GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Couldn’t help but think as I was strolling onto to Clarke Hinkle Field Thursday for our my observation time at Packers practice, a stiff south wind was pushing our last sunny, sixty degree day of the year away for quite a spell. Temperatures will dive into the 40’s by the time the 4-5 Los Angeles Chargers come to Lambeau Field on Sunday to face the 3-6 Packers and it won’t be long before we know what’s coming next.
While soaking up the sunshine, the team continued it’s run up for another southern California visitor. The Rams from L.A. were the last team the Packers could beat two weeks ago but the SoFi stadium co-inhabitants are bringing much more firepower this week. Led by Justin Herbert, from the same 2020 first round draft class of Jordan Love, he, unlike the Packer signal caller, has a top tier target on the perimeter in wide receiver Keenan Allen. Another 1-2 punch on the edge will be coming after Love with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. The Chargers are explosive on offense but have been big play generous on defense, coming in next to last in yards per game and dead last in passing yards given up.
On the medical front, only safety Rudy Ford was unable to practice because of a biceps injury suffered in Pittsburgh. Another key member of the secondary was able to rejoin the group.
Jaire Alexander in drills.
Jaire Alexander, who has labored through a bad back and more recently a wounded shoulder, returned as a limited participant. Head Coach Matt LaFleur said he was able to take part in some individual drills and a portion of team work. The rest of the limited Packers remained the same, Kenny Clark, Elgton Jenkins, Christian Watson, Aaron Jones and Quay Walker. Walker has been able practice both days this week after missing two games with a groin injury. Offensive linemen Jon Runyan and Yosh Nijman were full participants.
One of the dominant story lines of the week has been the team’s inability to stop opponent’s ground game. After giving up just 130 yards combined against the Vikings and Rams, the defense digressed badly against Pittsburgh last week, surrendering 205 yards on 36 carries. It marked the third time this year the Packers have given up more than 200 rushing yards in a game, a league leading stat they’d rather do without.
While Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry is taking nearly all of the heat for the hot and cold performances, it was veteran Defensive Line coach and Barry’s run game coordinator, Jerry Montgomery who offered the best explanation of what’s been happening. Hired by Mike McCarthy, Montgomery has been around long enough to see good, average and sub-standard run D efforts. While hard to compare teams to teams, the answers to solving the problems are pretty easy.
Outside linebacker coach Jason Rebrovich was far more blunt. “We have to tackle better”, he declared, “we’re bleeding yards.” Inside linebacker coach Kirk Olivadotti offered his remedy, telling reporters this week his players should “trust what they see”.
A couple of other Thursday nuggets included Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia feeling a bit older. When the Packers claimed defensive back Kyu Blu Kelly off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks this week, Bisaccia experienced the circle of life. When he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early in his career, part of their first Super Bowl victory, Bisaccia coached another defensive back by the name of Brian Kelly who played a decade with the Bucs. It’s the first time Bisaccia can say he’s coached both father and son.
Former first round draft choice Bryan Bulaga is coming home. The number one pick in 2010 out of Iowa, who at age 21, started at right tackle in Super Bowl XLV, then went on to man that position for a decade while rarely missing a game, is returning to Lambeau Field today to sign a one day contract and officially retire as a Green Bay Packer.
