8 Big Things to Watch for on Defense During Packers Training Camp
By Paul Bretl
How difficult does the defense make things for the Packers’ offense?
On paper, this Green Bay Packers defense could be among the best in the NFL this season. The offense, however, is going through some changes at receiver and missing their two starting offensive tackles. The end result could be some long practice sessions for the offense, which Aaron Rodgers fully acknowledges:
"“It could be a long training camp for the offense. I like the way our defense is looking and playing, and just on paper, it looks like they’re going to be pretty formidable,” said Rodgers on the Pat McAfee Show. ”So there could be some growing pains for the offense, which would be great for us, it would be nice to take our lumps from time to time and help us to get better facing a really good defense like that.”"
The Packers’ young receivers will be tasked with going up against what should be one of the best secondaries in the game, while the Bakhtiari and Jenkins-less offensive line will have to block Gary, Smith, and Clark–not to mention that in the middle of the defense is All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell and first-round pick Quay Walker.
The hope is that iron sharpens iron and that the Packers’ offense is better off for having to go up against this caliber of defense every day. However, in the process of doing that, there will be some long days on the practice field.
Jaire Alexander vs. Christian Watson
Christian Watson is beginning training camp on the PUP list, but when he returns, he will have Jaire Alexander there waiting for him.
When Alexander was a rookie, he was routinely matched up with Davante Adams. Last summer, it was Eric Stokes who had to work against the All-Pro wide receiver. Now this year, as part of Watson’s ‘welcome to the NFL’ moment, he will get his fair share of snaps with the All-Pro Alexander lined up across from him.
"“I played against the best receiver in the league, Davante Adams, all four years I’ve been here,” Alexander said via Packers.com. “I’m going to make it as hard as I can for those guys because I know on Sunday it’s going to pay off. Iron sharpens iron. However I can help to make them better, I’m going to do that.”"
There were already a few reps during minicamp where these two went head to head, and as expected, it was Alexander who prevailed.
The same principle as described in the last section applies here with Watson. The hope is that this level of competition each day will make him better in the long run and shorten his learning curve. If a rookie receiver can handle going against Alexander, well, they’ll then be well-equipped for just about any challenge on Sundays. However, in the process, there are going to be some long days for Watson.