It’s a drill like any other but for some reason, it’s the biggest hit among railbirds that engulf Ray Nitschke Field.
The quarterbacks from a pre-determined distance, usually around 25 yards and then as far back as 50, take turns throwing a football to a round net, maybe three feet in diameter, perched atop a wagon in the corner of the end zone. Even balls that clank off the standard draw oohs and aahs.
Today, Aaron Rodgers, not surprisingly, dropped in the first big swish. From 50 yards no less. The ball arced high, reminding me of the Ford Field Hail Mary pulled down by Richard Rodgers a few years ago. When it hit the bottom of the net, the crowd roared and Rodgers acknowledged the fans by doffing his helmet with a gracious bow.
But today’s practice, in full pads for the first time (helmets, shoulder pads and pants with knee and thigh pads) and on a steamy 80 degree morning was not so much about quarterback number 1 as it was about numbers 2 and 3.
After the two hour session, both backups Jordan Love and Kurt Benkert took center stage in the media auditorium.
Jordan Love meets the press.
Incredibly, it was the first time I and the rest of the media corps interviewed the 2020 number one draft choice face to face albeit masked and sitting several rows back in the auditorium. The soft spoken and thoughtful Love didn’t disappoint. He’s endured a very atypical start to an NFL career as a top pick quarterback. He had no off-season program entering the league, the pre-season was cancelled and he never even dressed for a regular season game. Then there was the 2021 off-season where he got caught in the eye of the Aaron Rodgers unhappiness hurricane. Love discussed how he endured the drama, considered the possibility of being the Green Bay starter this year and how he’s already a much better pro signal caller now than 16 months ago when General Manager Brian Gutekunst traded up in the draft to get him. Jordan began by hearing the news that Rodgers was on his way back for at least one more year.
Love’s play has been understandably up and down. He’s flashed his natural athleticism, thrown some pretty balls but has also made mistakes on reads and throws. Even at today’s practice, he connected on a couple of plays with Reggie Begelton but also made the cardinal sin of throwing late down the middle and the pass was picked by safety Christian Uphoff. Like a 16 year old with a temporary permit to drive with classroom work completed, Love knows Family Night and the next three pre-season Saturday nights will be his road test for the position.
Then there’s Kurt Benkert. The engaging 26 year old entertained reporters with the tale of how he came to the Packers on a tryout basis before signing as a free agent and already moving past the departed former number one Blake Bortles and free agent Jake Dolegala on the depth chart to land the number three job. It’s familiar territory for Benkert who spent most of the past three years (one season on injured reserve) as the number three for the Atlanta Falcons. He’s actually been active for one more regular season game than has Love. With the Falcons he got to watch former MVP Matt Ryan and now here he is in Green Bay with a three time MVP. Kurt isn’t sure what happened to have opportunities like that.
Looking forward to hearing more from these two.
Practice Notes:
The right guard job will likely be won by incumbent Lucas Patrick but Ben Braden rotated with Patrick with the starting offensive line during team periods.
Jaire Alexander was spotted working the inside slot position for the first time in camp.
Two Point Conversion plays were run at the end of a team period. Aaron Rodgers connected with Aaron Jones on a quick arrow route with the ones. Jordan Love on nearly an identical route got his two points hitting DeAndre Thompkins but the third string try went awry when Kurt Benkert tried a high fade to Devin Funchess but Kabion Ento smartly broke it up.
On the medical front, Kamal Martin was held out of practice after getting nicked up Tuesday. Chris Blair and Randy Ramsey were also out. Linebacker Ray Wilborn was reinstated off the Reserve/Covid 19 list and was back on the practice field. The team no longer has anyone on the covid list. New defensive tackle Josh Evans worked for the first time wearing number 63.
Josiah Deguara returns.
Last year’s third round draft pick, Josiah Deguara, finally came off the physically unable to perform list. The tight end from Cincinnati had a promising camp last year and made a couple of plays in the season opener against the Vikings but blew out his ACL and was lost for the season. He practiced for the first time since last September but on a very limited basis. He got in some individual drills but sat out 11 on 11 periods. He ran on the side and looked smooth.
Has the first roster spot been won? Possibly, late Thursday, GM Brian Gutekunst announced he waived long snapper Joe Fortunato. The first year player from Delaware has actually been trying to make an NFL team for the last four summers. Fortunato’s release leaves incumbent Hunter Bradley as the only long snapper on the roster.
Another closed walk through practice is on tap Friday before Family Night makes it’s triumphant return with a full house on Saturday night at Lambeau Field.
