For more than a dozen young men, Friday will be their last work day in Green Bay. The Packers will conduct one last practice before the roster must be trimmed to 53 active players and a practice squad club consisting of 15 members.
The most unusual training camp in franchise history is wrapping up. Head Coach Matt LaFleur conducted 15 practices, three of them inside Lambeau Field but none were held under the lights and nary a single rail bird was seen anywhere near Ray Nitschke Field. No fans, no bikes, no pre-season games, no real excitement.
It’s almost as if this Covid-19 Protocol NFL season has snuck up on us. A week from tonight, the Kansas City Chiefs will open defense of their Super Bowl Championship hosting the Houston Texans. Three days after that, the Packers will play their rivals, the Minnesota Vikings at empty US Bank Stadium.
While Camp Covid lacked sizzle, there were several story lines worth summarizing.
The rejuvenated Rodgers
His demeanor and his play were both noticeable to everyone. As we detailed in Wednesday’s post, Rodgers admits he is in a very good place getting ready for his 16th season, 13th as the leader of the Pack. He has been engaged, playful at times and extremely accurate throwing the ball. The front office passed on pass catchers this off-season, save for the opted out Devin Funchess but Rodgers has capable returning weapons in the backfield, at tight end and outside. The second verse should be better than the first with LaFleur’s system and Rodgers seems intent on making that happen.
Here comes the H-Back
The next step in the evolution of LaFleur’s offense appears to be a greater emphasis on the wide zone run game and the deployment of a tight end or H-Back in the backfield. Adding A.J. Dillon to the mix along with Josiah Deguara and possibly the ex-Princeton quarterback John Lovett could give LaFleur a tantalizing combination of talents to utilize.
Camp MVP? MVS?
Rodgers went out of his way to praise Marquez Valdes-Scantling as camp wrapped up. No longer just a field stretching deep threat, MVS has become a noticeably cleaner route runner in shorter distances and has caught almost everything thrown his way. If his game takes off, the passing offense could as well.
Two Headed Monster becomes Three
Za’Darius and Preston Smith were the best pair of quarterback seeking edge rushers in the NFL last season and Rashan Gary, entering his second season, appears ready to join them. He’s had a very good camp and outside linebacker coach Mike Smith has been raving about him ever since the Packers took Gary in the first round last year. If he ascends, Cousins, Stafford, Trubisky et all, look out.
Speaking of Smith, you talk about a hands on coach…..
OLB Coach Mike Smith locks up with Za’Darius Smith
Smith’s wrestling matches with his players are more competitive than most offensive tackles they’ll be trying to beat all season. He met reporters after practice Thursday and I asked him about taking a hands-on approach literally with his guys and how he can’t wait to unleash an array of different skills sets with his outside linebacker group.
One last chance to shine comes Friday before the roster trimming takes place, come back tomorrow and I’ll take a run at it with my 53.
