Latest news with #GreenBay
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers CB Nate Hobbs' versatility is already showing at training camp
The Green Bay Packers knew they were getting a versatile player when they signed former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million deal this offseason. According to Albert Breer of the Packers' personnel department had been eyeing Hobbs for a couple of years, believing he could be an outside corner. So far in camp, that's exactly where he's been spending most of his time. "Yeah, he's done a great job. You can really see the guy's a competitor, and that's why we loved him on tape," head coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday. "He's tough, and he was primarily a nickel with the Raiders, so it's been pretty cool to watch him come in and play a lot more outside corner, but also, we know what he can do if we want to put him inside." Just two days into training camp, Hobbs has already made a pair of standout plays. On Day 1, Jordan Love dropped a dime to running back Josh Jacobs in the end zone, but Hobbs made a nice play on the ball to break it up. Then, on Thursday, Love was able to draw Hobbs offside to turn a 3rd-and-7 into a 3rd-and-2. Trying to make up for the mistake and get the defense off the field, Hobbs got a good jump on a pass intended for Dontayvion Wicks. Hobbs made a diving interception but had to settle for the pass breakup. "I should've caught it," Hobbs said, shaking his head. "That's all—get my hands on the ball, keep it on the ball." Even though it wasn't a turnover, those are the types of plays the Packers hope Hobbs will make during the regular season to help fill the void of losing Jaire Alexander. In 51 games across four seasons with the Raiders, Hobbs picked off three passes and broke up another 19. He also missed 16 games due to various injuries, preventing him from being the best version of himself. "Just being real, I haven't gotten the most out of myself that I want. I haven't fulfilled my expectations for myself, and that's a me thing," Hobbs said. "Injuries play a part, but that's all mental. You are who you think you are. You're always right about yourself, whether you think that you are or you're not." A key component to unlocking Hobbs' potential could be moving him around the secondary based on matchups. The Packers know what Hobbs is capable of in the slot and are in the process of learning more about what he can do on the outside. "I feel like (my versatility) will free up (Jeff Hafley) on the play calling, and I feel like it'll bring confidence to guys wherever I'm at, whether I'm at nickel or corner," he said. "I'm going to bring energy, I'm going to run to the ball and make plays." This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers CB Nate Hobbs' versatility is already showing at training camp
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers rookie WR Savion Williams out with concussion
Green Bay Packers rookie receiver Savion Williams has a concussion and won't practice Friday, per Ryan Wood of Coach Matt LaFleur said Williams wouldn't practice during his pre-practice press conference but wouldn't provide a specific reason why. A head injury, presumably suffered during Thursday's practice, is the reason why. Williams, a third-round pick out of TCU, will need to pass through the league's concussion protocol before he can return to the practice field. Some skill position players, such as rookie receiver Matthew Golden and veteran Romeo Doubs, have been wearing Guardian Caps to help prevent head injuries to start training camp. Williams was not wearing one during the first two days of training camp. The concussion is a tough break for a young player who has already missed time this year. Williams needed surgery on his labrum after his final season at TCU and wore a non-contact red uniform throughout the offseason workout program while recovering. He was fully cleared to start training camp, but a concussion will cost the rookie receiver more on-field reps. Williams is one of two new players not practicing on Friday. Left guard Aaron Banks, who signed a $77 million deal in free agency, has a back injury and isn't participating during the team's third training camp practice on Friday. This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers rookie WR Savion Williams out with concussion
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love named No. 68 on NFL Top 100 players list
A second Green Bay Packers player has been named one of the NFL's Top 100 players. Quarterback Jordan Love is No. 68 in his second appearance in the league's annual ranking, which players vote on. Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary was named No. 80 on July 14. The Top 100 list began rolling out in late June and will continue through the exhibition portion of the season; the top 10 players are announced Sept. 1. Love fell from his 2024 debut spot of No. 34 after injuries disrupted his season. Missing two starts and large parts of two other games, he threw for 3,389 yards and 25 touchdowns with 11 interceptions — the biggest weakness of his game. But over the last two seasons, Love is one of only two quarterbacks — with Detroit's Jared Goff — to throw at least 25 touchdown passes with a passer rating of 95-plus. Since becoming the Packers starter in 2023, he's thrown for multiple TD passes in 19 games, tied for third in the league over the last two seasons. "It throws me off just how comfortable he is and just how the ball comes off his hands," Gary said in the NFL's X post announcing Love's ranking. "Easy, man. I don't know if he's really got his eyes open or even thinking about it." Some opponents also spoke in the video about what makes Love such a threat. "The accuracy of the ball — deep shots, intermediate routes — he kind of has everything," Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said. So far, Love and Gary are the only two Packers players to make the list, but cornerback Xavier McKinney has a good chance to join them. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Packers' Jordan Love named No. 68 on NFL Top 100 players list
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers rookie WR Matthew Golden gets Hall of Fame comparison before first NFL snap
Matthew Golden has only been with Green Bay for a few months, but the first-round pick is already turning heads; and picking up a nickname with historic weight. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia has started calling Golden 'Bullet,' a nod to Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Bob Hayes. Golden, who also wears No. 22 like Hayes did with the Cowboys, embraced the comparison after looking up Hayes' legendary speed and dual-sport success. 'He told me to look him up,' Golden said, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. 'I seen he was real fast, so he gave me that nickname.' Known as 'Bullet Bob,' Hayes was one of the fastest men in football history. A gold medalist in the 100 meters at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he later became a deep threat for the Dallas Cowboys and helped revolutionize the wide receiver position with his track-star speed. He remains the only athlete to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. So far, Golden has lived up to the nickname. The rookie wideout caught a touchdown during Green Bay's opening training camp session and followed it up with a strong showing Thursday, snatching a pass in traffic before breaking away from defenders. Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp The early impact isn't going unnoticed. Golden, who caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns during his lone season at Texas, has already taken first-team reps and drawn praise from veteran coaches and teammates alike. He enters a crowded Packers receiver room that includes Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed, but his speed and explosiveness give him a real shot at climbing the depth chart. Golden became the Packers' first receiver drafted in the first round since 2002, a move that underscored how highly the team views his potential. gave him a 6.42 draft grade; higher than the mark Davante Adams received in 2014. Golden is now Green Bay's highest-paid receiver by annual value after signing a fully guaranteed rookie deal worth $17.57 million.
New York Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Ravens are enjoying the Jaire Alexander experience, and the feeling is mutual
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the second-longest-tenured player on the team, could tell early on that Jaire Alexander would fit in well in Baltimore. In the weeks before veterans reported to training camp, Humphrey got text messages from Alexander that included observations and opinions as the longtime Green Bay Packer watched film of the Ravens' defense. Alexander told Humphrey he was especially impressed with a clip of Humphrey trying to fight two Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen during a game last season. Advertisement After arriving at training camp, Alexander quickly linked up with 'The Breakfast Club,' a small group of Ravens that meet at 6 a.m. in the weight room at the Under Armour Performance Center for an early morning workout. Alexander, though, had one request: He wanted a speaker placed right where the players were working out, rather than relying on the ones in the ceiling. 'He said, 'No, I need the boombox right by here, right in my ear,' and I'm like, 'All right, that's different,'' Humphrey said. 'It has been exciting, but what I like the most is just his swag to the game. I think confidence is the biggest key you can have at cornerback, and I think you can never have too much confidence. I think he's a perfect fit for our secondary.' In Wednesday's first training camp practice, Alexander broke up two passes and made one known by breaking out his trademark seatbelt celebration and preening to the crowd. On Thursday, Alexander was beaten on a deep ball by second-year wide receiver Devontez Walker. Alexander wanted a rematch and got the better of Walker on the second rep, registering the pass breakup and letting Walker know about it afterward. When the one-on-one segment ended, just as Alexander was set to match up against tight end Mark Andrews, the cornerback expressed his displeasure to anybody within earshot. 'I wanted one more, just one more rep,' Alexander said after Thursday's practice. The Ravens are enjoying the full Alexander experience, and the feeling is mutual. After seven years in Green Bay, a period that saw Alexander get selected to two Pro Bowls, become the highest-paid cornerback in league history, miss 34 total games over the last four seasons and ultimately get released by the Packers in early June, Alexander is fully embracing his new NFL home. 'I'm in love. What can I say? The weather is great. The fans are great. The city is great, so I think I'm in a great place,' Alexander said in his first media availability since joining the team. 'It's actually an amazing feeling. Defense wins championships, so I'm in the right place to do that.' Advertisement The Ravens signed Alexander, 28, to a one-year, $4 million deal less than two weeks after his release from Green Bay. Interested in playing for a Super Bowl contender and wanting to reunite with his former Louisville teammate, quarterback Lamar Jackson, Alexander had the Ravens on his short list of teams he was interested in. Baltimore had long admired Alexander as a player and had contemplated trading for him during the 2024 season. Despite returning perennial Pro Bowler Humphrey and 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins, and signing veteran Chidobe Awuzie while also drafting four total cornerbacks over the past two years, Baltimore learned long ago that it can never have enough players at the position. However, when Alexander traveled to Baltimore for a free-agent visit, he wasn't fully sold on the fact that he would be signing with the Ravens. It didn't take long after he arrived for him to reach that point. 'Vibes never lie,' Alexander said. 'I am big on energy and energy exchange, so I got good vibes here, and it seemed like they wanted me here, and they cared. So, that played the biggest part in it.' I was just making sure 😅⚡️ — Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) July 24, 2025 Now, the Ravens hope Alexander bucks a trend and stays healthy. If he does, the Ravens could have one of the top secondaries in the NFL. Yet, Alexander played just four games in 2021 and seven each in 2023 and 2024. When he's been healthy, he's been one of the league's top corners. However, since 2020, the only season in which he managed to stay healthy was the 2022 campaign. He played in 16 games, registered five interceptions and 14 pass breakups and made his second Pro Bowl. 'Physically, I'm great,' Alexander said. 'I'm out there practicing, so I can't thank God enough.' Alexander said the culture in Baltimore is different than the one he was used to in Green Bay. He also said the intensity of training camp practices is ratcheted up from his previous experiences. Despite a tumultuous ending, Alexander said he had a great time in Green Bay, built many long-term relationships and appreciated the Packers' organization and the city. Advertisement Asked if he's circled the Ravens' Week 17 matchup against the Packers on his calendar, Alexander said, 'No, I circle every week. Everybody's going to get it.' • Defenses are typically ahead of offenses this time of year. That was no different Wednesday, a session dominated by Baltimore's defensive unit. However, Humphrey said the defense came away from Wednesday's first practice disappointed in its play and its inability to force turnovers. 'Turnovers are, by far, the biggest thing that has been preached,' Humphrey said. The Ravens finished tied for 20th in the NFL last season with just 17 takeaways. They lost the turnover battle, 3-0, in the season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round. Those results have made forcing turnovers a top priority for the defense heading into the season. The focus showed in Thursday's practice as the defense registered three interceptions in emerging as the clear winner from the workout. Inside linebacker Trenton Simpson got the first one, picking off a Jackson pass that hit off the hands of tight end Isaiah Likely. A few plays later, undrafted rookie safety Reuben Lowery, who seems to be around the ball a lot, corralled an errant throw from Devin Leary. Later in practice, rookie first-round pick Malaki Starks intercepted a Jackson overthrow right outside the end zone. Middle linebacker Roquan Smith also forced a fumble by punching one out of tight end Charlie Kolar's hands, but Kolar fell on the loose ball. • The lone new practice absence for the Ravens was wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens kept Hopkins sidelined 'out of an abundance of caution' after the 33-year-old fell hard on his leg while making a back-shoulder catch Wednesday. It doesn't sound like Hopkins will miss too much time. Second-year receiver Dayton Wade left practice early with an undisclosed issue. Advertisement • Tyler Loop got the day off from live action Thursday, leaving all the kicking reps to John Hoyland. The undrafted kicker out of Wyoming had a nice day, converting on all nine of his attempts during team periods. Hoyland's long was 43 yards. • The offensive play of the day came courtesy of a deep Jackson to Rashod Bateman touchdown. Jackson placed the ball perfectly between Wiggins and safety Kyle Hamilton. Bateman ran under it to make the catch. Beyond the turnovers, the defensive play of the day occurred when Smith stayed step for step with Justice Hill and never lost sight of the ball. Smith prevented what looked like a sure completion by wrestling the ball out of Hill's hands about 35 yards downfield. • Outside linebacker David Ojabo and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, two returning players perceived to be on the roster bubble, are both off to solid starts in camp. Ojabo broke up a pass in Wednesday's practice and has given starting right tackle Roger Rosengarten some issues in each of the first two days. Armour-Davis, meanwhile, had two pass breakups Thursday and went tumbling through a makeshift fence, set up to keep fans and reporters at an appropriate distance from the field, on one of them.
