Packers Continue to Cross Train Players at Different Positions

This week at OTAs, the Green Bay Packers continued their strategy of cross training their players at different positions. This is in coordination with GM Brian Gutekunst’s strategy of selecting players in the NFL draft year after year who possess the versatility and skill sets to play multiple positions. We have seen this on the offensive line with players like Zach Tom and Elgton Jenkins and in the secondary with players like Javon Bullard.

At OTAs this week, the team moved two players to different positions. To the surprise of nobody, this year’s first round draft pick, Jordan Morgan, got reps at guard this week at OTAs.

Head coach Matt LaFleur had indicated that Morgan would first be tried at tackle, which was his college position. Many scouts felt he would be better suited at guard in the NFL because he lacks ideal arm length for an NFL offensive tackle.

At rookie camp, Morgan played left tackle, which was his college position. Last week at OTAs, he lined up at both left tackle and right tackle.

On Wednesday of this week’s practices, Morgan was moved to left guard due in part to the absence of Elgton Jenkins who had informed the team in advance he would not be attending. The reps he received last week at right tackle were also in part due to the absence of starter Zach Tom who suffered a torn pectoral muscle and has missed OTAs.

In training camp, Morgan is expected to compete with Rasheed Walker to be the team’s starting left tackle. At least that’s where they want to try him first.

The Packers hope that Morgan will not have his transition from college to the pros stagnated by working at multiple positions. There is the primary adjustment from college to the pros. Then there is the possible move from tackle to guard, which requires changes in how a blocker uses his hands, feet, and other blocking techniques.

The other potential move would be from the left side to the right side, whether he plays at tackle or guard. Suddenly, everything would be like a mirror image of what he used to do in the past. Or as former Packers lineman Josh Sitton explained years ago when he compared changing sides to “trying to wipe your ass with the other hand.”

Cross training offensive linemen helps LaFleur, and the rest of the coaching staff put the best five players on the field as starters, but it requires players with enough versatility and intelligence to make the move.

The other Packers player who shifted positions at OTAs this week was defensive lineman Colby Wooden. Wooden played along the interior defensive line as a rookie last season although he played both inside and outside during his college career at Auburn.

As a rookie, Wooden recorded 17 total tackles and half a sack while playing in all 17 games. He did not start any games and played 23 percent of the team’s defensive snaps as part of the defensive line rotation.

This season, the Packers are switching to a four-man front under Jeff Hafley as compared to the three-man front they ran last year under Joe Barry.

The biggest reason for Wooden’s move to edge this week was the absence from OTAs this week of both starting defensive ends, Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. In addition, Lukas Van Ness is not practicing because he suffered a broken thumb. That leaves the team thin at edge rusher during practice.

Wooden described the move a “nothing out of the ordinary.” He added, “This week, we’re down a couple guys. I’ve played it [edge] before so it’s nothing out of the ordinary. I had to get back to different rules, obviously, but I like it.”

Wooden has put on about 15 pounds since the end of last season and now weighs about 293 pounds. “I definitely added some muscle, but I still look like me and I can play anywhere on the line.”

Whether this move is temporary or long-term remains to be seen. But either way, in a pinch, the coaching staff clearly feels Wooden can fill at edge rusher based on his skill set and experience in college.

Again, the Packers insistence on versatility is paying off for the team. We’ll see where Morgan and Wooden end up once the season starts. But if needed, they are preparing to fill in elsewhere if it will help the team.