Coming out of the Green Bay Packers’ first training camp practice of 2017, there are few insights to glean into what fans will see on the field when week one arrives. Still, a few notable items arose and are worth discussion.
First up is the team’s continued use of safeties Morgan Burnett and Josh Jones at inside linebacker. Both players saw significant snaps at that position with the starting defense today, a sign that the team is committing to that plan for good.
In addition, the Packers got a good day from their rookie punter, who showed signs of promise (albeit with a bit of wind at his back).
Here are a few major notes from practice today.
- The Packers started out on defense in their nickel formation (not a surprise), but the starting cornerbacks were Davon House and LaDarius Gunter on the outside with Damarious Randall in the slot. Kevin King started the practice as a scout team wide receiver. With the offense in a conventional rhythm, the starting inside linebackers were Jake Ryan and Joe Thomas.
- Malachi Dupre made a highlight-reel catch on a deep ball from Aaron Rodgers.
- In the no-huddle drill, Morgan Burnett lined up as one of the starting inside linebackers, alongside Joe Thomas - it is also notable that he did so with the team lined up in a base 3-4, not just the nickel or dime package. Based on this, it seems likely that the Packers like the idea of Burnett and Thomas on the inside when the opposition hurries up the offense, regardless of what personnel package the Packers elect to use on defense. That would leave Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez to take snaps when the offense is operating at a more conventional pace.
- Josh Jones also got some ILB reps with the starting defense, though his came in the “pass under pressure” drill.
- The backup offensive line will feature some position battles to watch, especially on the interior. However, this is how it shook out today:
#Packers second O line: Spriggs, McCray, Barclay, Patrick, Murphy.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) July 27, 2017
Rookie Kofi Amichia taking snaps at center on third OL.
- Rookie running back Aaron Jones landed in the doghouse after fumbling the football without contact. Ty Montgomery also fumbled, failing to haul in a lateral on a pitch from Aaron Rodgers.
- Rookie punter Justin Vogel had a very solid day, booting multiple punts of 50-plus yards. One reporter put his average over ten punts today at 50 yards with more than 4.3 seconds of hang time.
- The one player to suffer an apparent injury was cornerback Herb Waters, who left late in the practice session.
Information is summarized from Twitter reports from the Green Bay Packers’ beat writers.