Green Bay Packers: 5 Takeaways from Day 2 of Practice
Day two of training camp has come and gone, and here are five quick takeaways from the Green Bay Packers’ second practice.
Despite not allowing fans to attend this year’s training camp, there are still a number of reporters on-site for the Green Bay Packers‘ training camp. And with Day 2 officially in the books, here are five takeaways from the Packers’ second official practice.
5. The right side of the offensive line
This will likely be an ongoing situation at least until the start of the regular season, if not throughout the entire year. In their quest to replace right tackle Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay has three guys (Lane Taylor, Billy Turner and Rick Wagner) for two positions (right guard and right tackle). On Saturday, it was Taylor and Turner who started at right guard and tackle respectively. On Day 2, it was Turner and Wagner who held down the starting spots. We’ll see if it’s Turner and Wagner next time around.
4. The return of Jace Sternberger
The Packers cut Jimmy Graham in the offseason and are expecting a lot out of second-year tight end Jace Sternberger. Sternberger, yet to catch a regular season pass, is an extremely risky gamble by the Packers’ coaching staff. He began training camp on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but returned to practice for the first time today–an encouraging sign.
3. Tyler Ervin, Explosive Weapon
A mid-season pickup in 2019, Tyler Ervin proved himself dangerous in the return game and on jet sweeps, with the coaches often finding a way to get the ball in his hands at least once or twice a game on offense. He got a lot of action in today’s practice and showed off his pass-catching chops. All the talk has been around other backs, but Ervin won’t go quietly into the night.
2. Rashan Gary gets first-team reps
After being selected with the 12th overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, Rashan Gary didn’t see the playing time you’d expect from someone selected that high. He possesses all the physical traits you could desire in a player his size, and it appears he’s figuring out how to put it all together. Most importantly, he has the confidence of his teammates and the coaching staff, earning first-team reps for the second time in two practices.
1. AJ Dillon’s receiving chops
AJ Dillon made waves on Saturday after pictures of his massive quads went viral. On Day 2, he earned praise for his pass-catching ability, something he didn’t have the chance to show off at Boston College. If he can work his way into the air attack, it will make defenses less able to cue in on his rushing attack when he enters the game.