The NFL has a way of coming up with new names for old things. Like Training Camp. In this Camp-Covid atmosphere of 2020, the league thought it best to declare the opening couple of weeks the “acclimation” period, followed by the “ramp-up” to the regular season now less than three weeks away.
Well, the Packers “ramp-up” took a big step today with the second practice conducted inside Lambeau Field. It was in full pads and Head Coach Matt LaFleur hinted Monday it might be the most physically taxing practice to date and it looked to me like he got that right.
After warm-ups and some individual drills, the team 11 on 11 for three straight periods and ran nearly 40 plays in a variety of situations. A special teams reprieve was next followed by a couple more competitive team periods.
LaFleur said afterwards there was a good flow to the practice as both he and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine are a bit out of practice in play calling. The team sessions were competitive and covered several situations. There was a move the ball period, third down, backed up and red zone.
Among the highlights:
Aaron Rodgers talked Monday about seeing something in a cut-up during meetings from the 2010 season that he’s applied to his practice and whatever it was, it’s working. He has been razor sharp throwing the ball and in the first team period, he hit Davante Adams on a 20 yard sit down route, later, it was a 70 yard touchdown down the middle to Allen Lazard and the best came in the two minute drive when he hit Adams again with a perfect throw on a corner-fade route for a 15 yard score where Adams high-pointed the ball in between tight coverage from Adrian Amos and Jaire Alexander.
Both Jamaal Williams and rookie A.J. Dillon displayed good vision when play side holes weren’t there but they slid to open lanes and got big yards on the ground.
The defense had it’s moments too as young linebackers Ty Summers and rookie Kamal Martin continue to make good reads with decisive pops during the thud run snaps. More on Martin in a bit.
The Packers starting front seven applied consistent pressure against the first team offensive line, Rashan Gary might have had two sacks if the plays were blown dead.
Red zone defense was a strength last year and even though Adams snared a TD, the defense forced field goals on each of the next three possessions.
Safety Raven Greene, defensive tackle Montravius Adams and offensive tackle Rick Wagner are still on the sidelines with injury. A couple others were forced out of practice, defensive back Kabian Ento, defensive end Willington Previlon and linebacker Randy Ramsey were all led to the locker room by members of the training staff.
Once again, the team practiced with a steady drone of fan noise and music piped through the loudspeakers as they get used to not having any fans in the stands. The Minnesota Vikings announced today they won’t have any fans for their first two home games (just like the Packers) and that of course ill include the regular season opener between the two division rivals at US Bank Stadium on September 13.
For the first time since draft weekend, reporters got to visit with Kamal Martin after practice.
5th Round Pick Kamal Martin
Jordan Love certainly got the headlines, A.J. Dillon’s legs have received plenty of run, Josiah Deguara’s versatility is intriguing but the one rookie who has stood out the most is Martin. He fell to the 5th round because his senior season at the University of Minnesota was cut short because of a knee injury that forced him to miss the Golden Gophers bowl game. The only learning of his new Packer playbook took place on an I-pad because of the virtual off-season. But since began, Martin has made an eye opening play almost every day. Another came today when he burst through the line to wallop a runner for another loss of yardage. Martin talked about his knee injury, his off-season and why he’s been able to get noticed when his introduction to the NFL has been such a challenge.
The players will enjoy a day off Wednesday as the “Ramp Up” has reached the half-way point of a Pre-Season-less training camp.
