It’s that time of year again, ladies and gentlemen.
The Packers’ annual shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field and their first practice across the street kick off training camp on Monday. Will the Lombardi Trophy make a comeback this year?
Before reading my responses to your queries in our most recent mailbag, have a look at our offensive and defensive camp previews.
Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length.
What would the team need to see from MarShawn Lloyd that would make him RB2 out of camp? — JU
Watch out for Lloyd’s explosiveness and shiftiness in traffic if you are at camp practices. AJ Dillon and the rookie vary in that regard, as the newcomer’s offseason performance made clear. Adam Stenavich, the offensive coordinator, has already all but stated that Lloyd will not be a backup as Dillon was. In addition to the ability to pass protect (like Aaron Jones did against the Cowboys in the playoffs last season) and be proficient in collecting passes, the team needs to see more of those qualities in a runner during both practice and preseason games. Matt LaFleur, the head coach, prefers that his running backs have extensive experience in every facet of the position.
Good luck trying to tackle these RBs. pic.twitter.com/JvWZ6Edq4H
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) July 2, 2024
How does the 2024 draft class look and who should we expect to be early contributors? — DRich
I have a feeling that linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Javon Bullard, the two second-round selections, will be the rookies with the largest immediate impact. LaFleur and fellow linebacker Quay Walker have praised Cooper highly for his field intelligence and ability to get downhill. This spring, Bullard ranked lower on the safety depth chart than Xavier McKinney and Anthony Johnson Jr., but it might simply be the result of the Packers’ reluctance to give rookies starting positions. This offseason, ESPN football analyst Louis Riddick has expressed time and again how excellent he believes Bullard will be in Green Bay’s secondary.
Although Lloyd will not necessarily be a starter like Cooper and Bullard, he should nevertheless make an early impression. Jordan Morgan, an intriguing first-round pick in offensive lineman, has the potential to start at several spots on the offensive line but could also come off the bench in the event that Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan, for example, take the roles of left tackle and right guard.
What do you find most encouraging about this offseason? — Karl
The amount of engagement in voluntary workouts this offseason must satisfy the Packers, even though it might not mean much come opening day of the regular season. In fact, it demonstrates dedication, strengthens team spirit, and helps the squad be ready for the times when every player will be available for practice and the regular season. Jordan Love, the quarterback, sets the tone for the rest of the squad, something LaFleur stressed at the beginning of the spring. It also helps to have veterans like McKinney, defensive tackle Kenny Clark, running back Josh Jacobs, defensive end Preston Smith, and cornerback Jaire Alexander on hand all the time. However, there is not necessarily a direct link between offseason activity and success during the regular season. Ask Aaron Rodgers, please.
What are some of your questions you want answered during the 2024 training camp? — Jeff
Give me three, please. My biggest concern is what Love’s deal entails, but that will probably be resolved before to camp. Regarding during camp, my main concerns are the three-way kicker competition, the upcoming game of musical chairs between the offensive line, and the second positions at outside cornerback, safety, and linebacker.
How many pictures on average are we going to get of Rob Demovsky’s head? — Thomas
To avoid going overboard, I will probably limit myself to one per week. This summer at Ray Nitschke Field, that object will be sparkling in the sun.
Who is the UDFA to watch to make the team this year? — Kevin
Donovan Jennings, an offensive tackle, is our choice. After going undrafted out of South Florida this spring, he supposedly received a $100,000 guaranteed contract. The Packers have questionable depth at tackle because Travis Glover and Kadeem Telfort are largely untested, Morgan and Elgton Jenkins may play more inside, Caleb Jones was a frequent healthy scratch last season, and Luke Tenuta missed the entire campaign due to injuries. That might make insurance more important to protect Love.
Two or three QBs on the initial 53-man roster? — Jo
Just two, I believe. Since LaFleur came charge, the Packers have only kept three since 2020. Love was not prepared to support Rodgers, thus they had to maintain Tim Boyle in addition to Rodgers. For whoever is waived out of Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt to be claimed, it would require a magical preseason. One will probably be the backup, while the other, the number three quarterback, will be on the practice squad.
Do the Packers have too many starting-caliber receivers? If so, the Steelers need a No. 2 to George Pickens. — Nanau
If the Packers deal a receiver this preseason, you would have to pick my jaw up off the ground. Do they have an abundance of players that are expected to be key players this season? Indeed. When there are too many mouths to feed, will there ever be a moment when one or two go hungry? Indeed. However, it is part of what makes this offense dangerous—as we saw last season, players 1–5 can explode at any time, and teams need to be ready for every one of them.
Biggest differences we are going to see in the approach to schemes and adjustments with Jeff Hafley versus Joe Barry? — Todd
If the talk we heard during the offseason is any indication, I believe Hafley will have a much more aggressive defensive front. According to TruMedia, the Packers tied for 22nd place in tackles for loss last season while ranking sixth in pressure percentage and ninth in sack rate. In the spring, defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich stated, “It is an assault front. It is about sacks and tackles for losses.” In response to a question regarding Hafley’s scheme, “We are going to aim to wreak havoc in the backfield.” Kingsley Enagbare, a defensive end, added, “We were more of a gap defense last year. regain command of your void. You may go vertical, but it was not as necessary as it is now, as we essentially have to go vertical.
Apart from Love, which injury are we least prepared to handle this upcoming season as things stand? — Gerry
I think of Alexander because he is so much better than the other corners, but the Packers were OK last season without him. In addition, Kenny Clark approached me due to his level of experience in comparison to other interior defensive linemen. Given that Dillon has not exactly performed well as a feature back and Lloyd is a rookie, you could also argue in favor of Josh Jacobs. However, McKinney must be the answer since a couple of rookies and a second-year guy who was not a regular starter trail behind one of the top safeties in the league.
Who do you think will break out that isn’t getting a lot of spotlight? — Lime
Dontayvion Wicks, who is not widely known, but Packers X is already aware of his potential and appears to want to keep him a relative secret, is the player I would name. Karl Brooks will do instead. As a rookie sixth-round pick, he had four sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, four passes defensed, and six tackles for loss. With those stats, he might be ready for a significant rise in the defensive line rotation.
What does the long snapper position look like this year? — Stephen
Although Matt Orzech, the current starter, did not seem to have the best season the previous year, special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia stated this spring that “I think Matt’s extremely excellent.” I believe he had a successful year and has made progress. He is now more powerful. He is participated in numerous major games. He is the Super Bowl victor. However, Peter Bowden of Wisconsin was signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent, and he remains on the team. Early in May, Bisaccia stated that Bowden is athletic, has a decent build, and can move his feet. The Packers traded veteran punter Pat O’Donnell for youngster Daniel Whelan and veteran kicker Mason Crosby for rookie Anders Carlson the previous season. They retained the seasoned Orzech as their long snapper, though. Is there a young movement that
Outside of being a Yankees fan, what are your other major flaws? — Nico
I reside in Wisconsin, hate beer, have a receding hairline at 29, play terrible golf, and have never visited Door County. Is that severe enough for you?
Going to training camp for the first time (from Virginia). What are some must-do and see things there? — Mike
I am not sure whether you have attended a game at Lambeau, but I would highly suggest getting a tour of the facility. Try to secure a spot in the Nitschke bleachers for the greatest view of practice, and arrive at camp early to watch the players ride their bikes across the street. Perhaps the nicest meal I have eaten in my five years here is the inside-out grilled cheese at Anduzzi’s across the street. You should check out Stadium View, which is located across the street from Anduzzi’s, as your handle suggests you are an excellent drinker.
(Top photo of MarShawn Lloyd: Tork Mason / USA Today)
