The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of training camp as they prepare for the 2021 season. From now until the end up camp in late August, Wisconsin Sports Heroics will bring you the most important notes from each day’s practices.
Kevin King Is Back
Kevin King is practicing for the first time in camp. ILBs Kamal Martin and Isaiah McDuffie also back from injury, along with DL Kingsley Keke.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 12, 2021
Kevin King started camp on the Non-Football Injury List. Today, he was able to practice with the team for the first time. King was brought back to the Packers on a one-year $5 million deal. This will certainly be a make-or-break year for King. Last season, King played only 11 games and deflected just five passes. It was very disappointing following his 2019 season when he had five interceptions and deflected 15 passes.
The most glaring weakness in King’s game last season, however, was his missed tackle rate. Over the past two seasons, King has had a missed tackle rate over 17%. If he cannot improve this facet of his game, this may be his last season in Green Bay.
Eric Stokes Is Practicing with the Starters
Eric Stokes still running with the 1s on Kevin King’s first day back.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 12, 2021
Despite Kevin King returning, first round draft pick Eric Stokes is still practicing with the defensive starters. The offseason is a long process, and this does not mean that he will be the starter in Week One against the New Orleans Saints. However, it does indicate that King is going to have to really play well in the rest of camp if he wants to regain his starting spot.
Do Not Expect to See Many Key Players in Preseason Games
Matt LaFleur saying #Packers will take opposite approach to regular season with this Friday practice: guys who won't play tomorrow night will get majority of reps today at practice.
About getting guys reps, not preparing for a meaningless game.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) August 12, 2021
In his press conference prior to practice, head coach Matt LaFleur laid out his plan for determining who is going to play in preseason. In short, Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, and other high-profile players will not be seeing much, if any, time in preseason games.
This will be a great opportunity for the Packers and their fans to see what Jordan Love can do. Despite it being preseason, Love will be getting his first action against starting players on a NFL defense. It has been about 18 months since Love has even played a football game, despite his being drafted last year.
Josiah Deguara Is Having a Very Nice Camp
No 1 defense wins two minute but Josiah Deguara made a nice catch to convert on fourth and 4 to keep drive moving. Deguara had a nice day #Packers
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) August 12, 2021
Josiah Deguara was a third round pick last season. However, he was only able to play in two games last season due to a torn ACL. In the short time he was on the field, Deguara impressed as the H-back and was a phenomenal blocker.
It is great to see him back on the field. As Deguara himself noted, that was an important part of helping him put the injury behind him:
josiah deguara says he didn’t clear some of the mental hurdles post-ACL until he was back and practicing. a big part of it was “trusting your knee,” but both he and the packers’ medical staff felt comfortable enough to give him the clearance to get back on the field this summer.
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) August 12, 2021
Aaron Rodgers Is Having Fun
Aaron Rodgers, wearing that red jersey, gets out in front of AJ Dillon on an outside run to the left and tried to throw a block on Josh Jackson. He’s 37 years old and still a child at heart.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 12, 2021
If there is anyone still wondering if Aaron Rodgers is 100% committed to this season, they obviously are not listening. Ever since he came to camp, Rodgers has repeatedly stated how happy he is to be back and that he is locked in on this season. His play on the practice field displays this sentiment as well, as seen in the Tweet above.
Not only is Rodgers having fun, he is also in vintage form:
Even at practice Aaron Rodgers is looking for the free play…
He just caught the defense in middle of substitution and hit Josiah Deguara deep downfield. pic.twitter.com/H6FGy0tBgo
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) August 12, 2021
The hard count is one of Rodgers’ signature “moves,” and even his own team gets fooled by it. It is going to be fun watching him put up numbers again this season.
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