Notes & Takeaways from Packers 3rd Training Camp Practice

The Green Bay Packers took the field on Friday for their third training camp practice of the summer. Unlike the previous two, however, fans were not in attendance, and this was completed at more of a walk-through pace.

Below are the news and notes from this third Packers training camp practice.

– During Matt LaFleur’s pre-practice press conference, he mentioned that the improvement that he really sees with Jordan Love has been through the operation in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage.

Takeaway: This showcases Love’s comfortability with the system as he is now in this third season, something that has been an issue previously. This also coincides with what we heard on Wednesday when Love was “letting it rip,” which again, showcases his confidence (info via Tom Silverstein).

Romeo Doubs is not only impressing on the field but off of it as well:

– According to Rob Demovsky, four Packers also returned to practice on Friday–most notably Sammy Watkins, along with Rasheed Walker, Randy Ramsey, and Akial Byers.

Takeaway: Injuries have been a major part of Watkins’ career as he hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year in 2014. However, despite the missed time, when on the field, he has largely remained effective, including averaging nearly 15 yards per catch last season. He will provide the Packers with an experienced boundary target and a downfield threat. Randy Ramsey is another name to keep your eyes on at edge rusher. In 2020, he was a core special teams player, and a few months back, he was someone that Brian Gutekunst mentioned that the team was “excited” to get back.

– According to Andy Herman, the first team offensive line today was one again (from left to right) Nijman, Runyan, Myers, Hanson, and Newman. We would then see Van Lanen take over for Newman at right tackle, followed by Van Lanen moving to right guard with Newman going back in at tackle.

Takeaway: The term LaFleur used on Thursday was “fluid” to describe the offensive line alignment. As the Packers search for their best five without Bakhtiari and Jenkins, you can expect a lot of this moving forward, given the overall versaility of this position group.

– I imagine we will see a lot of this grouping this season:

– The offensive and defensive units were split into two groups, so on one end, there was La’Darius Hamilton and Tipa Galeia running with the “ones.” Andy Herman would make note that Hamilton could end up as the third-best edge rusher on this team.

Takeaway: After Gary and Smith, there are two rotational spots up for grabs. Green Bay signed Hamilton off Tampa Bay’s practice squad last season. He appeared in five games, playing 64 snaps, and totaled three pressures, per PFF ($$). While all eyes are on receiver, there is an equally intriguing positional battle taking place at edge rushers.

– Ryan Wood would tweet out that the Packers showcased a very rare four interior defensive linemen look–with Clark and Lowry as the ends along with Slaton and Reed inside.

Takeaway: The reason that this look has been rare is because the Packers haven’t had the depth to do so. They are also afforded this flexibility by having Campbell and Walker at linebacker, two players who can be trusted in coverage. Also, more reps for Clark on the edge, means fewer double-teams that he will have to go up against–which is very much a good thing.

– According to Bill Huber, it was Rico Gafford who got the first crack returning kicks.

Takeaway: Although Gafford just made the switch from receiver to cornerback, he’s an intriguing option on special teams because of his 4.22-second speed. He could fill in as a returner or a gunner, and Gafford also has experience playing under Rich Bisaccia in Las Vegas.

– In addition to Gafford getting kick return reps, Matt Schneidman would also note that Amari Rodgers, Romeo Doubs, Danny Davis, Ishamel Hyman, and Aaron Jones had opportunities as well.

Takeaway: Doubs was a very effective punt returner at Nevada, averaging over 12 yards per attempt over his career with one touchdown. Earlier this offseason, I wrote about the Packers potentially using more key contributors on special teams, something that both LaFleur and Bisaccia have mentioned as well. So far, through offseason programs and early camp, we are seeing that as well. Now the question becomes, will those offensive and defensive starters play active roles, or are they being prepped just in case?

– Even in walkthroughs, Rasul Douglas is around the football, coming away with an interception on a pass that went off Tyler Davis’ hands, as Ryan Wood tweeted out.