Packers Practice Roundup: August 1, 2022
The defense "wins" today's practice rather easily.
GENERAL/PERSONNEL:
No new injuries and no one on the injured list is back Monday. Silverstein
Sammy Watkins will do some team drills today, LaFleur said. Schneidman
Offense not sharp in goal-line work. Drops by Doubs & Lazard, would-be sack of Rodgers, then Watkins drops one vs tight coverage from Alexander.. Spofford
We’ve got shoulder pads! Welcome to day five! 2) The injured list to start the day remained: Christian Watson, David Bakhtiari, Malik Taylor, Kylin Hill, Elgton Jenkins, Robert Tonyan, Keisean Nixon, Mason Crosby. Herman
During minicamp, Rodgers said 80 percent of the passing game went through Adams. That's about accurate, LaFleur says. Huber
Today was the first of what will be five practices in a row, per Bill Huber. About 90% of the play calls will be implemented by week’s end. Bretl [The Packers still have lots of "instals" to do this week on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. TGR]
Veteran free agent wide receiver Will Fuller is being monitored by multiple NFL teams, per league sources, but is regarded as more likely to join a team later in preseason. Aaron Wilson
The Bears have received calls and have held trade talks centered around OT Teven Jenkins, sources tell me and MikeGarafolo. The former 2nd round pick has drawn interest based on his potential. A situation to watch. Rapoport
I got suspended for a whole year from the NFL for weed.. but sexual misconduct gets you 6 games.. make it make sense. Silas Redd, Jr.
So they [the Union] negotiated with this CBA a judge now rules, but the NFL can appeal and the NFL Commissioner has 100% say on the decision. Different, but entirely unchanged. Ken Ingalls [The Commissioner can make a different decison if the NFL appeals, but the retired Federal Judge who was the arbiter made extensive findings of facts, arguably making it more difficult for Goodell to change the penalty. TGR]
While Judge Robinson agrees that the NFL met its burden of proof on Watson engaging in sexual assault, the relative shorter length of the suspension seems to revolve around it being "non-violent assault." I would think the victims do not agree with the "non-violent" part of it. Andrew Brandt [Unless there is an appeal, DeShaun Watons will be suspended for the first six games. TGR]
QUARTERBACKS/WIDE RECEIVERS:
Love with a bullet over the middle to Toure for 12. Quick read off play action. 2) This defense is so fast. They are making things so difficult for the offense. 3) Drop by Lazard in the end zone in red zone drills - nice pass rush by Preston. Herman [So, end of tweets for this section. I believe Doubs also had a drop today. TGR]
RUNNING BACKS:
Rodgers to Dillon for a big pickup in move the ball drills. Dillon’s had a very nice start to camp as well. Herman
PHENOMENAL adjustment by AJ Dillon on a throw down the seam from Rodgers. Was that James Lofton? Outstanding Nagler
OFFENSIVE LINE:
Yosh - JRJ - Myers - Hanson - Newman today for starters. Herman
A few reps later, false start [Runyan] on the offensive line. Aaron Rodgers said the offense would take its lumps especially against the defensive line. He wasn’t wrong. Wood
Another high snap by Menet. That’s his second of practice. This one over the head of Etling. 2) Beautiful rep by Zach Tom in run blocking vs Devonte Wyatt - got inside and completely sealed him. Herman
Zach Tom at RT with the 1s [now]. Nagler 2) Tom at LT with the 2s. No rest for the rookie. Nagler
DEFENSIVE LINE:
First day on OL/DL one on ones. Strong showing for Devonte Wyatt. Getting a chance to really see his power. Meanwhile, Rashan Gary was Rashan Gary. Hodkiewicz
Akial Byers showing up with a pressure off the edge. 2) The run defense has been legit so far. Jarran Reed with a stop at the line. 3) Dean Lowry went full Dikembe with a rejection at the line. 5) Jarran Reed forces a pressure on Rodgers, incomplete. Herman
Jarran Reed eats some space. Good gap fit vs No 1 run. Hodkiewicz [Replying, Aaron Nagler noted "Been a problem for the o line on a few plays already today. Nagler
LINEBACKERS:
De’Vondre Campbell just stood up Aaron Jones in the hole. Great read by the all-pro. This defense is so fast. They are making things so difficult for the offense. Run fits, pressure, coverage, rallying to the ball, speed - it’s all evident. Fun to watch. 2) Quay Walker making his presence known early on a run play. Quickly to the outside for a stud. A good run fit by Stokes as well. Herman
Tipa and Hamilton just combined for a pressure in two minute drill against the ones. Great day for both. 2) Drop by Lazard in the end zone in red zone drills - nice pass rush by Preston. 3)Now La’Darius Hamilton busts through the line for a run stop. Love seeing Tipa & Hamilton showing up. 4) Hell of a job by Tipa holding the point of attack on a run by Jones. Marcedes was blocking him, that’s no easy task. And then Tipa follows it up with a pressure off the edge, possible he may have been pushed passes the QB but his presence was felt. Herman
DEFENSIVE BACKS:
Stop me if you’ve heard this before - Rico Gafford pbu. He’s been impressive. 2) And very next play Gafford is right on Toure and stops him in bounds for a very very short gain. Clock ticks. 3) Vernon Scott game winning pick in 2 minute drill on an awful decision from Love. 4) Darnell Savage with a diving pass break up in red zone. 5) Another player I’m very intrigued by is Rico Gafford. You can only keep 48 players active on game day and Gafford could be CB5, KR, Gunner, kick coverage, fg block, and I don’t think it’s impossible with his blazing speed and WR history that he could get a package on offense. Herman
Rodgers moves the 1s down to the 10 in 2 min but drive ends on what should have been a pick by Amos. Both he and Savage had great breaks during the plays in the red zone to deny potential touchdowns. Nagler
SPECIAL TEAMS:
As a jammer on punt return; Innis Gaines just jammed Donte Vaughn into the upside down. Gaines was jacked up after the play. Herman [I guess there is some contact in these early practices.]
Gabe Brkic 3/3 on FGs from 45, 47 and 49 just now. Last year’s Lou Groza Award finalist from Oklahoma continuing to get work with Mason Crosby (knee) sidelined. 2) Brkic goes 2/3 on his next set of FGs. Misses way left from 46, then hits from 50 and 52. Schneidman [These two tweets equate to making 5 of 6 attempts. However, I gather Brkic made 6 of 7 field goals, but I can find no information on the 6th field goal that he made. TGR]
Pat O’Donnell just crushed a punt and there were some ooo’s to be heard. He’s been impressive so far. 2) Amari Rodgers on a punt return gets vertical right away for a nice gain. Lots of horizontal running last season love to see the change there. Herman
First fight of camp is gonna be Rich Bisaccia and someone on special teams. Kids covering their ears all across Green Bay. Schneidman
Andy Herman's article on day five is worth a read and he joined Aaron Nagler for today's Let's Talk Football.
Photo courtesy of Mark Hoffman, USA Today
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Comments (29)
Thegreatreynoldo
August 01, 2022 at 09:02 pm
In many ways this was a "quiet" day at practice. The defense won the overall battle. Not many offensive plays to highlight. So far, there is good reason to believe that the Packers will have a darn good defense this year. Lots of changes in tone and probably personnel coming down the pike as to special teams. We haven't seen Nixon practice yet; one would think he is in play for a roster spot. There is no reason to think he won't be back soon, mind, and he has a body of work, a history, but availability is a thing.
As to the decision to suspend DeShaun Watson for 6 games, this was in the area expected, though up to a full season was thought to be in play, though it is on the lighter side. It looks like Judge Robinson felt bound to adhere to NFL precedents rather than making a ruling De Novo, that is, without regard to prior incidents and the punishments previously meted out by the NFL. That is a little different than what transpires in circuit courts around the country. While there are broad parameters, some judges apply harsher sentences than others on a regular basis. They do not always check the sentences of other judges to try to provide uniformity of outcome for similar offenses, at least not to the same degree that is possible with situations in the NFL. I have not read Judge Robinson's decision - heck, I just found out about it 30 minutes ago while looking at tweets. I probably will read it or a synopsis of it. I gather she looked at all previous punishments handed out by the NFL. To a certain extent, that institutionalizes prior decisions in today's NFL, which might well not be a good thing. It is a very judge-like way to look at things.
Coldworld
August 01, 2022 at 09:20 pm
I have only seen snippets of the findings of fact by the Judge, including his lack of candor and remorse. Based on those a shockingly lenient decision.
LLCHESTY
August 02, 2022 at 03:31 am
Didn't you say Drayton was a big yeller last year in camp? I'd like you to come back from camp and say RB is much more organized. Even if it's not true! Let us live the dream for two more weeks.
10ve 💚
August 02, 2022 at 07:27 am
There is yelling, and there is YELLING.
LLCHESTY
August 02, 2022 at 03:39 am
I'm sure that judge has heard the term habitual offender but maybe serial predator not so much. I also heard she went off the evidence the NFL gave her and they only interviewed a few of the women and more than one said they felt like they were being treated as the criminal during the interviews. They probably should hire independent investigators for the high publicity major cases but I guess that would cost money.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 02, 2022 at 05:21 am
The judge found that the NFL had proved their case (that there were sexual assaults) in four cases. I gather that the harshest precedent was a 3-game suspension of Jameis Winston for inappropriately touching an Uber driver without consent. [I don't know the nature or extent of that touching.]
I am not sure why the penalty was concurrent since these four cases were separated by time, place, and person. Four times 3-games is 12 games, and that sounds like the minimum to me. I guess Winston may have had a previous warning from the NFL about this kind of conduct, but that factor should not be significant enough to affect the punishment by this much.
Coldworld
August 02, 2022 at 11:28 am
To understand how she got to the punishment she did we would have to have read the agreed rules for the conduct of this tribunal. This is not a state or federal court. It’s set up by agreement between the union and NFL. Those two bodies set rules and parameters generally and maybe specifically here too.
Federal courts and most state courts have sentencing guidelines that are sometimes mandatory but always require justification in any ruling in which a judge deviates from them. In this case those have no relevance. This is not a criminal or civil trial in any real sense, it’s closer to a private arbitration despite the nature of the underlying acts at issue.
In such circumstances, all one should look at as significant are the findings of fact. That’s your judicial assessment if the issue. If you like the equivalent of the conclusions of a jury. As to the “sentence” one needs to know the terms established by the parties as to the options and frame of reference that it sets as parameters. I don’t know that that is publicly available.
In this case, one can look at the findings if fact and should then decide if the punishment fits based on those. We do not know how much discretion the judge had to match the punishment to her real assessment of an appropriate punishment. One very plausible reading of her decision is essentially an indictment of the leniency towards/tolerance of non physically violent sexual assaults in the part of the NFL.
She has clearly found that he did things that were not acceptable and both answered dishonestly and showed no sign of remorse. I read that as this guy is a serial sexual predator who does not see what he did as wrong or display any evidence that he will not repeat that behavior if the circumstances permit.
I’m starting to wonder if the Browns and the NFL are in their right minds, but, in my personal opinion, the findings scream for a much longer and more financially painful sanction. Quite frankly, they are damning.
Coldworld
August 01, 2022 at 09:24 pm
Doubs’ “drop” was an over high wobbler from Rodgers from what I was told. “Drop” is stretching it. Lazard, for once, had a bad drop.
Love threw his first howler of camp to get picked off by Scott who jumped in front and took it back. D in full pads might shake a few more on O tomorrow.
Toure is starting to turn up regularly on “key” downs.
Dillon had a spectacular catch down the seam. Is there a RB/TE hybrid position? Perhaps the best piece of adjusting and catching by a RB we will see this camp. Hopefully more to come from him in the passing game. Out of a dual RB look.
Amos was a stand out again, but dropped an interception off Rodgers after perhaps the defensive play of the day to break it up. SJC apparently had another good day as did Gafford. Gafford was also added to the punt return group I gather.
GregC
August 02, 2022 at 05:10 am
Thanks for the added info on the Doubs "drop." Receivers often get charged with drops on passes that are difficult to catch. I don't think those should be counted as drops.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 09:46 pm
Sounds like the offense really had its asses handed to them.
Swisch
August 01, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Let's hope the Vikings defense in the season opener seems rather easy to move the ball against compared to the Packers defense in training camp.
Swisch
August 01, 2022 at 10:34 pm
The competition among wide receivers is exciting, with now Toure apparently in the mix.
Winfree, Rodgers, and Doubs are three guys I'm picking as leading candidates to join Lazard in the rotation for the regular season, with Watkins a good possibility as well (and Watson getting worked in later) -- but I'm rooting for all of them.
Coldworld
August 01, 2022 at 11:01 pm
The real stuff starts to ramp up tomorrow…
Roadrunner23
August 01, 2022 at 10:54 pm
Thanks TGR 😎
Thegreatreynoldo
August 02, 2022 at 07:04 am
I just finished listening to Aaron's podcast with Andy Herman. I wondered about Jake Hanson. Though he is running with the ones at times and otherwise with the twos at guard, he apparently doesn't look ready to start at present. That was my suspicion. Hanson is more like Lucas Patrick, a project type they think can eventually be a backup at both guards slots and at center. Right now the coaches are looking to see if he can make a jump as he has made consistent improvement over the years. With two snaps over the head of the QB, the backup center will make the team. If Hanson is the backup OC, that's his ticket. I thought they might give Tom a crack at center, but so far most of his snaps have been at LT, with a few at RT. They might still do so as it might depend on how the situation at tackle shakes out with Bakh and Jenkins, and even if Nijman can make the move to RT.
Gary is a stud, but he is also beating someone(s) on the offensive line. Ditto for Jaire: he is a stud, but right now there have been no passes to his side. Last year AR targeted Adams when Jaire was in coverage, a battle that was fun to watch.
Apparently Rasul Douglas looks very good in the slot. That's not something I necessarily expected. It is a nice development and gives Barry a chance to disguise his coverage and matchups.
Guam
August 02, 2022 at 07:26 am
This may be common knowledge, but I was certainly unaware of it until the article in my local paper this morning. Hanson had a serious hip injury at the start of his rookie year and required surgery after the season. He spent most of that off-season rehabbing his hip and was unable to do much strength work.
Last year was really his "rookie year" for all practical purposes and this year will be his second year. Not trying to make excuses for the guy, but his development has been slowed by injury.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 02, 2022 at 11:20 am
Thanks. That is interesting. I didn't know that, or remember it if I did know it. Hanson did not earn an accrued season in 2020 (or a credited season, for that matter). He did earn an accrued season in 2021 and a credited season. So, he is earning the minimum for a person with one credited season, $825K. He is an ERFA this year and next, and only in 2024 does he become a RFA (assuming he accrues seasons). So, GB has control for a while, and can choose to give him time if they desire.
HarryHodag
August 02, 2022 at 08:18 am
Good to see a padded practice. I hope they have an offensive line combo set by the first preseason game. Cohesion is key to any offensive line and constant changes don't lead to cohesion.
One thing to remember is this is just practice. I think anyone who has played football at any level knows that some practices are good and many others just suck.
Interceptions in practice are frowned upon but don't forget that the defense knows what the offense is going to do. I remember during the Brett Favre times when the coaches told Darren Sharper(yes, I acknowledge Sharper's abhorrent criminal history but he was an outstanding player during his time in Green Bay) to lay off because he was intercepting Favre nearly every play because he knew what was coming. The receivers weren't being allowed to get enough catches because Sharper was picking them off.
It's nice to see the coaching staff has finally agreed to emphasize special teams.
PatrickGB
August 02, 2022 at 09:17 am
I was hoping the read about improvement from Love. With the defense playing well and the loss of Adams we might not see much improvement from Love in training camp. It’s now up to him to show improvement in preseason games. Aaron Rodgers is so good that any backup looks worse yet lack of improvement from Love is disheartening.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 02, 2022 at 11:23 am
I think the consensus was that Love looked much better in the first 4 practices, and in #5 he threw a bad interception I gather because he didn't see the defender. Mostly positive so far.
Coldworld
August 02, 2022 at 11:36 am
Rodgers threw a couple of bad ones too, one maybe two of which should have been interceptions. Mistakes are going to happen, even with the best.
Leatherhead
August 02, 2022 at 09:56 am
Thanks for this update, TGR. I always thought that the early part of camp was to take a look at everybody and see what you have, but since I've had it explained to me that players are moving up and down the depth chart based on making a couple of nice plays in a couple of practices, I'm paying more attention. I never realized coaches changed their minds based on a good practice or two, and always thought there was more long range thinking involved. I guess I'm wrong.
Tom at LT. When you are putting your line together, the very first question is Left Tackle. We know what we have in Bakhtiari, of course, but his availability is uncertain, as is Jenkins. We know what we have in Nijman, and he'll be the LT if the other two are unavailable. Tom looks like #4 behind those three.
Without Bakhtiari, our line is going to have Nijman at LT. I'd be really surprised if we started a rookie Day 3 guy protecting the QBs blind side. It has happened before, with Bakhtiari, but that was out of necessity, not design.
Coldworld
August 02, 2022 at 11:55 am
The only reason I could see Tom at left and Nijman at right is that both Bakh and Jenkins are not available. Nijman is a whole lot bigger and more powerful. Left T is typically seen as a more finesse position. It’s easy to forget that Nijman is an off the charts physical specimen. I don’t think it’s likely, but that’s one possibility.
It’s also at least possible that CVL, Newman, Walker or even Jones could back up at right by the end of camp. I don’t see that option at LT. Fingers crossed, but Nijman could get hurt in a game or preseason too. One has to have back ups and it looks like Rhyan is being groomed to be that at G (or start if Newman had to kick outside), with Hanson at C and interior swing.
The big test starts now. Both for the OL and the OLB/DL. Now we will start to see who can sustain blocks in both the pass and run game. To date it’s been largely ballet.
For any who don’t recall, Nijman’s combine & pro day: https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=27793
It’s worth noting that the one metric that kept him from being a 10 improved dramatically at his pro day. He has quickness and power. He had no technique. That’s likely to continue to improve with reps.
Leatherhead
August 02, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Coldworld....you put your best available guy at LT if you're a passing team with a right handed QB. You just do. Then your center, because he handles the ball on every play and calls out the blocking assignments. A good center makes both of your guards better.
After that, you'd put your RT in place, then the LG, and lastly the RG, which is the least important spot. Ron Wolf said he could find a RG anywhere .
I think they're working Nijman at both tackle spots because if Bakhtiari is good to go, then Nijman is a good swing backup. I believe our starting RT will be Newman, and Runyan will be our LG.
Coldworld
August 02, 2022 at 04:24 pm
I think if it’s just Bakh available, he’s left T, Nijman is right. Tom backs up at left and A.N. other at right from those I listed.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 02, 2022 at 12:26 pm
I think the early part of camp is to look at everybody, or at least a lot of players, as much as possible. They looked at Tom at LT and RT. They looked at Hanson at RG. They looked at Menet at OC. I haven't read anything about the other OCs. Runyan and Myers haven't moved elsewhere, IIRC. Newman played RG and RT at times. Van Laanen is getting a long look. Haven't heard about them cross-training Rhyan, just that he has been with the twos at RG. I think that might be indicative of something. Tom gets cross trained right away, but not Rhyan, which just might mean that Tom is so technically sound already that moving him around won't set him back. At CB, they looked at Vaughn, Ento and Gafford quite a bit. I assume Nixon will get reps if he gets healthy. Shawn Davis and Scott have gotten reps. If Carpenter and Gaines are getting reps, the media isn't mentioning them. Jean Charles got some reps.
Sorry, that got long-winded. I don't know that guys are moving up or down the depth chart all that often at present. I'd guess that all but the real fringe guys have time to change the mind of the coaches/FO, and even they can fight for a PS spot. [So am I arguing that you shouldn't pay attention this early to TC and articles about it? LOL]
Cutdowns from 90 to 85 are due 3:00 PM on August 16. That's the first scrimmage with NYJ. My candidates for release are Hyman, Caleb Jones, Ellis Brooks, Clary and Schneider. Byers, OT Moore, and Osirus Mitchell also should fight hard. It seems possible that NYJ will have released their 5 players before the scrimmage. GB might release some prior to practice.
Guys are muffing punts left and right in today's practice. That might get your attention! LOL
Leatherhead
August 02, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Muffing punts.....
Catching punts is not as easy as it often looks. The ball spins, and sometimes it curves a little, and sometime the wind is blowing. Trajectories aren't always the same. Making a clean catch isn't a given, and I don't care who is doing it. Add in that you might get your clock cleaned at any moment and it's not surprising to me that you have muffed punts. That's part of the reason why I'd fair catch every punt and not worry about the 6 yard return we hope to get.
Coldworld
August 02, 2022 at 04:27 pm
I hate to say it, but injuries will play a role before cut downs almost inevitably. Also, some players will emerge once they settle and contact becomes the norm, while others do not.
LambeauPlain
August 02, 2022 at 10:17 am
Thanks, TGR! Keep these coming. There are some good practice day performance recaps (Packer Report)...but this one is the best. I enjoy how you mix in first hand observations from other Packer reporters, too.