The Green Bay Packers practiced at Lambeau Field on Thursday with ambient sound in the background, similar to what the NFL has proposed will play in empty stadiums this year.
Coach Matt LaFleur experimented with the volume of the sound – which equates to something like white noise – during the practice.
“From what I understand, that’s like the prototype they’re putting out there right now. They’re going to adjust that as needed,” LaFleur said. “I had our guys lower the decibel level a little bit because we haven’t done any of our silent cadence. When we first went out there, I thought it was pretty loud, loud enough where you’d have to use the silent count.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the NFL may allow teams to have fan sounds in stadiums this year, especially as more and more teams – like the Packers – aren’t planning on having fans at games early in the season.
Andy Herman of Packer Report provided a sampling of the noise at practice:
A feel for the “Ambient Noise” going on at practice today. pic.twitter.com/lSXYvn2ECz
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) August 20, 2020
The Packers open the 2020 season against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, a traditionally loud venue. The Vikings haven’t specified if any fans will be allowed at games to start the season.
Boyle impresses Gute
It’s a nightmare situation the Packers don’t want to even entertain, but GM Brian Gutekunst said he’d be confident in Tim Boyle – the favorite to be the backup quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers – stepping in and winning games if No. 12 went down.
“With Aaron (Rodgers) back there, you kind of hope you never have to go that route, but if we did, I feel very confident we can win games with Tim Boyle,” Gutekunst said.
Boyle, an undrafted free agent who won the job as the top backup last season, is having another strong summer. The Packers traded up to get Jordan Love in the first round of April’s draft, but Gutekunst likes what he’s seeing from Boyle to start camp.
“I think Tim has done an outstanding job,” Gutekunst said. “He’s continued to grow. He’s had a really, really good start. We expected that. Tim has a lot of talent. His future is really bright here. We’re excited about him. He’s taken every opportunity he’s had this year and really grown from where he was last year. He’s proven himself day in and day out. Glad we have him.”
Lovett flashes
A player added off of waivers earlier this month is flashing during the first week of camp.
John Lovett, the hybrid fullback/tight end claimed off of waivers from the Chiefs on Aug. 5, is making plays and impressing the coaches as a smart, versatile player in LaFleur’s offense.
“We were super excited to get John, and he hasn’t disappointed. He’s gotten some opportunities,” LaFleur said. “He is athletic, he is very, very intelligent, which is to be expected, and he’s versatile. He’s a guy that we feel is a movable piece.
A former quarterback with 234 pounds packed onto his frame and a tough running style, Lovett could make a bigger impression once more hitting is involved during practices.
“It’ll be really cool to see him in some more live situations where we’re really going to the ground, and see what he can do,” LaFleur said.
Lovett has a legitimate chance to stick as an H-back option for LaFleur, who is gravitating the offense towards more versatile players at the tight end position. The Packers don’t have a true fullback on the roster.
Amos absence
LaFleur said safety Adrian Amos had a “personal matter” and was excused on Thursday. “He’ll be back with us shortly,” LaFleur said.
Amos has had a great camp so far, grabbing a pair of interceptions of Aaron Rodgers during the first week.
LaFleur also said outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith and receiver Davante Adams will be back soon.
“With Z and Davante, it’s nothing serious. They will be back in a matter of time,” LaFleur said.
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