<\/p>\n
GREEN BAY \u2212 As the\u00a0Green Bay Packers\u00a0are piecing together their offensive line, the starting left tackle spot is still up for grabs.<\/p>\n
When asked about the competition,\u00a0Packers\u00a0coach Matt LaFleur said, \u201cIt\u2019s 100% a competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rasheed Walker\u00a0has the most experience at left tackle but, due to a groin injury, hasn\u2019t played in preseason and has been limited during training camp. After Jordan Morgan shifted from guard to tackle, coaches have had a chance to get a longer look at 2024 first-round draft pick and, through two preseason games, he has made a good impression.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve liked it. He\u2019s done a really good job and that was the big thing to see how he goes out there and plays,\u201d\u00a0Packers\u00a0offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said about Morgan. \u201cHe played against a really good D-end (Indianapolis Colts\u2019 Laiatu Latu) yesterday and did a good job. It was encouraging to see him out there and it was good to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both LaFleur and Stenavich have said they won\u2019t rule out rotating linemen or have position battles continue into the regular season. A big priority for the coaches is to get Walker healthy as they work through finding the starter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen guys aren\u2019t out there playing, you can\u2019t get an evaluation, obviously,\u201d Stenavich said. \u201cWe have to get Rasheed out there and get him playing and we\u2019ll be able to see what we have.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still have competition open right now and I\u2019m okay with that until someone grabs the job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are other takeaways on the offensive line from the Packers\u2019 Aug. 17 media availability:<\/p>\n
Through two preseason games, tackle\u00a0Anthony Belton\u00a0has had highs and lows. He\u2019s had moments that show why he was a second-round draft pick, but also that the rookie has some work to do before coaches are comfortable putting him on the field.<\/p>\n
In the\u00a0Packers\u2019 23-19 preseason win over the Colts, Belton had five penalties in the second quarter alone \u2212 two illegal formations, an unnecessary roughness, a false start and a facemask.<\/p>\n
After getting an earful from LaFleur as the team ran into the locker room at halftime, Belton answered with a clean second half, including a key block and push on Amar Johnson\u2019s touchdown run.<\/p>\n
Belton said after the game, \u201cAll the penalties were drive killers. That touchdown was called back because of self-inflicted penalties. Stuff like that can\u2019t happen. I\u2019ve just got to grow up. I\u2019ve got to get out of those old habits. I\u2019ve got to learn quick.\u201d<\/p>\n
While no coach wants a player to pick up inexcusable penalties or make mistakes, for Belton to not let his first-half performance affect his second half showed maturity for a newcomer.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did respond, which I was excited about,\u201d Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus said. \u201cThat first half was pretty bad, he\u2019ll be the first one to admit it. Guys were all over him and it wasn\u2019t just me, it wasn\u2019t (Stenavich), it was our guys on the sidelines, too. For him to come back and play a cleaner second half, he\u2019s going to play with physicality.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t go down in the dumps, he came back and admitted to it, stuck his chest out and said, \u2018Let\u2019s go, I want some more.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Veteran Elgton Jenkins is in full command at center for the Packers and he\u2019s in a good place.<\/p>\n
He opened camp on the active\/non-football injury list\u00a0and was dealing with a back injury, but Jenkins took snaps at center during the preseason opener with the New York Jets and has been leading the way during practice.<\/p>\n
Packers quarterback Jordan Love had a strong relationship with previous center, Josh Myers, and is buidling that same connection now with Jenkins.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been really good. You can tell Jordan (Love) likes working with him, too,\u201d Stenavich said. He\u2019s very assertive. He\u2019s very knowledgeable and takes charge of the calls and the offensive line. He\u2019s a very good presence in there for everyone. Especially if we are trying to get different guys at different spots, you\u2019ve got a guy like Elgton in there that can make sure we\u2019re targeting and going the right direction, then it makes it easier on everybody else.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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