Courtesy of Packers Wire/USA Today
The Patriots will begin joint practices today with the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay. Joint practices are now common place in the NFL. The Patriots will practice today and tomorrow with the Packers ahead of their preseason game on Saturday night at Lambeau Field.
The Packers are the perfect practice opponent for the Patriots. They are strong in areas the Patriots need to be challenged in. The Packers defensive line of rookie defensive end Lucas Van Ness, defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt and outside linebackers Preston Smith and Rashaun Gary will pose some problems for the Patriots offensive line, specifically the young offensive lineman. The offensive line has struggled at times in training camp so they need to be challenged and the Packers front seven will challenge them.
Green Bay’s secondary will pose a nice a challenge for the Patriots receivers. Jaire Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He will match-up against all of the Patriots receivers, specifically DeVante Parker on the outside. Rasul Douglas is a savvy veteran who will provide a good challenge for both Kendrick Bourne and Ju-Ju Smith Schuster. Darnell Savage and Rudy Ford should be be able to match up against the Patriots tight ends and compete against them.
The Patriots young defensive backs matching up against the Packers young receivers will also be another match up to watch. Christian Watson going up against Christian Gonzalez in one on one’s will be one of the best match-ups of the two practices.
The Patriots secondary will also provide a stiff challenge for Green Bay’s young skill group, especially quarterback Jordan Love. He will get a lot of different looks from the Patriots defense, especially the secondary. It will help Love learn to adjust to defensive movement especially post snap. Both offenses will benefit from competing against the opposing defenses this week.
Joint practices are valuable. They are a great tool for coaching staffs in the evaluation process. Seeing your players compete against other players in a practice setting changes your perception of players in the evaluation process. For the players, it is an opportunity to break up the monotony of practicing against your teammates by getting to hit someone in another color. They up the ante from a competitive standpoint.
Expect the Patriots to get two good days of work in against a quality opponent who will present some match up problems.