GREEN BAY – The Packers braved the rain for most of Tuesday’s 1-hour, 45-minute practice at Ray Nitschke Field.
Here are five things we learned:
- The unexpected rain created problems for Green Bay’s offense.
The Packers expected practice to begin with a brief shower, but that weather system produced inches of rain within an hour.
With no threat of lightning – which would have sent the team to the Don Hutson Center – Green Bay played hard. That required the Packers’ quarterbacks, centers and pass catchers to pay extra attention to make sure the ball didn’t end up on the ground.
There were some dropped balls and a couple missed QB center exchanges, but Dontayvion Wicks and Grant DuBose were also among those who made some tough catches.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen rain like that,” quarterback Sean Clifford said. “That was one of the wettest days I’ve ever seen. All in all, there’s a lot to learn. You have to practice following the basics while it’s raining. It’s crazy. Just try to get better in all areas.”
The Packers did their best, and several players said they enjoyed it. Defensive linemen Rashan Gary and Karl Brooks, and running back AJ Dillon all said it reminded them of playing quarterback football as kids.
Veteran safety Xavier McKinney laughed when asked if Tuesday was the wettest practice he’s ever participated in.
“No. I had one in New York,” McKinney said. “Camp culture was like that but worse – and it was very cold.”
- The rain cleared just in time for the kicking contest to resume.
It rained just in time for Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph to start their kicking competition. Carlson made all six of his attempts in two seasons (33, 38, 44; and 41, 45 and 46), while Joseph went 5-for-6 on makes from 33, 39, 41 , 45 and 46 and miss from 44 .
As Carlson drove to Lambeau Field on Tuesday morning thinking the rain would pass before practice, he was grateful to have the opportunity to work out in the inclement weather.
“It was a great job,” Carlson said. “The warmups were mostly rainy. The ball was heavy. I thought (punter) Danny (Whelan) did a good job of catching the football, getting it down quick for me. .That was a little different.
“It’s not a different kick but it feels a little different to a ball that’s heavier and your foot is wet, too.”
Head Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the Packers plan to kick every day during camp as long as the team carries three players. Rookie James Turner had the first shot on Monday, going 4-of-6 on his attempts.
- Gary continues to make his presence felt.
The rain didn’t seem to bother Gary one bit. If anything, it might make the 6-foot-5, 277-pound pass rusher even more of a problem.
Gary was a frequent visitor to Green Bay’s backcourt during 11-on-11, producing three baskets in a four-game span while rushing from both ends in the final period. of exercise.
The sixth-year veteran talked about his excitement about getting his hands back on the dirt in Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 defense and feels it has made a difference in his game.
“I feel a lot more explosive from three-point range,” said Gary, who led Green Bay with 9½ sacks last season. “Sometimes when you’re in a two-point situation you can make a lot of false steps and with a dirty hand, the false steps are taken away.”
Gary’s interception helped set up a big day for the defense, which led to the offense finishing practice with pushups.
- There’s a new quarter in town.
With Jordan Love not expected to practice until he signs a long-term extension, the Packers have signed Indianapolis QB Jacob Eason to their 90-man roster.
Eason, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by Love, attended Green Bay’s minicamp last May for tryouts. As he prepares for the call, Eason said he is working to finish his undergraduate degree.
“I got the call (Monday) morning, 6:45 West Coast … and I was on the plane at noon,” Eason said. “I got in last night at 10:30, slept for five hours and here I am. … I’m happy to be here.
The Packers released veteran Wisconsin snapper Peter Bowden to make room for Eason, leaving veteran Matt Orzech as the only long snapper on Green Bay’s roster for now.
- MarShawn Lloyd could miss several days with a groin injury.
Before practice, LaFleur told reporters he doesn’t think it will be “too long” before Lloyd returns to the practice field, but the Packers’ third-round pick may not practice Tuesday or Wednesday.
MarShawn Lloyd told reporters Monday his hip sprained shortly after returning last week. With Lloyd out, second-year running back Emanuel Wilson and tight end Ellis Merriweather have picked up some points behind veterans Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon.
“He’s a weapon that comes out of the back,” said LaFleur of Lloyd. “We know what he can be with the ball in his hands and what he can do, what he’s capable of. We just have to get him back healthy and ready to go.”
Cornerback Jaire Alexander was back in practice after sitting out Monday as a safety because of “a little burnout,” according to LaFleur.
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