The Green Bay Packers will have one more practice inside Lambeau Field before Sunday’s home opener against the Detroit Lions.
Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers are still trying to get a handle of the ambient noise level in the stadium, especially after the volume inside U.S. Bank Stadium was quieter than the Packers were expecting on Sunday.
“We’re going to in there tomorrow,” LaFleur said Thursday. “I was talking about the difference in terms of the sound we heard when we were in Lambeau vs. the sound we heard when we were in Minnesota. It definitely sounded louder in our stadium. Just want to get the feel for that, and see what that sounds like.”
The NFL has allowed teams to play pre-recorded crowd noise at 70 decibels in empty stadiums. The ambient noise inside U.S. Bank Stadium, an indoor venue, was a non-factor and mostly muted during Week 1.
LaFleur said he’s still not sure how the disparity happened, with the volume louder at Lambeau Field during practices during training camp, but he wants to ensure his players are ready for what they’ll experience on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
“I just want to make sure our guys can operate in whatever environment we’re about to encounter,” LaFleur said.
The Packers host the Lions at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. The Packers have won seven straight home openers.
Other interesting things from LaFleur’s Thursday press conference:
– LaFleur said Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has “elite arm talent” and is “one of the best QBs in the league.”
– LaFleur called receiver Allen Lazard the “enforcer” in the run game for the Packers offense. “Defensive backs know where he is at all times because he’s going to try and punish you.”
– LaFleur revealed that senior analyst Butch Barry, who was added to the staff this offseason, is helping the defensive line room this year. His background in coaching is the offensive line. Barry’s job is to provide a layer of prospective from the offensive side for the defensive line. “He’s been a huge asset for our defensive staff.”
– LaFleur said he’s “really excited” about the future of rookie Jon Runyan, who played 15 encouraging snaps at right guard in Week 1.
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