Believe the hype: 11 Packers players generating training camp buzz
By Matt Schneidman
There’s no better time to overreact to practice minutia than the first week of training camp.
Wide receivers are awesome because they’re catching passes against no defenders. Offensive lines are impeccable because the guys they’re blocking aren’t allowed to touch the quarterback. Defensive backs are lauded for intercepting passes when quarterbacks are slinging the ball with reckless abandon.
Maybe it’s because we haven’t watched live football since early February, but overreacting to such irrelevant plays sure feels good.
It is plays like those that generate buzz around certain players, some of that excitement warranted and some not as much, some of those players complete unknowns and some household names.
There have been players in both parties earning praise and recognition through the first four Packers practices for a variety of reasons. So without further ado, I present to you the 2020 Packers All-Hype Team, composed of 11 players generating the most buzz so far during training camp.
Note: Due to new practice reporting guidelines implemented by head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst, we are not allowed to report which players are practicing with the first team, second team, third team, identify at which positions certain players are practicing or expand on scheme and personnel packages. As a result, this will lack some details you are used to reading, so bear with me!
Tim Boyle, quarterback
Not since his days at Xavier High School in Connecticut has Boyle entered a season in the same offense as the year before. That’s how he rolls into the 2020 season, his third with the Packers and second in LaFleur’s offense.
He’s slinging the ball all over the field in practice, completing a 45-yard bomb to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, ripping a touchdown pass over the middle to Reggie Begelton and nearly converting on a play-action pass to Jace Sternberger, who dropped a wide-open, would-be touchdown. The former Connecticut and Eastern Kentucky signal-caller is making some eye-opening throws. He’s done nothing to warrant a demotion from the No. 2 quarterback spot, even with a first-round pick also at the position.
“The terminology is coming to me. I’m seeing the defense a lot smoother,” Boyle said. “Year 2 in this system, Year 3 overall, obviously being behind (No.) 12 has helped me out a bunch, too. But I feel comfortable, confident and in control.”
Tyler Ervin, running back
Ervin was sparsely used on offense last season after joining the team in Week 13 primarily to return punts and kicks. He played only 42 offensive snaps in seven games (including the playoffs) but has shined as a receiver early in camp. Offensive snaps will again be hard to come by for Ervin with crowded rooms at running back and wide receiver, but expect him to still be used as an occasional change-of-pace trickery piece out of the backfield, both horizontally and vertically.
“He’s a weapon,” running back Aaron Jones said of Ervin. “You see him, I feel like he has the home run-threat ability. I feel like you cut up the film and have us in the game together, and different things like that, it keeps the defense guessing. It’s just, like you said, another explosive player on the field. So I think he can help this team on more than just special teams.”
AJ Dillon, running back
Dillon has made noise for his legs, not by running the ball with them but just because of their sheer girth. His quads are massive, and they have the Packers and their eager fans dreaming of the late-game, short-yardage possibilities with Dillon sparing Jones in the backfield.
It almost feels like Dillon’s build has made people forget the Packers still have the 2019 NFL touchdowns leader on the roster. Dillon also has flashed his pass-catching ability during practice, a branch of his game he wasn’t asked to flaunt at Boston College.
“Man, you know, as a linebacker, you want to man up and say, ‘If I see you in the hole, I’m going to hit you up top,’ ” Christian Kirksey said. “But when you see how big he is, you’ve almost got to go low. But then you look at his legs, and he’s got tree trunks. So you might want to think twice about that, too, so I’m excited to see what he brings to the table.
“He’s an extremely good guy. You see that, his personality. He’s kind of quiet, but he’s all about business. So I’m eager to see how he plays and be a one-two punch with Aaron.”
Equanimeous St. Brown, wide receiver
After missing the entirety of last season with a high-ankle sprain suffered in the Packers’ third preseason game, St. Brown is fully healthy and already making an impression on the practice field. At 6 foot 5, he’s tied with Allen Lazard for the tallest wideout on the team. His combination of size and speed is something the Packers sorely missed last season. The Packers are counting on his skill set after they didn’t draft a wide receiver and had Devin Funchess opt out of the 2020 season over concerns surrounding COVID-19.
“I think the first thing that jumps out to you especially when you’re in the meeting room with EQ is he is really intelligent,” LaFleur said. “That gives you a lot of flexibility with him, to be able to move him throughout different positions and just put him in different spots on the field.
“He knows our playbook inside and out. He knows the finer details, and I thought that was pretty impressive, especially since he missed all of last season. I just think that flexibility gives us a tremendous weapon. Not to mention, he’s a long guy that’s got a good catch radius, and he’s got really good speed.”
Robert Tonyan, tight end
Tonyan said Wednesday that he’s in the best physical shape of his career after nursing a hip injury last season. He’s proven to be an occasionally reliable downfield threat the last two seasons, and with Jimmy Graham gone, Tonyan should assume even more responsibility. He again trained with his close friend and 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle during the offseason, of which he said:
“We’re just always competing and he appreciates it because he has someone that is chasing him and I have someone that I’m chasing.”
Tonyan seems primed for a much-expanded role in the second year of LaFleur’s offense.
“With Jimmy obviously leaving us and not being here, it just opens up a big window for a playmaker,” Tonyan said. “Everyone’s going to have opportunities. Our tight end room is very well-rounded, but we’re trying to be the best tight end group in the NFL. We’re not just trying to be the best tight end for Green Bay, we’re trying to be the best tight end group in the NFL.”
Jake Hanson, center
I can’t say much about the 2019 sixth-round pick because I’m not allowed to say which unit Hanson is practicing with. What I can say, though, is that he started 49 games at center over four years at Oregon and Packers starting center Corey Linsley is a free agent next offseason. You do the math.
Lane Taylor, right guard
Again, apologies for the lack of specifics, but there’s a reason he’s on this list, though, He took a pay cut in the offseason, and even if Elgton Jenkins assumes the left-guard spot, Taylor can compete for a starting spot.
“He got injured last year, but he’s taken a lot of strides forward, and it’s very impressive to see a guy like Lane Taylor, who is traditionally the past couple of years has been on that left side, transition over the right side and not really lose a step or lose a stride over there,” Turner said.
Chandon Sullivan, cornerback
This offseason, Sullivan watched all 823 snaps that Tramon Williams took last season to prepare for his role as a slot cornerback. He made a nice pass breakup guarding Davante Adams on a shallow slant route in the red zone on Tuesday, which is hardly an enviable task. Sullivan played 350 defensive snaps last season (34 percent), but with how often defensive coordinator Mike Pettine used five-defensive back formations last season, he should be in line for significantly more snaps in 2020.
“He’s a great player,” safety Adrian Amos said of Sullivan. “Somebody I trusted last year, as well, when he came in, played very well. He played all over the secondary. Coming in this year, it’s full confidence in him and his ability within the defense, learning the defense. It’s his second year in the defense, as well. So I feel as though the sky’s the limit for him.”
Rashan Gary, outside linebacker
The 2019 first-round pick leaned out this offseason and spent his summer running stadium stairs in McKinney, Texas. Pettine and outside linebackers coach Mike Smith spent last season hyping Gary even when he wasn’t playing or producing, so we finally get to see if they were right about what he’s truly capable of when given a chance, which he’ll assuredly get this season even with the Smiths at the same position.
“I know this offseason is different than the rest than we’ve all seen across the league, and I had to come back in shape,” Gary said. “My body is right, body type, mind right, and just ready to go.”
Christian Kirksey, inside linebacker
The Packers’ new inside linebacker dropped into coverage and intercepted Rodgers on Monday, the highlight of what has been an impressive start to camp for him.
After playing in just nine games over the last two seasons because of pectoral and hamstring injuries, Kirksey said he feels like himself again. He already had familiarity with Pettine’s defense from their two years together in Cleveland, so he didn’t have to play catchup during a virtual offseason. Whether he will be an upgrade over Blake Martinez or not remains to be seen but early signs point to the affirmative.
“I’ve been super impressed with Christian. He’s a pro’s pro,” LaFleur said. “And just in the short time that he’s been here, he is on top of his assignments and helping direct traffic out there. Again, a great veteran presence. A guy who’s played a lot of ball and just excited to see him progress in this system.”
Adrian Amos, safety
Amos has intercepted Rodgers twice in the last two practices: a diving pick down the left sideline on Tuesday and a deep ball intended for Davante Adams on Wednesday. Amos only has five career interceptions in 76 career games, but he hopes more such plays come after a sturdy debut season in Green Bay.
“Take advantage of every opportunity I get with making plays on the ball. Getting the ball wins games,” Amos said. “That’s just as important as being in the right spot and making all your plays. I think those interceptions and forced fumbles and things will come with playing hard and being in the right place at the right time and capitalizing on every little opportunity.”
