Lacy, Richard Rodgers bring attitude to offense
By CHRIS HAVEL
Training camp officially opened for the Green Bay Packers with Saturday’s morning practice on Ray Nitschke Field. Its unofficial opening arrived Monday when the pads came on. It didn’t take long to be reminded why expectations are high.
In one of the early periods Eddie Lacy took a handoff, barreled off right tackle and welcomed Utah State rookie linebacker Jake Doughty to the NFL. Lacy feigned outside, ducked back inside and slammed his left shoulder pad squarely between the 4 and the 5 on Doughty’s jersey. I suspect Doughty’s family and friends felt the blast back in Utah.
Meantime, Lacy seemed barely inconvenienced.
A bit later third-round draft pick Richard Rodgers was running a seam route when an Aaron Rodgers fastball came upon him in a blink. Just as quickly the tight end reached up and plucked the ball out of the air. The ease with which Rodgers snatched the football was impressive.
The running back-tight end combo of Lacy and Rodgers gives the Packers’ offense a chance to play with physicality and finesse. Rodgers, at 6-4, 257, is a rare dual threat at tight end who can block and catch with equal aplomb. He’s still raw which means he’ll only get better as the season progresses. Lacy, who is only 24, has gone from last year’s training camp curiosity to this year’s offensive cornerstone.
When I see Lacy and Rodgers I think two words: “Play” and “action.” The Packers can ground and pound if they choose to do so, but the reality is this is a pass first, run second team. In that regard, the quarterback looks terrific and the receiver corps looks talented and deep.
The newly minted Jordy Nelson looks superb, as does No. 2 receiver Randall Cobb, who is noticeably stronger in the upper body. Furthermore, second-round pick Davante Adams immediately flashed as a smooth, sure-handed pass catcher who seems eminently self-assured.
Jared Abbrederis, the pride of Wisconsin and Wautoma, made a diving catch early in practice and had a bad drop late. If Abbrederis makes the 53-man roster it will mean he had one tremendous camp. That’s because Jarrett Boykin, Kevin Dorsey and Chris Harper all flashed Monday. Boykin made a nifty sideline catch, Harper snagged a difficult pass and Dorsey was smooth and sure-handed as a return man.
Defensively, Micah Hyde lined up opposite Morgan Burnett at safety with the No. 1 defense. While the popular storyline here is that Hyde is ahead of first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the reality is that Burnett better up his game because Clinton-Dix is waiting in the wings. In fact, I suspect it will be the Hyde-Ha Ha show at safety within a year and maybe sooner.
Fellow safety Sean Richardson had a nice interception on a Rodgers-to-Nelson pass down the middle, and the cornerback quartet of Sam Shields, Tramon Williams, Casey Hayward and Davon House all appeared lean, mean and ready to roll.
Once again, defensive coordinator Dom Capers had Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews lining up all over the place. Peppers would have his hand on the ground in a pass-rushing position on one play, and line up as a stand up outside linebacker on the next.Matthews was equally active and disruptive.
The defensive line certainly looks the part. Third-round pick Khyri Thornton moves much quicker than you might guess for a 304-pound man. Speaking of looking quicker, B.J. Raji seems like he’s in the mood to earn a lot of money this season. Raji was hustling and showing a nice burst in the one-on-one pass rush drills.
For one padded practice, at least, it was all systems go.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."
-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor
"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."
-Dick Koerner, Neenah
"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"
-Matt
"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time.
One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA.
"
-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida
"Hi Amy-
Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future!
Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol!
Go pack go!!"
-Julie Mastrianni
"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service.
My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it.
We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip.
Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."
-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN
"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."
-Sam Jones, Sedalia
"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."
-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."
-Beverley Moore, Lancaster
"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"
-David Anastas, Worchester
"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."
-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario
"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."
-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly