LaFleur impressed by Love in win over Saints

Coach speaks on development of several young players
By: 
Luke Reimer
Reporter

Rookies and younger Green Bay Packers’ players were at the forefront as the Packers beat the New Orleans Saints 20-10 in both team’s second preseason game on Aug. 19 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Second-string quarterback Jordan Love played a major portion of the game for the Packers, recording 113 yards and one touchdown. Third-string quarterback Danny Etling provided the highlight of the night though as the quarterback ran in a 51-yard touchdown with 8:29 left in the fourth quarter. Etling’s rush proved to be the game-sealer, as Green Bay kept New Orleans out of the end zone for the remainder of the game.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur spoke on Love’s development after the game, as well as his impression of the young quarterback in the game.

“I thought that there was a lot of good,” said LaFleur. “I saw a guy that was making off-schedule plays and running around — there was some times where we did not have great protection. He stood in the pocket and was throwing on rhythm.”

On an early play in the first quarter, instead of throwing a pass, Love instead tucked the ball and ran for a first down. LaFleur showed praise for Love as he continues to develop and make the right play, especially in a situation like that.

“That is something that is a fine line in terms of how you coach it,” said LaFleur. “They brought pressure on that play and I couldn’t tell how hard (New Orleans’) safety came down on our slot receiver. Jordan was decisive and that is the big thing. I see a much more decisive player out there. That will lead to a much more effective player.”

Speaking on his own development, Love said that he feels much better this season, compared to seasons past.

“I feel confident and more comfortable back there,” said Love. “I think that just comes with getting more reps and getting more plays.”

In terms of Love’s decisiveness, he said that that skill is is extremely important when it comes to playing quarterback.

“I think for me, I have gotten more comfortable being decisive and letting it rip,” said Love. “I think I have been definitely taking steps there.”

To go along with talking about Love, LaFleur also said that he was disappointed in the number of drops by receivers over the course of the game.

“Unfortunately, we had too many drops — I think we had at least five or so on offense,” said LaFleur.

Rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs finished the game with three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown, but also had two drops. Though the rookie has been impressive in training camp, LaFleur kept it simple when talking about the Nevada alum.

“We will see when we get there,” said LaFleur, when talking about if he is forced to play Doubs because of the impressive camp. “I think that Romeo is a guy that we have a lot of confidence in. He has certainly made some big plays. It is not going to be perfect. There are going to some lessons along the way, but he is a guy that is resilient, he doesn’t get fazed by a negative play and he keeps on playing. That is what excites me about him.”

A player looking to make the team that LaFleur was impressed about was rookie running back Tyler Goodson. Goodson finished the preseason game with 10 rushes for 42 yards.

“He has done a nice job — he is a guy that can stick his foot in the ground and use a nice burst,” said LaFleur. “He made some nice runs and one thing that you see from him quite frequently in practice is that he has good hands. I think a lot of it for our third running back is coming on special teams.”

After Etling’s run, LaFleur showed praise for the quarterback and complimented their relationship.

“First of all, he is just so much fun to be around — he’s got a great personality and fits in well with all of the guys,” said LaFleur. “And he is talented guy, he is a very good athlete. That (run) was something that was not called, but he saw the safety barrel down and close in, so he just pulled it and went. I think Danny has done a lot of great things. He is making our decision very difficult.”

On the defensive side of the ball, LaFleur pointed to safety Micah Abernathy, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and defensive back Shemar Jean-Charles as players who stood out immediately to him.

“I think knowledge of the game is where he has really grown,” said LaFleur, when speaking on McDuffie’s development. “You definitely feel his presence on the field and that is what we need from him.”


lreimer@newmedia-wi.com