GREEN BAY – Prior to their Monday off day, the Packers threw the pads on one more time during a two-hour practice at Nitschke Field on Sunday.
Here are five things we learned:
- Kalen King made the most out of his first-team snaps.
Running with the No. 1 defense for quite possibly the first time, King got his first interception of training camp against Jordan Love.
Lined up in the slot, the rookie seventh-round pick stepped in front of a third-and-4 pass intended for receiver Christian Watson and turned up field for a possible pick-six.
King, who's been working at both outside and nickel cornerback, couldn't remember if Sunday was the first time he received snaps with the No. 1 defense, but it definitely was among the "first couple."
"It was a Cover-2 call … and I'm really just working to my landmark and just reading Jordan," King said. "Wherever his eyes go, that's where I flow to. I felt quick game, so as soon as I saw him take his hand off the ball, I just broke, and I was there to make a play."
The play provided a boost of confidence for King, who used the momentum to quickly trigger on two other pass breakups, including a near-INT during the third units' two-minute series towards the end of practice.
This is the first time the two-time All-Big Ten selection has played in the slot, but King feels he's picking it up well thanks in part to starting nickel Keisean Nixon. Regardless of whether he's lined up inside or outside, King knows a big play can go a long way in a deep and talented secondary.
"It only gives me confidence," King said. "Just me coming in every day, competing with the guys, competing with the vets that are on the team and making plays against them gives me confidence to keep going, keep my head down and keep working."
- Evan Williams celebrated his birthday with a big-time INT.
The Packers' rookie safety ended the No. 2 two-minute series after just one play when he picked off Sean Clifford on a pass thrown late across the middle.
It's the third interception Williams has recorded through the first week of training camp, though the fact this one came on his 23rd birthday made it the sweetest so far.
"They say a pick-a-day makes the bad feelings go away," Williams joked. "It's been a good little streak. I think just our whole defense, we probably have more than double-digit interceptions, probably around 15, in the first week of camp. And that's definitely something to be proud of."
The Packers' safety room has been off to a great start to the summer, as the defense looks to identify a starter opposite veteran safety Xavier McKinney.
Rookie second-round pick Javon Bullard had a would-be pick-six off Jacob Eason on Saturday, while second-year safety Anthony Johnson Jr. had back-to-back picks earlier this week.
Like King's interception, Williams was sitting back in zone coverage when the ball came spiraling his way.
"Honestly, I was just reading the quarterback," Williams said. "I kind of felt the route combos to the front side push away from me and knew there was probably something coming from the back side, got a dig from the backside and was just able to jump it."
Cornerback Carrington Valentine also had an INT early in practice off Clifford following a Lukas Van Ness pressure.
- Jordan Morgan held his own at right guard on the first day of 1-on-1s.
The rookie first-round pick passed a big test at his new position in holding off defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt on consecutive reps during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills between the offensive and defensive lines.
Morgan was a four-year starter at left tackle for Arizona State but has been working extensively at guard since the beginning of training camp in an effort to find a starting five on the O-line.
"He's been predominantly inside," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "Certainly, in OTAs we put him a decent amount at tackle, but I think he's starting to feel more and more comfortable inside. But I think he's talented enough if need be, that if we have to kick him outside we can do that."
Second-year defensive linemen Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks had strong reps against Luke Tenutaand Royce Newman, respectively, while first-year offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort was able to test himself against top pass rusher Rashan Gary.
- Everyone, including the referees, is getting a grasp of the new kickoff play.
Referee Clete Blakeman and his crew were in town this weekend to officiate both practices. In addition to the on-field work, Blakeman said he had a chance to discuss the new kickoff play with LaFleur and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
There still are a lot of unknowns about how the modified kickoff will be implemented in games, but both Blakeman and LaFleur said communication has been good between the league's officials and NFL clubs.
The Packers also will have three preseason games to work the mechanics of the new play, which will see 10 coverage players line up on the opponent's 40-yard line and unable to run until the kick returner catches the ball in the landing zone between the goal line and 20.
"It's great to have the officials here. I think they're learning it, too," said LaFleur on Sunday morning. "We have a lot of questions and there's not a ton of answers yet.
"Certainly, the joint practices as well will help clear a lot of things up. Hopefully by Week 1 we'll have all the answers that we need."
- Josh Myers returns, Elgton Jenkins gets a rest day and kickers kick.
Starting center Josh Myers was back at practice after missing the previous two days due to a personal matter. Jenkins, who snapped in Myers' absence, received a veteran rest day after practicing on back-to-back days.
Safety Zayne Anderson (knee), and defensive linemen Deslin Alexandre (lower leg contusion) and Keshawn Banks (groin) were the only new injuries.
Meanwhile, Green Bay's kicking competition continued with Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph alternating kicks. Both went 5-for-6 with Carlson missing wide right from 51 and Joseph missing wide right from 53.
