It’s early, but the Green Bay Packers‘ offense appears to have a fumbling problem.
Throughout the early practices of training camp this summer, ball security has become a big issue for Green Bay’s weapons, which head coach Matt LaFleur has taken notice of.
Matt LaFleur Addresses Packers’ Fumbling Issues
Last season, the Packers put the ball on the turf just six times, while Green Bay’s defense became an opportunistic unit that forced 16 fumbles by season’s end.
It’s the defense’s instincts and ball skills that are keeping LaFleur from pounding the panic button with the calendar about to turn to August with training camp stretching into its third week.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” LaFleur told reporters, of the Packers’ fumbling issues. “It’s great for our defense, and I think our defense is attacking the ball unlike any time I’ve seen it, going into Year seven now. They’re doing a good job of taking it to heart.
“Wendell Davis does a great job getting up and presenting every day, we call him ‘Ball King’ around here, so if you see Wendell around, it’s no longer Wendell, it’s ‘Ball King.’ The guys are taking it to heart, though, we have a lot of fun with it, but it’s absolutely critical. Those guys have embraced that, they’re challenging one another, and in turn, it needs to make our offense better.”
While the Packers’ defense might have adopted a turnover-first approach under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, LaFleur is less optimistic about the offense’s ability to protect the football, right now.
“I got on the guys this morning about exposing the football,” LaFleur said. “Certainly, we all know what kind of player Tucker Kraft is, and can be. He can’t allow Evan Williams to reach around and punch the ball out. It is challenging everybody, and hopefully that makes us all better.”
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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