We’ve heard from just about everyone outside of the returning veterans as the 2024 Green Bay Packers year takes root with the planting of the off-season program. That may have to wait until the Organized Team Activities bring the vets onto the practice field with the new arrivals in a couple of weeks. The Rookies had their Mini-Camp last weekend and throughout this week, the roster of Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s assistants took their turns with reporters. Today, it was the defensive lieutenants of new Defense Coordinator Jeff Hafley and the old salt, Rich Bisaccia the Special Teams Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. Here’s some of the highlights and soundbites from each.
Jason Rebrovich, outside linebackers/pass rush.
He worked primarily with the edge rushers for DC Joe Barry last year and Rebrovich will now have a hand in developing all of the front seven linemen and backers. He had high praise for Rashan Gary as always, expressed high expectations going into year two with Lukas Van Ness and believes Devonte Wyatt can be a very disruptive player across the line of srimmage. Rebrovich talked about what Hafley’s news system will be asking of his group to get winning production right out of the gate.
One of the new arrivals on staff is inside linebacker and run game coordinator Anthony Campinale. He spent the past four years on the Miami Dolphins staff and got rave reviews for his energetic style. Campinale has been acquainted with Hafley for years although their career paths made stops at the same places like Rutgers and Boston College, but at different times. He may be coaching one of the key players in the new system in veteran middle linebacker Quay Walker who will likely be paired with top defensive draft pick Edgerrin Cooper and a “Jersey” kid he’s known since high school in Isaiah McDuffie. Campinale became a coach ’em like you love ’em sensation thanks to Hard Knocks in Miami but he grew up in a coaching family, led by his father and brothers in the profession. What makes me root for Campinale to succeed in Green Bay is how much respect he has for Hafley, a coach he met when Campinale was a New Jersey High School Coach, their shared vision of football and a connection to Vince Lombardi himself.
Derrek Ansley, Secondary.
After a run in the SEC at Tennessee, Ansley broke into the NFL with the Raiders in 2018 and for the past three years, handled defensive backs and was even coordinator for a spell with the Las Angeles Chargers. Derrek Ansley has a very interesting collection of players that will have a critical role in Hafley’s plan. A veteran and versatile safety to quarterback the back end in Xavier McKinney, to young safety prospects and cornerbacks to mix around him. With much of the drama removed from the locker room once Aaron Rodgers was traded last year, Ansley may have also inherited the most mercurial personality in the locker room in Jaire Alexander.
Ryan Downard, Safeties.
Downard is the senior member of the Packer defensive staff, joining the team as a Defensive Quality Control Assistant during the Mike McCarthy-Mike Pettine regime in 2018. He survived the Barry change and is really excited to work in Hafley’s system.
Rich Bisaccia, Speical Teams Coordinator – Assistant Head Coach.
The last press conference was supposed to have been among the first this week but Bisaccia pushed back is scheduled Monday visit to today. It was still worth the wait. Bisaccia was first asked about getting All-Pro Kick Returner Keisean Nixon back with the new contract. Bisaccia admits he’s very tight with Nixon, watching him overcome personal adversity with his mother and growing up, calling Kei “a bright light” for the Packers organization and a great special teams player. Rookie kicker Anders Carlson is handling the arrival of competition just fine. The Packers signed former Viking veteran Greg Joseph earlier and this week, doubled the pressure by adding a third leg, rookie Jack Podlesny to the mix. Biscaccia said bringing back free agent core teams players like Kristian Welch, Zayne Anderson and Robert Rochell will show an athletic group of prospects what the standard must look like this season. I must have touched a nerve however when I asked the long-time special teams coach how much time has he spent on the NFL’s new kickoff play and what he thinks of it?
Bisaccia applauded the Packers for being one of just three teams to vote against the rule change. Rich said he’ll loves the kickoff play and when a return is blocked up and executed right, it’s a wonderful play. He’ll miss coaching it and practicing it but the Packers will go with the flow on a play, radically different looking, but one that thankfully remains in the game giving young players on the back end of a roster a chance to get on the field.
A couple of other notes from Thursday, the NFL said it will release the full 2024 schedule on May 15. The Packers of course already know where the journey will begin, in Sao Paolo, Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, September 6.
Packers’ 7th round draft pick, quarterback Michael Pratt of Tulane, is one of 40 rookies invited to take part in the 2024 NFL Players Rookie Premier from May 16-19 in Los Angeles. Former Wisconsin Badger running back Braelon Allen, drafted by the Jets, has also been invited along with the top four overall picks in last month’s draft.
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