Week two of training camp began after the Packers enjoyed a Sunday off and Head Coach Matt LaFleur is ramping up the installation of his offense and defense. While most of Monday’s 1:45 workout on Ray Nitschke Field was a review of the first four sessions, it also included the first practice snaps of two minute drill plays and backed up offense.
In the final team period, the scenario was set with a minute, 15 seconds on the clock and the offense starting at it’s own 25. Jordan Love got first dibs at running the two minute as the number two offense went against the second team defense. After a handoff to A.J. Dillon gained two yards, Love’s first pass was batted back in his face. He did convert a third down with a check down pass to DeAndre Thompkins for a gain of 10 but the series stalled at midfield.
Aaron Rodgers fared only slightly better. A pretty back shoulder toss to Davante Adams gained 16 yards. Marquez Valdes-Scantling battled a short pass with a couple of bobbles before gaining control for 9 yards. A defensive mistake covered most of the yardage. Rodgers took a deep shot to Randall Cobb who got pushed by Darnell Savage before the ball arrived and was intercepted. The PI set up a goal to goal series but a couple of incompletions in the end zone targeting Adams brought on Mason Crosby for a chip shot field goal.
Running back Patrick Taylor came off the Physically Unable to Perform list today and practiced for the first time. Still out are Kevin King, Za’Darius Smith, Josiah Deguara, Kingsley Keke, Dominic Dafney and Will Redmond.
The first significant on-field injury occurred midway through practice. Linebacker Randy Ramsey rushed into the interior line and got tangled up and stayed on the ground. The training staff shouldered Ramsey to the sideline without putting any pressure on his left leg.
It’s going to get even more physical Tuesday when the pads are donned for the first time.
Post practice brought veterans into the medium auditorium, including the wise old veteran Marcedes Lewis.
At 37, Lewis is still going strong, coming back on yet another, one year contract. His leadership is unquestioned in the locker room and Aaron Rodgers has talked repeatedly how important the “Big Dog” is to this team, on and off the field.
Interestingly enough, Rodgers and Lewis talked often, almost every week while the MVP was mulling his future with the organization. Marcedes discussed helping Aaron through it and like many, wondered if he might not be coming back.
You had to wonder how other veteran players on the team reacted to the Rodgers drama. Linebacker Preston Smith had to deal with his own uncertain future after a down statistical year in 2020. Smith never doubted he would leave, even accepting a restructured contract with a pay cut to free up cash to keep another Aaron, Aaron Jones in the fold. As for the quarterback, Smith told a humorous story about becoming a fan of Rodgers while finishing high school just outside Atlanta, and yes, he’s happy he’s back.
One last note I should have covered last week. The Wisconsin State Legisltature has passed a resolution that will rename the Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Green Bay the Bart Starr Memorial Bridge. The legendary Hall of Famer passed away in May of 2019. Two of the three bridges crossing the Fox River downtown are now named for late Packers with the Ray Nitschke Bridge spanning Main Street to Dousman Street.
