Got a last look at the boys before training camp as the Packers put in the final days of voluntary organized team activities and wrap up Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s third off-season program.
Needless to say, it was skeleton crew on Clarke Hinkle Field for the last practice the media was able to observe. You could count on one hand the number of veterans who played significant snaps last year still attending, with a notable participant in All Pro running back Aaron Jones.
Aaron Jones taking part in final week of OTA’s.
Krys Barnes, Josh Jackson and Ty Summers were also among the vets who’ll finish out the OTA’s.
A couple of players who worked earlier in camp, dressed but only observed. Tight ends Dominique Dafney and Issac Hauta along with receiver Chris Blair
As has been the case all month, Jordan Love got the yeoman’s work at quarterback whenever 11 of 11 drills took place.
After the 90 minute practice, reporters got to visit with the team’s top three draft choices.
Eric Stokes (21) runs a drill.
Number one pick Eric Stokes, the Georiga cornerback, had one of the highlight plays on the practice field when he jumped an out route and picked off a left rolling Jordan Love for an interception that would have gone to the house. Stokes said the play was the result of advice from secondary coach Jerry Gray as the process of understanding NFL cornerback play has begun:
Eric also couldn’t say enough about working last week’s mandatory mini camp with Jaire Alexander who very quickly in his career, has blossomed into a top flight corner. Stokes said he constantly talked with Alexander about the finer points of coverage and ball awareness. Jaire’s physical pass break up early in camp (with no pads) on a sideline route got Eric’s attention right away. Stokes said he also passed along wisdom on working when no one is watching, getting prepared to practice, doing the study work. Stokes’ speed is unmistakable, how he harnesses that and picks up those finer points will get him on the field plenty this fall.
Second round pick Josh Myers was next.
The Ohio State center has jumped right into the fray on the Pack’s offensive line, getting nearly every snap at center when the first team offense took the field. Granted it wasn’t the expected starting five for the regular season with David Bakhtiari working on the side and Elgton Jenkins stuck in Covid Protocols but the 6-5, 310 pounder certainly looks the part. While nothing is guaranteed, it looks like Myers will get every opportunity to succeed another former Buckeye in Corey Linsley in the middle of the offensive line. Myers spoke about running with the one’s and trying to digest a new vocabulary of play calls, blocking calls and checks, not to mention actually snapping the ball.
Myers said the toe injury suffered late last season in Ohio State’s playoff run held up well. He gritted out the post season before getting it fixed and even with the number one snaps the past month, it feels good. Josh also said he had fun getting acclimated to Green Bay and had some help from native and fellow draft pick Josh VanLanen. VanLanen said Myers, was most hospitable, having fellow rookies over to his parent’s home in Suamico and talking about how special it is to be a home grown kid working as a Packer.
The final session of the day was conducted by Amari Rodgers. The third round receiver from Clemson is a true slot route runner, but in a running back’s body. He moves impressively and has made plays, even when against the front line defense. Scouted as a quick study during his days at Clemson, Rodgers said that trait was beneficial, as was having All Pro Davante Adams take him under his wing.
Of course, Amari was the ONLY Rodgers in town for the off-season program and OTA’s. The other Rodgers, Aaron, still made news however.
Taking part in a video promotion for the latest episode of “The Match” on July 6, Rodgers was joined by Tom Brady who will play with Phil Mickelson, along with Aaron’s partner, Bryson DeChambeau. Rodgers was apparently asked in jest how his “low profile” and “peaceful” off-season was going.
Rodgers, donning a black T-shirt with the words “I’m Offended” over a yellow frowning face, said, “It’s been one of those quiet off-seasons you dream about, where you can kind of just go through your process on your own, quietly, and that’s all you can ask for as an older player in the league and someone who’s been around for a long time and just enjoys time to yourself, just relax, to not be bothered, to not have any obligations or anything going on. It’s been about really enjoying my time and spending it where I want to spend it not felling Like I have to go anywhere, but still be an NFL player at the same time, it’s been great.”
That seems all well and good, aside from the wardrobe which got plenty of social media attention.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, the dust is still settling from Mark Murphy’s weekend quip. After answering a fan question on the team’s website monthly column where Murphy said the Rodgers “situation” has divided the fan base and the less publicly said about it the better, Murphy regurgitated a Ted Thompson line about Rodgers, once calling him a “complicated fella”.
The “situation” as it were, seems to be dissolving into one-upmanship pettiness. Communication mis-steps and inference have been at the heart of the MVP’s beef and they’re continuing, on both sides.
The team wraps up on-field work Wednesday and LaFleur will put a bow on his off-season on Thursday,
