Life is a little different when there’s a 7 next to your name. Who knows? The Green Bay Packers are in a position to change that to a 6, maybe even a 3 before the next five weeks are up. That number next to their name represents their playoff position in the NFC. Even at 6-6, the Pack’s three game run has them holding the final conference Wild Card. It appears they are going to be very stingy about giving it up.
The team returned to the practice field today after a bonus day off from the signature win of the season against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday and with a Monday night date coming next against the 4-8 New York Giants.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur said it was one of the best practices of the year. Center Josh Myers said the upbeat vibe was noticeable on the field. All inside 1265 Lombardi Avenue acknowledge the team has to get back to the same business of preparation that produced the wins, even more against an opponent reeling from injury and longing to get a rough campaign to the finish line.
Could the QB-RB tandem be reunited this week?
Blessed with early December temperatures pushing into the 40’s, it was a blessing to see a couple of key players back on the field. Running Back Aaron Jones took part in drills for the first time since suffering a sprained MCL against the Los Angeles Chargers. Jaire Alexander was also working on a limited basis, just as he was last week and was still a late scratch to the inactive list, a 7th game missed this season, the last handful because of the shoulder injury.
Jaire Alexander backpedaling back into the swing.
Three front line players did not take part. Christian Watson pulled the same hamstring that kept him on the sideline for the opening three weeks. Watson said this yank didn’t feel as bad as the first one but because it’s another one, he can’t say if it will keep him out of this week’s game. LaFleur is only hoping it’s sooner rather than later. Darnell Savage and Quay Walker, both nicked in the Chiefs game, also sat out. Savage just returned to the active roster after a month plus on IR with a calf injury.
There were a host of other limited players, De’Vondre Campbell, A.J. Dillon, Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, Jonathan Owens, Jayden Reed and Devonte Wyatt.
Campbell by the way, is this year’s Packer representative and team nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. It’s given to the player who’s on field performance is matched and exceeded by charitable or worthwhile efforts off the field. Campbell is involved in several foundation efforts.
The two newest arrivals are on Hinkle Field. Defensive back David Long Jr. dons number 30. He was claimed off waivers from the Carolina Panthers. The five year veteran was drafted and spent four years with the Los Angeles Rams, even starting in their Super Bowl. Also on the field for the first time was 8 year veteran running back Kenyon Drake. He’s piled up over 8000 rushing yards in his well traveled career and was brought onto the practice squad.
Jordan Love held his customary session with reporters today. He’s eager to see if offensive surge in execution, production and points will continue against yet another pressure heavy defense, the strength of an offensively challenged New York team. Love believes the first quarter touchdown pass thrown to Jayden Reed in Pittsburgh might have been the seminal moment for the offensive uptick. It was a result of continued full speed practice that was finally carried out by all 11 at full game speed against a very good defense. The light went on. In the three games since that four point loss to the Steelers, Love and the offense have gotten the better of Justin Herbert and the Chargers, Jared Goff and the Lions and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Love feels the biggest improvement over time has been the pass protection against pressure and blitzing. They’ve gone from blocking it up to now making it hurt when opponents aren’t getting home. Always pretty grounded, Love said there’s no way the team is going to look anywhere past Monday night at Met Life Stadium even though they have gotten themselves into playoff position by playing winning football against what most thought would be the most difficult stretch of the schedule’s second half. The Packers won’t face a team above .500 the rest of the way.
The quarterback and the team knows full well the only way to ensure a number 7 stays next to their name is to win a game for the 7th time Monday night in New Jersey.
