The Packers 0ff-season workout and conditioning program is just getting underway and on Wednesday, four veteran players spent time fielding questions. Leading off was new Green Bay punter Pat O’Donnell. The 8 year veteran and former Chicago Bear was signed to replace Corey Bojorquez. He’ll work under new Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisacci who said the first time O’Donnell tested the free agent waters a few years back, he wanted to bring on board with the Las Vegas Raiders but O’Donnell re-upped with the Bears. On the market for a second time, the vet could have considered finishing out his career by finding a comfortable dome to punt or at least a warmer climate but Green Bay was his choice.
O’Donnell said what started as a casual relationship with the Pack’s all-time leading scorer, has become a lot closer this week and O’Donnell has for the short term, moved into the Crosby home, living out of his basement along with Mason, his wife Molly and their five kids. Pat said he’s hoping to close on his own home soon. He’s had a solid career punting the ball but O’Donnell says while that’s job one, he also takes pride in holding.
Next up at the podium was Randall Cobb. He’s entering his second season in his second tour of duty with the Packers. Cobb returns after signing a one year contract with a significant pay cut from 2021. He said after moving to four cities in five years with a couple of children, it’s about finding some stability for his family. His position group is anything but stable with three veteran receivers departing this off-season. Most notably, Davante Adams was traded to the Raiders for first and second round draft choices. When Cobb was asked at the start how he’s doing without Adams, he smiled and said, “He’s still alive, right?”
Cobb admits it won’t be the same running patterns without Adams but such is life in the National Football League:
Cobb said every year presents new challenges with new players on the team. He believes Allen Lazard is ready to take on an even bigger role in the offense this year. Last year’s draft choice, Amari Rodgers, whom Cobb has mentored since he was a kid back at his University of Kentucky days, still has plenty of time to blossom, saying learning the NFL game isn’t easy and it often takes some time. He reminded reporters that Adams struggled early in his career and some were calling for him to be cut after his second season and look at the numbers he put since. The Packers signed Sammy Watkins to a one year, free agent deal and they’re expected to add a couple more receivers in next week’s draft.
A pair of defensive players came next beginning with De’Vondre Campbell. He made a huge impact on the Packer defense in 2021 after signing as a free agent in June. Campbell said he was considering several offers at the time and in an interesting twist to negotiations, he said he wanted to dictate the terms with the Packers.
The result? Campbell was named to AP All Pro first team and got a brand new, long term deal from the Packers. Campbell said he’s very excited to see how the Green Bay defense continues to grow in year two of Coordinator Joe Barry’s scheme, especially with so many key players coming back, including Jaire Alexander in the secondary.
Finally, Preston Smith checked in with the media for the first time since he signed a restructured long-term deal with the Packers.
Preston admits it will be different not having his running mate, Za’Darius Smith with him. Za’Darius signed a free agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings after the Packers declined to bring him back. Smith believes the team will be just fine with the emergence of Rashan Gary a year ago and the nucleus of the defense returning. An interesting statistical note was brought to Preston’s attention and he’s hoping to end the even and odd year curse. Since he entered the league in 2105 with Washington, Smith has put up far better numbers in the odd numbered years. He’s compiled 37.5 sacks in 2015, 2017, 2019 (his first year in Green Bay) and 2021 when he put up 9. In the years ending with an even number, he’s produced 12.5 sacks.
The Packers will continue working out through the weekend. On Monday afternoon, General Manager Brian Gutekunst will conduct his annual pre-draft news conference at the stadium, in advance of the 2022 NFL draft which begins with round one next Thursday night.
