Four Takeaways from Packers First Public Practice
The rail birds were out in full force this week, braving hot, humid, 80+ degree weather to get a first glimpse of their 2016 Green Bay Packers as OTAs moved outdoors for an open practice on Tuesday.
With only two practices in the books and numerous players missing workouts for various reasons, it’s still way too early to get any real answers about position battles or personnel packages, but there were still some noteworthy offerings coming out of the public’s first viewing of the team.
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Some such topics leading to most of the discussion:
1. Eddie Lacy’s dramatic body transformation has been a bit overstated
Yes, Lacy does look thinner, but the change, which was hyped pretty heavily over the last few months, appears to be fairly modest.
Tony Horton, Lacy’s trainer and inventor of P90X, surmised that Lacy’s weight loss was about “15-18 pounds,” which, for a guy that played at around 260 pounds last season, is hardly earth-shattering. Mike McCarthy referred to Lacy’s weight loss as “So far, so good,” but made it clear he has more work to do.
Come September 11th, however, Lacy should be fully back to pre-2015 form.
2. Jordy Nelson looks great, but Packers will be very cautious
Nelson did catch passes on Tuesday…from receivers coach Luke Getsy.
Nelson spent some time on the field with his teammates at the beginning of practice, but after that he was mainly back inside, continuing his rehab from his torn ACL last August.
“He’s right on schedule, I would say, and he’s sticking to the plan,” said McCarthy. Nobody really knows what that plan is with Nelson’s rehab this off-season, but it’s obvious he’ll be doing individual activities for a while. “We’re not going to put him in a team environment right now.”
The Packers will surely bring Nelson along slowly, and although he will no doubt get more and more work as training camp progresses, the first player to tackle Jordy Nelson this season just may be a Jacksonville Jaguar.
3. Jared Cook looks as advertised
Cook looks big, he looks strong, he looks fast.
“When you got big targets that can move like he does, he’s been an excellent addition.” McCarthy said. “I really like what he’s done so far.”
The first time seeing Cook in action has only wet the appetites of Packers fans envisioning him running seam routes down the middle, flanked by numbers 18 and 87.
Pick your poison, defenses.
4. Datone Jones could be the X-factor on the defense
During his post-practice press conference, the player Mike McCarthy seemed most excited to answer a question about was not Lacy, or Nelson, or Aaron Rodgers.
It was Datone Jones.
“His ability to play a 5, 6, 7, or 9 technique, and even go inside, particularly in rushing situations; I think he’s really kind of found his niche here.”
Playing the Elephant position will allow Dom Capers to move Jones around and utilize him almost as a hybrid to maximize his strengths as a player, whether the situation demands him to be a pass rusher, a coverage backer, or a run defender.
Watching how Jones is utilized will be one of the bigger stories in training camp this season.
The Packers next open practice will be held Thursday, June 2nd.
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