Day two of Phase III of the Green Bay Packers off-season program allowed the media to observe the organized team activities taking place on Clarke Hinkle Field today.
Dominating the conversation along the sidelines, just as it is across all of Packer nation, was the noticeable absence of Aaron Rodgers and the arrival of Jordan Love working as the number one quarterback for the first time.
The reigning MVP spoke publicly about his rift with the organization for the first time Monday night in an interview with Kenny Mayne as part of his final ESPN SportsCenter broadcast. He talked of how much he loved the fans, the teammates, coaching staff and even Jordan Love but also mentioned a different philosophy and culture in the organization, presumably referring to the front office tandem of GM Brian Gutekunst and President Mark Murphy.
Caught in the middle of course is Head Coach Matt LaFleur who fielded several questions about his AWOL QB from the voluntary OTA sessions and what he’ expecting from the second year understudy.
Love handled every rep with the first team offense in brief 11 on 11 work and two sets of 7 on 7 drills. That certainly exceeded his career practice total from a rookie year where he was the inactive number 3 all season.
Love did complete 7 of 10 passes in each 7 on 7 drill, mostly short and intermediate routes but did show zip on a seam route to Robert Tonyan.
The only other quarterback taking part in the opening two practices was free agent Kurt Benkert. Veteran Blake Bortles was in attendance, but not in uniform, doing a little light work on the side.
Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the only big name absent either. The wide receiver corps was missing Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Equanimeous St. Brown and Devin Funchess.
On the opening snap of a team period, Malik Taylor, Reggie Begelton and third round pick Amari Rodgers were the receivers. With David Bakhtiari mending from ACL surgery, the offensive line had Elgton Jenkins at left tackle, Jon Runyan at left guard, second round pick Josh Myers at center, Lucas Patrick at right guard and Billy Turner at right tackle.
Number one pick Eric Stokes was running with the ones in the opening nickel package, along with Chandon Sullivan, Josh Jackson, Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos. Jaire Alexander has not arrived yet and Kevin King came out for practice late after working with trainers inside the Hutson Center and he didn’t take any on-field snaps.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry had Kenny Clark and Kingsley Keke on the defensive line with Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary and Krys Barnes at linebacker.
After practice, three veterans, Amos, Clark and Jones met the media via zoom and guess who was the focus for each?
Amos doesn’t think the Rodgers drama will permeate through the locker room this early in the off-season and he understands the nature of the “business” of pro football.
The team will take a break from on-field work Wednesday and return for a third, 90 minute practice on Thursday.
