Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur answered questions for just over 10 minutes before Thursday’s training camp practice.
LaFleur said the Packers would be doing some live tackling during the team’s Family Night practice on Saturday, and he also said players were excited about the introduction of the new alternate white helmets.
LaFleur also had comments on three specific players. Here’s a quick rundown of his comments:
Rookie OL Jordan Morgan
LaFleur: “He’s done a really nice job. Every day, he’s learning something new. He’s taking his lumps along the way, as to be expected. He has everything you look for in a guy who can play in this league for a really long time. The athleticism. He just has to learn how to compete down in and down out against really good competition.”
Morgan has run with the No. 1 offense at right guard each of the last two practices, and he’s been competitive in all the 1-on-1s. The Packers want him focusing in at one position, and they believe right guard is his best path to the starting lineup. Many believed Morgan would be best suited for playing guard in the NFL. He’s off to a good start inside.
DL T.J. Slaton
LaFleur: “I think T.J. has had an outstanding camp. Quite frankly, he’s surprised us in some ways. His ability to get off the ball, wreck double teams, whatever it may be, he’s done a really nice job. Really excited to see how he’s progressed. You never quite know how one guy is going to transition to a certain style of defense, but he’s done a really good job.”
While more of a 3-4 nose tackle body type, Slaton appears to be embracing the move to the 4-3 front. He’s a big man at 6-4 and 330 pounds, but he moves well and is undeniably powerful. The Packers have been running him next to Kenny Clark in the starting defense.
S Anthony Johnson Jr.
LaFleur: “He’s had an outstanding camp up to this point. I think it’ a very competition situation (at safety). He’s learned a ton. He’s made a huge jump in my eyes from last season. He’s got to go out and do it against some live bullets in terms of the preseason games. It’ll be interesting to see how he does, but I’m excited for him.”
Rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams have dominated the headlines early in the safety competition, but Johnson Jr. isn’t to be dismissed. A seventh-round pick last year, Johnson Jr. ended up starting four games and playing over 300 snaps. Remember, he transitioned from cornerback to safety late in his career at Iowa State and is still relatively new to the position. He could be setting up a big second-year leap in 2024.
Matt LaFleur press conference on Thursday, Aug. 1
LIVE: Head Coach Matt LaFleur meets with the media at training camp. 🎙️@BellinHealth #PackersCamp https://t.co/G00FhrrmcS
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 1, 2024
