- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,253,126
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Green Bay rookie kicker Trey Smack, left had a strong outing in the Packers' Family Night scrimmage Friday.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The Green Bay Packers held their annual Family Night Scrimmage Friday night — a practice inside of Lambeau Field where fans were charged $10 to watch the 2-hour, 15 minute session.
Amazingly, 60,000 spectators piled into Lambeau Field to get a first-hand look at their heroes.
Here was the good, bad and ugly from Friday’s practice.
THE GOOD
BABY STEPS: Rookie kicker Trey Smack had a rough start to camp, making just 8-of-13 kicks in the first seven practices.
Smack had a solid night, though, going 6-of-7 overall. Smack made kicks from 33, 35, 38, 43, 45 and 47 yards and missed wide left from 51.
Smack is now 14-of-20 overall this summer (70.0%).
“I think he's had a pretty good start to camp so far,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said of Smack. “But … I think we're going to have a pretty good football team this year, and if you're going to make it and be part of it, you got to perform.”
Smack did just that Friday, which had to be music to the Packers’ ears.
IT’S ABOUT TIME: The Packers held seven practices before Friday and had yet to do any live tackling.
That changed during Family Night, when Green Bay had some of its younger players and newcomers do live tackling for approximately 10 plays late in practice.
“I do think that's a good opportunity for them,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “Just a rehearsal, if you will, before they go out and play that first preseason game.”
HIGHLIGHTS
There were several other highlights from the practice, as well. Here’s a handful:
• Wideout Matthew Golden got behind Javon Bullard and hauled in a 52-yard touchdown from Jordan Love.
• Safety Xavier McKinney had an impressive pass breakup on an out route for Jayden Reed.
• Second year defensive end Barryn Sorrell blew up a pair of runs to running back MarShawn Lloyd.
• Undrafted rookie defensive tackle Anthony Campbell had his fifth batted pass of training camp.
• Left tackle Jordan Morgan had a nice night, stoning Lukas Van Ness in one-on-ones. Morgan did have a false start penalty, though.
• Running back Pierre Strong had a red zone touchdown on a screen pass from Love.
• Savion Williams, who’s had a quiet camp, had a leaping, 15-yard touchdown grab over safety Kitan Oladapo.
• No. 3 quarterback Kyle McCord threw a touchdown to Bo Melton.
• Rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse followed wideout Christian Watson on a crosser and broke up a pass from Love.
• Brenton Cox had a sack working against Darian Kinnard.
• Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper dumped running back Damien Martinez for a safety on a play that started at the 2-yard line.
• J. Michael Sturdivant had a 37-yard catch from Tyrod Taylor working with the No. 2 offense in the two-minute drill.
DIE HARDS: When it comes to fan bases, it’s tough to beat the one in Green Bay.
Packer Nation filled Lambeau Field to watch a practice — as Allen Iverson once said “we talking about practice” — on a gorgeous summer night where temperatures were in the mid-70s throughout.
Following practice, fans were treated to a fireworks display.
“This Green Bay community is something I haven't seen before,” said linebacker Zaire Franklin, a ninth year player who’s in his first season as a Packer. “Thankful to be a part of it and glad to be there. I know Family Night is special.
“(I) took my son to Lambeau during OTAs and he was mad that nobody was there. I'm telling him that 70,000 people are going to be there this time. So that's pretty cool.”
THE BAD
FROM THE INFIRMARY: The following Packers didn’t practice due to injury: tackle Zach Bako-Bewele (knee), guard Aaron Banks (knee/rest), tight end Tucker Kraft (knee), defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle), running back Josh Jacobs (groin), and cornerbacks Carrington Valentine (hamstring), Domani Jackson, Kamal Hadden (ankle) and Johnathan Baldwin (knee).
Players on reserve lists include Micah Parsons (knee), tight end Luke Musgrave (neck), running back Chris Brooks (hamstring), long snapper Matt Orzech (calf), and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave (knee) and Jordon Reilly (Achilles).
THIS AND THAT: Cornerback Brandon Cisse dropped out of practice with cramps and was replaced by Benjamin St-Juste with the No. 1 defense. … Defensive tackle Chris McClellan, but LaFleur said, “I think he’ll be all right.” … St-Juste had a chance for an interception, but dropped it. … Center Sean Rhyan had a bad snap to Love that killed a play. … Skyy Moore had a big gain on an end around that was wiped out by a penalty. … Moore had a bad drop. … Anthony Belton had a false start penalty.
THE UGLY
CB1 … REALLY?: Keisean Nixon, Green Bay’s supposed No. 1 cornerback, had a rough go of it in 1-on-1 drills against Matthew Golden.
The two had four reps against each other and Golden finished with three catches and two touchdowns. On the fourth rep, Nixon jumped an out route and had a chance for an interception, but dropped it.
Nixon started all 17 games at cornerback last season for the first time in his seven-year career and had a remarkably up-and-down season.
Nixon earned a 66.4 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 41st among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His PFF coverage grade of 67.8 ranked 35th and his run-defense grade of 66.6 ranked 40th.
Nixon had one interception, broke up 13 passes, and opposing quarterbacks had a 105.2 passer rating when throwing his way. Nixon surrendered 50 receptions in coverage and had 72 tackles (58 solos).
The two regular season games against Chicago provided a microcosm of Nixon’s inconsistent season.
Nixon made a game-saving interception in the Packers’ 28-21 win over Chicago on Dec. 7. Thirteen days later, Nixon gave up a 46-yard touchdown pass to Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore in overtime as Chicago rallied for a 22-16 win.
It’s not Nixon’s fault that he’s allegedly the best cornerback on the Packers’ roster. But at 29 years old, Nixon probably isn’t getting any better, so Green Bay has to have players like rookie Brandon Cisse or free agent acquisition Benjamin St-Juste develop into a true No. 1 corner.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Continue reading...
