Green Bay Packers: Quick Observations from 1st Day of Training Camp
By Paul Bretl
We made it! The first day of Green Bay Packers training camp is now in the books, and it is fantastic to have football back. I was fortunate enough to attend and will run through some of the observations that I made.
But before I begin, yes, I know it’s only one practice and that it wasn’t in pads. I’m also just one person who was watching from the stands, so I’m sure I missed a lot as well. However, this is what stood out.
– Kylin Hill has some real wiggle. On the few touches that he had he showed excellent burst and elusiveness. He’s a very fun player to watch.
– There was one play in particular where UDFA Bailey Gaither ran a beautiful route against Ka’dar Hollman. He didn’t get the ball but it looked incredibly smooth.
– With Randall Cobb now in the mix, there may not even be a receiver spot available with five roster spots already locked up. But one name who had a number of targets was Juwann Winfree, who at least after one day, is building off of a strong mini-camp performance.
– Play of the day goes to Jordan Love and Amari Rodgers who connected on a beautiful touchdown grab. The coverage was good, but Love fit the ball where only Rodgers could get it, and he made a nice grab as well.
– The starting OL configuration was as follows: Jenkins—Runyan—Myers—Patrick—Turner
– Ben Braden also saw work at both guard and tackle—if you recall, OL coach Adam Stenavich said that he would be competing for starting reps and both positions. We also saw Royce Newman taking snaps at left guard.
– The offensive line unit as a whole also generated some very good running lanes for the backs.
– Defensively, De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes were the top-2 linebackers, along with Eric Stokes getting plenty of CB2 reps with Kevin King on the NFI list.
– There were two botched snaps by Rodgers and Myers today. And no I’m not worried, but this is something to watch as today was their first time working together.
– I loved seeing TJ Slaton as nose tackle. Pushing the line, taking up space, and occupying defenders. As I’ve discussed in the past, his presence there could free up Kenny Clark to play more 4-tech.
– During DB drills, Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes were working together, with a lot of discussions taking place between reps. A good sight to see for Green Bay Packers fans.
– Speaking of coaching, it looked like Rodgers was giving his fair share of advice to Love and Kurt Benkert today. Also to close out practice, Benkert threw a beautifully placed ball to Winfree at the pylon.
– You could feel the energy from Joe Barry and Maurice Drayton on the field. I loved it.
– It’s a big camp for Jace Sternberger and he began the day with a drop but rebounded well with a few nice receptions.
– The starting defensive front alignment was Clark, Dean Lowry, and Tyler Lancaster—although Kingsley Keke is on the NFI list. While Chandon Sullivan was the primary slot corner.
– Devin Funchess was never targeted from the slot — at least that I saw — but he lined up there and it’s easy to see how he could be a matchup problem from inside with his 6’4” – 225 pound frame.