Official Offseason Workout/OTA's/Minicamp Thread

[Joemailman]

Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Rehab group:
Zach Tom
Donovan Jennings
Kamal Hadden
Jacob Monk
Jonathan Ford
Collin Oliver
Domani Jackson
Isaiah McDuffie
Drake Dabney
Jordon Riley
Benjamin St-Juste (warmed up w team)
Skyy Moore

Not practicing:
Micah Parsons,
Devonte Wyatt,
Tucker Kraft

[Joemailman]

Good article about Jordan Morgan finally getting a just to play his natural position at LT. https://www.channel3000.com/news/top...4f784e5b5.html

After playing exclusively at left tackle both at Marana High School in Tucson, Ariz., and at the University of Arizona, the 6-foot-5, 311-pound Morgan played right guard and left guard in his six games of regular-season action as a rookie in 2024 before a shoulder injury that dated back to training camp landed him on season-ending injured reserve.

Last season, Morgan played in all 17 of the Packers’ regular-season games, starting 12 — seven at right guard, two at left guard, two at right tackle and one at left tackle. And that one start at left tackle came in the meaningless regular-season finale at Minnesota, where only a few of the Packers’ front-line players saw action.

Last month, Pro Football Hall of Fame left tackle (and University of Wisconsin legend) Joe Thomas visited Lambeau Field during Phase II of the Packers’ offseason program and spent time with Morgan, critiquing his film and watching him practice.

He came away impressed by Morgan’s footwork, hand placement and overall technique in practice and struggled to find too many flaws in the film.

“He's a great athlete. He's got exceptional footwork. He's powerful,” said Thomas, who was a 10-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler in 11 seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

“I mean, I was sitting there waiting to give him a bunch of tips about things that I thought he could do a better job of [while] we watched film that morning, and I said to him, ‘Honestly, buddy, there's a couple little things that I would do differently if it was me, but that's more specific to just how I played, and it's not like it's better or worse than what you're doing.’

“We talked about a few things in general, but overall, I really was impressed with how he moved the fastidiousness with which he approached his craft.”

[bobblehead]

I saw MiLF comments on Morgan. Says he has shown a lot of improvement and taken leadership and blah blah. To me this was cover for "we fucked up playing him out of position and its all on us" Trying to shift it to "we developed him and he's finally ready to have a great year". Truth is he was always ready to play LT but the fucked it up.

[pbmax]

I saw MiLF comments on Morgan. Says he has shown a lot of improvement and taken leadership and blah blah. To me this was cover for "we fucked up playing him out of position and its all on us" Trying to shift it to "we developed him and he's finally ready to have a great year". Truth is he was always ready to play LT but the fucked it up.

They had injuries and needed to move talented players elsewhere. If Rasheed Wallace wasn't the sixth best O lineman and only suited to play LT, Morgan might not have moved.

Just so you know. Belton got some second team snaps at RT.

[bobblehead]

I would argue that walker was just as suited to play guard as Morgan was. And walker was a late pick, if anyone should have cross trained it would be the 7th rounder.

In other news I see we gave Christian Walker funny money. Now I am more convinced than ever we will pay Tucker Kraft like the second coming of Gronk. If only we actually made people perform before handing out hundred million dollar deals. Then we might be able to build a real winter.

[Joemailman]

I would argue that walker was just as suited to play guard as Morgan was. And walker was a late pick, if anyone should have cross trained it would be the 7th rounder.

In other news I see we gave Christian Walker funny money. Now I am more convinced than ever we will pay Tucker Kraft like the second coming of Gronk. If only we actually made people perform before handing out hundred million dollar deals. Then we might be able to build a real winter.

Watson was 6th in NFL in yards per target. 103rd in targets. Kraft 5th and 146th. These guys when healthy are elite. They need a game plan from MLF that features the best players. Stop spreading the ball around to 8 different guys.

[pbmax]

Watson was 6th in NFL in yards per target. 103rd in targets. Kraft 5th and 146th. These guys when healthy are elite. They need a game plan from MLF that features the best players. Stop spreading the ball around to 8 different guys.

Time to reduce running on 1st down. At least get to even.

[pbmax]

I would argue that walker was just as suited to play guard as Morgan was. And walker was a late pick, if anyone should have cross trained it would be the 7th rounder.

In other news I see we gave Christian Walker funny money. Now I am more convinced than ever we will pay Tucker Kraft like the second coming of Gronk. If only we actually made people perform before handing out hundred million dollar deals. Then we might be able to build a real winter.

The coaches don't seem to have agreed. He was only ever a tackle that I remember.

[texaspackerbacker]

Time to reduce running on 1st down. At least get to even.

EXACTLY. I've always hated a run-first mentality. Now this year with the Jacobs situation and the team being absolutely loaded with receivers, they need to pass first and often, and run as a change of pace.

[run pMc]

The coaches don't seem to have agreed. He was only ever a tackle that I remember.

Correct. Walker wasn't a great run blocker either; I'm not sure putting him at guard and Morgan at LT would have been a net positive. Granted I don't think Morgan should have been at G either, but if you truly are starting your best 5 (healthy) OL then that's one way to do it.

Watson's contract is a lot of money, but not a lot in guarantees at 31M compared to what Pierce got. If Watson's injury issues are behind him and he can sustain his play from 2025 it will look like a good contract. WR contracts are ridiculous right now, cap has exploded in the last few years. FWIW, I'm in favor of extending Kraft, and I think most TEs are overpaid. Kraft is the new Kittle and inline TEs who can do it all are rare. He's a step up from Drake Dabney and all the other stiffs GB has had this century.

[Joemailman]

Thought this was funny.

Dennis-Sutton SZN
@DennisSuttonSZN

The Packers have called and asked the Steelers about T.J. Watt. Pittsburgh asked for Dani Dennis-Sutton. Gutey reportedly replied, “Wrong number,” despite being the one who called. GB seems unwilling to move DDS. Per Adam Schefter.

[bobblehead]

Watson was 6th in NFL in yards per target. 103rd in targets. Kraft 5th and 146th. These guys when healthy are elite. They need a game plan from MLF that features the best players. Stop spreading the ball around to 8 different guys.

A lot of players are elite on small volume. Aaron Jones comes to mind. That doesn't mean you pay them like higher volume guys. I saw a list on SI of guys in Watson's pay range now. Guys with mulitiple 1k seasons and many more TDs in the same timeframe. And the reason Watson is 103rd in targets isn't gameplan its because he can't stay on the field.

[bobblehead]

The coaches don't seem to have agreed. He was only ever a tackle that I remember.

You are correct. My point is that Morgan was a first round pick with a Tackle skill set who they hampered by playing him at both guard positions and the opposite side tackle from what he played every game ever in his life prior to green bay. The coaches/GM fucked that one up.

[pbmax]

You are correct. My point is that Morgan was a first round pick with a Tackle skill set who they hampered by playing him at both guard positions and the opposite side tackle from what he played every game ever in his life prior to green bay. The coaches/GM fucked that one up.

They have done it before and will do it again. They could barely decide what to do with Bulaga after Clifton retired and dithered about moving him to Left Tackle.

No one has a crystal ball. But I suspect the desire to have the five best on the field was the deciding factor. That and the fact that moving R Walker likely weakens them at two positions. For Morgan, if he pans out, it looks like they misplayed it.

Its also a good example of how a young, ascending position group still has challenges for the coaching staff. You have to pick positions and holding onto too many cheap options and being willing to start them can lead to a poor outcomes eventually. I tend to think the coaches over thought this one. Then again, the one position you'd like to avoid uncertainty is left tackle. :: hands in the air shrug ::

[run pMc]

A lot of players are elite on small volume. Aaron Jones comes to mind. That doesn't mean you pay them like higher volume guys. I saw a list on SI of guys in Watson's pay range now. Guys with mulitiple 1k seasons and many more TDs in the same timeframe. And the reason Watson is 103rd in targets isn't gameplan its because he can't stay on the field.

Watson only played 10 games last season because of the ACL recovery. The year prior he played 15 games. It seems the offseason study to improve his imbalances was successful. Based on his advanced metrics he is a difference maker for the offense when he is on the field. (ex. EPA of offense with him vs. without him, % of explosive plays etc.) If you like PFF numbers, well they seem to like Watson too.
The contract is for a lot of money but because the guarantees (as we currently know them, final official numbers not yet released) are much lower than for other WRs, so GB is making a bet here that he'll stay healthy. If not, they can cut him loose without a huge cap hit. Romeo Doubs got more guaranteed money.

Health aside, the other reason Watson and Kraft are low on # of targets is because of the number of other receivers Love had to throw to (Doubs, Wicks, Musgrave, etc.) but ALSO because of the pace that MLF runs the offense. They are one of the slowest offenses (i.e., run the ball a lot, rarely play uptempo, take the play clock down to 1 before snapping) in the league. If they operated at a faster pace, it would likely be because of more passing and faster execution in general -- and IMO more points scored.

That is absolutely on MLF. I continue to think this roster has plenty of talent (APRH) to be competitive into the playoffs. I'm less certain that the coaches are maximizing that talent