Packers Practice Roundup: August 22, 2022

Christian Watson takes part in team drills and the starters on defense school the wannabee offensive line prospects.

 

GENERAL/PERSONNEL:

Jarran Reed injured during a team period. He walks off with head trainer Bryan Engel, who seemed to be looking at Reed’s left hand/wrist.  2) Reed is back in already with the 1s for next team period.  2) Rookie safety Tariq Carpenter has returned to practice. He missed the last week with a knee injury.  3) Couple updates from Matt LaFleur: • Christian Watson made it through first team drills well: “You could definitely feel his speed and size out there.” • David Bakhtiari will practice again and only do individual drills • Jenkins, Tonyan not ready for team drills yet.  Schneidman [So, zero chance of seeing Bakh, Jenkins or Tonyan against KC on Thursday.  There might be a slight chance of seeing Christian Watson for a handful of snaps.  TGR]

Reed back in with his left wrist taped.  Silverstein

It’s not just the plays the Packers' defense is making. It’s the confidence this group oozes every rep. The defense is kicking the offense’s ass, and it knows it. Haven’t seen this since I joined the beat in 2014.  2) Two straight sacks for the defense. Kenny Clark blows Jake Hanson off the line, then entire DL converges on Aaron Rodgers. Then Adrian Amos picks Aaron Rodgers pass for Christian Watson. Defense is dancing and bobbing to Lil John between reps. Straight bringing it today.  Wood

Kenny Clark just discarded Jake Hanson like spoiled milk. Would’ve lit Aaron Rodgers up if he was allowed to. Rashan Gary and Quay Walker in Rodgers’ face on another play. Clark then goes through Aaron Jones and Rodgers spikes it with some frustration. This front 7 is an issue.  Schneidman [A little more information than in Wood's above.]

Rasul Douglas says as far as he knows, plan is for defensive starters to play Thursday versus the Chiefs. Asked if he wants to play, he said of course.  Kassidy Hill

TE/HB Dominique Dafney, who played in 15 games (four starts) over the past two seasons with the Packers, has reached an injury settlement with the team. He is now 100% healthy and expects multiple teams to be interested in working him out, per his agent.  Pelissero  [That should be cheap if he's healthy already.  Still, if he can pass a physical today, then I don't understand why the Packers didn't wait to release him to save whatever the settlement cost.  They could have as easily just released Chauncey Manac or even Ty Clary instead of Dafney.  TGR]

You keep the 53 that you are most worried would get poached by another team & then add your next next 16 to the practice squad hoping you can keep the top 69 players. Don’t worry if they have 8 wr’s on the 53 or only 2 rbs - did they keep the best 69 overall. That’s the goal.  2) Krys Barnes is actually a great example of this. They had plans to start him week 1 as a rookie but cut him during 53-man cut downs because they knew they’d get him back. They did and he started week 1. There’s a gamesmanship to the first 53, it’s not best 53.  Herman  [Krys Barnes played 537 snaps in 2021, so GB planning on him being the starter next to Campbell when they used two ILBs seems reasonable to me.  TGR]

Caleb Jones is about to become that guy we're all convinced will get claimed if the Packers try to get him on the practice squad. 2) Chris Slayton is the other guy we're all going to worry about making it onto the PS.  Jersey Al

Packers tried out several more specialists today: K Matt Ammendola K Chase McLaughlin K Chandler Staton K Parker White P Cameron Dicker.  Demovsky

 

QUARTERBACKS/WIDE RECEIVERS:

Hell of a catch from rookie Christian Watson, plucking a Jordan Love pass down right sideline over CB Rico Gafford for 27 yards on 4th & 10. Gafford wanted a push off, but no flag. Put offense at 13 with 2 seconds left.  2) offense almost made a play. Amari Rodgers caught a Jordan Love pass over Shemar Jean-Charles in back of end zone. Nice grab, but one problem. Rodgers was out of bounds.  Wood

Christian Watson just Moss’d Rico Gafford for a big gain down the right sideline on a nice throw from Jordan Love. Put the backup offense in position for a field goal during end-of-game scenario period when offense trailed by two.  Schneidman [Same play as Wood #1 above.]

Down 3, 50 sec left, offense puts a drive together. Reached the 27 for a field goal. Aaron Rodgers hit Randall Cobb on a perfect slant against Rasul Douglas for 14 yards on 3rd & 10. Then hit a pair of throws to Allen Lazard (11 yards) and Josiah Deguara (10 yards.)  2) Aaron Rodgers hits Randall Cobb on a crosser over the middle. Ball behind him. Rasul Douglas had a chance to pick it, but missed. Douglas bends over at his waist, puts his hands on his knees, and hangs his head in disgust.  Wood

Douglas just misses a pick on Cobb cross but somehow Cobb still snags it off the deflection. Rodgers not happy with himself but points at Cobb in appreciation.  Spofford [Same as Wood #2 above.  TGR]

Amari Rodgers has 3 catches on 7 targets for 27 yards despite running 50 routes this preseason. At this point, the Packers probably need to get creative (like lining him up in the backfield) to get him the ball in any meaningful manner.  Kruse  [Means Amari has to be schemed open.  TGR]

 

TIGHT ENDS:

Another false start by Tyler Davis on the first play of a team period. Rashan Gary got him to jump.  2) LaFleur on TE Tyler Davis: “We still have a lot of confidence in Tyler.” Says “his value on teams alone is definitely noticeable” and they haven’t lost any confidence in him because of a couple mistakes.  Schneidman

New tight end Nate Becker made a nice block on a toss to Dexter Williams, then caught a pass from Jordan Love.  Huber  [Bill Huber's article is good.  Click here for a link to it.]  

 

RUNNING BACKS:

Amari Rodgers just took a handoff from Aaron Rodgers from the backfield, like a RB. Amari Rodgers could have a Swiss Army knife roll in this offense. Could be important if the Packers only keep two RBs.  Wood

Then again, maybe Goodson won’t make it; he was routed by Walker in the blitz drill.  AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones beat De’Vondre Campbell in the blitz drill, which is no small feat.  Huber

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:

Zach Tom truly plays almost everywhere on the Packers offensive line. He’s in at left guard on second unit right now. The rookie has played everywhere in camp except center, where he was a 2-year starter at Wake Forest.  Wood [I have a lot of confidence in Steno, but not playing Tom at what I think is his best position is criminal.  TGR]

David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins did not do 1 on 1s. Not a surprise. That put Yosh Nijman vs Preston Smith. They split their reps.  2) Kenny Clark Is ridiculously explosive. Not a news flash, but impressive to see up close. Just bulled over center Josh Myers, using a left club to knock Myers over. Clark won both their reps. Good work for the young center.  3) Kenny Clark blows Jake Hanson off the line....  4) Zach Tom won a 1 on 1 rep against Rashan Gary. Beat his bull. So Gary went to a speed rush on next rep and passed Tom like he was in mud. Still, the rookie got one rep.  Wood  [Myers and Hanson have graded out well by PFF against backups.  Kenny Clark is a different matter.  Good to see Tom handle a bull rush from a top guy.  Loses to the speed rush by Gary, so wait to see if he can counter that later.  TGR]

As has been the case for a couple weeks, the No. 1 offensive line had Yosh Nijman at left tackle, Jon Runyan at left guard, Josh Myers at center, Jake Hanson at right guard and Royce Newman at right tackle. Generally, when rookie Zach Tom has gotten his first-team reps at right tackle, Newman has returned to right guard, where he started 16 times as a rookie. For part of Monday’s practice, when Tom entered at right tackle, Hanson stayed at right guard and Newman was out.  2) The No. 2 offensive line, from left to right, for the backups-vs.-backups two-minute drill: Caleb Jones, Cole Van Lanen, Michal Menet, Sean Rhyan and Newman.  Huber [It appears that GB loves Hanson.  TGR]

In starters vs. starters matchups, Yosh Nijman split with Preston Smith, Jon Runyan scored four wins vs. Jarran Reed, Josh Myers earned two wins vs. Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt won two of three vs. Royce Newman and Zack Tom split a pair against Rashan Gary. Later, La’Darius Hunter beat Newman twice and Kingsley Enagbare went to a 1-1 draw vs. Nijman.  Huber

 

DEFENSIVE LINE:

During the two-minute drills, Kenny Clark and Jarran Reed were the No. 1 pair of defensive tackles and Dean Lowry and T.J. Slaton were the No. 2s.  Huber

At right tackle, Tom split with Gary in one on ones. Heflin, Slaton and Slayton had nice inside rushes. Kobe Jones hit a sick spin move to beat Jones at LT.  Hodkiewicz

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS:

Jaire Alexander said he would give Christian Watson the business when he was cleared for 1-on-1s. Alexander just took three reps in 1-on-1s. Two against Watson, one against Romeo Doubs. Three incompletions, with tight coverage on each. Welcome to the league.  Schneidman

Still Shawn Davis at deep safety with Amos.  Hodkiewicz

1-on-1 WRs/DBs: Douglas bumps Cobb off slot route for INT, Lazard out-in move for high snag v Nixon, Stokes PBU v Hyman, Winfree contested catch v Gafford, Watkins beats Thomas for deep ball. And, oh yeah, Alexander all over everybody.  Spofford

 

CUT DOWNS:

GB needs to release three players to reach the roster limit of 80 by 3:00 CST today.  TGR

All NFL teams must be down to the mandated 53-man roster limit by next Tuesday afternoon, but the CBA also mandates a three-day rest period following the final preseason game.  So LaFleur said the players will have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off after Thursday night's preseason finale in Kansas City, and he's working on a practice plan for Monday and/or Tuesday so the layoff isn't too long.  Spofford

 

 

 

 

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Comments (38)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 23, 2022 at 03:18 am

Kenny Clark and Gary let the wannabees like Hanson, Newman and Tom know that they haven't been playing premier players in these preseason games. Sample size is small.

Amari Rodgers getting handoffs in the backfield. Might be the only way outside of screens and passes in the flat to get the ball to him so he can do some damage.

Still plenty of reason to suspect that STs might still stink. Gileai and Shawn Davis missed tackles, Enagbare had a penalty. Kabion Ento was the top graded ST player by PFF. I do acknowledge that O'Donnell is a fine holder, and can mitigate some not too great snaps should that need arise. He also punts really well in summer.

Some of these remaining camp battles are exciting, but others, like OLB, is just finding the guys who are least bad, or can do something well though they may be weak in other areas. Gileai might be a designated pass rusher who perhaps can cover a bit, but he really doesn't look particularly improved from 2021. The battle for #3 safety, not to mention #4 and 5 is a shit show. They all should be trying to be the #5, or if I squint hard, #4 safety, not number 3. Some writers wrote that Carpenter's return helps the depth at safety, but it really doesn't: he isn't ready to play in 2022.

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Bure9620's picture

August 23, 2022 at 04:12 am

Amari Rodgers does damage?

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Johnblood27's picture

August 23, 2022 at 10:01 am

The question is - damage to which team?

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Leatherhead's picture

August 23, 2022 at 12:37 pm

Well, given that he doesn't miss games or practices and has never turned the ball over, you tell me.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 23, 2022 at 12:51 pm

This "he never turns the ball over" nonsense should really stop. He fumbled at least two punts last year. Luckily the other team didn't recover either. Hardly the type of ball security you want in a punt returner. And fielding a punt at the 3 yard line doesn't exactly show good judgement.

But he's a 2nd day pick, so..........

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Leatherhead's picture

August 23, 2022 at 01:13 pm

He muffed a punt and fell on it. That's not a turnover. He fumbled one out of bounds. That's not a turnover. A turnover is when the other team gets the ball.

Try to read more carefully. This isn't the first time I've had to ask you that.-

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 23, 2022 at 01:35 pm

I would love to spend just 10 minutes alone in a room with you, I really would. That would be my dream come true.

But I digress. He has shown bad ball security and makes questionable decisions. His QBs don't want to throw to him. 8 targets last year when the guy he backs up only played in 10 games. Why is that?

Try and read that carefully.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 24, 2022 at 09:59 am

"I would love to spend just 10 minutes alone in a room with you, I really would. That would be my dream come true."

That's the kind of dream that I suspected you have. I mean, I've asked you on several occasions if you'd like to get together and discuss this. I even volunteered to go to that shithole in Arizona where you live, but you keep declining.

I don't know what to do you with you. I've tried ignoring you. I've asked you to ignore me, but you can't. Nobody on this board, including me, comes to this site to read your personal attacks. The irony is that when you confine your remarks to football, we agree on a lot.

This most recent thing....where I said "turnover", which you misread as "fumble", and then you chose to pick at that nit. You are a nitpicker, and you do it to show your wit. That's what you do. And you've fixated on me like a dog with a bone. You repeatedly misread what I've said and then get contentious with me.

I think you would benefit from counseling and therapy. You have a lot of issues. Please leave me alone.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 24, 2022 at 10:44 am

Disagreeing with you on a football related topic is a personal attack? Lol

I'll post when and where I want. If you don't want your mostly idiotic views commented on, don't post them a public forum.

And when the hell did I ever say I lived in Arizona? Now go argue with someone else. It seems like quite a few people on this site disagree with you on quite a few of your posts, so it shouldn't be hard to find someone.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 24, 2022 at 11:11 am

"Disagreeing with you on a football related topic is a personal attack? Lol"

No, but wanting to be in a room with me sure seems like one. Repeatedly misreading what I've said and then getting contentious about it is.

I think you are mentally ill. Please leave me alone.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 24, 2022 at 02:42 pm

And I think you're an idiot. So, what else is new?

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Leatherhead's picture

August 24, 2022 at 02:58 pm

Obviously, you think I'm a fascinating idiot......who agrees with you on many football related things.

Please leave me alone.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 24, 2022 at 02:59 pm

Are you stalking me?

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Leatherhead's picture

August 24, 2022 at 04:51 pm

Yes, the person who has repeatedly asked you to leave him alone is stalking you. I’m sure this makes perfect sense to you.

Please leave me alone.

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Bure9620's picture

August 24, 2022 at 11:24 am

Rodgers was certainly responsible for the pick in Detroit. Off his hands to the other team, sure the stat sheet says Jordan Love but that is absolutely an Amari Rodgers turnover and only 8 targets.

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PackyCheese500's picture

August 23, 2022 at 09:36 am

I would preferHanson and Newman not starting in week 1. However, from what I’ve heard, there’s a decent chance EJ will be ready for at least part of the game. The Carpenter pick was not mainly intended to give S depth - his open-field tackling skills are intended for him to become a core STs player. Depth at OLB is concerning, and little has been done for depth since last year, which is why I recommend the Packers sign Jason Pierre Paul with their remaining 3m in cap space. With a smaller workload, he will be able to provide another consistent source of pressure, something the Packers couldn’t do outside of Gary and Smith in 2021. He will also add a veteran presence, a which boosts the play of the defense overall (as we saw with Mercilus in 2021, and Pierre Paul is better than Mercilus).

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 23, 2022 at 06:36 pm

I agree that it is not Carpenter's fault that he can't back up a safety spot. First, he isn't a safety. Second, he is a 7th round pick. Henry Black was absolutely terrible. Nothing was done to get an upgrade on Black. That said, Black was bad enough that someone will be released at cut downs who is better than Black.

I do agree that teams use 3 OLBs and rotate them in. The 3# OLB normally plays quite a bit. I know nothing about JPP the player in 2022.

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PackyCheese500's picture

August 23, 2022 at 08:56 pm

Black was bad, and I think Abernathy should get a look as the third S. With a smaller workload, such as being OLB 3, Pierre-Paul has the potential to be great for the Packers as a backup OLB. He can help put consistent pressure on the QB, something the Packers couldn’t do last season (Gary and Smith aside) and in the preseason vs the Saints.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 23, 2022 at 03:23 am

Thanks again TGR! You are doing really marvelous job for rest of us.

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Bure9620's picture

August 23, 2022 at 04:07 am

So with ALL the starters on the sidelines....Amari Rodgers this preaseason...against 2nd and 3rd team players......has run 50 routes..had 7 targets for 3 catches for 27 yards. ALL of the those catches he had to be schemed open.....He HAS to be schemed open because he cannot win in single coverage against backups. Someone please explain to me the value he brings.....He was also a liability on teams, he can't block....Hell Jeff Janis was a better player and brought more value than him

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Lphill's picture

August 23, 2022 at 05:14 am

Yesterday on NFL.com they ranked the top 9 defenses for this season they had the Packers at 3 behind the 49 ers and Bills .

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 23, 2022 at 08:04 am

The starters on defense look likely to be a top 10 defense and have a chance to be better than that. Given health, at least, and that is a lot of what this series of articles are about: depth and in case, plus sometimes trying to discern what the Packers are thinking.

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T7Steve's picture

August 23, 2022 at 07:46 am

TGR it seems the tight end room is weak. Think they can convert Etling to tight end like a Taysom Hill gadget deal, at least till Tanyan is back? It would protect from losing him and open a spot for someone else on the PS. Looks like he can run better than the other tight ends, don't know if he can block or be willing.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 23, 2022 at 08:23 am

Interesting idea. Problem is we do not know how he can catch passes thrown to him. And that is something Packers do not have time to test.

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T7Steve's picture

August 23, 2022 at 08:32 am

We know that Davis can't catch or block so far. It wouldn't be such a stretch. He knows the plays, being a QB too.

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PatrickGB's picture

August 23, 2022 at 08:37 am

And block.

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Coldworld's picture

August 23, 2022 at 09:26 am

Etling tried to make it as a WR for a while with the Patriots but only had 2 preseason targets and one catch. He was waived and I think has not repeated that experiment.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 23, 2022 at 01:10 pm

Lewis, Deguara, Tonyan eventually. You could use an offensive lineman as the last TE and put him in on blocking situations. Deguara and Tonyan are our receivers at that spot.

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arthurl's picture

August 23, 2022 at 08:31 am

This was a fine article and good review from yesterday’s camp. Man, this defense appears to be nasty. These practices will only make the OL better come season time. I believe the offense will be fine, maybe not as explosive as we have become accustomed to in the Rodgers era. I am excited to see this defense battle the Vikes on the road as they have a lot of skilled players on their offense.

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Coldworld's picture

August 23, 2022 at 09:20 am

This Hanson, Newman dance has gone on too long. Perhaps today was its swan song, but They should have it settled now. It sounds like Bakh might be closer than Jenkins from comments today. If that’s the case and we go into a game with Nijman on the bench and Newman at RT then I will start wondering if Stenavich has lost his marbles. His crazy decision in the championship game, the Hanson/Newman oddity, not giving Tom time at C. Baffling.

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T7Steve's picture

August 23, 2022 at 09:30 am

There can be no way they'll put Nijman on the bench. Even with Bakh and EJ back, I wish they could convert him to guard but, he probably can't pull fast enough. They like to pull their guards. Of course if the ones that can pull miss their blocks I guess it doesn't make a difference.

Is there some hidden reason that we just can't see that the coaches do?

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Wildcomet's picture

August 23, 2022 at 09:48 am

When they get Bakh and Jenkins back I'd feel better about them putting Jenkins back to guard and letting Nijman take RT than I would having Jenkins at RT and Nijman on the bench while whatever Guard is in opposite Runyan. Jenkins is definitely the better tackle compared to Nijman, but I think Nijman is better than whoever goes after Runyan on the Guard depth chart so that gives you the best five on the field.

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T7Steve's picture

August 23, 2022 at 10:01 am

That was an idea CW and I discussed last week. I think that's allot better. Gives the depth time to work through their problems. And as someone mentioned (dobber I think) EJ is a good tackle, but a special guard.

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LambeauPlain's picture

August 23, 2022 at 11:17 am

I have to trust the constant adage coming from both Matt and Steno..."we will play the best 5 on the OL." Hence the value and focus placed on versatility, right?

If Nijman is a healthy scratch in MN...I will wonder if Matt has lost his marbles too. Both coaches made a poor decision in the playoff game parking Yosh on the bench... and IMO it was a key contributor to the loss.

If Dave and Jenks are healthy, aren't Yosh, JRJ, and Myers part of the best 5? Seems clear to me.

Dave, Jenks, Myers, JRJ, Yosh is a really good line. Jenks was so damn good at LG opening lanes at the second level for AJ in 2020!

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Tundraboy's picture

August 23, 2022 at 02:05 pm

If that's not the best five against Minnesota. I'll pull my hair out. I want to see us run all over them before we just blow them out with the passing game, while our D puts them out of their misery.

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Roadrunner23's picture

August 23, 2022 at 09:48 am

😉👍

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LambeauPlain's picture

August 23, 2022 at 10:51 am

These recaps have been informational and fun to read, TGR. Also appreciate you sprinkling in comments from other beat reporters on the scene.

When will these reports be ending? Closed practices starting Monday to prepare for the destruction of the Vyqueens, I expect? Gonna miss them.

So we will be receiving less information about the formation of the final 53 and the depth chart.

Defense looks locked and loaded. S depth is troubling and could see a FA signed after cut down day...or a trade before that with a Safety rich team?

Offense has questions but the foundation is sound. If Watson can show he's ready to play a situational role and Doubs turns more drops into those dazzling snatches...Lazard, Watkins, Cobb, Winfree, Watson, and Doubs looks like good group. That's six. A month ago I had Rodgers as lock. He's better, but less a lock now. The 6 above him are better...and Toure may be as good.

RB is fine and Goodson/Taylor bring different skills but both could make the 53 as core WeTeamers. TE could fine with Tonyan joining Big Dog and Deguara. But Davis needs to get mentally fixed on the PS, not the 53. Can't trust him...trouble with catching, blocking, penalties. Shocking downturn. But he's played well before...darkest before the dawn. Maybe they only keep 3 and stash Davis and one of the FAs on PS for now.

OL is really talented but right now the best 5, sans Jenks and Dave, is Nijman, JRJ, Myers, Hanson, Tom. Newman is possible has been given every opportunity to be starting RG and backup RT and hasn't closed the deal. Tom and Hanson have gotten in his way. Eventually, the best 5 will hopefully be Dave, Jenks, Myers, JRJ, Yosh...with Hanson as the first man up on the interior, Tom at Tackle. Newman as a depth lock, and difficult decisions to be made between CVL, Rhyan, and Caleb the Giant if they keep 9 like last year.

STs...still gaining acceptance. Jeez...is the "Curse of the Novak" still hovering in the ST room? Kick coverage has been pathetic. The Saints saw this too and were routinely bringing out kicks from the end zone...with good results. Please...just don't suck this year.

One thing looks likely...Lambeau will be roaring when the D is on the field this year!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 23, 2022 at 06:54 pm

We shall see how long these roundups last. As long as sufficient information comes out of camp to make it worthwhile is probably my answer. I know I did roundups last year for closed practices. It may be that I only issue a roundup every other day or change it from a featured article to one that just appears in "the latest buzz."

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