The work week began for the first of four opponents from the American Football Conference for the Green Bay Packers as they welcome the New England Patriots to Lambeau Field for the CBS doubleheader slot of 3:25 PM this Sunday.
The day started with sweet news for the Pack’s special teams but included a salty reply from Head Coach Matt LaFleur to finish his pre-practice media session.
Pat O’Donnell earned the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week award for his golden boot performance in Tampa last Sunday. He hit seven punts when the offense stalled, averaging 48.4 a kick with a net average of 44.7. Even more impressive, five of his 7 kicks were downed inside the Bucs’ 15 yard line, including the put Keisean Nixon fielded out of the air at the two. First punter to win the award since Tim Masthay a few years back and O’Donnell was all smiles about it and quick to thank the rest of his unit, Jack Coco snapping, the protection and excellent fliers in Nixon and Rudy Ford. Pat told me this should deliver a big lift to the entire Special Teams.
LaFleur, as hinted, opened the practice week with a lighter load, conducting just a jog through for less than 90 minutes. Reporters were allowed to observe only the team stretch in the Don Hutson Center before they went outside. David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander were among the players dressed and stretching. LaFleur indicated Bakhtiari would have today off and return on Thursday but that was flipped, he won’t practice tomorrow. He called Alexander “day to day” after the groin injury knocked him out last week but he was working. Christian Watson also stretched. Elgton Jenkins on the other hand, did not practice today, he’ll return Thursday. The team is moving cautiously with both Pro Bowl tackles. Caleb Jones was the only other non-participant, home ill.
Listed as limited on the injury report were Alexander (groin), Bakhtiari (knee), Christian Watson (hamstring), Marcedes Lewis (groin), Allen Lazard (ankle), A.J. Dillon (knee) and Jonathan Garvin (hip).
It’s pretty obvious the Pack is on to the Patriots to borrow a phrase. At the finish of LaFleur’s news conference, a reporter asked if next week’s trip to London might alter some of the practice or administrative schedule this week.
“Nothing,” snapped LaFleur, “you look ahead in this league, you get your ass whipped.”
Before merry old England, it’s New England.
Maybe LaFleur was on edge because for the first time, he’s putting a game plan together he hopes will get the better of legendary adversary Bill Belichick. LaFleur’s certainly off to a scorching start, 43-10 three games into his 4th season, but we’re talking about the “Hoodie”, 23 years in Foxborough, 48 straight seasons in the NFL as an assistant or head coach. His record is 322-15-8, 31-13 in the playoffs with a half dozen Lombardi’s on the mantle.
LaFleur said the challenge of matching wits with Belichick feels a little like Forest Gump’s box of chocolates:
When asked on a follow-up if he could recall what life was like for him back in 1991 when Belichick took his first Head Coaching gig in Cleveland, LaFleur replied, “I don’t know, I think was 12.”
Aaron Rodgers has had a couple of cracks at a Belichick plan:
Another veteran cornerback was brought into the fold today. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the signing of Corey Ballentine to the practice squad. A 6th round pick of the New York Giants in 2919 out of Washburn University in Kansas, Ballentine has appeared in 32 games with four career starts with the Giants, Jets and Lions. He was with Atlanta and Arizona this season. Ballentine will offer another corner in case Alexander’s injury eases but he’s also handled kickoff returns. He averaged 24.4 yards for his career and in the Jets pre-season game against the Packers last year at Lambeau, he broke a 73 yard kickoff return.
Four of the Pack’s top draft choices spent the day Tuesday at Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee Hospital as part of the the team’s month-long Packers vs Cancer initiative. Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Romeo Doubs and Zach Tom visited patients and families in the Child Life Center.
The team also announced they’re going to get lost in the 50’s again. The 1950-era all green with yellow trim uniforms will return for the Packers game against the New York Jets on October 16. In case you forgot, here’s the publicity shot from last year’s debut (apologies to Za’Darius, now in purple and yellow).
