The Packers love what they see in Kamal Martin.
The Rookie class of the Packers’ 2020 felt its presence in the first week of training camp, whether it be second-day facts like AJ Dillon and Josiah Deguara or even third-day prospects Vernon Scott and Martin.
On Friday, linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti praised Martin for not only how fast the rookie fifth-round picked up the playbook during the virtual offseason program, but also how he took it “from a computer screen to the field.”
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound inside linebacker also made a positive first impression on LaFleur.
“The first thing that comes out is that he’s a tall, athletic boy,” LaFleur said. “He’s very intelligent, he works hard at it. It will come down to getting those reps and making him feel comfortable there and knowing what he needs to do so he can show athletics on Sundays.”
The head coach still has a solid hard count.
With his Achilles tendon fully recovered, LaFleur has been training in drills with the defense this summer. On Saturday, he served as a quarterback in the one-on-one period between the offensive line and defensive front.
The former Saginaw Valley State QB was also reluctant to use the hard count, pulling a few defenders offside in the 10-minute period. And it was not to be seen.
“Our guys on the defensive side of the ball lived up to that hard count, and I know they’re going against one of the best in the business (Rodgers), that could pull them offsides,” said LaFleur, commenting on some of the sly moments in practice. “Conversely, on the offensive side of the ball, we had a few fumbled snaps, and that’s the game you can hit.”
5. The Packers often go into their longest camp.
With no precision games breaking up this training camp this year, Saturday’s 1-hour, 25-minute practice began a stretch of eight practices in nine days for the Packers.
Green Bay is scheduled to practice four days in a row (with practice on Tuesday at Inside Lambeau Field) for an off-day for players on Wednesday. They will then return to the field on Thursday for four more consecutive practices, and complete the stretch with a third trip to Lambeau next Sunday.
“Every time you do four days of strenuous exercise, you should better think about what you are asking your boys to do,” LaFleur said. “Sure, we know we’m at our best when we have everyone healthy and well. This week will be a little grind on our boys and then we will adjust as we move forward.”
Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams returned to practice on Saturday after sustaining a lower body injury on Wednesday. Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith, tackle Rick Wagner and defensive tackle Montravius Adams attended the practice but did not participate.
