5 takeaways from Packers’ preseason loss to Broncos

  1. Every Packers QB turned the ball over as soon as.

Sean Clifford’s got here on an interception late within the first half, which arrange a Broncos TD after a protracted return. LaFleur mentioned the offense had a very good play dialed up for the protection Denver’s protection was in however did not comply with via as Clifford tried to hit tight finish Joel Wilson deep over the center.

“We have got to flatten that route a bit bit extra and attempt to present up into that window faster,” LaFleur mentioned. “Sean threw it to the fitting place. Whether or not it was throughout the timing of the play, I’ve acquired to return and have a look at the tape on that.

“All in all, the execution must be higher.”

Rookie QB Michael Pratt’s turnover got here early within the third quarter on a strip-sack, organising a Denver subject objective. He tried to scramble up the center with the pocket collapsing however did not shield the soccer.

Total, Clifford completed 6-of-10 for 43 yards, whereas Pratt was 10-of-16 for 52 yards. Working again Emanuel Wilson had 13 carries for 41 yards and receiver Malik Heath made three catches for 22 yards.

Simply 10 first downs and 168 complete yards of offense made for a disappointing night time of labor, which LaFleur didn’t put completely on the quarterback play.

“I need to see extra combat from our guys,” he mentioned. “Simply the shortage of means to maneuver the soccer, each within the working recreation and the passing recreation …

“The manufacturing sort of speaks for it, nevertheless it wasn’t simply on (the QBs). It is on everyone. We have got to dam higher up entrance, we have to complete runs higher, we had a pair drops. Collectively, all 11 need to be higher to ensure that us to have any success offensively.”

  1. The brand new kickoff rule seems to have a significant flaw.

After Inexperienced Bay’s security, Denver executed a free kick from its personal 20-yard line, which isn’t any completely different than the longtime rule.

However with the kicker in a position to increase a kickoff nearly to the objective line, and the set-up zone in the identical place on the sector, the truth that the kickoff was from the 20 relatively than the 35 made no distinction.

Receiver Dimitri Stanley was solely in a position to return the ball to the Inexperienced Bay 29-yard line.

“I do not actually prefer it,” LaFleur mentioned of the brand new guidelines being utilized this fashion on this occasion. “You lose the benefit you get from the protection. Individuals are beginning in the identical spot.”

  1. The final week of coaching camp and preseason will likely be a intestine examine for gamers seeking to make the roster.

The Packers have one other joint follow and preseason recreation left, at residence with Baltimore, earlier than roster selections are made on Aug. 27.

LaFleur mentioned he is undecided how he will deal with enjoying time for the starters in opposition to the Ravens, however his message to the remainder of the roster was fairly clear.

“The factor I challenged our workforce on is you have to examine your self each play,” LaFleur mentioned. “Are you giving your max effort? Are you straining the best way we wish you to pressure? Is the type of play what we need to see?

“It will be a very good alternative for all of us to judge and see the fellows that basically need to put all of it on the market, not just for themselves however for the workforce.”