Packers Practice Roundup - August 7, 2023
The Packers had a shorter practice today as they prepare to fly to Cincinnati tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS:
The Packers signed RB Nate McGlary, a big back at 6', 220 pounds, with a ridiculous RAS score of 9.42. TGR
The Packers have signed RB Nate McCrary, an undrafted free agent in 2021 who has been with Denver, Baltimore, Carolina and Cleveland, mostly on the practice squad. He fills the spot opened by the release of QB Danny Etling. Silverstein
Rashan Gary was removed from the PUP list and placed on the 90-man roster. Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Dubose, are practicing. TGR
Rashan Gary isn’t saying he’ll be ready Week 1, but he’s got big plans got this fall. Asked what kind of season he would’ve had if he finished ‘22: “Last year is last year. I just know it would’ve been high. But I’ve got this year to come up with what I need to come up with.” [Gary is just doing individual drills for now. TGR] 2) Matt LaFleur on joint practices with Bengals: "I wish Joe (Burrow) would be practicing. Not to say that he's not, but I'm guessing he's not going to be."Wood
Practice ends after an hour and 21 minutes with a nice red zone showing for the No. 1 offense. Love with consecutive TD passes — a slant to Doubs and sidearm flick to Musgrave against Walker. 2)
Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Sean Clifford and Alex McGough fighting it out for the backup QB job after Etling's release. "Nothing's ever permanent in this league. We'll just see how these guys go about their business." Said Clifford has "some gamer to him." Demovsky
LaFleur on Sean Clifford: “He’s done a lot of great things. I think he’s got some gamer to him. Even when he hasn’t made the best of decisions…he is a pretty resilient guy and able to bounce back, and that’s something you can’t coach.” Bretl
That does it for practice. Players of the day: Darnell Savage; David Bakhtiari; and Rasul Douglas. Jayden Reed and Tyler Goodson had nice days as well. 2) I can't stress enough how amazing Rasul Douglas has looked in camp so far. He's been fantastic. Herman
Jordan Love finishes practice with TD passes on two consecutive plays in low red zone. Bullet to Doubs on a slant and one to a wide-open Musgrave on a crosser. Short practice today before tomorrow’s flight to Cincy. Schneidman
INJURIES:
Gaines - Quad; Nichols - Shoulder, Per Packers PR. Also Deguara remains out. Full not practicing: Hanson Gaines Nichols Deguara Stokes. Herman
QUARTERBACKS/WIDE RECEIVERS:
[Love Red Zone Take One:] Red zone for Love. 1. Incomplete to Watson. Nowhere to go was basically a throw away. Great coverage by Rasul. 2. Quay on a blitz. Offensive line holds up. Love throws a jump ball to Davis but it’s high and Savage had great coverage. 3. Love to Goodson in the flat for a TD with the ones. All Goodson does is make plays. 4. Love scrambles. Quay spying and all over it. 5. JAYDEN REED in the backfield. McDuffie can’t stick with him. Easy td from Love to Reed in the flat. 6. Love incomplete to Toure. Great defense on a designed rollout. Herman
Love red zone take 2: Great coverage downfield but Kenny Clark will take the coverage sack. Rasul all over Doubs on a quick out. Doubs with a short catch. Love throws a would be pick to Valentine but he drops it, goes right through his hands and Reed comes up with in the back of the end zone for a TD. TJ Slaton all over Aaron Jones in the backfield for a TFL. Love with a fantastic read on a blitz. Gets the ball out quick to Doubs on a slant for a TD. Moore on it quick but not quick enough. Love - Musgrave - money. Quay in coverage. Musgrave is going to get open a lot. Herman
Offense struggling in all phases until Goodson has a nice run to the left. 1’s back out there. Love throws a perfect ball deep to Doubs but Doubs can’t hold on. Contest by Nixon but that’s a drop. Nice run by Dillon with a great block by Pearson on Quay. 2) Carrington Valentine getting the start with the 1s on defense. Seems they may be getting ready for preseason as Jaire not on the field. Love starts practice with a throw right to Darnell Savage for a would be pick-6. Dillon and Jones have 3 straight runs going nowhere. Van Ness all over one of them. Herman
Defense responds with much better 3rd & goal drill than Family Night. Only allowed one TD in 6 reps. Lone TD was Jordan Love pass on 3rd & goal from 4 to Jayden Reed on an out route, covered by Isaiah McDuffie. Note: Opposing DCs are not going to want to cover Reed with a LB. 2) Jordan Love targets Romeo Doubs on a slant route to start term periods, and Darnell Savage undercuts it for an easy pick. Jaire Alexander tells the QB to wake up, loud enough for everyone to hear. It’s a Monday even in camp. Wood
It was another up and down day from Jordan Love that included some wow throws, but also, for really the first time all training camp, a couple poor decisions into coverage. Herman
TIGHT ENDS:
Tyler Davis has stood out as a blocker, an important aspect of playing TE and one that comes with a steep learning curve for many rookies. “..we are probably going to have to rely on him a little bit more” [Davis played 174 snaps in 2022. TGR] Bretl
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:
Starting OL in walkthroughs: Bakh - Jenkins - Myers - Runyan - Tom. 2) Walker - Newman - Empey - Rhyan - Jones your #2 OL. 3)Nijman rotating in at RT with Tom. Tom now rotating in at C for Myers. The competition continues. [So, Nijman isn't listed with the ones or the twos, but he is a cut above the twos and at worst would push one of the tackles on the #2 OL down to #3. TGR] Herman
Fumbled snaps are contagious. Two consecutive fumbled exchanges between Alex McGough and Cole Schneider on the third team. 2)
Zach Tom first right tackle on a day David Bakhtiari is on the field. There’s still a long way to go, but he looks like the leader at that position over Yosh Nijman. Wood
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN:
Karl Brooks was in backfield a couple more times with twos. For all those wrestling fans out there, he practically hit a sling blade on Wilson for a thud tackle. Hodkiewicz
LINEBACKERS:
Van Ness bringing the intensity in run defense today. His second stop already. 2)A saw some questions initially about Arron Mosby’s position - DE, OLB, or ILB - but he’s been with the edge/OLB group so far, as most expected. Herman
Asked Tariq Carpenter after his two-INT night who's been most helpful with his switch to ILB. He singled one out: Rich Bisaccia. Schneidman
SECONDARY:
Jonathan Owens still getting starting safety reps. Wood
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Anders Carlson first the field goals today, kicking into wind with left-to-right crossing breeze: XP good 44L good 45R hit left upright. 2) Three more from Anders Carlson, each into a stiff wind: 49R good 50L good 51M good. Wood
Photo courtesy of Tork Mason, USA Today Network
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Comments (21)
Thegreatreynoldo
August 07, 2023 at 10:59 pm
I had forgotten that the Packers will have a joint practice with the Bengals this week. That's because it will take place in Cincinnati, so it was not on my agenda. That should be interesting. The Packers have a preseason game in Cincinnati on Friday. The Packers have a practice open to the public in GB on Monday, August 14, and then joint practices with the New England Patriots on Wednesday and Thursday, August 16 and 17.
I expected that Reed would command the attention of a safety or a cornerback, but it is good to read that that is the case. I remember a linebacker running step for step with Cobb towards the end of his first stint in GB before he signed with Dallas. (I don't remember which LB: it could have been one of those uber-athletic guys for all I remember.)
Goodson is a good runner, gadget player, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. To be RB #3, how good does he have to be in these facets, and will the Packers tolerate it if he can't pick up the blitz or contribute on STs? I see Patrick Taylor and Gaines (mentioned Gaines in case roster spots in general get tight) on the kick return team with Nixon as the returner. The Packers want that to be a weapon. To be clear, I don't remember a single drill being run so far with RBs in pass protection, so I don't know how Goodson looks in that department. I have never read about Goodson being on any ST unit.
Good to read that Van Ness is concerned about run defense. A lot of camp so far has seen the defensive linemen penetrating rather than reacting - that is, being stout, reacting, shedding the block and making the tackle. We shall see how things look when things get real. That should happen Friday, and I want to watch Brooks in particular in run defense. Wyatt as well, just not sure how much Wyatt will play, but we should see some of Wooden, Brooks, and Chris Slayton (had to check the roster to see if he was still in Green Bay - he is). Slayton is a guy who got some buzz initially and this year has dropped off the face of the earth.
Love has done a lot of good things. He has not taken over gangbusters, and then again, he hasn't been terrible. Some great throws, some misses, generally good with taking care of the ball and making good decisions, and knows the offense and where to go with the ball if things break down. Too early for me to predict how he will be in 23023, much less 2024 and beyond. I am cautiously optimistic, that would be a fair way to describe my feelings.
Coldworld
August 08, 2023 at 12:13 am
A lot of things look positive. However, the interior DL success is exciting in one sense, but also really worrying in another. We simply don’t seem to be able to keep the pocket clean consistently for Love and we don’t seem to be able to get anything going between the tackles in the run game. The Bengals should be a good test of how good our DL and OL really are.
My question with Goodson is not just the protection one you pose, with which I agree, but how much will he see the field even if he hold up well there. Will they just use Reed and maybe Watson or another WR when it comes down to it? I do believe a good coach gets Goodson on the field last year as a slot option (avoiding the protection issue), but this year there’s other valid candidates with talent. I want him there, but if we don’t use him, others may be more valuable as used.
It’s interesting that a S moving to ILB mentions Bissacia not a position coach or DC as his biggest source of help to do so. I’m
Not so sure that’s how it ought to be, this was after all Barry’s area as a positional coach, but it would seem Bissacia’s reach had expanded at least to the D.
Good to see Savage (indeed any S) making a splash play. Let’s hope it is more than a one off. Thanks again for this compendium of the practice day. It’s time to see how we hold up to real contact and how we look against players we aren’t familiar with.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 08, 2023 at 02:13 am
Agreed about Tariq Carpenter's pointing to Bissacia. I suppose that Carpenter played mostly STs last year, and then there was the decision to move him to hybrid LB. The two may have had a lot of interaction. Still, it was interesting enough to include in the article.
greengold
August 08, 2023 at 07:22 am
Jordan Love is bringing a lot more to this Packers offense, really opening things up with his willingness to work the middle of the field than in years past with Aaron Rodgers.
I read Bill Huber’s mention that the Packers are now using a lot of 12 & 21 personnel with pre snap motion, much of this directed at the middle. Music to my ears. I love hearing they are working 2 TEs and 2 RBs more.
Sounds like Love has had his fair share of slow starts with big finishes, like we saw on Family Night. Huber mentioned he finished altogether Monday 5 for 5 with 4 TDs on Monday. Two of them to Reed. One where Reed broke away for a TD on Isaiah McDuffie to end a red zone period.
In Love’s next red zone period he went 4 for 4. His last 3 throws went for TDs. Reed, streaking across end zone, ball went right through Valentines hands and Reed was there to snag the TD with a toe tapper in back of end zone. (Should have been a Valentine pick. Doubs on a slant, breaking through Moore for the score. The last to Musgrave who found a hole in the zone, which he is quite adept at finding.
Love finished the day 6 for 11 with 4 TDs and 1 INT (Savage).
Huber also mentioned Kenny Clark making some big plays. One blowing past Tom at C to stuff Dillon for a TFL. Later had a sack on Love.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 09, 2023 at 01:41 pm
TGR, thanks for this! I figured yesterday's practice would be short so didn't want to commit to the long drive for this one.
"To be RB #3, how good does he have to be in these facets, and will the Packers tolerate it if he can't pick up the blitz or contribute on STs?"
MLF has already said no. I think part of that is we're deep with gadget players in Musgrave, Reed, Heath, Melton, and maybe others. Goodson still brings something they don't IMHO.
Reed picking off a ball tipped by the defense does NOT surprise me! He's been amazing that I've seen. He deserves opportunity IMHO. He might get used as a returner as well.
I have high hopes for JL10 being able to react well under pressure and extend plays, and hope to never see it :)
I remain most focused on developing O linemen. SO much talent! A real chance to see our coaching staff in action ...
croatpackfan
August 08, 2023 at 02:26 am
Thank you very much TGR. You are mine (and so for bunch of others) eyes and ears in this TC (and past ones).
What was interesting for me to read is "wake up" call from Jaire. Does that call wake up Jordan?
T7Steve
August 08, 2023 at 07:57 am
As soon as I read about the "wake up" I said to myself, "I bet that wasn't really directed at Love." It may have looked and sounded like that, but I bet it was directed at the coaches or someone on the D that missed an assignment.
greengold
August 08, 2023 at 04:29 am
Love the off schedule sidearm flicks from Love.
Musgrave on the receiving end of more and more TDs as TC progresses. That’s a connection we all want to see grow. Speaking of connecting for TDs… Jayden Reed seems to be right there with Musgrave. Wow. Could prove to be an amazing set of back to back picks. Kraft comes on and it’s back to back to back!
Appreciating Gutekunst’s Zach Tom Pick #140 in 2022.
From my draft notes:
—
Arguably the best combine numbers of any tackle in the class.
Earned highest pass blocking grade of all the OTs in college football 2021 92.1 Mirroring ability keeps him at OT.
—
LVN’s run stop abilities are what I felt set him apart from other EDGE rushers in that 2023 draft class. Looking forward to seeing that pay dividends this year, AND to seeing Hercules opposite Gary when he’s able to start again!
Brooks with a “sling blade” on a “thud tackle.” I owe WesHod a root beer on that one.
Mosby is a very interesting new addition to that OLB Room. I can’t wait to see more from him.
Schneidman piece on Tariq Carpenter was excellent. Carpenter went on to say Rich Bisaccia actually visited Tariq at his home during the off-season just to check on him, and make sure he was running. Wow. Bisaccia seems like a truly great man & coach. Carpenter went onto say how meaningful that was to him.
Carlson went 5-6 on FGs for the day, on a windy day at that. If I’m not mistaken, I believe his running total for TC has climbed to 30 makes on 40 attempts. 75%!!!!!! WOW!
Great stuff, TGR! Thank you for this.
NickPerry
August 08, 2023 at 06:01 am
I read that too. I'm really happy RB is here still!
greengold
August 08, 2023 at 06:11 am
Agree, Nick. We’re very fortunate to have Rich Bisaccia on our coaching staff in Green Bay. What a great gesture, though. Tariq was effusive in explaining how much his unexpected visit meant to him.
croatpackfan
August 08, 2023 at 11:04 am
greengold, I believe last season was one of the best in near Packers history of hiring coaching staff. Last season 2 very important coach for todays Packers were hired - Tom Clements and Rich Bisaccia. Both are very important for future Packers progress.
I read a lot of statements for former Bisaccia players and everybody were saying common thing: We would run throug the thick brick wall for him. That is how you recognize true players coach.
All QB coached by Tom Clements only praised him at the highest level. What else to be said about his knowledge and work with young or no so young QBs?
SicSemperTyrannis
August 09, 2023 at 01:46 pm
GG,
I'd never be able to keep up with all this without CHTV. Other sources have had good stuff recently, but still nothing matching the quality and detail we get here!
Of all the developments you list here, which is the most significant?
"Yes!" (All of them)
GPG
ReaganRulz
August 08, 2023 at 07:01 am
I’m typically an optimist, but today is the first day that I’m starting to worry about Love. The one thing that has been consistent is his inconsistency. He’s not a rookie and has played plenty in previous training camps and preseason games. Yet all of the reporters from training camp talk about his inconsistency and making bad decisions more than he should at this point of his career. And this is just training camp with red jerseys.
I like so much about this team and hopeful that our strengths will help lead to a successful season. But I’m fearful that Love is going to turn into another Mariotta or a lackluster starter with little upside. Hope that I’m wrong!!
T7Steve
August 08, 2023 at 08:07 am
With a TEAM around him he can get away with "lackluster" this season. They'll grow and learn together.
Without a whole TEAM it won't matter if he's Joe Montana or even Aaron Rodgers (as we've found out). This season is all about the coaches being able to make a TEAM.
greengold
August 08, 2023 at 08:42 am
ReaganRulz, I get where you’re coming from, but our D is arguably better than we’ve known previously, with better players infused on that D roster, and they know what our O is doing, having faced them everyday in practice.
I think like in determining strengths/weaknesses at many of our position groups, the live action against other teams will tell us more about what we actually have with the QB group of Love/Clifford/McGough.
Figure in TC Love’s throwing against the 1s with Rasul & Jaire, both of whom look improved from last year, with possibly the biggest pass rush we’ve had on D in years. Quay & Campbell in the middle are formidable too. Then we have Tariq Carpenter & Isaiah McDuffie coming on.
Packers interior D is looking very, very strong, and they’re getting pressures & sacks. When have we last seen THAT?
I’m not the least bit worried about Love, and it’s great to see the constant pressure he’s been under from our D. That’s with a pretty damn good OL.
I think this defense is going to ROCK, and it ALWAYS starts up front.
ReaganRulz
August 08, 2023 at 02:04 pm
I hope that you and Steve are right!!
T7Steve
August 08, 2023 at 02:30 pm
The last time I thought I was wrong, I was mistaken.
greengold
August 09, 2023 at 02:36 pm
Hot DAMN, that's great, Steve! Well done.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 09, 2023 at 01:54 pm
RR -
several things contribute to this. One, our defense knows JL10 better than anyone else he will face. The main thing I saw JL10 do poorly in practice is throw into crowds, 50/50 ball at best. As a strategy I'd like to see him stop that, and ONLY target wide open players. Other than that run game including TEs, and RBs as receivers. Getting the ball out quickly helps the O line. Dink and dunk is league wide. Once the O line establishes dominance, then JL10 has time to look for WRs. And wow do we have depth! Going air raid early could backfire and in a big way I'm afraid.
I think this type of strategy or something like it could work very well. Excited (and a bit anxious) to see what they actually do in this respect ...
Since'61
August 08, 2023 at 08:02 am
Great work again TGR. Keep'em coming. It seems like Brooks is consistently doing good things on defense. I think he becomes a contributor for the Packers defense in 2023. Thanks, Since '61
SicSemperTyrannis
August 09, 2023 at 02:01 pm
61,
I've been hoping to learn more about our O linemen and especially depth. So far I don't have a clear picture but I consider it a good "problem" that D linemen are emerging! #93, 95, 96 making lots of noise, plenty of room for 94 & 99 :)
Edge rushers not being considered linemen but OLB seems odd to me but I hope to see them disrupt! More than three great options there