18 August 2023 , 18:26
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A series of scuffles took the headlines at a joint practice between the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots on Thursday, but head coach Matt LaFleur is sure to have much deeper concerns about the performance of his quarterback.
The Packers head coach is leading his team into a new era with Aaron Rodgers long gone on a new journey with the New York Jets. Jordan Love, who was Rodgers' understudy for the past three years, is the new man under centre in Wisconsin.
And for the most part, there have been positive reports emerging from practice as the 24-year-old prepares to be thrown into the spotlight in Week 1. But he endured a chastening experience on an ill-tempered second day of joint practice with the Pats.
Both teams got along just fine on Wednesday as they sharpened up with the new season fast approaching, with no sense of tensions boiling over, but reporters in attendance at Ray Nitschke Field 24 hours later saw half a dozen conflicts between the teams.
Four of those occurred within the first nine plays of 11 vs 11 action, per The Athletic, before Pats rookie Keion White picked up a Packers helmet from the floor and launched it through the air.
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In the sixth flashpoint, deemed the worst of the day, tempers flared on a special teams play after Packers defensive lineman Keshawn Banks carried his block beyond 10 yards on a punt return. Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings responded by flattening Banks with a blindside hit after the play was dead.
Those moments will quickly fade from the memory of LaFleur, although the players involved were disciplined. The bigger concern will certainly be a rough day on the field for Love.
Jordan Love has the unenviable task of filling Aaron Rodgers shoes in Green Bay. (AP)Love completed just 14 of 31 passes on Thursday, with New England's starting defense proving too strong and organised for the Packers' and their offensive playmakers. Love will hope he has learned from the experience with the Packers and the Patriots facing off in their penultimate pre-season game on Saturday night at Lambeau Field.
LaFleur or Love are yet to address the media in the wake of Thursday's joint practice, but general manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged on Friday the importance of in-game reps as his quarterback prepares for his debut campaign as a starter.
"Tomorrow night will be another really good step for him," the GM said, confirming Love will suit up and play after LaFleur hinted he could be held back for next week's game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Gutekunst added: "[I am] pleased with his command and his confidence back there and how he’s leading the football team.”