2025 Training Camp Thread

[Thirteen Below]

Practice was closed to the public today, but the press was there.

LVN had 4 sacks, Gary 1 and a pressure.

Morgan got some good reviews; he stonewalled LVN on one rep, stopped Gary on another, blasted a hole with Banks for Jacobs to tear off a nice gain, and generally looked solid in both pass pro and run blocking. Belton took #1 reps at right tackle, and supposedly looked good.

So. Another day of both lines looking like All-Pros, as long as they're playing against one another.

The line opened up some big gaps for Jacobs today, and he had a couple of impressive runs.

Oladapo had good reps with the 1s; getting a chance to showcase himself today.

Did anyone notice Love take a hard hit to his left hand the other night? He had a wrap on his thumb, was seen several times massaging his left hand, and spent some extended time talking with both Lafleur and the medical staff after practice. Thankfully, it's not his gun hand.

Emmanuel Wilson (knee) and Marshawn Lloyd (groin) were both back in the 11-on-11s, but sounds like they're still going half speed today. One step at a time, I suppose.

Golden has drawn a lot of praise for talking to veteran receivers after every snap, as well as theDBs who are covering him, asking for advice on what he could be doing better. After Saturday night's game, he sought out both Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson on the Jest and asked for their feedback and advice. He beat Gardner on a slant route, and later drew a pass interference call on him.

I like this kid's attitude. I wasa a little worried on Draft Night, when he showed up with a glittery gold suit and all that gold bling around his neck, but it seems obvious now his head is very much in the right place.

 

[Voyageur]

Practice was closed to the public today, but the press was there.

LVN had 4 sacks, Gary 1 and a pressure.

Morgan got some good reviews; he stonewalled LVN on one rep, stopped Gary on another, blasted a hole with Banks for Jacobs to tear off a nice gain, and generally looked solid in both pass pro and run blocking. Belton took #1 reps at right tackle, and supposedly looked good.

So. Another day of both lines looking like All-Pros, as long as they're playing against one another.

The line opened up some big gaps for Jacobs today, and he had a couple of impressive runs.

Oladapo had good reps with the 1s; getting a chance to showcase himself today.

Did anyone notice Love take a hard hit to his left hand the other night? He had a wrap on his thumb, was seen several times massaging his left hand, and spent some extended time talking with both Lafleur and the medical staff after practice. Thankfully, it's not his gun hand.

Emmanuel Wilson (knee) and Marshawn Lloyd (groin) were both back in the 11-on-11s, but sounds like they're still going half speed today. One step at a time, I suppose.

Golden has drawn a lot of praise for talking to veteran receivers after every snap, as well as theDBs who are covering him, asking for advice on what he could be doing better. After Saturday night's game, he sought out both Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson on the Jest and asked for their feedback and advice. He beat Gardner on a slant route, and later drew a pass interference call on him.

I like this kid's attitude. I wasa a little worried on Draft Night, when he showed up with a glittery gold suit and all that gold bling around his neck, but it seems obvious now his head is very much in the right place.

A lot of those names are guys that I think are ready to take the next step. I'm anxious to see Lloyd in action again. I hope he gets some meaningful reps the next couple of weeks so he can be evaluated and fit into the program. We know Wilson will hit the ground running hard. I like Oladapo. I think this guy has been flying under the radar. He's made some intuitive decisions out on the field in his limited playing time and seems to have a nose for the ball. That's something that comes instinctively from playing the game. It's difficult coaching it.

I mentioned quite some time ago that I thought Morgan could make a push for that LT spot. Forget those "short arms." Look at his footwork. He's like a ballerina out there compared to most guys on offensive lines. It's what set him apart in college. He knows how to move his feet and maintain a center of balance that doesn't allow defenders to knock him over. That's a trait that I like most in a lineman. You can teach hand techniques, etc, but the footwork, after being out there, pretty much comes naturally to some. It's what set Bakhtiari apart when he came up.

I wouldn't get too nervous about Love's potential hand injury. It's not his throwing hand so it will heal pretty quickly. Banks is going to give them what they needed at LG so they can use Jenkins at center, and I think when the dust clears, Morgan will end up as our LT. I think it was just a matter of learning what's expected of him out there in our huge playbook.

The next preseason game is going to see the end of a lot of dreams. By the end of the 4th quarter, a lot of players will have played themselves off the roster and some are guys that were so highly talked about before the preseason games started. It's just not the same being in game conditions as it is in practice.

 

[Thirteen Below]

The next preseason game is going to see the end of a lot of dreams. By the end of the 4th quarter, a lot of players will have played themselves off the roster and some are guys that were so highly talked about before the preseason games started.

And of course, the reverse is also true. That's the magic of preseason. This will be one more year where at least one UDFA makes the roster (Stackhouse), and Elgesma seems to have a decent chance at the practice squad. Possibly that running back, Amar Johnson as well.

 

[OldSchool101]

Good to hear Lukas is making the best of his situation.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It's important to try and be an educated consumer. Even if that means checking up on things a little before deciding. Googling, I think, is one way. Sometimes using common sense helps. And of course, try and understand what agenda the media you are reading or listening has.imho

This forum has actually been a great go to source for Packer and NFL information for me. Posters here tend to be well versed on the Packers and often know more than reporters. More importantly, none of us are here for the clicks...money.

 

[Voyageur]

And of course, the reverse is also true. That's the magic of preseason. This will be one more year where at least one UDFA makes the roster (Stackhouse), and Elgesma seems to have a decent chance at the practice squad. Possibly that running back, Amar Johnson as well.

Stackhouse is a load out there. He doesn't take a step backwards, he's a force moving forward and laterally. I can see him working himself into the lineup in a run stopper, and eventually could end up being our replacement for Kenny Clark down the road. He seems to have the strength to plant and anchor the middle of the line on defense. He's going to be a good acquisition I believe.

Yes, because of some guys playing themselves off the roster, there will be others who step up and play their way on. I'm anxious to see what happens with our CBs, and hopeful the new alignment in the offensive line gels like it appears capable. We need that strength to make our running game work effectively to free up our passing game.

No matter what, this will be an interesting season. We need to hope we stay fairly injury free. There is still a lot of upgrading needed at a lot of positions on both sides of the ball.

 

[Magooch]

This topic got me thinking last night.

Anyone have any good examples of "Training Camp Darlings" who went on to have a great regular season?

I'm thinking specifically with regards to less "obvious" or more unexpected players (like, saying "Josh Jacobs looked great in camp last year and had a great season" is not really what I'm getting at). More talking about guys who were previously low-profile, unheralded, under-the-radar type guys who had a great camp AND went on to follow it up with a big regular season.

I feel like every year there's a handful of guys who get hyped sky-high and back in camp...and the majority of them don't end up doing a ton. I'm trying to find some examples where it actually panned out!

 

[Voyageur]

Jordan Love to have surgery on left thumb. Ligament damage. It's going to take some adjustments on the snap between him and Jenkins. Don't want to cough it up.

MSN

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Jordan Love to have surgery on left thumb. Ligament damage.

...and so it begins.

 

[Voyageur]

...and so it begins.

This has become a ritual with Love. He gets injured because of sloppy offensive line play. That's not acceptable even in preseason. For some reason, early in preseason the Packers are a bunch of potato chips and you know someone is going to crush the bag.

 

[OldSchool101]

more injuries, is it just me or do we sound like we’re fragile? Love is out this week (non throwing finger). Like Musgrave made a nice TD grab against Quay, but Tweeks his ankle in process and is sidelined. Doubs goes down and takes several minutes to exit the field.

We’re just decimated with injuries at WR. Good thing there’s depth at the bottom we’ll likely see them this week

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

We’re just decimated with injuries at WR. Good thing there’s depth at the bottom we’ll likely see them this week

Opening day is still 26 days away, but I'm starting to wonder about our WR group. Yes, they are deep...in potential...but really not all that deep in proven, quality, NFL receiving ability. Saturday didn't help with my concerns. Doubs looked like he was going through the motions, Hardman proved why he probably won't be in the NFL much longer and the rest of the group wasn't much to brag about either.

Again, 1 game, a preseason one at that, so no hitting the panic button just yet. However, with Love out for at least a week or 2, the receivers are going to have to figure this out, without the QB they will be paired with in the regular season. I doubt Love plays in a game again, until 9/7.

 

[Voyageur]

Opening day is still 26 days away, but I'm starting to wonder about our WR group. Yes, they are deep...in potential...but really not all that deep in proven, quality, NFL receiving ability. Saturday didn't help with my concerns. Doubs looked like he was going through the motions, Hardman proved why he probably won't be in the NFL much longer and the rest of the group wasn't much to brag about either.

Again, 1 game, a preseason one at that, so no hitting the panic button just yet. However, with Love out for at least a week or 2, the receivers are going to have to figure this out, without the QB they will be paired with in the regular season. I doubt Love plays in a game again, until 9/7.

I think Love will be throwing the ball just not taking snaps or in live action where he could take a hit. It won't be a total shutdown, fortunately. But then again, there will be some concerns that the way he handles the ball using his left hand would be slightly different. But I doubt too concerning.

Doubs hobbling off, not good. Of course the anti-Doubs group will come unglued now raving about how he should have been traded before he's on the IR, etc. Like my wife says, "It's time for the baby robins to hatch."

 

[Sanguine camper]

more injuries, is it just me or do we sound like we’re fragile? Love is out this week (non throwing finger). Like Musgrave made a nice TD grab against Quay, but Tweeks his ankle in process and is sidelined. Doubs goes down and takes several minutes to exit the field.

We’re just decimated with injuries at WR. Good thing there’s depth at the bottom we’ll likely see them this week

This training camp is turning into a farce. Everybody is running for the hot tub. Maybe training camp doesn't matter anymore with 17 games and 7 teams per conference in the playoffs. Teams can just take the first few games off, get beat and still have a way to get back to the 7th or 6th seed.

Does anyone really think the Packers will be ready for week 1 vs Detroit?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Does anyone really think the Packers will be ready for week 1 vs Detroit?

I'm guessing they will be just as ready as the Lions. What you stated is true, but for all 32 teams.

Preseason has turned into Tryouts for the 50 or so on the bubble. Maybe starters get some reps, but the focus for most of them is to avoid injuries at all costs. So teams may not be hitting their stride in week 1, but if they can go in healthy, that's a plus.

 

[Thirteen Below]

I'm guessing they will be just as ready as the Lions. What you stated is true, but for all 32 teams.

Detroit has their share of injuries too - 20, I read earlier today, and some of them key players. That's second most in the league (Niners somehow have 31!!). Same article said we have 15, and the Bears have 14 listed.

Training camp injuries: How do Lions compare to other NFL contenders?

Training camp injuries: How do Lions compare to other NFL contenders thru August 12th?

sports.yahoo.com

 

[OldSchool101]

Opening day is still 26 days away, but I'm starting to wonder about our WR group. Yes, they are deep...in potential...but really not all that deep in proven, quality, NFL receiving ability. Saturday didn't help with my concerns. Doubs looked like he was going through the motions, Hardman proved why he probably won't be in the NFL much longer and the rest of the group wasn't much to brag about either.

Again, 1 game, a preseason one at that, so no hitting the panic button just yet. However, with Love out for at least a week or 2, the receivers are going to have to figure this out, without the QB they will be paired with in the regular season. I doubt Love plays in a game again, until 9/7.

Yeah I agree we can’t panic. I watched the botched Punt return by Hardman several times. That ball took the most unusual Bounce. TWICE. You see that level of Punt difficulty maybe 5-10 times across an entire season per Returner and we got it 1st 1/2 of 1st Preseason game. Never want to see anyone fail to secure a ball. But if I were to pick the circumstances to botch it, give me either 1st day of camp or 1st Preseason game.

Punt Return issues have not been reflective of Mecole historically and we’ve got a large sample there. Cobb had 5 Career fumbles across his last 64 Punt Returns. I never heard any complaints about Cobb as someone with poor hands. Mecole had 4 across about 56 Returns, so basically the same, maybe a hair less. I would imagine a guy is more likely to fumble an awkward bounce in his first couple of attempts in a season. I don’t have factual info on that, but I’d sure rather have him do it on his first couple versus his last couple. Hardman has had one of the better Camp performances for a WR thus far. I’d weight that more than 1 return. We ready know he’s a good Returner he has an extensive history and at high echelon games.

I just think it’s going to be a slop fest when we keep rotating guys every couple series. Heck Rodgers sometimes ran his Slopfest a couple games into a season. I seem to remember him leading a 3 point scoring game against Saints? 3-38 (2021 Week 1: Just looked it up) It was not reflective of the next 16 games though (13-3)
It was a total slaughter Week 1 after losing all 3 Preseason games 0-3, but it was nowhere near matching the true identity of that Roster.

As you said, We can’t put too much emphasis on these Preseason warm ups. It’s to get some stiffness out and tryout the guys fighting for maybe 3-4 Roster spots and Practice Squad. 50 of the 53 are already likely determined. I’m almost kinda glad Love isn’t out there, We saw what just 1 game can entail injury wise

 

[El Guapo]

(Niners somehow have 31!!)

Can you imagine the panic and harakiri going on in 49ers nation over a potential second year of catastrophic injuries?!?

They have had it MUCH worse than the Packers, and most teams for that matter.

 

[milani]

The internet has been a major contributory factor in the destruction of journalism, IMO. The public in general no longer values good journalism, and the crap that floods social media makes it increasingly difficult for average people to assess the accuracy of information. At the same time, newspapers lost readership, and could no longer afford to pay their reporters.

As media outlets lost staff, the quality of journalism inevitably declined. People became accustomed to immediate information, and in their haste to be the first to break a story (any story), fact-checking became almost irrelevant. When I was a reporter, I never ever stated something as a fact - no matter how minor - without confirming it thoroughly, and documenting my source material so that I didn't have to rely on memory. My name was at the top of every article, so in a way, I was attesting with my signature that every single thing I wrote was true to the best of my knowledge.

Now? The media is infested with "journalists" who just repeat what they see other "journalists" are publishing on other websites, like a dog chasing its own tail. I can hardly blame people for not trusting the "media." The so-called "media" is (overall) not the least bit concerned about being accurate about anything; they only care about being first.

I can completely understand why the public is losing so much respect for the media. There are no more Cronkites, Sevareids, or Murrows out there.

Excellent assessment. Unfortunately, the public has sought out social media just because of the erosion of the truth in journalism. And this applies to sports as well. Albeit there is so much crazed hysteria in it people can sift through it and try to rationalize what they can read and compare all the information. The mainstream media is owned by what? About 6 enterprises? At least back in the day there were more newspapers in major cities so the public could grasp all sides instead of one.

 

[OldSchool101]

Can you imagine the panic and harakiri going on in 49ers nation over a potential second year of catastrophic injuries?!?

They have had it MUCH worse than the Packers, and most teams for that matter.

Yeah. It appears most of our injuries are holding players who are nicked up for Regular season play, when it matters.
Only medium grade concerns I have are Reed and Love. Reed is in a Boot (sounds like n ankle sprain) and Love just had surgery to his non throwing Thumb. Those are 2 key players
That said, September 7 is a long ways away. 24 Days AFTER today, 8/14
Both players have essentially another 3 FULL weeks + to heal up. Love will be nearly 30 days removed from his initial Surgery. Now if this was his throwing hand he’s likely missing a few Weeks Regular season into that 6 Weeks area.

With his injury being his supporting hand, he highly likely plays Week 1, but you want to protect any re-injury to mitigate swelling etc. so one would think you mix in a heavier Run Game and Quicker throws, at least early in the game.

 

[El Guapo]

... but you want to protect any re-injury to mitigate swelling etc. so one would think you mix in a heavier Run Game and Quicker throws, at least early in the game.

One would have thought that in 2024 Matt LaFleur would have mixed in a heavier run game after Malik Willis showed that the Packers can win with that strategy. He didn't do it when Love came back from his knee injury. I doubt that he's doing it for the thumb.

I still think that it's beyond ridiculous when LaFleur said that you couldn't run the same offense with Love that he ran for Willis. Protect the man and give Jacobs the rock!

 

[OldSchool101]

One would have thought that in 2024 Matt LaFleur would have mixed in a heavier run game after Malik Willis showed that the Packers can win with that strategy. He didn't do it when Love came back from his knee injury. I doubt that he's doing it for the thumb.

I still think that it's beyond ridiculous when LaFleur said that you couldn't run the same offense with Love that he ran for Willis. Protect the man and give Jacobs the rock!

So one thing with the investment at OL we should see an uptick in Run Block. At least on Paper the 2025 grouping of
Walker-Banks-Jenkins-Rhyan-Tom with Jacobs (and hopefully Lloyd) should spark our Running game. I’m not sold it will be a better pass blocking unit, but I think it could be very close to 2024 range in that respect.

The only way to test our Run game is by emphasizing it into that 35 attempts area. It’s often the late 3rd to 4th quarter that wears down Defenses

 

[David Ciembronowicz]

Interesting read on ESPN.com,

2025 NFL positional group rankings: Best, worst team units​

Per the author, Mike Clay: If you look at where GB is rated on each grouping and as a whole compared to the other NFC North teams (and the league) would make one believe or at least ponder that this GB team is #4 of 4 in their own division. MN, Det and CHI are ranked higher overall 5,6,8 or 9 while GB is 15. On a grouping basis some surprises (WR group ranked 17 and last in their own division with MN at 5, CHI at 7 and Det at 8). QB is ranked 15 with only Det higher. Their OL is ranked higher than I believe it to be. When reviewing the Bears rankings overall a surprise at how how highly their groupings are rated. What does that translate to in 2025-26, I dont know but it certainly brings up questions that fans of this team have and may be asking this year. Is GB actually the best team in the Div? Are they actually positioned to not just get into the playoffs but make a run? Very interesting!

 

[OldSchool101]

Interesting read on ESPN.com,

2025 NFL positional group rankings: Best, worst team units​

Per the author, Mike Clay: If you look at where GB is rated on each grouping and as a whole compared to the other NFC North teams (and the league) would make one believe or at least ponder that this GB team is #4 of 4 in their own division. MN, Det and CHI are ranked higher overall 5,6,8 or 9 while GB is 15. On a grouping basis some surprises (WR group ranked 17 and last in their own division with MN at 5, CHI at 7 and Det at 8). QB is ranked 15 with only Det higher. Their OL is ranked higher than I believe it to be. When reviewing the Bears rankings overall a surprise at how how highly their groupings are rated. What does that translate to in 2025-26, I dont know but it certainly brings up questions that fans of this team have and may be asking this year. Is GB actually the best team in the Div? Are they actually positioned to not just get into the playoffs but make a run? Very interesting!

Good info. This isn’t directed at you it’s more just defending some of that. Jordan Love is rated too low. If you look across his first 2 starting seasons ESPN had Jordan Love’s RAW QB impact score at #6, #10.
NFL.com had Love ranked
#12,#10

Also how many of these QB’s get a Rookie Rd1 WR (Golden) 2nd RD TE (Musgrave) 3rd Rd WR (Williams) and 3rd RD RB (Lloyd) added into the Offense. These are all players that will at minimum be either starters or heavy rotational options on Offense.

I just think they have to factor
1. Which weapons surrounded said QB?
2. What was the QB health rating?
3. Health/Quality of WR, TE, RB, OL
3a. Experience level of O surrounding
4. Retention of the above players that aided their score. What Personnel changed?Will it lower or raise ranking?

I trust guys though you’ve watched Jordan. If you were a new GM and we were selecting QB’s to play this season, would Jordan get selected 15th? I mean I understand he’s not going Top 5, but 15?

 

[Voyageur]

Good info. This isn’t directed at you it’s more just defending some of that. Jordan Love is rated too low. If you look across his first 2 starting seasons ESPN had Jordan Love’s RAW QB impact score at #6, #10.
NFL.com had Love ranked
#12,#10

Also how many of these QB’s get a Rookie Rd1 WR (Golden) 2nd RD TE (Musgrave) 3rd Rd WR (Williams) and 3rd RD RB (Lloyd) added into the Offense. These are all players that will at minimum be either starters or heavy rotational options on Offense.

I just think they have to factor
1. Which weapons surrounded said QB?
2. What was the QB health rating?
3. Health/Quality of WR, TE, RB, OL
3a. Experience level of O surrounding
4. Retention of the above players that aided their score. What Personnel changed?Will it lower or raise ranking?

I trust guys though you’ve watched Jordan. If you were a new GM and we were selecting QB’s to play this season, would Jordan get selected 15th? I mean I understand he’s not going Top 5, but 15?

If you want to laugh, take a look at Clay's pimple-faced-stats accumulation of what a computer with non-relevant stats can do to make a team look good or bad. The Packers, in this scenario are 9-7, and essentially so far down the line on defense that Gute and everyone involved in the draft should be fired because they failed to address the need for at least a half dozen new starters to even move up in the lower middle of the league.

This is one of the prime examples as to why I laugh at this garbage. None of it deals with the visual tests of what plays out on the field. His whole field of vision is based on fantasy stats not the real game. But that's just my opinion.

https://g.espncdn.com/s/ffldraftkit/25/NFLDK2025_CS_ClayProjections2025.pdf