The Green Bay Packers flopped in their Week 17 assignment against the Minnesota Vikings and they hope to do differently in their last regular season game against the Chicago Bears. Carrington Valentine has a special task for that Week 18 clash according to head coach Matt LaFleur.
The 23-year-old cornerback made one interception in the two-point loss against the Vikings but it was not a perfect play for him after fumbling the ball while running.
No damage done as defensive lineman Karl Brooks recovered it, leading to a touchdown.
LaFleur said it was not the first time Carrington made such mistake. And so, he singled out that play and revealed that he sent the young CB a challenge in securing the ball.
“The thing I like the most is he’s competing. Now, what I challenged him on, and what I challenged the whole defense on, is once you get the ball in your hand you’ve got to protect the football,” LaFleur said.
“Because he was super loose with it versus Seattle, and then obviously it came out as he was returning it last night. I think everybody is more conscious about attacking the football, offensive players included. So when you get the ball in your hand, you’ve got to do a better job of securing it.”
Valentine says he’s not in his prime yet
Valentine, whose role in increased during his rookie season following the injury to some key players, has been playing splendid in the past month.
He recorded two interceptions in the last three games and broke up five passes by opponents.
Like LaFleur suggested, he is still improving.
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Valentine seconded that statement and claimed there is more to come from him.
“I’m probably my biggest critic,” he said. “It’s always things to clean up, so I still feel like I’m still trending upwards. I still feel like there’s more to give, for sure.”
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