Even Matt LaFleur had to admit, “It’s pretty cool” to get together with his buddy Robert Saleh and reflect on their days as young college assistant coaches at Central Michigan University, when Matt’s brother Mike was in high school dating his eventual wife Lauren. After practice, they’d all walk to a local ice cream shop and dream of where their careers might take them.
It took them to Ray Nitschke Field today, the practice turf just a short walk from legendary Lambeau Field as LaFleur and Saleh now both lead teams in the National Football League. “It’s a long ways from Mount Pleasant”, said LaFleur.
The Green Bay Packers welcomed the New York Jets for the first of two joint practices in advance of Saturday afternoon’s Pre-Season contest at Lambeau. For the coaching staffs, it was more like a reunion than a camp workout.
Matt LaFleur catches up with old friends.
Keeping an eye on one team during camp is hard enough, bring in another and it made for a busy afternoon.
On the west side of the Don Hutson Center is Clarke Hinkle Field where the Jets gathered after a stroll across the Lambeau parking lot.
Strangers in a strange town off to work.
They conducted their stretching and warm up drills and it had to be exciting for third string quarterback James Morgan, their 2020 4th round draft choice from Florida International.
James Morgan gets loose.
Morgan was tossing a ball around on a field about a mile from where he starred as the quarterback at Ashwaubenon High School. The former Jaguar grew up a huge fan of both Brett Favre (hence his number 4) and Aaron Rodgers although Rodgers admitted after practice he had no idea James was a local kid.
A brisk walk around the Hutson Center gets you to Nitschke Field where the Packers held their own individual and group drills.
As the temperature climbed into the 80’s the teams finally got together. It was still hard to watch it all as on the north end of Nitschke, the Packer offense worked against the New York defense while on the south end, it was just the opposite, the Jets offense, coordinated by Mike LaFleur, going against the Packer D.
The most spirited part of the 2:14 minute practice (the longest of camp so far) was the special teams drills. Both sides worked on controlling punt coverage gunners one on one. In most cases, the cover gunner was able to out run or out maneuver the return blocker over about a 30 yard distance to reach a tall, standing dummy. But with the majority of both teams on the sidelines watching the special teamers go at it, there was plenty of hooting and hollering at the decisive victories.
The team periods were well scripted and nearly devoid of any temper raising antics.
In the red zone periods, Rodgers zeroed in on Robert Tonyan for a clean touchdown pass while on the other end, the Packer secondary gave Jets quarterback and number one pick Zach Wilson almost no windows to throw into. Jaire Alexander broke up two consecutive passes and Adrian Amos should have reeled in an interception in the end zone.
The Packers also won the two minute drill competition. Rodgers converted two third and 10 plays to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The first was on a slant go route for about 15 yards and the second reached paydirt. MVS ran through a busted coverage and easily pulled in a wide open 34 yard touchdown. Kurt Benkert also led the back up offense to a score, capping the drive with a three yard pass to Equanimeous St. Brown. Meanwhile the defense forced the Jets to give it up after picking up one first down.
Both teams cross their fingers regarding injuries and the Packers may have suffered only a couple. Tackle Dennis Kelly stayed down after a play but got up and limped to the sideline on his own but receiver Devin Funchess needed a cart to ride into the Hutson Center for evaluation. No word on the severity of the injuries.
Jordan Love was held out of practice although he has been throwing the last two days. LaFleur said there’s still a chance he might see snaps on Saturday. Receivers Chris Blair and Juwann Winfree along with Safety Vernon Scott also didn’t participate.
Running back Aaron Jones and linebacker Za’Darius Smith didn’t take part in 11 on 11 periods.
The offensive line continues to see juggling guard combinations. The first team offense today saw Jon Runyan at left guard and rookie Royce Newman at right guard.
Newly acquired defensive back Issac Yiadom joined the team for practice. The 4th year pro from Bostin College said he was getting dressed for practice with the New York Giants on Tuesday when told he was being traded to Green Bay. He changed, caught a flight and donned a number 24 Packer uniform today. Green Bay sent Josh Jackson to the Giants in a straight DB swap. Coincidently, Ike and Josh are friends and share the same agency representation.
NFL officials worked the practice. Referee Tony Corrente’s crew will also work Thursday’s practice and the game on Saturday.
After practice, Rodgers met reporters in the media auditorium. Two years ago after the Packers joint practice with Houston, Aaron said he could wait another 14 years for the next one. Those two days were filled with trash talking, high speed collisions and a couple of rumbles. Rodgers said he ‘s still not a fan of joint practices for fear of injury but admitted the first session was not at all vanilla and offered good work against a solid Jets defense.
Aaron Rodgers meets the media.
Rodgers also talked about how he’s off to a strong, accurate start to camp even without any off-season work and how LaFleur’s offense is continuing to evolve heading into year together.
Rodgers said he wants to approach the 2021 season much like he did last year’s MVP campaign. He was more aware of staying engaged and involved with his teammates, looking to enjoy the present and he’ll follow that same template this year.
“I don’t want a farewell tour”, he said. “I just want to enjoy the hell out of this season.”
The Packers have rolled out the welcome wagon, and the food wagon for their visitors. Just outside the bus parking pen near the visitor’s locker room at Lambeau was a food truck serving BBQ to the players and staff after practice.
The teams will do it again at 10:25 Thursday, the final public practice of the 2021 training camp.
