Confessions of a Polluted Mindset – Kinda Campy

ST emphasis – All reports are that Special Teams are finally getting their due in practice. I guess all that was ever needed was a forceful coach that LaFleur respects enough not to be able to say no to?

Strong DL – Clark, Reed, Slaton, Lowry, Wyatt – that’s a hell of a solid-sounding and versatile defensive line. The run defense should be much improved and Campbell/Walker are going to love playing behind that front. 

Defense – On paper, is there a glaring weakness on this Packers defense? And I mean GLARING, not middling. Anyone?

Marcedes Lewis – On his day off (veteran rest) Lewis was seen on the field coaching his fellow tight ends on, what else, blocking techniques. Future coach when he finally does retire?

Gary/Dillon Collision – Back in my high school football days, we had a variation of the Oklahoma drill that was RB vs. LB without a blocker for the running back. The running back was pitched the ball and had three lanes he could choose from to run through. The linebacker (or DL) was waiting for him to make his choice and then rushed to meet the RB head-on in the “hole” he chose. (it was NOT the favorite drill of the running backs group). I’m imagining that drill with Gary as the LB and Dillon as the RB and what that collision would register on the Richter scale. 

Zach Tom – To me, he’s the biggest surprise of camp so far. To be getting so many reps right off the bat with the ones for a fourth-round pick with more experience at center than tackle is something very unexpected. During evaluations for the CHTV Draft guide, we had him slotted as a center only, so included him with the IOL group (guards and centers). Joseph Randolph, who was doing draft analysis on our CHTV Live Draft Show was thrilled when the Packers picked him (although I don’t remember if he liked him strictly as an interior lineman or not). In the draft guide, James Siebers (Packers analyst for DraftTek) acknowledged his weak points but accurately identified why the Packers would be interested. I’m just really surprised, but then again, I remember Ben Braden raising eyebrows early at last year’s camp and then not making the team. So yes, it’s still early.

Sean Rhyan – Equally surprising to me, although in the opposite way, is how little we’ve heard about Sean Rhyan. And when we have, it’ was just about him losing reps against Devante Wyatt. Personally, I expected Rhyan to be in the early mix for the right guard spot with Royce Newman and certainly over Jake Hansen, but that hasn’t materialized thus far.