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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Recapping sixth practice of Packers training camp: Matthew Golden shines
The Green Bay Packers were without three different players on offense to begin Tuesday's padded practice, but Matt LaFleur's team welcomed back Elgton Jenkins to 11-on-11 work and got a few brilliant moments from rookie Matthew Golden, who continues to show up in a big way to start his first training camp in Green Bay. Recapping Day 6 of Packers training camp practices: Injury updates Receiver Dontayvion Wicks has a new calf injury and didn't practice. Running back MarShawn Lloyd injured his groin during Monday's practice and didn't participate Tuesday. The Packers believe Lloyd suffered a soft-tissue injury before he was hit by Nate Hobbs on Monday. Left guard Aaron Banks, who had a back injury last week, didn't practice, suggesting he really is day to day. Rookie receiver Savion Williams departed practice early. Big things to know While Jordan Morgan replaced Aaron Banks at left guard, Elgton Jenkins took his first 11-on-11 snaps of training camp at center. The Packers are easing him back into the mix, but Jenkins is progressing. It's getting more and more difficult to temper expectations for Matthew Golden. On a 1-on-1 rep versus Carrington Valentine, Golden made a big-time adjustment of an underthrown deep ball and made the contested catch. Later, he got behind the coverage of the starting defense and caught a long touchdown pass from Jordan Love in 11-on-11. Love also found him on a crosser under pressure, and he drew two different penalty flags against coverage. The rookie is looking increasingly more impressive during the first week of camp. Lukas Van Ness beat Jordan Morgan twice in pass-rushing 1-on-1s. Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Van Ness is 3-0 in the drill to start training camp. And the 2023 first-round pick has been active in 11-on-11 periods. Positive early signs. Rookie defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse continues to make noise. Twice during team periods, he produced a "sack" of the quarterback. The undrafted rookie has made notable plays during three straight practices. Signs of improvement are also showing up for Ty'Ron Hopper, who had another active practice. Xavier McKinney had a pick of Jordan Love in a team period. Can Luke Musgrave be a playmaker in Year 3? He had a good round of 1-on-1s against Javon Bullard. Matt LaFleur pulled Rasheed Walker and made him run a lap late in the practice, and he was not happy in his post-practice huddle. It's possible an intense, physical practice got a little too intense and physical late. Matt LaFleur press conference Brian Gutekunst press conference What's next A well-earned day off on Wednesday. The Packers return to the practice field on Thursday for the first of three straight days of practice, culminating in Family Night at Lambeau Field on Saturday night. This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Recapping sixth practice of Packers training camp: Matthew Golden shines
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Recapping sixth practice of Packers training camp: Matthew Golden shines
The Green Bay Packers were without three different players on offense to begin Tuesday's padded practice, but Matt LaFleur's team welcomed back Elgton Jenkins to 11-on-11 work and got a few brilliant moments from rookie Matthew Golden, who continues to show up in a big way to start his first training camp in Green Bay. Recapping Day 6 of Packers training camp practices: Injury updates Receiver Dontayvion Wicks has a new calf injury and didn't practice. Running back MarShawn Lloyd injured his groin during Monday's practice and didn't participate Tuesday. The Packers believe Lloyd suffered a soft-tissue injury before he was hit by Nate Hobbs on Monday. Left guard Aaron Banks, who had a back injury last week, didn't practice, suggesting he really is day to day. Rookie receiver Savion Williams departed practice early. Big things to know While Jordan Morgan replaced Aaron Banks at left guard, Elgton Jenkins took his first 11-on-11 snaps of training camp at center. The Packers are easing him back into the mix, but Jenkins is progressing. It's getting more and more difficult to temper expectations for Matthew Golden. On a 1-on-1 rep versus Carrington Valentine, Golden made a big-time adjustment of an underthrown deep ball and made the contested catch. Later, he got behind the coverage of the starting defense and caught a long touchdown pass from Jordan Love in 11-on-11. Love also found him on a crosser under pressure, and he drew two different penalty flags against coverage. The rookie is looking increasingly more impressive during the first week of camp. Lukas Van Ness beat Jordan Morgan twice in pass-rushing 1-on-1s. Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Van Ness is 3-0 in the drill to start training camp. And the 2023 first-round pick has been active in 11-on-11 periods. Positive early signs. Rookie defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse continues to make noise. Twice during team periods, he produced a "sack" of the quarterback. The undrafted rookie has made notable plays during three straight practices. Signs of improvement are also showing up for Ty'Ron Hopper, who had another active practice. Xavier McKinney had a pick of Jordan Love in a team period. Can Luke Musgrave be a playmaker in Year 3? He had a good round of 1-on-1s against Javon Bullard. Matt LaFleur pulled Rasheed Walker and made him run a lap late in the practice, and he was not happy in his post-practice huddle. It's possible an intense, physical practice got a little too intense and physical late. Matt LaFleur press conference Brian Gutekunst press conference What's next A well-earned day off on Wednesday. The Packers return to the practice field on Thursday for the first of three straight days of practice, culminating in Family Night at Lambeau Field on Saturday night.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers HC Matt LaFleur shares observations on team's resolve to win 'Back Together Weekend'
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur joins "Back Together Weekend" to chat with NFL Network's Stacey Dales and Marc Ross about how his team this year has a renewed drive to succeed.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
The Green Bay Packers Have Tough Roster Decisions Ahead
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst will have some tough decisions when assembling the ... More 53-man roster. During Don Shula's first training camp with the Miami Dolphins in 1970, he implemented a four-a-day practice schedule. Yes, four-a-days. When Mike Sherman took over as Green Bay's coach in 2000, he held 51 practices his first summer. This year, Packers coach Matt LaFleur has 16 scheduled practices, and will likely have a couple of walkthroughs. The NFL world has changed dramatically in the last generation or two. And today's training camps are far softer and gentler than the ones of yesteryear. With so little time on the practice field, it's also tough for general managers like Green Bay's Brian Gutekunst to assemble a 53-man roster. 'Yeah, it's different,' said the 52-year old Gutekunst, who's been with the Packers since 1999. 'I think there's enough opportunities between now and when we have to make those decisions, but they've dwindled. You know, there's not as many.' Piecing together the roster will be Gutekunst's No. 1 task between now and Aug. 26, when teams must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players. Here's an early prediction of how the Packers' roster will look when they host Detroit in their season opener on Sept. (2) Keep: Jordan Love, Malik Willis. Cut: Sean Clifford, Taylor Elgersma. Analysis: There doesn't figure to be much drama here. Love is coming off an injury-plagued season where he threw 25 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and had a 96.7 passer rating. If the Packers are going to compete for a championship, Love needs to move from good to great. 'He's right where we need him to be,' Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said of Love. 'Really excited for what he's going do for our football team this year.' Willis helped save the Packers' season last year going 2-0 in a pair of starts and rallying Green Bay past Jacksonville after Love left early in the third quarter. Willis finished the year completing 40-of-54 passes (74.1%) with three touchdowns and no interceptions. 'I can't emphasize how difficult of a situation he was put in a year ago in terms of being here less than three weeks and having to go start a football game,' LaFleur said of Willis. 'So to have a year under his belt, I think, I think will be extremely beneficial for him.' Clifford spent 2024 on the practice squad, but his time might be over. Elgersma, who was signed after rookie minicamp, could be a candidate for the practice Backs (4) Keep: Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks. Cut: Amar Johnson, Jalen White, Israel Abanikanda. Analysis: The Packers traditionally keep three players here, so we're going against the grain. But this is undoubtedly one of the better positional groups on the team. Jacobs, who finished sixth in the NFL in rushing yards last season (1,329) and had 16 total touchdowns, is one of the best in the game. Lloyd, a third round pick in 2024 who missed most of his rookie year due to injury, has flashed his 4.44 speed early in camp and will have a role if healthy. 'I think my speed is something they can use a lot,' Lloyd said. 'I think I have a specific skill set that the team likes.' Wilson ran for 502 yards last year and had five total touchdowns. And Brooks is certainly an NFL-caliber back who blocks every bit as well as he runs. Gutekunst could certainly cut either Brooks or Wilson, but the guess is he'll keep them both. Johnson is a prime candidate for the practice (6) Keep: Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Dontayvion Wicks, Mecole Hardman. Cut: Malik Heath, Julian Hicks, Cornelius Johnson, Sam Brown Jr., Will Sheppard. PUP list: Christian Watson (ACL). Analysis: This group will look dramatically different than a year ago with the additions of Golden and Williams in the draft, and potentially Hardman in free agency. Reed, Doubs and Wicks — three of last year's top four — all need to be better. Reed led the Packers in receptions (55) and yards (857) last year, but struggled with drops. Wicks led the team in targets (76), but was just fourth in receptions (39) and had the second-worst catch rate in football among wideouts (51.3%). The moody Doubs, who went AWOL and was suspended for a Week 5 game vs. the Rams, also suffered two concussions. He now faces a critical season in a contract year. Golden, the Packers' first round draft pick, has flashed early in camp. His 4.29 speed is simply different and his after-the-catch potential is tantalizing. 'He's going to be a speed threat right away,' Gutekunst said of Golden. 'He is one of those guys that covering him from a man perspective is going to be extremely tough on teams.' Williams is raw, but has rare size (6-4, 222) and could become a bigger factor as the year goes on. The final spot will likely come down to Hardman — a free agent signing in March — or Heath, a physical blocker who had just 10 catches last year. The bet here is on Hardman, who has 178 career catches, a Super Bowl ring and is still just Ends (3) Keep: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims. Cut: John FitzPatrick, Messiah Swinson, Johnny Lumpkin. Analysis: If you play fantasy football like much of the country, here's a little tip: be sure to get Tucker Kraft on your team. This could be Kraft's breakout year, following a season where he posted solid numbers (50 catches, 707 yards, seven TDs). He's been even better this summer and could lead Green Bay in many pass catching categories. 'I think he's just scratching the surface of what he's going to become,' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Kraft. 'And certainly we got to do a good job of giving him opportunities.' Musgrave, a second round draft pick in 2023, has missed 16 of a possible 34 games and needs to impress. Sims vs. FitzPatrick will be the toughest decision here. Sims is the better special teams player, though, giving him a leg up. Swinson is an intriguing player likely headed to the practice Line (9) Keep: LT Rasheed Walker, LG Aaron Banks, C Elgton Jenkins, RG Sean Rhyan, RT Zach Tom, T/G Jordan Morgan, T/G Anthony Belton, C/G Jacob Monk, T/G Kadeem Telfort. Cut: T/G Travis Glover, G/T John Williams, G Donovan Jennings, C Trey Hill, T Brant Banks, G Tyler Cooper, G J.J. Lippe. Analysis: This is a deep group and the Packers could certainly keep 10 here. Things will become much clearer once Jenkins — who is unhappy with his current contract is currently sidelined with a back injury — begins practicing. A potential starting five of Walker, Banks, Jenkins, Rhyan and Tom should form one of the better lines in football. Morgan, who is battling Walker for the left tackle job, and rookie second round pick Belton would provide terrific depth. Monk, a fifth round draft pick in 2024, could still be Green Bay's center of tomorrow. The massive Telfort (6-7, 322) didn't play from scrimmage last year, but contributed on special teams. Glover was abysmal when forced into duty in the Packers' playoff loss to Philadelphia. Jennings spent last year on the practice squad, and could move up with an impressive camp. Williams, a seventh round draft pick, is on the PUP list (back) and could be headed to the practice Ends (6) Keep: Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox, Arron Mosby. Cut: Collin Oliver, Deslin Alexandre. Analysis: The Packers could choose to keep just five here, but after a season of inconsistency with the group, we're guessing they'll give themselves plenty of options. The top three of Gary, Van Ness and Enagbare are set. Gary had 7.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and was named to his first Pro Bowl last season. Van Ness, a first round draft pick in 2023, has a lot to prove after a disappointing 2024 campaign (three sacks, six TFLs) that saw him hampered with a broken thumb. Enagbare is often overlooked, but had 4.5 sacks and forced two fumbles last year. Sorrell, a fourth round pick in April, has rushed some from the inside to begin camp and could provide some much-needed juice. Cox had four sacks in just seven games after the Packers traded Preston Smith last season. Mosby played 150 snaps in 16 games last year and will be squarely on the bubble. The undersized Oliver, a fifth round draft pick in April, is on the PUP list with a hamstring injury. Green Bay could try sneaking him onto the practice Tackles (5) Keep: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson. Cut: Nazir Stackhouse, James Ester, Keith Randolph. Analysis: Clark hopes to rebound from a down year where he was plagued by a foot injury and had just one sack and five quarterback hits. 'It was tough man,' Clark said. 'It was a tough year for me.' Wyatt finished second on the team in sacks (5.0), quarterback hits (9.0) and tackles for loss (9.0) last season, despite missing three games with an ankle injury. Wyatt's snaps should go up with T.J. Slaton now in Cincinnati, and he could be poised for a breakout season. 'My standard is really high,' Wyatt said. 'I want to be one of the top defensive linemen in the league. That's the biggest key for me, just staying healthy man.' Brooks and Wooden, who both came in the 2023 draft, have been solid backups. The toughest decision figures to be Brinson vs. Stackhouse. Give Brinson the edge, though, since he was drafted in the sixth round in April and could likely provide more help on special (5) Veterans: Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Isaiah Simmons. Cut: Kristian Welch, Jamon Johnson. Analysis: This is one of the deepest groups on the roster, so don't rule out a trade if the Packers need help somewhere else. Cooper, who led all NFL linebackers and all rookies with 13 tackles for loss in 2024, seems ready for stardom. Walker has led the Packers in tackles each of his first three seasons, but the team opted not to pick up his fifth-year option. McDuffie, who re-signed with Green Bay for two years, $8 million this offseason, had a career-best 94 tackles last year. The player to watch closely is Simmons, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft who had disappointing stints in Arizona and with the New York Giants. Simmons has rare athleticism, though, and could carve out a role for himself. 'I mean, you see him,' LaFleur said of Simmons. 'There's a reason he was a top-10 pick. He's got all the measurables, and it's just getting him acclimated with our system and knowing what he can do and try to put him in some advantageous positions where he can really showcase his talent.' Hopper, a third round pick in 2024, should be ready for more after posting just five tackles as a rookie. Welch, a special teams standout, is plenty good enough to play in the league. It just might be somewhere (5) Veterans: Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Micah Robinson. Cut: Kalen King, Isaiah Dunn, Gregory Junior, Kamal Hadden, Johnathan Baldwin, Tyron Herring, Garnett Hollis. Analysis: This group could use some help. The Packers should be OK with their top three of Nixon, Hobbs and Valentine. Nixon was the only defensive back in football and one of just five players to have three-plus sacks, three-plus forced fumbles and an interception last year. While he's not a true No. 1 corner, he's as feisty as they come and appears to still be ascending in Year 7. Hobbs, a free agent signing in March, has been better than advertised early in camp. Hobbs was primarily the slot corner in Las Vegas, but looks like a keeper on the perimeter. 'I've given myself an opportunity to come in and be the best version of myself,' Hobbs said. 'There's expectations, but it's a clear start.' Valentine started the final seven games for an injured Jaire Alexander last season and played well. He finished the season with two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five passes defensed. The Packers have moved Melton from wide receiver to cornerback. And while a positional change typically is a death knell for a veteran player, Melton might have a shot to make this work. Melton ran a 4.34 40-yard dash coming out of Rutgers. His vertical jump was 38-inches, his broad jump was 10-1, and he's impressed early in training camp. 'He's one of those guys that, from the time we scouted him coming out of college, we thought he had that kind of ability,' Gutekunst said of Melton playing cornerback. 'When we brought him here, it was something we had in the back of our minds, that hey, this might be something we could do with Bo.' Robinson was a seventh round draft pick in April and King was a seventh rounder in 2024. The preseason games and joint practices will go a long ways in determining if they stay or go. Also, don't be surprised if Gutekunst makes a trade here or finds another corner off the waiver (5) Keep: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo. Cut: Omar Brown, Kahzir Brown. Analysis: Things are pretty cut and dried here. McKinney (eight interceptions in 2024) is among the best in the game. Williams is an emerging player who was named to the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team after an impressive first season. 'There were moments last year where I felt confident in my play and I was making plays on the field,' Williams said. 'But it's just being able to do that consistently. If you can't do it consistently it really doesn't matter.' Bullard had an up and down rookie year, but looks like the front-runner to win the nickel job. Anderson is an extremely reliable veteran and a special teams standout. Oladapo had a quiet rookie season, but has upside. Brown, who was undrafted, is a good bet for the practice (3) Keep: K Brandon McManus, P Daniel Whelan, LS Matt Orzech. Cut: K Mark McNamee Analysis: This positional group is about as close to settled as you'll find in July. McManus saved Green Bay's kicking game last season after replacing Brayden Narveson in mid-October. McManus made 20-of-21 field goals during the regular season (95.2%), the best percentage of his 11-year career and the second-best in team history. He also made all 30 of his extra points. Whelan ranked 26th in both gross (46.1) and net yardage (40.2), but is the only punter in camp. Orzech is steady and it doesn't appear as he'll be challenged this summer.
Yahoo
4 days 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
