The Packers’ snap-to-hold operation had a much quieter Week 4, and that was the story in itself. No blocked kicks to sort through this time. Just three attempts to check, and the operation settled into a pretty familiar pattern: two snaps to the body, one that came over the hold spot.
On the opening extra point, the snap came up and into the body of Whelan, and he handled it cleanly before setting the ball. With no wind and only extra-point distance to manage, the hold had that slight lean forward and away from the kicker.
Travis Glover was in the spot where Donovan Jennings had been late out of his stance last week, and this time he held up well, getting big and keeping pressure off his outside shoulder. One wrinkle showed up on the edge, though.
Karl Brooks was the outside man on the left side of the screen, and he reacted a little late to the snap. That gave Zyon McCollum [27] a chance to bend the edge and nearly get a hand on the ball.
The 58-yard field goal was the cleanest operation of the bunch. The snap came up and over the hold spot, just a touch into the body, and the distance of the kick made the hold lean a little more forward than on the extra point.
Brooks was again on the right side of the screen, and McCollum tried to bend the edge once more. This time Brooks got a hand on him and disrupted the rush just enough.
Good snap. Good hold.
Booming kick from Smack.
The final extra point was another smooth rep. The snap was good, up and into the body, and Whelan delivered another solid hold before Smack split the uprights.
On the right side of the screen, McCollum showed up on the edge against Brooks again, but Brooks had seen it already. With Belton slowing down the gap between him and Brooks, Brooks turned and gave McCollum a nice knock, sending him to the turf.
In Other News...
Packers Fans May Need To Reassess MarShawn Lloyd Fast
MarShawn Lloyd has gotten a real look in Green Bay this season, and for stretches he has flashed the kind of versatility that made him an intriguing part of the backfield plan. He has appeared in multiple games, helped as a pass-catcher with nine receptions and a touchdown, and even earned more playing time as injuries and ball-security issues opened the door around him.
The challenge for Lloyd is what has happened when the ball has been in his hands as a runner. His 2.7 yards per carry is the lowest among the Packers running backs, and two recent fumbles have only sharpened the scrutiny. For a team trying to sort out its backfield hierarchy, that leaves Lloyd in a spot where the upside is still visible, but the margin for error feels awfully thin. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Still Searching For Depth At One Spot Fans Are Watching
The Packers kept working the edges of the roster this week with a set of tryouts that underscored how much the front office is still scanning for help. Green Bay looked at linebackers Deion Jones and Chris Paul, along with cornerbacks Cobee Bryant and Dwight McGlothern, in another reminder that the post-cutdown period is as much about staying ready as it is about finding a surprise fit.
With a full 53-man roster and practice squad already in place, any move would require Green Bay to clear space somewhere else, which is why these workouts matter even if nothing follows immediately. The team has been active with visits and tryouts since the deadline passed, and the pattern suggests the Packers are keeping a close eye on a few areas while leaving the door open for a roster shuffle if the right player becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Suddenly Have One Big Linebacker Decision To Make
Edgerrin Coopers season-ending Achilles injury left the Packers with an immediate opening in the middle of their defense, and it comes at a time when Green Bay has to decide whether to trust what it already has or look outside the building for help. The internal route would keep the answer simple, but the injury also exposes how much the defense was relying on Coopers presence in that spot.
One name worth watching is Matt Milano, a free agent with prior ties to the Packers coaching staff and the kind of background that fits the role Green Bay suddenly needs filled. His recent production has dipped some, but he still brings experience as both a pass rusher and a run defender, which is why he could surface as a real option if the Packers decide they need a more proven solution. [Read more 🡒]