Green Bay Packers: Quick Observations from 11th Training Camp Practice

After an intense practice on Tuesday, today’s Green Bay Packers training camp practice was on the lighter side, lasting just over one hour.

Once again, I was in attendance and below are my observations from what I saw take place.

– No Aaron Rodgers at practice as today was a veteran rest day for him, Marcedes Lewis, and Preston Smith.

– Even many of the veterans who were in pads had lighter days on the practice field.

– Rodgers was on the practice field, however, watching Love and Benkert go through drill work.

– Although they didn’t practice, Za’Darius Smith and Kingsley Keke were working out off to the side on their own.

– Rashan Gary was out Monday, back on Tuesday, but out again today.

– Footwork has been a huge area of emphasis for Jordan Love and during QB drills today, OC Nathaniel Hackett was working closely with the young QB on that exact thing.

– The running backs were getting their fair share of snaps lining up on the boundary—including AJ Dillon. As I’ve said before, he will be a factor in the passing game.

– It was great to see Josiah Deguara back in the mix and we saw that versatility of his as he lined up out of the backfield and was a lead blocker, as well as in-line and in the slot.

– With no Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, or Rashan Gary, that meant a lot of reps for Tipa Galeai and Jonathan Garvin against the starting offense.

– With Kamal Martin sidelined, not to mention that he still has to earn playing time, the LB crew looks pretty well set with De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes with the 1s and Oren Burks along with Ty Summers with the 2s.

– Speaking of Campbell, he had a nice rep which blew up a running play in the backfield.

– The first team OL was what it often has been with Jenkins, Runyan, Myers, Patrick, and Turner as the starting five. Although we did see Braden slide in at left guard as well.

– Runyan also saw some reps at center with the 2s. Rookie Royce Newman is getting steady work at guard with the 2s. Cole Van Lanen is still seeing reps at tackle with the 3s.

– We are definitely seeing more of Isaac Nauta now than what we were two weeks ago. He’s shown steady hands, is a sound blocker, and always seems to be in the right spot.

– Even when he’s not in on a play, Jaire Alexander is always, and I mean always, off to the side doing drill work.

– IDL coach Jerry Montgomery was working with TJ Slaton and others on having active hands. As I discussed in a recent article, that is a big area of emphasis for Slaton, who is looking to develop more as a pass rusher. Slaton noted that it’s important for him to get vertical with his hands and come form his hips.

– Also, with Kenny Clark and Keke still out, that meant more reps for Slaton with the starters.

– Love made a pretty pass in the end zone to a diving Randall Cobb. The ball was placed where only Cobb could get to it.

– Amari Rodgers made a nice diving grab of his own on a pass that was a little wide from Love.

– The combo of Billy Turner and Lucas Patrick created some nice openings on the right side of the OL for the RBs to run through.