The following is from Green Bay Packers training camp on Aug. 19.
Moving Bulaga around
In an interesting development on the offensive line, rookie Bryan Bulaga, who was spending most of his time at left guard, was moved back to starting left tackle for the morning practice with veteran Chad Clifton resting. Bulaga has been competing with Daryn Colledge for the starting job at left guard. Does this mean that job has been secured by Colledge or are the coaches just making sure Bulaga is prepared for his responsibilities at the top backup at tackle? Stay tuned.
Blackmon in, Shields out
Will Blackmon was back at practice and a noteworthy omission from punt return drills was rookie cornerback Sam Shields. The order started with Blackmon and then went to Tramon Williams, Jordy Nelson, and Chastin West. We will have to keep a close watch on the next preseason game in Seattle, but things are not looking well for the rookie speedster, at least on the return units.
Flynn’s struggles continue
There were two interceptions in practice and both were thrown by quarterback Matt Flynn. The first came on a play in which Flynn would have been sacked. He rolled out to his left and had his pass undercut by Tramon Williams near the goal line. The second interception came on an out pass that Flynn floated, which let Morgan Burnett make a leaping pick on the ball. Unfortunately, the interceptions were the majority of his completions in team drills. Not a quality day for the former LSU Tiger.
Jer-Woww! factor
I’m not sure if there is a bigger matchup nightmare in the NFL than tight end Jermichael Finley, right now. On numerous occasions he was able to catch the ball over his shoulder with the ease of a receiver. Finley has sure talked a lot of trash recently, but if he plays to the level he is capable of he can talk all he wants.
Goat of the day
Anthony Levine. In the drill focused on pressing the ball carrier towards the sideline, Levine was owned (or for the nerds out there, PWNED!) by Jordy Nelson on a stutter step. It left Levine sprawled out on the ground and Nelson jogging down the sideline. For those keeping track, Levine was likely juked out of his shoes, jock, pads, mouthpiece, etc….
Play of the day
On the first play of first-team offense vs. second-team defense, Aaron Rodgers hit Jermichael Finley down the seam on a skinny post and the untouched Finley made a jumping lateral to a wide open Jordy Nelson who was able to leisurely stroll in for a touchdown. I can’t say that I would be thrilled to see a reckless play like that in a game, but it’s the type of video game fun that works in practice.
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Clifton was probably getting a break so they moved Bulaga over.
I’m not really concerned with the offense. They seem to be tearing it up. Any comments on the Defense?
thanks for the update
I think your “jumping lateral” sounds an awful lot like a planned hook and ladder.