A weeklong visit by the New Orleans Saints wraps up with the Green Bay Packers hosting the Big Easy visitors in their only Pre-Season game at Lambeau Field Friday night, kicking off at 7:00 PM. The two squads became very familiar with each other during a couple of spirited, joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. The starters on both sides of the ball for each team probably got their licks in on Ray Nitschke Field and will likely be only spectators come game time. The youngsters battling for back-up roles and roster spots will be out to take another step toward those goals at Lambeau. So what can we expect?
When the Packers have the ball.
More invaluable reps for Jordan Love, trying to settle on the best five for an unsettled offensive line, hastening the growth for young wide recievers and finding a third running back are the priorities. Love is coming off a solid week and maybe his best throw of the summer when he delivered a 50 yard touchdown to Samori Toure in a two minute drill on Wednesday. He performed capably against the 49ers last week despite the three interceptions. Head Coach Matt LaFleur and Offensive Coordinator Adam Stenavich both commented on Love’s command of the huddle and the line of scrimmage but both want to see improved decision making and more accuracy, especially on the “layups” or easy passes as LaFleur put it.
As for the line, the five who have working with the number one offense are all expected to get significant action again. Stenavich admits it’s a waiting game to see if Elgton Jenkins, now off the PUP list and David Bakhtiari will return and when. In the meantime, the musical chairs to find the best five continues. Stenavich said Thursday third year guard Jake Hanson may be having the best camp of any offensive player as he’s making a strong bid for the starting job at right guard. Rookie Zach Tom and second year pro Cole VanLanen have both been plugged in at both tackle and guard throughout camp.
With a couple of wide receivers, Christian Watson and Danny Davis not expected to play because of injuries, draft picks Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure will have plenty of opportunities. The thin WR room added another body late this week when the Packers re-signed veteran Travis Fulgham. He spent all of nine days in Green Bay’s camp in 2020 before getting released, only to make an impact with the Philadelphia Eagles that season with 38 receptions and four touchdowns. He only made a cameo appearance last season with Denver before getting cut earlier in the week. It’d be a surprise if Fulgham even gets a few snaps against New Orleans.
Iowa rookie free agent Tyler Goodson made a strong bid for the backup running back job behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon last week. He runs hard and has shown skills as a receiver. Patrick Taylor and Dexter Williams, back for a second shot with the Pack will also get carries. Two keys to watch with this group are how they fare in pass protection and whether they can offer any help on special teams.
When the Saints have the ball.
Several veteran starters have apparently lobbied LaFluer for pre-season playing time at some point just to get themselves used to game speed and live tackling but it may have fallen on deaf ears. Front liners like Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Jaire Alexander and Adrian Amos may well sit out this game too.
That will give Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry a chance to see what he calls his 11 starters in wait a little more. The front line applied consistent pressure on New Orleans during the joint practices with young tackles T.J. Slaton and Jonathan Ford mixing it up. Against San Francisco, both Jack Heflin and Chris Slayton were disruptive against both the run and the pass.
The second wave of edge rushers are starting to emerge. 5th round pick Kingsley Enagbare had an impactful week on the practice field as did first year free agent Kobe Jones. They’ve been more consistent than last year’s returning back-ups La’Darius Hamilton and Tipa Galeai.
As for the secondary, starter Darnell Savage and Innis Gaines are both still out with pulled hamstrings and Dallin Leavitt, the back up stafety and expected special teams contributor is nursing his shoulder injury. It’s forced Green Bay to add safeties Micah Abernathy and De’Vonte Cross to the roster just to get them through. Abernathy played a handful of snaps last week in Santa Clara and Cross should make his debut tonight. At corner, speedy Rico Gafford won’t play with an ankle sprain and no one has really emerged as a reliable defender behind the top three of Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. Whomever mans the corners will get tested by the New Orleans receiving corps of Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry and top draft choice Chris Olave.
Will the teams start looking special?
Last week, a pulled hamstring and a shanked 32 yard attempt spelled the end for kicker Gabe Brkic. He was cut in favor at Ramiz Ahmed. He’ll get his chance to kick against New Orleans as Mason Crosby continues to mend from an off-season scope. Long snapper Jack Coco outperformed last year’s incumbent Steven Wirtel but the Packers still aren’t convinced. Coordinator Rich Bisaccia admitted Coco has been on a roller coaster and this will be a big game for him. Amari Rodgers opened eyes with his kickoff return last week. Will he be more secure fielding punts and perhaps be the answer for both return units? With so many roster spots dependent on coverage and return teams, any of the bottom of the depth chart players at receiver, running back, linebacker and in the secondary who are assignment sure and make plays will get another notch on their belt so pay attention to those units.
The Packers are now convinced about the value of joint practices followed by a contest against another team but General Manager Brian Gutekunst said Thursday he doesn’t think his team will ever be the visitor in future arrangements. Judging from the crowds at Ray Nitschke Field this week to watch Green Bay and New Orleans get after it, he’d hate to give up that opportunity. Let’s watch them get after it one more time.
