WESTFIELD, Ind. (WFRV) — In Green Bay’s first joint practice of the year on Thursday, without Jordan Love, it was the defense that shined.
The Packers defense dominated the Colts offense, especially in the trenches. During the team period, there were several plays where Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and/or Anthony Richardson got a throw off, where in a real game, they would’ve been sacked or at the least tackled for a loss.
Rashan Gary was especially great. Very consistently he was getting past the Colts offensive line and putting pressure on the two Colts quarterbacks.
“We were able to cause havoc, cause some pressure, but, the work is never done,” Gary added. “Right now I feel good, but I know there’s still some stuff to clean up.”
Head Coach LaFleur has often referred to training camp in Green Bay as a ‘double edged sword’ because of what you can take away from practicing against your own team. For example: when when the Packers defense wins, their offense loses, and visa versa, but that’s obviously not the case when going against another team, like the Colts.
Before joint-practice got started, LaFleur mentioned he felt like he was going to get a ‘real evaluation’ of his players going head to head at full speed, not holding back, like they might in Green Bay.
“I said, treat it like a game. And that’s ultimately what you try to accomplish every time you take the field, you want to make it as game-like as possible,” LaFleur said.
“You don’t have to think twice when you’re going to punch at the ball, or be aggressive at the point of catch,” Packers safety Evan Williams added. “To just let loose and be as aggressive as you want, it’s definitely good for the whole team.”
Williams said there’s something to going up against your teammates everyday vs. lining up against the opposition in practice. And, he added that he felt like a lot of the guys were embracing the opportunity in Indy.
Kickoff for the Packers second preseason game of the year against the Colts is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, at 1 p.m. (Noon central time).
