Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur believes he has a smart, versatile player in fullback John Lovett, who was claimed by the Packers off of waivers this week.
Lovett, a college quarterback at Princeton, has the skillset to play snaps at fullback and as a move tight end, providing the type of positional versatility LaFleur covets in an H-back-like player.
“Real versatile player. Very, very smart,” LaFleur said Thursday during a Zoom call with reporters. “Think he can do fullback but (also) that movable tight end piece that I think is extremely valuable, to add a little flexibility to the offense.”
Lovett originally signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted in 2019. The 6-2, 234-pounder flashed ability for the Chiefs as an H-back player last summer before suffering a shoulder injury during the preseason and then missing the entire regular season on injured reserve.
LaFleur has shown a preference for the versatile nature of the traditional H-back, using both Danny Vitale and Jace Sternberger in the hybrid role during the 2019 season. The Packers then drafted Josiah Deguara in the third round and claimed Lovett off waivers.
At Princeton, Lovett rushed for 42 touchdowns and caught 51 passes, highlighting his unique versatility. He will wear No. 45 for the Packers, and possibly even replace the last No. 45 – Vitale – on the 53-man roster.
Practice starts next Saturday?
LaFleur said the Packers are planning to have their first full practice next Saturday, Aug. 15, but cautioned the plan is subject to change based on the next week or so.
“It’s going to be very, very fluid,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur said the team has a tentative schedule for practices already figured out, but the status of the players and staff as the Packers start camp and ramp up the work over the next week will determine if next Saturday is the actual starting date for practice.
“We have to get a good feel for where guys are at,” LaFleur said.
Early impressions of Rick Wagner
Playing over 100 games at the NFL has made the transition to Green Bay an easy one for Rick Wagner, who is expected to start at right tackle for LaFleur and the Packers in 2020.
“First of all, he’s got a ton of experience,” LaFleur said. “I know he battled through some things last year, but a veteran presence. He’s about the right things. He fits in the locker room really well. He fits in the o-line really well. He’s locked in and ready to go.”
LaFleur is confident he’ll get a bounce-back season from Wagner, who dealt with a nagging knee injury in 2019 and didn’t play as well as previous years.
“There’s a lot of tape of him out there. He’s done a pretty darn good job. There’s a reason he’s started for so many seasons. He did battle through some stuff last year, you could see it towards the end of last season,” LaFleur said.
