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LaFleur longs for real practices

Pack's coach sizes up virtual instruction

by Mark Daniels

In a normal year, Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur would be getting his first glimpse of his second team watching organized team activities taking place on Ray Nitschke Field or inside the Don Hutson Center.

As we all know, this has been a far from normal spring.

LaFleur met the state media on a conference call Friday to talk about how this "virtual" off-season program is going and what he anticipates NFL football will be like come training camp time and the 2020 season.

A word of caution, some media members still quite can't grasp the concept of a conference call with as many as 50 participants.   Phone lines have to be muted so any ambient noise isn't picked up and heard by everyone on the line.    During the course of LaFleur's half hour session we heard either a radio or TV show where the Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Love debate raged on, there were incessant screeching noises, a commercial for Steinhafel's, text notifications and yes, even a dog barking on the soundbite you'll hear for yourself.

LaFleur forged on in spite of it all, even though it got so bad the call had to be cut off and reconnected.

The Packers are about two weeks into their virtual off-season work, most of it consists of web meetings, utilizing several social apps like Zoom to have an entire position group, offense or defense take part.

LaFleur was asked about how the sessions are going and then answered a question about easily the hottest off-season topic in Green Bay, the highly anticipated mentor/protoge' relationship between Aaron Rodgers and number one draft pick Jordan Love.  (Again, apologize for the barking dog....not mine)

 (Audio:  Matt LaFleur)

LaFleur says he and the team is much farther along with installations in his second year and despite the lack of on-field work, he's confident both sides of the ball will be ready to hit the ground running when camp begins.     He said he hasn't given much thought to the possibility of a delayed or shortened season and he doesn't even want to think about playing games without any fans.  If that is the case, LaFleur said we'll all just have to adjust.

The wait to see his players might not last much longer as late Friday, the league announced plans to possibly open team facilities in early June.

Mark Daniels

I’ve got Green and Gold in my blood having grown up in Titletown and it’s been a treat watching and covering sports from the Packers to the preps for you in Green Bay for Midwest Communications.
As a kid, I chased Packer players for autographs, I’m still chasing ‘em now for quotes on the big play or big game. I’ve had the opportunity to cover Super Bowls, the World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, NBA playoffs and major championship golf over the years but I get just as much enjoyment following the college scene at UWGB or St. Norbert, the Green Bay Gamblers and high school sports.
Our prep coverage was honored as the best of 2007 reinforcing our commitment to give these hard working boys and girls their due.
My work has also been recognized by the Associated Press and Wisconsin Broadcasters Association with several achievement awards.
Outside of the studio, off the field or away from the gym, I’ve had the pleasure of helping dozens of organizations over the years. I’ve served as race announcer and master of ceremonies at the Bellin Run almost from it’s beginning, spoken to various service clubs and hosted charity golf events or team banquets.
My wife Kari and I have raised two active children which has kept us involved in both school and club athletics for nearly 15 years. Chances are you’ll see me on a golf course when the weather’s nice. My roots are deep and that’s why I’m so enthusiastic about this area’s sporting scene, and as I often say, “Watching kids play games helps keep me young!”
Thanks for listening and see you at the game.