GREEN BAY – In preparation for Saturday's preseason opener in Cleveland, the Packers ran a 96-minute, non-public practice in shells on Thursday at Nitschke Field.
Here are five things we learned:
- In a groove again, Sean Clifford wants to carry momentum into preseason.
The Packers' second-year quarterback feels he's seeing the field better and throwing the ball with more zip after working through some turbulence at the end of the offseason program and start of training camp.
Clifford took reps with the No. 1 offense during the first four practices while Jordan Love and the Packers worked towards an agreement on a long-term extension, and the faster pace proved to be a challenge.
That led to some overthinking, which in turn led to some turnovers. Since sliding back with the No. 2 unit, however, Clifford has looked more decisive over the past two weeks.
He felt last Saturday's Family Night practice was a high point for him, which concluded with the 26-year-old quarterback leading a two-minute drive to get the offense in field-goal range.
While Jordan Love is slated to start against the Browns, Clifford likely will see a lion's share of the offensive snaps on Saturday.
"Probably just to continue what I've kind of found in the last two weeks for me personally," said Clifford when asked what he hopes to get out of the preseason. "I feel like I'm back and I feel like I'm able to spin the ball, really get the ball out quick, see the field really well, and I think it's a big, big testament to these guys as well. A lot of trust in the wide receivers, the O-line, just kind of getting back in flow and excited to show that on Saturday."
A fifth-round pick out of Penn State, Clifford convincingly won Green Bay's primary backup job last year after a strong training camp in which he completed 41-of-57 passes (71.9%) for 391 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions (81.8 passer rating).
After shadowing Love throughout last season, Clifford is excited to show how far he's come over the past 12 months. If adversity hits, the 6-foot-2, 218-pound quarterback plans to face it head on.
"The last play will never determine your future and the next play won't determine your future," Clifford said. "It's what's happening currently in this moment and how can you control that to the best of your ability. That's what I'm going to focus on. There will be something that on Saturday goes wrong. Something will go wrong and it's just the next-play mentality. There will also be some really cool plays as well, too, so I'm excited about it."
- Rookie quarterback Michael Pratt is geared up for his NFL debut.
Playing mostly with the third-team unit, the seventh-round pick out of Tulane has shown a live arm in practice and good downfield accuracy during individual QB periods.
Should he get the call once Love and Clifford exit, the 6-foot-2, 217-pound quarterback is eager to put three months of preparation into action.
"It's gone by really fast, just from getting ready for rookie minicamp and OTAs," Pratt said. "Just putting on that actual NFL jersey for the first time and having this experience and the opportunity to go out there is something that's really exciting and I'm fired up to be able to do that. Saturday will definitely mean a lot."
- The Packers had all their receivers available Thursday.
The team appears to have dodged a bullet with Christian Watson, who hurt his knee on a collision in the end zone with rookie safety Evan Williams during the final play of Wednesday's practice.
On Thursday, Watson seemed unencumbered while participating in everything from receiver drills to 11-on-11.
"That was a big-time scare," said Head Coach Matt LaFleur before practice. "He seems to be doing well this morning and just got hit on the knee."
Malik Heath practiced after missing a portion of Wednesday's work after getting banged up in a team period. Jayden Reed also returned after missing one practice with a calf injury.
The only new addition to the injury report was rookie linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.
- Jacob Monk received first-team snaps at right guard.
With rookie Jordan Morgan (knee) on the mend and Elgton Jenkins getting a veteran rest day, Royce Newman and Monk lined up at left and right guard, respectively, with the No. 1 offense.
It's the first time Monk has run with the starters since the Packers traded up to draft the Duke alumnus in the fifth round last April.
"They were good. Really just nice getting adjusted," said Monk of his first-team reps. "It's crazy lining up and seeing someone like Kenny Clark right in front of me and seeing the speed that he plays with and the intent that he has coming off the ball. It's definitely different to see out there."
Third-year veteran Sean Rhyan started practice at right guard but rotated out after a false start. He spent the remainder of practice at center with the No. 2 offense.
- The Packers are ready to test drive the brand-new kickoff.
After months of discussion and adaptation, Green Bay will get its first chance to work the modified kickoff in an in-game situation.
The Packers practiced the play on Thursday, with Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph firing kicks into the landing zone between the 20-yard line and goal line.
"It's such an unknown right now so I think the more reps, just like anything, the more you get to learn it and scheme it up and adjust," LaFleur said. "So, I think it's going to be an area of growth every day."
On field goals, Carlson and Joseph both bounced back from Tuesday's blustery practice that resulted in both kickers going 4-of-7 on their attempts. Both went 6-for-6 Thursday, with makes from 40, 44, 47, 49, 50 and 51.
