Packers Camp Chronicles: Golden Hype, Backflip Ban, and a Kicker Finding His Groove
The Green Bay Packers are grinding through the dog days of camp, and there's no shortage of storylines in Titletown. The biggest buzz? Quarterback Jordan Love and second-year receiver Matthew Golden are starting to look like a problem for the rest of the NFC North.
Love & Golden: Chemistry Brewing
Friday's Family Night at Lambeau Field gave Packers fans a glimpse of the future. Golden hauled in a 52-yard touchdown bomb from Love, a picture-perfect over-the-shoulder catch that left safety Javon Bullard spinning. It was exactly the kind of play Golden didn't make much as a rookie — and exactly why the Packers are expecting a breakout. Golden says the connection is growing every day, and it's hard not to get hyped about what this offense can be.
Kicker Roller Coaster
The Trey Smack experience has been wild. The rookie kicker started camp 8-for-13, but stepped up when it mattered most Friday, going 6-for-7 in game-like conditions — including clutch makes from 33 and 51 yards. The lone miss? A 51-yarder wide left. Coaches changed his routine to single pressure-packed reps, and it seems to be working. Special teams coordinator Cam Achord also warned not to overreact to practice kicks, especially when the wind is whipping at Nitschke Field.
Blitz Happy Defense
The new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has unleashed the dogs. Cornerbacks, safeties, nickels — everyone is coming. It's a departure from his Cardinals days, but with Micah Parsons still working back from ACL surgery, Gannon isn't waiting around. Rookie corner Brandon Cisse has been flying off the edge, and safety Evan Williams got home for a would-be sack on Love. It's aggressive, it's chaotic, and it's exactly what a defense that only produced 13 takeaways last season needs.
Lloyd's Acrobatics Cut Short
Running back MarShawn Lloyd finally looks healthy, and he's making plays. After a touchdown catch on Thursday, he celebrated with a backflip. Coach Matt LaFleur was not amused — or at least, he told Lloyd to knock it off. The injury-plagued back has made it further into camp than last season, and the team is cautiously optimistic.
Other notes: Tucker Kraft is back in pads after ACL surgery, but limited to individual work. Skyy Moore looks like a lock for the 53-man roster. And the offensive line is getting a shakeup, with Jordan Morgan finally getting a shot at left tackle. Camp is heating up, and the Packers are looking to make some noise.