Paul Bretl | 7/31/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers were back on the practice field Wednesday for a longer practice in the heat, that included a heavy dose of 11-on-11.
“Guys are going to have to dig deep today because we were a little lethargic yesterday, and it was a very long practice,” said Matt LaFleur before today’s practice. “Today’s going to be a lot longer, I’d envision at least a half an hour longer, a lot of reps and so we know it’s going to be hot. Warned them yesterday to make sure they take care of their hydration, everything they put in their body, make sure you get a good night’s rest and it’s going to be a little bit of a gut check.”
Today’s practice ended up going for two hours and eight minutes–the longest practice of training camp so far. As always, let’s open up the notebook and dive into what took place.
Who was in and who was out? After only participating in individual drills on Tuesday, MarShawn Lloyd was back for the team portion of practice today. He was still being eased in, however, seeing just a few touches with the third team offense. Carrington Valentine (hamstring) nor did Donovan Jennings (knee). Deslin Alexandre and Keshawn Banks both remained out, as did Tucker Kraft, but he’s getting close to returning.
“He will not practice but he is getting close,” LaFleur said Wednesday morning. “He is asking every day to be out there, which is what you want. But as soon as the medical staff gives us the clearance, he will be out there.”
Offensive line notes: The offensive line rotation remained what has been the status quo, with Rasheed Walker at left tackle, followed by Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jordan Morgan, and Kadeem Telfort starting at right tackle with Andre Dillard worked in. Sean Rhyan would also get some reps for Morgan at right guard, but again spent most of his snaps with the second unit at both guard and center. For the second practice, Newman briefly saw some reps at left guard with the starters.
Defensive lineup notes: At safety, Anthony Johnson was starting next to Xavier McKinney today, with Javon Bullard and Evan Williams leading the second unit. Bullard continues to get some reps in the slot as well. Linebacker remained the same as well, with Quay Walker in the middle in base with Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson around him. The starting nickel duo consisted of Walker and McDuffie. Wilson has been a core special teams contributor during his time with the Packers but is continuing to make strides on defense.
“Oh, you talk about a pro,” said LaFleur. “He does everything the right way, so dependable, you can trust what he’s gonna do out there. Certainly, he’s made a huge impact on teams, but I also I think he continues to get better and better as a linebacker and so, I think he’s a great guy to have in the room, a real leader in the linebacker room and on this football team.”
The Packers again had one-on-ones between the pass catchers and defensive backs. Here are some of the notable outcomes:
- Romeo Doubs vs. Jaire Alexander: Complete
- Jayden Reed vs. Keisean Nixon: Complete
- Christian Watson vs. Eric Stokes: Complete
- Luke Musgrave vs. Xavier McKinney: Incomplete
- Bo Melton vs. Corey Ballentine: Incomplete
- Evan Williams vs. Joel Wilson: Incomplete
- Malik Heath vs. Don Callis: Complete
- Bo Melton vs. Kalen King: Complete
Grant DuBose has had a strong start to training camp and was able to build upon that day. He had a few receptions and saw some reps with Jordan Love at quarterback. The play of the day was a pass from Sean Clifford to DuBose down the right sideline. It was a free play, with Clifford fitting the ball nicely between two defenders and included DuBuse skying to take the ball away from them.
“He came in kind of with his back against the wall, so to speak,” said LaFleur about DuBose’s rookie season. “I mean having the injury and missing the entire offseason. Missing a lot of camp. That’s tough for a young player. So he had a full offseason to recover. Obviously he had a whole year in our system, learning our offense. Very detailed guy. Going to give you great effort. Great hands, can run through the ball, he’s strong. So I’m excited to see what he can do in within the preseason and the games.”
The offensive line is become a bit more steady, although there is certainly room to continue improving, and with that we are seeing more positive plays for the Packers offense, both first and second units, as a whole.
Jordan Love’s two-minute drill: The scenario had the offense starting at their own 35 yard line, down 28-21 and with not timeouts. Love finished the drive going 5-for-6 with a few throws to the flat to Josh Jacobs when needed. The big plays were a 17(ish) yard pass to Jayden Reed, with Love avoiding the pressure, getting outside the pocket, and finding Reed in a scramble drill. Love also had a big scramble down the right sideline on another play with space cleared out. The drive finished with Love finding Dontayvion Wicks in the end zone from the 10-yard line, with Wicks finding the soft spot between the safeties. Without the kickers kicking today, the Packers went for two and with pressure in his face, Love delivered a strike to Wicks–fitting it perfectly between defenders.
Sean Clifford’s two minute drill: Clifford faced the same scenario. The drive started with a “sack” from JJ Enagbare. The initial pressure appeared to be created from the interior with Enagbare cut underneath to get to the quarterback. The next play was an incomplete pass to Malik Heath with Corey Ballentine in coverage. On the third play, Colby Wooden dropped back into the middle of the field and deflected Clifford’s throw. The last two plays were a six yard completion to Bo Melton and a throw to Marshawn Lloyd in the flat that was short of the sticks.
As camp continues, don’t forget about Ballentine. He missed the start with an injury, but last season proved to be a capable player on the boundary and has special teams experience. During offseason programs, he was working out of the slot and saw snaps with the second defense today.
“Just trying to add more versatility under my belt,” said Ballentine about playing in the slot. “I think adding some depth to the room, as well. Knowing that position, I feel like, helps me know where all my help is at corner. I feel like it’s good to be well-rounded. Having me in there to do some blitzes and also fit in the run (game) fit me well. I’m a little bit bigger of a body, so I think I can do that well. I don’t have a problem tackling. I think it’s been a good fit so far, just learning the defense, learning my role, where I’m supposed to fit in that position and going back and forth between the two still.”
I’ve said this before but we are seeing the linebackers and safeties making a lot of plays around the line of scrimmage. Outside runs, screens, or throws to the flat haven’t generated much success for the offense.
Two standouts on defense included TJ Slaton and Enagbare. Slaton blew up a run and had a pressure early on in the team portion while Enagbare created a pressure in addition to his sack in the two-minute period and had a pass deflection at the line of scrimmage as well.
“Just trying to stack these days, man,” said Enagbare. “That’s camp life.”
Tyler Davis provides such a steady presence at tight end as a blocker. There was one play where he went in motion, the ball was snapped and Kenny Clark bursts through the line. Davis circles back to the backfield and picks up Clark, giving the quarterback time to throw. Another block on the edge created space for Josh Jacobs outside.