari, Tonyan and Elgton Jenkins of course.
Throw in Mason Crosby. The veteran is among the last of the PUP list players. Even though Ramiz Ahmed has fared better than the cut Gabe Brkic, the Packers still worked out a handful of kickers this week just in case. Crosby told me after practice he’s on schedule, six weeks out from his knee surgery. He has been kicking footballs inside the Hutson Center for the last three days and hopes to ramp up his workload next week.
The Packers reached the 80 man roster limit by trading a homegrown product. Last year’s 6th round draft choice, offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen from nearby Bay Port High School and the University of Wisconsin, was traded by Gutekunst to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a conditional draft choice. It was later reported it will be a firm, 7th round pick from Jacksonville next year. Van Lanen had been getting work at both guard and tackle in camp after spending most of his rookie year on the practice squad. He was a COVID call up on three occasions to dress but appeared in only one game against the Vikings in week 17 and at least got to play one snap for his hometown team. By dealing him this late in camp, the Jaguars will almost certainly keep him either on the active roster or practice squad again.
The Packers also waived-injured the only other former Badger in camp. Wide receiver Danny Davis had made a solid impression until suffering an ankle injury putting him behind the 8 ball in a crowded receiver room. Safety Vernon Scott was also waived-injured after hurting his shoulder. The former TCU draft pick had just started taking first team reps in place of Darnell Savage when he went down. Another late round pick from last year, running back Kylin Hill, was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List. By going on this PUP list before the final cut, Hill will have to sit at least the first four weeks of the regular season, giving him even more time to heal from last year’s ACL tear.
The moves put the Packers at 79 players and they could add one more before heading to Kansas City to face the Chiefs on Thursday night.
The Rock in the middle of the final huddle.
To break down the team at the conclusion of camp, LaFleur called on former Packer Larry McCarren. A 12th round pick of the Packers in 1973, McCarren became a two time pro bowler at center, played a dozen seasons earning a bust in the Packers Hall of Fame. He became a local sportscaster and then joined Wayne Larrivee in the booth for the Packer Radio network, about to enter his 24th season. He’s attended every practice and today marked the conclusion of his 50th training camp in Green Bay. A fitting tribute to “The Rock.”
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