Full Packers OTA Recap Day 2! How Jordan Love Looked
Diving Into Everything That Happned Today At Packers OTA's | Packers News Today
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With OTA week finally here it means we are getting closer and closer to the NFL season. We’re still a ways off but we will finally get to see some action from the Packer’s practice field.
The first OTA practice was yesterday, but today was the first day the media was able to watch.
I’ve compiled the most important and interesting information from the different Packers beat reporters that were present today.
Let’s get into it!
“Packers veterans who I don’t spot at the first open practice of voluntary OTAs:
Dallin Leavitt
Jaire Alexander
Rasul Douglas
Jonathan Garvin
David Bakhtiari
Elgton Jenkins
Preston Smith
Eric Stokes and Rashan Gary are here but not going through drills.” (@mattschneidman)
While it would be nice for every single player on the roster to be present for voluntary OTAs that is rarely the case. Over the past few years Aaron Rodgers himself decided to stay away for OTAs and work out by himself. I don’t think it’s the end of the world for players to not show up, but it no doubt helps the team more when everyone is present.
When the leaders on the team are present it changes the atmosphere and allows the team to operate as it would when the season comes around.
“Good to see #21 CB Eric Stokes here, walking on sidelines, observing OTA practice. Now participating some in warm ups, doing some leg lifts and a little jumping around.” (@MikeClemensNFL)
Since Eric Stokes injured his ankle early last November there have been questions as to when he will be fully healthy and ready to play. Stokes still isn’t at full strength. It’s only May so he still has a few months to fully recover to be ready once the season comes around.
“Here but not practicing / rehabbing / limited:
Eric Stokes, Lew Nichols, Jake Hanson, Jean Delance, Grant DuBose.
Gary (ACL) actually did some jog through 11 on 11.” (@RobDemovsky)
Here’s a first look at some of the Packers dealing with injuries. It’s very promising to hear that Rashan Gary is already jogging. It’s now been about 6 months since he tore his ACL in early November. It typically takes 9-12 months for a player to return from an ACL injury. It’s still up in the air as to exactly when Rashan will be ready to go.
“Innis Gaines and Rudy Ford working as Jammers on pr team.
Nixon/Reed/Doubs working as PRs
Jugs machine looks FANTASTIC. Just nuking perfect spiral after perfect spiral.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
One of the most intriguing position battles that I mentioned earlier today in my Packers Q&A is the safety battle. There’s no telling who will start alongside Darnell Savage. My guess would be Rudy Ford considering he played really well at safety in his 400 or so snaps.
When it comes to the final roster spots for each position, special teams is a big factor. If you are vying for one of the final spots you better be able to get it done as a special teamer considering you will play a majority of your snaps on teams.
The Packers have a few solid options in regards to kick and punt returners. Keisean Nixon will be taking kicks back once again, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a guy like rookie 2nd rounder Jayden Reed ends up taking punt returns. He’s shifty and has 4.37 speed.
Here’s a first look at Jordan Love taking snaps!
Love is going to be one of the biggest stories to watch this year, not only for Packers fans but for the rest of the NFL. Everyone wonders what is in store for the Packers after trading away future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers.
It’s currently a mystery as to just the kind of QB Jordan Love will be. There’s no doubt he has potential, but he’ll have to put it all together once the season kicks off in September.
I’m a very big Jordan Love supporter and really think he has the ability to be a top 10 QB in the NFL. While there’s not a ton to take away from non-padded practice, it's at least nice to see the Packers QB of the future in action.
“Sean Rhyan lining up in some drills at center. That’s new.
Meanwhile Zach Tom running the same drill at RG.
Now Tom back to RT for the next drills. He’s going to likely be moved around a ton this offseason.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
With both starters Bakhtiari and Jenkins not present some of the other lineman will get more work. Sean Rhyan will be an interesting player to watch. Even though he was drafted in the 3rd round last year ahead of Zach Tom, he played 0 snaps last season.
Last November he got suspended 6 games for PED’s. Luckily his suspension was served over the Packers final 6 games last season, so he will be able to play week 1 if the Packers want him to.
If I had to guess right now who the Packers starting offensive line will be week one it’ll be something like this:
LT: David Bakhtiari
LG: Elgton Jenkins
C: Josh Myers
RG: Jon Runyan
RT: Zach Tom/Yosh Nijman
LT and LG are set in stone. The right side is up for grabs. Last week offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich mentioned that there will be competition along the right side of the line. Zach Tom will be competing for RG, RT and even Center.
Josh Myers has been okay at center, but not great. Tom could potentially take Myers or Runyan’s spot and Nijman could take RT. Sean Rhyan has a ways to go in the offensive line competition, but hopefully he can take some strides forward.
Here’s a look at the first offensive line starters at OTA’s.
“The Packers’ No. 1 offensive line:
LT: Yosh Nijman
LG: Royce Newman
C: Josh Myers
RG: Jon Runyan
RT: Zach Tom” (@RobDemovsky)
With Bakhtiari and Jenkins gone the Packers have an interesting looking Oline to start out in practice at OTA’s. When everyone is here Royce Newman is a backup guard. In the case that Bakhtiari ever misses time, Nijman or Tom could fill in for him at LT.
“Rudy Ford gets first safety rep aside Darnell Savage for #Packers defense.” (@ByRyanWood)
Love to see it! I hope Ford starts this season at safety. He was very productive last year. Graded as the 17th best safety out of 88 by PFF.
Now it’s time for the play by play time of practice.
Reporters can’t typically record these sessions so I’ve compiled the most important plays from scouring the Packers beat reporters twitter accounts.
“First pass of the day: Love to Watson, not on same page. Second run, blown up by Enagbare and Clark. Second pass, Nixon blitzes and bats down a Love bootleg.” (@BillHuberNFL)
I won’t be putting too much weight into these practices when it comes to just how the Packers offense is looking. It’s so early. There are small takeaways we can get, but this isn’t going to show what the Packers will be in 23’.
We also have to remember that it could take Jordan Love and his receivers some time to start being on the same page as they build their chemistry. They’ve had time to work with each other over the past year, especially with Rodgers missing so many practices with his thumb injury.
We just need to be patient and let them work things out at practice.
“Jordan Love’s first completion of 11-on-11 comes on a crosser to rookie TE Luke Musgrave for a first down with Darnell Savage trailing.” (@mattschneidman)
That’s what we like to see! Second Round TE Luke Musgrave has HUGE upside. This Packers offense is filled with young weapons with size and speed. Jordan Love has to be pretty excited about the guys he’ll get to throw to this season.
“Love’s first bomb is to Christian Watson down the middle. A little wobbly and underthrown, falls incomplete with three defenders in the vicinity.” (@mattschneidman)
There’s going to be some ups and downs with Love this off-season. Let’s just enjoy the ride.
“Nice little run by new RB Emmanuel Wilson. Cut it back outside. Brenton Cox lost contain on the play.
Lukas Van Ness practice both standing up and with his hand in the ground in his first team drills.
AJ Dillon looked spry with a little wiggle in the backfield.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
Emanuel Wilson is a 2023 UDFA the Packers signed yesterday. If you’re curious about him I wrote a breakdown yesterday.
Van Ness is a physical specimen that has the chance to be an elite edge rusher. He’s so young at only 21 years old and the Packers have a chance to mold him into something special. With Rashan Gary’s injury he could start in the chance that Gary isn’t ready to go week 1.
“A big update here in Green Bay:
Matt Orzech is the first long snapper up. Looks like he has the edge over Broughton Hatcher in the most anticipated battle of the offseason.” (@mattschneidman)
I know you guys have been dying to hear about this.
“Campbell baited Love in the first red zone drill but dropped a pick.
Next pass was incomplete. Looked like Doubs slipped a bit. May have been tugged by Thomas.
Love throws wide of Toure.
Next play looked like a “sack” of Love. Pocket collapses but Hamilton beat Yosh.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
Not a great sequence for Love. Defense looks to dominate one of the first red zone drills.
“Loves first completion in red zone comes after he buys time and escapes the pocket to his right. Short td pass to Jayden Reed.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
Aaaand he’s back! One thing I’m really excited for with Jordan Love is his athleticism. Over the past few years Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been the same runner he once was. Getting old takes some of that juice you once had away. With Love being only 24 years old he’s still got it and will for the foreseeable future.
“Next play a very low snap that Love finds a way to handle and throws a quick pass outside to Watson. Looked like he got in.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
Beautiful.
“Quay Walker off to the side with head trainer Bryan Engel while starting defense did red zone. Helmet off and he’s been crouching over… Walker just went inside with Engel while the team remains outside.” (@mattschneidman)
Let’s hope it’s nothing too serious. Quay’s a big part of this Packers defense and should take a leap entering his second season starting at MLB. I’ll keep you guys updated on how serious it is. Hopefully it’s minor.
“Van Ness is with reserve unit so far but his explosiveness is just different. Acceleration is something to see.” (WesHod)
Boom.
“Jayden Reed with a nice release & catch over the middle, made a move & looked awesome - then he forgot the ball & fumbled clean. Defense picks up the fumble. Interesting coaching point from MLF - if there’s a fumble in practice he doesn’t want his offensive players going after it.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
Jayden Reed should start for the Packers in the slot. He’s got the speed and ability to separate.
He was one of the best receiver prospects when it comes to beating man coverage. He should be able to clean up mental issues like this one. It’s only day 2 of OTAs.
“Kiondre Thomas and Corey Ballentine running with the 1s at outside CB without Jaire or Rasul here. Ford and Savage at safety. Nixon at nickel. Enagbare and Hollins on the edge with no Gary and Smith. McDuffie second ILB with Campbell. Clark, Wyatt, Slaton the iDLs.” (@mattschneidman)
With Eric Stokes injured and Jaire and Rasul not at practice, the Packers top 3 outside corners weren’t participating. Kiondre Thomas has been with the Packers since January of 2022 but has yet to play a snap. Corey Balletnine was drafted by the Giants in the 6th round in 2019 and spent last season with the Packers where he only played 17 snaps on defense.
It looks like Van Ness didn’t start off with the ones. He’s a young player so there’s likely a lot he needs to learn. Enagbare and Hollins already have experience in Green Bay.
“Keisean Nixon with gorgeous coverage on Watson down the sideline. Watson tried to go over him - didn’t work. Incomplete. Nixon gets praise from the sideline.
Love with a gorgeous throw to the corner of the end zone to Dillon out of the backfield but… dropped. Off the hands.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
Even though Keisean Nixon made himself a household name among Packers fans last season with his elite kick return ability, it’s looking like he has a very good chance to be the Packers starting nickel corner. Last year he played 244 snaps on defense and allowed a passer rating of 83.6 overall.
There’s nothing I love hearing more than the words “Gorgeous throw” and Jordan Love in the same sentence.
“Dontayvion Wicks has made a few plays today, just caught a short fade for a 7 yard TD from Danny Etling #Packers.” (@WesHod)
5th round WR Wicks is a receiver to keep your eyes on through the rest of the off-season. He had an issue with drops his final year in college but Packers WR coach Jason Vrable didn’t sound too worried when asked about it last week. He thinks it can be cleaned up. Wicks is a big man who can go up and win in contested catch situations.
“And now Love to Watson for a TD vs Nixon. With a backflip to punctuate.” (@BillHuberNFL)
GET HYPED. Hopefully this is something we hear for the next 5-10 years.
“Van Ness with a would be unblocked sack off a bootleg. He comes at you fast and with his size you can’t really throw over him. He’s an intimidating dude.” (@AndyHermanNFL)
I for one am glad that I will never have to try to block Lukas Van Ness.
I much prefer sitting here writing in peace without the harm of physical attack.
“And now Love with a perfect dart on an out to Romeo Doubs in tight coverage for another 10-yard TD.” (@mattschneidman)
From the looks of it Love picked things up after starting off somewhat shaky.
“T.J. Slaton with one of the most emphatic swats of a pass at the line I’ve seen in some time.
Love responds with another bullet to Toure for a TD.” (@mattschneidman)
Music to my ears. Love finished the day with a few TD passes.
Rob Demovsky summarizes his day nicely here:
“After a slow start, Jordan Love was effective in the short red zone (from the 10 and in) with 3 TDs. Overall in the first open OTA (and second of the week), he was 6-for-16. Had three tipped or batted down, one dropped and one nearly picked off.
We’ll hear from him soon.”
So all in all it looks like Jordan Love started off slow and picked things up during the redzone period. I’m not forming any major opinions on Jordan Love based on his play in OTA’s. Now if he never threw a nice pass that would be concerning, but clearly he’s making nice plays with some bad sprinkled in.
That was all from OTAs today.
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Three months and change until the season opener. I can't wait.