Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur spent time talking about the individual improvement from both third-year receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie quarterback Jordan Love following Sunday’s scrimmage at Lambeau Field.
Valdes-Scantling’s improvement was more about the long-term, whereas Love is battling to get better a little bit every day.
According to reporters at the scrimmage, Valdes-Scantling had another standout day, catching several important passes to extend drives for the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense.
When asked by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky if Valdes-Scantling was becoming a better all-around receiver, LaFleur mostly agreed.
“Marquez has put together a pretty consistent and strong camp. I’m really proud of his effort. He’s been into it,” LaFleur said. “He’s much more knowledgeable than he was a year ago in understanding the detail of what we’re trying to get done. He’s shown improvement, in all facets. From getting off the line of scrimmage to running those intermediate routes and making some key grabs. Displaying strong hands. I think he’s done a nice job.”
Valdes-Scantling has always been a vertical threat, but his overall impact was handcuffed during his first two seasons by a lack of polish as an intermediate receiver. Legitimate improvement in this area would be huge for both his upside as a pass-catcher and helping the Packers grow in the passing game in 2020.
Love got off to a shaky start during the unscripted 11-on-11 work but eventually settled in, and he finished off the practice with a scoring drive featuring five completions and a short touchdown pass.
The performance was another step in the right direction for Love, who has been up and down during his first 10 practices. LaFleur believed Sunday might have been Love’s best day of camp.
“It felt like it was probably his best day up to this point,” LaFleur said. “Just making some key throws downfield. He’s consistently getting better and better and better. That tends to happen these guys when you have more of a gameplan emphasis going into it. Shrink the playbook down for him. Hopefully, he wasn’t thinking as much out there, and that translated into better performance.”
Other notes from LaFleur’s post-scrimmage press conference:
– LaFleur said Christian Kirksey is a “pro’s pro” who has been “exemplary” on the field and a great leader so far in the middle of the Packers defense.
– LaFleur said receiver Darrius Shepherd has done “an outstanding job” this summer. Shepherd, who made the 53-man roster coming out of camp last year, caught two touchdown passes during Sunday’s practice. LaFleur noted he has consistently separated and caught the ball well during camp practices.
– LaFleur said the Packers would soon start getting into the up-tempo stuff on offense. “That’s going to be something we start ramping up here in the near future.” LaFleur was confident the offense would pick it up quickly.
– LaFleur said the Packers are planning to use all of their running backs, including rookie A.J. Dillon. “I think you’re going to see all of those guys in the mix. They all bring something a little different to the table.”
– LaFleur said the ambient noise at Lambeau Field was too loud early during the practice, so the team turned it down. He still hasn’t gotten confirmation about the noise level expected at games. LaFleur said the Packers might have to have another practice at Lambeau Field to get a feel for the noise. “That’s something we’re going to have to work through.”
– The Packers won’t practice again until Wednesday. They’ll have Monday and Tuesday to rest up before practicing three straight days, Wednesday through Friday. Cutdown day is Saturday.
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