The Packers lightened up the physical but increased the mental load as they continued to prepare for Sunday night’s home opener against the Chicago Bears.
A helmets and shorts practice covered the last major pieces of the game plan installation, going under two hours on Clarke Hinkle Field.
A couple of the individual drills (the only period we’re allowed to watch) were still telling as to what the Packers have in store from their oldest rivals.
For the offensive players, it was ball security. From the days of Mike Ditka, through the Lovie Smith era and even under first year Head Coach Matt Eberflus, the former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, takeaways are paramount. The Bears have always prided themselves on strip sacks, punch outs and the Packers (Aaron Rodgers surprisingly last week) were too generous with a couple of giveaways.
On the defensive side…
It was a coordinated, containment pass rush drill, designed to keep the wraps on young Justin Fields as much as possible. The defense had every available player taking part aside from linebacker Krys Barnes who went on injured reserve earlier this week.
The offense got a second straight practice from Allen Lazard and its looking more and more likely he will make his season debut Sunday night.
The Thursday injury report had only two changes, but one might be reason for concern. David Bakhtiari did not participate after being a limited participant in pads on Wednesday. A local photographer captured some video of Bakhtiari being very tentative, if not slightly limping after a fundamental drill. Head Coach Matt LaFleur downplayed that saying before practice that Bakhtiari got through Wednesday’s work just fine, he looked good. LaFleur went on to explain that this will be the plan for the All Pro left tackle moving forward, even if and when he gets final medical clearance to play. It will be a day on, day off approach for Bakhtiari, he won’t be asked to practice for three consecutive games. His return to the field still appears to be a week or more away.
The only other change involved tight end Marcedes Lewis. He got his usual Thursday veteran’s day of rest.
The remaining players on the report had the same status, Lazard and Elgton Jenkins were listed as limited, although Jenkins is only listed as having a knee injury, the pectoral injury that appeared on recent reports has gone away.
Jon Runyan remains in the concussion protocol and didn’t practice again. Jake Hanson, Quay Walker and Keisean Nixon were full participants for the second straight day and are expected to play.
A quick comment from Aaron Rodgers during his media session Wednesday has been getting a lot of attention. When asked why Amari Rodgers didn’t get a single offensive snap against the Vikings after a promising training camp, the quarterback simply stated “he’s a nice returner for us right now, that’s all I got on that.” Some interpreted Rodgers wasn’t pleased with the second year receiver somehow but Amari said he’s not put off by it. He said he’ll handle his role on special teams, he’ll keep working every day and if an opportunity comes on offense, he’ll be ready.
Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said after practice Rodgers indeed has a role in the offense. What’s in the plan for week one may not be the same as in week five. He pointed to rookie Zach Tom, on the bench to start the game but when Runyan went down, he was thrown in. Rodgers just didn’t have his number called against the Vikings but there will be time down the road when he’ll be utilized.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry explained why Jaire Alexander didn’t get his wish to cover Justin Jefferson exclusively last week. While Alexander is more than worthy of handling that role, Barry said allowing one player to match up impacts the other 10 on defense and he felt the best plan was playing more zone. Complicating matters was how the Vikes lined Jefferson up in multiple spots and kept him in motion. Barry admitted he may have a different plan for Minnesota in the rematch at the end of the year.
The Packers announced Sunday night’s game will welcome alumni and it’s quite a list of former players coming back.
The alumni will be introduced on the field at halftime of Sunday’s game and those planning to attend include: Donny Anderson, Marv Fleming, Jim Grabowski, Don Horn, Jerry Kramer, Dave Robinson, Willie Buchanon, Mike Butler, Lynn Dickey, Johnnie Gray, Chester Marcol, David Whitehurst, John Anderson, Paul Coffman, Gary Ellerson, Gerry Ellis, Ron Hallstrom, Tim Harris, Eddie Lee Ivery, Perry Kemp, Mark Lee, Karl Swanke, Vince Workman, Gilbert Brown, LeRoy Butler, Vinnie Clark, Don Davey, Santana Dotson, Antonio Freeman, Sean Jones, Paul McJulien, Andre Rison, Bill Schroeder, Harry Sydney, Frank Winters, Sam Barrington, Jarrett Bush, Ahman Green, Pat Lee, Andy Mulumba, Chukie Nwokorie, Josh Sitton, Jason Spitz, Ryan Taylor, Frank Zombo.
In addition, Eddie Lee Ivery and Ron Hallstrom will appear at the Lambeau Field Atrium on Saturday to sign autographs from 11:00 AM to Noon.
