5 Quick Thoughts: 12’s Frustration

The Packers held their 17th practice of training camp earlier today. Here are the five most newsworthy items from August 17:




1) The young wide receivers were better today, 24 hours after Aaron Rodgers vented about their inconsistency. And while his harsh words were understandable following a particularly poor practice against the Saints, his frustration seems misguided. Had general manager Brian Gutekunst done more in March to replace superstar Davante Adams, second-year pro Amari Rodgers, coming off a disappointing first season, late-round picks Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure, and street free agent Juwann Winfree wouldn’t be under such intense pressure to contribute right away. Is the back-to-back MVP and future Hall Of Famer simply trying to light a fire under the young players with the opener in Minnesota less than four weeks away? Sure, but recent history suggests his vexation isn’t going to dissipate anytime soon.

2) Speaking of quarterbacks, Jordan Love had one of his best practices of the summer on Wednesday. The third-year pro from Utah State delivered the ball with the kind of accuracy he didn’t show in the preseason opener against the 49ers. His best throw was probably a deep ball to seventh-round pick Samori Toure for a touchdown. The key for Love will be duplicating this performance in two days when 70,000 fans are watching, and he won’t be wearing a red jersey. Winning quarterbacks at this level are consistent day in and day out and are able to thrive under pressure. Love hasn’t shown either trait since joining the Packers in ’20, but a day like today should give even his harshest critics a reason to believe.

3) After holding up reasonably well at right tackle against the 49ers’ backups,  Royce Newman has really struggled at right tackle the past two days against the Saints’ starters. So unless the Vikings agree to sit linebacker Za’Darius Smith and defensive end Danielle Hunter in Week 1, the Packers should be praying that Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins is ready to go in 25 days. While Newman has the size (6-5, 310) and arm length (33 3/4 inches) needed to play outside in the NFL, his college tape always suggested he’d be better off inside. As a tackle, the former Ole Miss star lacks the lateral quickness to slide and recover, and despite remaking his body in the offseason, he still gets pushed backward far too easily and often.

4) Well, Packers fans got their wish – Chris Olave is in Green Bay. The rookie from Ohio State made several big plays for the Saints on Wednesday, including beating Rasul Douglas for a long touchdown. Whether the veteran corner can stay with very quick slot receivers remains a big question three weeks into training camp. That’s because Douglas wasn’t really tested in the first 15 practices. Veteran Randall Cobb relies more on savvy at this point in his career, and young Amari Rodgers isn’t particularly fluid or sudden out of breaks. Douglas is clearly better-suited to play outside, but Gutekunst didn’t pay him $7 million a year to be a backup. That’s why it won’t be a shock if Jaire Alexander begins to spend more time in the slot as the season progresses. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is going to have to be very flexible.

5) Less than 24 hours after saying goodbye to tight end Dominique Dafney, the Packers released another veteran pass catcher on Wednesday. Wide receiver Malik Taylor, who played in 25 games the past two seasons, was waived injured. The former undrafted free agent from Ferris State had been dealing with a bad shoulder all summer. Even if he were healthy, Taylor probably wouldn’t have made the final 53-man roster. With five spots all but guaranteed to Rodgers, Doubs, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Christian Watson, and a sixth likely going to Sammy Watkins, there simply wasn’t any room for a 26-year-old who’s pretty good on special teams but has probably reached his ceiling as a wide receiver.

As always, I want to give a big thanks to my friend and Packers Notes contributor Michael Posh for being my eyes at practice.