The Green Bay Packers’ secondary is in a very fluid situation as the regular season approaches.
Cornerback Nate Hobbs and safety Xavier McKinney are likely both out for at least the remainder of training camp, Corey Ballentine and Bo Melton are pushing for quality snaps and roster spots near the top of the depth chart.
Packers Leaning Into Javon Bullard’s Versatility
Versatility is going to be critical for the back-end of coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense, and few players are more versatile on the roster than second-year defensive back Javon Bullard.
As his second season approaches, Bullard is embracing his role as Hafley’s cameleon and a secret weapon in the Packers’ secondary.
“I love it. Now, I’m embracing it,” Bullard said, via the Packers’ official website. “Last year, to be honest with you, maybe I felt like it was a negative. Now I’m thinking of it like a positive.
“They don’t know where (number) 20 gonna line up.”
Hafley could deploy Bullard from anywhere: safety, the nickel, or even as a linebacker, a year removed from posting 99 tackles with one pass breakup and one fumble recovery.
According to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Bullard is already building on the flashes he showed as a rookie.
“I think he’s had an outstanding camp,” LaFleur said of Bullard. “I know you guys (reporters) probably look at one-on-one reps and he gets beat or whatever. That’s not what we’re looking at.
“I think he’s done an outstanding job just in terms of his ability to play within the box, knowing what’s going on. He’s doing double duty at nickel and at safety. He’s a really, good young player who’s going to continue to get better and better and better, the more he plays.”
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An ankle injury wreaked havoc with the back-end of Bullard’s rookie season, but fully healthy, he’s ready to wreak havoc on opposing offenses this fall.
“It’s a challenge, man, but it’s a challenge that I’m up to,” Bullard said, of lining up at so many different positions.
“I’m really just preparing like I haven’t prepared before. You gotta have a fresh mindset. I can’t go into this year thinking about what I did last year. Last year over. (Stuff) done. Oop, excuse me. It’s over. All I can do now is look forward to this year.”
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