The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Packers’ Second Training Camp Practice

The Green Bay Packers held their second training camp practice on Thursday, another non-padded workout that lasted roughly two hours.

Here’s the good, bad and ugly from practice No. 2.

THE GOOD

BO KNOWS … CORNERBACK? The Packers converted Bo Melton from wide receiver to cornerback this offseason. Typically, a position change this late in a player’s career is a death knell.

But maybe, just maybe, Melton has a chance.

After a solid first day, Melton again performed well on Day 2, breaking up a pass for Savion Williams and snuffing out a keeper by quarterback Malik Willis.

“He’s one of those guys that, from the time we scouted him coming out of college, we thought he had that kind of ability,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said of Melton. “When we brought him here, it was something we had in the back of our minds, that hey, this might be something we could do with Bo.

“Obviously he had some success for us as a receiver and we needed him there early on, so I’m sure there will be good days and bad days like there is at any position, but he’s kind of a rare mentally tough kid that, we’re excited to see where this might take him.”

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD-EN: Rookie first round wideout Matthew Golden made a pair of defenders miss on a pass to the flat and turned it into a big gain.

That was just one of several plays in which Golden flashed his speed and ability to make people miss in the open field.

“I definitely feel like it’s starting to come along for me, the more I’m up here with the coaches and around the organization,” Golden said. “Things are starting to click for me. As much as I’m on the field, that’s where I feel the most comfortable, just going every day, just getting better and learning as much as I can.”

NICE ADDITION: As big names flew off the board during free agency in March, the Packers’ signing of cornerback Nate Hobbs flew under-the-radar. But Green Bay may have found itself a keeper in Hobbs.

One play after jumping off sides Thursday, Hobbs broke up a pass for Dontayvion Wicks on a third-and-2, then celebrated.

“I feel like I bring high energy. I’m a dog,” Hibbs said. “You can put me anywhere on the field, against anybody, any player, any man, I’m going to stand my ground. Be on my 10 and make plays. I’m going to bring the energy. Every day I’m going to be the same guy, reliable, consistent, and electric.”

Packers coach Matt LaFleur agreed.

“You can really see the guy’s a competitor, and that’s why we loved him on tape,” LaFleur said of Hobbs. “He’s tough. And, you know, he was primarily a nickel with the Raiders, and so it’s been, it’s been pretty cool to watch him come in, played a lot more outside corner, but also we know what he can do, you know, if we want to put him in inside.

SOLID START: Linebacker Isaiah Simmons was the 10^th overall pick in the 2020 draft by Arizona. The Cardinals gave up on Simmons, though, and traded him to the New York Giants in 2023 for a seventh round draft pick. Simmons made little impact during his two seasons with the Giants and signed with the Packers on April 29.

Simmons had an impressive opening day practice, then tipped a Malik Willis pass Thursday that was intercepted by Carrington Valentine.

“I mean, you see him,” LaFleur said of Simmons. “There’s a reason he was a top 10 pick. He’s got all the measurables, and it’s just getting him acclimated with our system and knowing what he can do and try to put him in some advantageous positions where he can really showcase his talent.”

GOOD ANSWER: The Packers have a bevy of playmakers on offense.

LaFleur was asked what’s the best way to keep the group happy.

“Winning,” LaFleur said. “Hopefully winning will keep them all happy. And you know, I mean, the beauty of our offense is, like, you really don’t know necessarily who’s going to get the ball, and I think it really frees up the quarterback.

“He doesn’t have to feel that pressure. Oh, I got to get this guy the ball. And it’s really on us as a staff to try to move these guys around and showcase what they can do.”

THIS AND THAT: Nathaniel Hackett, who was the Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-2021, will work as a defensive analyst with the team this season. Hackett bombed as Denver’s head coach in 2022 and was fired with two games left in the season. He also flopped as the New York Jets offensive coordinator, but he is a favorite of LaFleur. “He’s a guy that I really respect, and we’ve had a lot of great times together,” LaFleur said of Hackett. … Rookie seventh round cornerback Micah Robinson (knee) returned after missing Wednesday’s practice. … Linebacker Quay Walker was activated from the PUP list Wednesday. … Omar Brown intercepted quarterback Taylor Elgersma. … Safety Javon Bullard broke up a pass for tight end Tucker Kraft.

THE BAD

FROM THE INFIRMARY: The following Packers did not practice due to injury: linebacker Quay Walker (ankle), center Elgton Jenkins (back), wideout Christian Watson (knee), defensive end Collin Oliver (hamstring), running back Amar Johnson (hamstring), and offensive John Williams (back).

THIS AND THAT: Rookie first round wideout Matthew Golden and veteran Dontayvion Wicks both muffed punts during a return drill. … Jordan Love had Josh Jacobs open for a touchdown, but overthrew his running back.

THE UGLY

CAUSE FOR CONCERN?: Left guard Aaron Banks, who signed a four-year, $77 million deal in free agency, left midway through practice and was replaced by Travis Glover. Banks didn’t return and it was unclear if his absence was injury related.