It was a good day to work indoors. A steady rain forced the Packers to conduct their first practice of the mandatory mini-camp inside the Don Hutson Center today, a workout that covered about an hour and 45 minutes.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur said prior to the practice the installation of the offense, defense and special teams was all but finished during the three weeks of organized team activities. The team will spend today and tomorrow reviewing the playbook. “We’re in a good spot right now”, he said and when the team returns for training camp in late July, they’ll be able to hit the ground running.
LaFleur said all hands are on deck with full attendance although a couple of players were excused for personal matters, outside linebacker Jonathan Garvin among them. He is the only player that hasn’t taken part in any off-season workouts on the field.
Both starting cornerbacks made their first appearance.
Jaire Alexander reports for duty.
Rasul Douglas makes spring debut.
When the defense lined up in 11 on 11 drills, Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas were back in their customary spots in the defensive backfield. The starting secondary was filled out with Darnell Savage and Rudy Ford as the safety tandem. Romeo Doubs welcomed Alexander back with another nifty catch in the corner of the end zone against the Pro Bowl corner.
In a goal to go 7 on 7 drill, the first nickel unit was completed with Keisean Nixon working the slot and De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker at inside linebacker.
On offense, the right tackle spot looks like it will be a two man competition with Zach Tom splitting first team reps with Yosh Nijman. The rest of offensive line was familiar with Jon Runyan at right guard, Josh Myers at center, Elgton Jenkins at left guard and David Bakhtiari at left tackle.
Doubs wasn’t the only one who made an impressive catch. Christian Watson pulled in a deep touchdown ball from Jordan Love and the third draft pick from a year ago, Samori Toure made a ridiculous sliding catch on a deep ball during individual drills without coverage. Toure has added weight this off-season and it appears he’s the front runner for the number three spot at receiver ahead of this year’s second round pick Jayden Reed. 5th round pick Dontayvion Wicks was back on the practice field after missing the last two weeks of OTA’s with an injury. 7th rounder Grant Dubose is still sidelined. Also working on the side because of injury were tight end Tyler Davis and defensive tackle Chris Slayton.
Four veterans rehabbing from injury also worked on the side including edge rusher Rashan Gary, defensive back Eric Stokes, safety Dallin Leavitt and offensive lineman Jake Hanson.
During the open practices of OTA’s we never got an opportunity to see 6th round pick Anders Carlson kick. The field goal team practice reps consisted of just the snap, hold and protection. Today, Carlson was able to swing away six times. In the first set, he connected from 41 yards, missed wide right from 44 and hit from 47. A bit later in practice, Carlson was good from 49, 51 and 54 yards out with plenty to spare on all three kicks.
The team will have one more workout Wednesday before wrapping up the off-season program with a private team function on Thursday. LaFleur said it will be a chance to continue team bonding outside of football and have some fun together.
What hasn’t been a lot of fun for the NFL is the policing of it’s gambling policy. In the last couple of years the league has allowed the Raiders to leave Oakland for Las Vegas, the gaming capital of the U.S. and it has become sponsor partners with several gambling outlets such as FanDuel. League rules prohibit players from betting on NFL games, from placing bets while at team facilities or having others place bets for them. Not everyone has followed those rules. Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was given a one year suspension by the league in 2022 and earlier this spring a handful of Detroit Lions, both players and football staff, were suspended for up to six games for gambling violations. A member of the Indianapolis Colts is also under investigation by the league. I asked LaFleur about it today, wondering how will management address gambling?
Some news from the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, incorporated today. Dr. Donald Sipes, an OB/GYN with Aurora Health Care Medical Group has been elected as the new President by the Hall of Fame board. Sipes will succeed the retiring Tom Konop. Other new officers include Randy Brice as Vice-President and Mark Higgins as Treasurer. The Hall of Fame, Inc is a separate organization from the Packers but the two groups work together on the Hall museum located inside Lambeau Field. This year’s induction banquet is scheduled for August 31 when Jordy Nelson and Josh Sitton will be enshrined.