Matt LaFleur is instituting immediate changes to the way the Green Bay Packers do business during training camp and practice.
For starters, LaFleur and the Packers are planning on hosting an organized practice against another team during training camp this summer – something Mike McCarthy never did as head coach.
LaFleur sees several benefits in joint practices.
“I’ve done it the last two years,” LaFleur said, via Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. “In Tennessee we scrimmaged vs. Tampa before our second preseason game, which I thought was awesome. You can get so much good-on-good work. And quite honestly, you can practice your guys and not have to play them as long in the preseason game.”
The last time the Packers practiced against an opponent in training camp was 2005. LaFleur said the team will likely be whoever the Packers play in their preseason home opener. And it will only take place in Green Bay – no traveling for a joint practice.
Although the practices are often the setting for training camp fights, they also provide a break from facing the same teammates every day of the summer and create extra opportunities for live reps in a competitive environment.
LaFleur is also changing the practice schedule during the week. While the Packers recovered on Fridays and practiced for the final time on Saturdays under McCarthy, LaFleur is planning to go back to a more traditional schedule, with the final practice of the week Friday and a walkthrough Saturday.
LaFleur said the traditional schedule is the “most efficient” way, noting the frequent need for adjustments on Saturdays after a full week of practice.
With a new head coach comes changes to the way a team operates. LaFleur’s changes aren’t monumental, but they are a break from how McCarthy ran things as the leader in Green Bay.
