r/GreenBayPackers

WYTS means the season is close! Every team gets one every year. Don’t be salty.

The Packers LOVE Cisse. That's one of the main storylines from camp. Let's compare him to some of the other stud defenders from recent drafts that the Packers clearly loved (via APC):

Edgerrin Cooper played 55% of defensive snaps as a rookie
Evan Williams played 56% of defensive snaps as a rookie

These are above average starters and potential stars!

Coop is probably the best comparison, as a second-round draft pick that instantly flashed star potential. He was amazing as a rookie! Everyone kept asking why the Packers hadn't used him more. What happened in Year 2? He played 93% of snaps and got a little better. But it turned out that the Packers had been very strategic about platooning him as a rookie, always putting him in positions to succeed. When he transitioned to an every down player, we finally saw some of the flaws that the Packers had been working on during practices.

By all accounts, Cisse looks like a stud. But NFL CB is famously one of the most difficult positions to learn in all of professional sports.

Now for the training camp intrigue. Nixon has spent some time with the 2s, not much, and Valentine is spending more time with the 2s than the 1s. Meanwhile Cisse almost never comes off the field against the 1s. Doesn't that mean he's locked in as a starter?

I don't think so. We know what we have in Nixon and Valentine, and for them talent evaluations have diminishing returns. Not true of Cisse. And training camp reports show times that Cisse straight up blows coverage -- it's just a bit less common than the highlights.

I think the highest priority for CBs right now is getting Cisse reps against the 1s, not because he's starting, but because they are mapping his skillset. Maybe he's a dog against verts but a sitting duck against certain fakes. Maybe the reads are super easy in zone but he's a twitch slow in man, or the other way around.

Or maybe not. Maybe he took an offseason leap and about 25 teams are going to be kicking themselves that they didn't snag him in the first round.

But the Packers have a long track record of platoons for rookies, and I wouldn't bet that this time is different.

Closed Practice today so updates will be sparse. Will add anything of note here

All updates are copied directly from sources including Matt Schneidman, Wes Hodkiewicz, Andy Herman, Bob, and more

Edit: updates will be posted here in a bit. Almost done with my meetings for the day

Edit 2: I will get updates up as soon as I get home. Sorry guys

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DDS overheated at practice and he has to clear certain protocols to return. He's working through that now.

Matt LaFleur said rookie edge Dani Dennis-Sutton “overheated” at practice last week and that’s the illness that has caused his absence. LaFleur indicated there’s nothing more serious involved. He hasn’t practice since last Monday.

LaFleur has been impressed with not only Jonathan Ford's maturation as a player but also the person. "He is a load in the middle and been pretty impactful throughout camp."

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Bo Melton is back at practice after leaving early yesterday with a stinger.

Good sign that Aaron Banks (knee) is practicing again after doing team yesterday for the first time.

Aaron Banks and Josh Jacobs both practicing for consecutive days. Nyjalik Kelly also back practicing after missing yesterday.

New edge rusher Arden Walker is here wearing #46.

Dani Dennis-Sutton (heat-related illness) appears to be doing individual drills for the first time since dropping out more than a week ago.

Bo Melton, Skyy Moore also back after not finishing yesterday’s practice.

Packers down to only 6 players not practicing, two of which (Parsons, Riley) were pre existing from last year. Getting healthier!!!

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Starters today:

Love

Lloyd

Golden - Reed

Kraft - Whyle

Morgan - Banks - Rhyan - Monk - ZBB

LVN - Wyatt - Ford - Brooks - Sorrell

Zaire - Coop

Nixon - Cisse

X- Williams

Javon Hargrave making his presence felt early with a would be sack.

Valentine & BSJ now at corner rotating in with Nixon/Cisse with the 1s.

Current OL w the ones Morgan - Banks - Monk -Burton - Belton (lot of rotations early)

Hadden first up at nickel - not Oladapo.

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Kyle McCord picked by Kamal Hadden who is getting reps with the ones and twos.

Hadden hasn’t had much time in team with his injuries but when he’s in he consistently makes plays.

New OL and a potential noteworthy one:

Morgan - Banks - Rhyan - Burton - ZBB

Valentine and Cisse with the ones at CB

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Nixon currently working with the 2s with BSJ

Taylor to Sheppard for a big gain. Hadden in coverage.

Oladapo back with the 1s in slot.

OL rotating a ton. Now Morgan - Burton - Rhyan - Monk - ZBB

Love deep to Watson - had him - picture perfect ball - right off Watson’s hands for a drop.

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Play of the day so far. McCord to Sturdivant on a deep corner for a big TD. Perfect ball. Sturdivant had an easy step on Fluellan.

Cox and McDuffie all over an outside toss to Lloyd.

Jordan Love keeps on a read option and there’s nothing there. Simpson read it well.

Nice Little screen to Lloyd who makes Ford miss and takes off for a nice gain.

Nixon currently seems to be with the 3’s w/ Devonshire.

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Nixon working with the 3’s just got beat by Savion for a big gain. Love to Williams was well executed. But it’s not currently going great for 25.

Now Nixon falls on a slant against Watson and Watson picks up a big gain. He shakes his ankle out a bit but jogs off.

Hargrave with his second “sack” of the day. This one against Tyrod.

Brenton Cox continues his great camp, goes right through Anthony Belton for a pressure.

For all the tweets today it should be noted that players are going at about half speed.

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End Practice

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Andy Herman's take on Nixon:

"On Keisean today:

The Packers were not at full speed today. I wouldn’t make the catches by Watson/Savion into a big thing. When you have days like this it’s tough to gauge who is going at what speed and on one of them he fell down, may have been stepped on, who knows. Those plays are fairly irrelevant.

What is more intriguing is his usage. There were reps where he was in with MJ Devonshire at CB, Kenion at safety, Niemann and Welch at LB, etc… basically he was with the 3’s. Maybe he wanted more work. Maybe they wanted to get him more work. Who knows. But that part felt noteworthy. (He also got time legitimately with the ones, including the first rep of the day with the starters).

All of that said, Keisean’s been the brunt of a ton of the fanbase’s frustration as of late. Some fair, some unfair. I stand by I think Keisean is better than the fanbase thinks, probably overvalued by the Packers a bit. Whatever is going on, this felt like a bit of a low point. He seemed frustrated. Any time he’s been in this position in his career he’s bounced back and found a way through it. He’s never going to be a star corner, but the Packers will likely need him at some point this year. Hopefully he bounces back and responds and finds a new way to evolve like he has at numerous other times in his career.

Whatever happens from here, the competition seems legitimate. And all of the corners, including Nixon, are going to have to be at the top of their game if they want playing time. Hopefully that finds a way to bring out the best in everyone, including Nixon."

From the baseball community on Reddit: Cubs fans and White Sox fans join together in tarps off to chant “Green Bay Sucks!” during the rain delay

I have an absolutely hectic day today so updates will be late but I'll try my best to get them posted as soon as I can.

All updates are copied directly from sources including Matt Schneidman, Andy Herman, Bob, Wes Hodkiewicz, and more

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Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said Tucker Kraft getting back to team drills was not a prerequisite for getting a contract done. He said no update in that regard but gave props to Kraft for getting back into 11 on 11.

Brian Gutekunst said it is potentially feasible to keep 7 WR's on the roster. Something to potentially keep an eye on for your 53-man roster predictions.

Brian Gutekunst hopes to have long snapper Matt Orzech back in a week or so. He’s been on PUP all camp with a calf injury.

Don't be stunned if you see a 2nd kicker at some point this season for the Packers - Gutey said he'd like to have another kicker at some point, potentially on the practice squad for the season (regardless of how Smack does).

Adam Stenavich called plays last week in the preseason game.

LaFleur on his message to players about practice scuffles: “Don’t do something you can’t do in a game” like throw a punch. As for guys contacting QBs in practice like what happened on Sunday: “Just don’t want them touched. ”Guys on D need to pull off. OL need to block better.

Josh Jacobs will be out at practice today returning from injury.

LaFleur says O-linemen need to do their job better & should take it personally when they get pushed back near the QB during practice, like Belton did vs. Sorrell. LaFleur gets upset because he doesn’t want QB on the ground. Wants rushers to pull off if O-lineman is on his heels.

Matt LaFleur said the plan is to play Jordan Love and the starters a bit again this week at Denver and then have them work in the joint practice vs. Arizona the following week but likely not play in the preseason finale vs. the Cardinals.

LaFleur on Keisean Nixon’s “I guess I’m being punished” comment about being in a CB competition: “He loves making a headline, doesn’t he?” LaFleur said that with a smile. Adds that he loves Nixon and that he guesses whole team is being punished b/c everyone is in competition.

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Lukas Van Ness (shoulder) is back at practice after missing Sunday. Josh Jacobs back as well

In warmups it’s both Aaron Banks and Jager Burton working at LG with the starters and Jacob Monk at RG. Belton at RT with the 2s.

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Sturdivant with a hell of a rep to start off 1x1s with a clean win for a td vs BSJ who also held on the play.

Williams Pbu vs Whyle

Sheppard just mossed Nixon in the back of the end zone for a wonderful catch.

Moore had a step on x on a corner route but ball was over thrown.

Swinson with a nice td catch.

Hadden good coverage Savion

Neyor with a very impressive catch but was out of bounds.

Shemar shuts down Prather

Melton toasts Nixon for a td down the right sideline.

Trey Dean good coverage on Whyle.

Fluellan pick but may have been out of bounds

BSJ gets some revenge with a Pbu vs Sturdivant

Moore with a sick route that drops X and is wide open for a td.

Neyor with probably a bit too much movement off the Los but bears Hadden on a slant for a td.

Williams shuts down Swinson

Nixon solid coverage on Watson on a fade

Sheppard with a very clean win vs Shemar for a wide open td catch

X gets revenge vs Moore with phenomenal coverage and an int.

BSJ with beyond perfect coverage on Sturdivant

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Javon Hargrave welcomed Jager Burton to the NFL in the 1 on 1 drill. The 11th year pro beat the rookie twice, although Burton battled hard on the second one.

Lukas Van Ness (shoulder) also has returned after missing just one public practice.

Nyjalik Kelly (knee) the only new DNP.

Players working as gunners in punt drills

Savion

Bo

Sturdivant

Neyor

Oladapo

Perry

Hilton Jr

Simpson

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The Savion Williams end around is back and it goes for about 2 yards. Looked like Nixon who blew it up on the far sideline.

Starters:

Love

Brooks

Golden - Watson

Kraft - Whyle

Morgan - Burton - Rhyan - Monk - ZBB

LVN - Brooks - Wyatt - Sorrell Coop - Zaire

Nixon - Cisse

Oladapo - Williams

X

Aaron Banks getting team reps at RG but worked behind Burton 👀

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Love started team with a deep-ish shot to Golden for a big gain.

A couple plays later though he missed a wide open Reed on a deep crosser.

A couple plays later he hit Golden wide open over the middle who accelerated for a nice gain.

Aaron Banks (knee) talking his first team reps of camp. Didn’t start the drill but jumped in at LG in place of Burton after four plays.

Javon Hargrave also getting his first 11 on 11s.

Savion Williams jet sweep alert!!! Goes for about 3. I’ll count that as a win.

Just a gorgeous back shoulder ball to Whyle against Cox. Cox had picture perfect coverage. No idea how Love got that in there. Perfect timing.

Benton getting reps with 1s at RT, Hadden in the slot w/ 1s.

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Moore wide open on a crosser. Taylor hits him in stride.

Domani Jackson getting work with the 2s at CB opposite St-Juste. His first team reps as a Packer.

Kenion back in team drills after not doing team a couple days ago.

TJ Quinn just got some work w the 2s.

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Love finds Golden in the tightest of Windows for a nice pickup.

Love to Kraft for an easy pickup on a slant vs Cisse.

Valentine now working with the 1s opposite Cisse 👀👀👀

Love can’t quite hit a tough anticipation throw to Reed - pressure forced it out early.

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Love to Golden for a big gain on a crosser.

Love to Reed on a slant. Love has been impressive so far

Nixon now back in at CB with the ones but Cisse stays out there. Cisse really has been the guy at CB in practices so far.

A lot of guys are returning the team today LDN Hargrave Valentine I think that was the other one with the ones

LVN with a would be sack vs Belton. Love throws incomplete down the right sideline. Good coverage by Nixon on Reed.

Jordan Love and Matthew Golden getting hot early today. Already four catches on four targets in 11-on-11 and a couple chunk gains.

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McCord gets some reps and hits Savion for a big gain.

McCord hits Savion again on a crosser. Defense has really struggled with crossing routes today.

Keisean Nixon started with the 1s in team but is now back working with the No. 2 defense opposite sixth-round rookie Domani Jackson, who’s doing his first 11-on-11s. Brandon Cisse the constant with the starters so far today.

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Two minute drill:

1:10 left. Down 3. Ball on own 30. First and 10. 2 timeouts. 1’s up first.

BSJ starting opposite Cisse.

Love to Watson up the seam for a big gain. Clock ticks. I think there was a defensive penalty because the clock stopped.

Love to Golden over the middle to the 30. First down. Clock ticks.

Love to Whyle on a post. Couldn’t tell if it was a Pbu by x or a drop. Consensus seems to be drop.

Love to Dabney over the middle. 6 yards. Clock ticks. Timeout. 31 seconds left. 3rd and 4.

Love to Melton on a slant vs BSJ. First down. Clock ticks.

Love incomplete to Moore. Felt like a throw away.

12 seconds left.

Love to Watson but it goes off his shoulder and pops up in the air for an INT. Promising drive fizzles out. Zaire with the int

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Twos up next.

Taylor starts with a bomb to Savion for a huge gain. Not sure he got both feet down but it’s ruled a catch. Insane catch by Williams. He absolutely skied for that ball. Perry ranged over from safety and couldn’t break it up.

Back to back incompletions. Brings up 3rd down and 10.

Taylor to I think Sheppard for a few to setup the fg for the tie.

Two minute drives. 21-18 at the 30 w/1:10 left

Love drives the offense all the way to the 18-yard line but Zaire Franklin picks off a tipped pass intended for Watson. They let Smack kick the 42-yard FG (good) anyway.

Taylor hits Savion Williams for 35. Smack miss from 47.

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Skyy Moore was shaken up during the 2-minute drive and is trying to work out his discomfort while standing behind the returners during kickoff return.

Cam Achord basically just sprinted most of the kick return right alongside Bo Melton. Guy brings the juice for sure.

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Lukas Van Ness is wrecking shop again today in both the run and pass after missing Sunday with a shoulder injury. He’s had a great camp.

Returns to team activity today:

Aaron Banks

Javon Hargrave

Carrington Valentine

Murvin Kenion

Domani Jackson

LVN

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Tucker Kraft and Zaire Franklin chirping after Kraft lowers his shoulder and knocks Franklin back on the perimeter at the end of a catch in the flat.

Kraft and Franklin also got into it during Packers-Colts joint practice last year. Jacobs and Reed hyping Kraft up this time.

So much rotation at CB today. Except for Brandon Cisse. He’s basically been the full time starter since Day 4 of practice and I don’t see him giving it up any time soon.

Nixon with a play at the line on a checkdown to Kraft then a Pbu vs Golden.

Zaire has been all over the place. Run stuff on Brooks.

Cisse all over a very shallow crosser to Whyle.

Love to Kraft over the middle.

John Williams gets the rep as the 6th OL.

Deep shot to Melton, can’t come up with it and Melton is a bit shaken up after the play, walking gingerly and talking to a trainer.

Holy Tucker Kraft. A wild juggling one handed catch for a big gain. Nixon had decent coverage. Kraft just too big and too coordinated. Crazy play from 85.

Bo Melton just came back outside without his jersey or helmet. Got banged up on a deep ball that McKinney broke up a couple minutes ago. He seems to be in good spirits, though.

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Defense all sorts of confused. Leaves Golden wide open on a slant - completely uncontested.

Running game has been a bit better today. No big plays but not as many stuffs/negatives with a few nice pickups baked in. It’s progress.

Love to Watson on an out is a bit low. Watson can’t make the sliding catch.

Love to Golden for a short gain but Golden has been super active today.

Love to Dabney for a td. Great ball from 10. He’s had a really nice day. Probably his best day of camp so far.

Crumedy getting some reps with the ones.

Brinson would be sack of Love.

Love with a bullet to Neyor in the back of the end zone for a sliding td. Another impressive find from 10.

Taylor had a gorgeous throw to Neyor but Neyor couldn’t get both feet in.

And that does it for practice.

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End Practice