Five Players to Watch in Joint Practices vs. Patriots

The Green Bay Packers are headed into what Matt LaFleur described as the most exhausting week of training camp.

They practiced Sunday and Monday before an off-day on Tuesday. That day off precedes two intense practices against the New England Patriots before a game on Saturday night at Lambeau Field.

The Packers had some guys stand out in their 36-19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Joint practices are even more competitive than games, especially for the front-line players. A defense coached by Bill Belichick should give a really good test for the Packers' young offense.

If you can name a famous offense historically, Belichick has probably found a way to shut them down.

That'll be the interesting part for Jordan Love, but there are plenty of other players to keep an eye on as the Packers head into a big week.

Here are five of those players.

Tarvarius Moore

Moore has been a bit of a forgotten man in the safety dance the Packers are having next to Darnell Savage.

One thing seems clear. Savage is going to start. Next to him? That remains a mystery.

Rudy Ford was the starter through OTAs and the beginning of camp. He's since been displaced by free agent signing Johnathan Owens. Even seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson has gotten some run with the 1s.

While Owens started next to Savage in the preseason opener in Cincinnati, Moore had an impressive showing with the backups. He was with the first group off the bench once Savage and Owens exited the game. He now appears to be ahead of Ford.

Owens was at least in part to blame for a 32-yard pass in Friday's game. In a competition as close as the second safety spot is, everything is under the microscope.

Moore had an impressive debut. Known for his speed, he tackled with physicality.

"He was the second man in in many cases and being very physical. I thought it was a good first step for him and he has to continue to do it, not only on defense but on teams as well." coach Matt LaFleur said earlier this week.

That physicality is something the Packers are searching for. Adrian Amos' physical play style earned him the nickname "Smash."

The Packers are trying to replace that play style. A big week from Moore could put him in a position to steal a starting spot.

Christian Watson

Christian Watson isn't fighting for a roster spot by any stretch. This is more about what he can do against a coach notorious for taking away another team's best player.

Belichick calls it making a team play left-handed.

While we won't see a true game plan on Saturday night, there will be coverages designed to take certain things away from the offense.

Moreover, the strength of the Patriots' defense is their cornerback group.

Jack Jones, Johnathan Jones and first-round pick Christian Gonzalez represent one of the best trios in football.

With the way the Packers have moved Watson around, it's likely he'll be matched up with all three of those players at one point or another over the next two days.

How do the Packers target him? How does Jordan Love find him? Can Watson succeed in a practice setting where so many other elite receivers have struggled?

Carrington Valentine

Valentine has been one of the stars of training camp. He followed up a strong performance in Friday's preseason opener with a pick-six of Love in Monday's practice.

When Valentine came into camp, he had to earn a roster spot. That is sewn up at this point. The question now is whether the Packers need to start finding ways to get him on the field in games that matter.

All-Pro Jaire Alexander has been in and out of practice with a minor injury, which has given Valentine more opportunities. He'll face another test this week with DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster coming to town.

Both of those players are accomplished veteran receivers. Valentine will be looking to stack solid performances.

"It's only one game. You have to stack these games, but I think he's got a ton of talent, great approach to the game he's an exciting young player." LaFleur said after Friday's game.

If Valentine can have a big week against the Patriots' offense, the conversation about getting him on the field is only going to get louder.

It's hard to not get excited about Carrington Valentine pic.twitter.com/WnaNpqO9FO
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) August 14, 2023

Rasheed Walker

Speaking of players that took a jump after Friday's opener, how about offensive tackle Rasheed Walker?

Walker made the roster a season ago but never found his way onto the field beyond four snaps on special teams.

Walker played on both sides of the offensive line Friday night, and played well enough to earn a promotion. On days when David Bakhtiari hasn't practiced, Yosh Njiman had been his replacement, as had been the case for most of the past two seasons. On Sunday, though, it was Walker at left tackle.

The Patriots will pose a fresh set of challenges. Matthew Judon is one of the league's best pass rushers. He'd make for a great test for Walker. Plus, Patriots second-round pick Keion White has been impressive early in camp.

Where Walker plays and when is one of the biggest lines of intrigue the next two days.

Quay Walker

The Patriots made a living attacking opposing teams' weaknesses when they were in the midst of their dynastic run that spanned nearly two decades.

Part of that strategy included attacking the middle of the field with tight ends and running backs in the passing game.

While legendary quarterback Tom Brady is gone, the Patriots have a stable of playmaking running backs and tight ends. Tight end Hunter Henry has caught 91 passes in two seasons with the Patriots. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson caught 69 passes last season.

Ty Montgomery, who was drafted by the Packers as a receiver before moving him to running back, is back to receiver with New England. It's unclear how much Ezekiel Elliott will practice, but he can contribute to the passing game, as well.

All of those weapons will pose a test for the Packers' linebacker tandem, notably Quay Walker.

Walker and De'Vondre Campbell believe they can be one of the best duos in the NFL.

“I think we could be one the best in the league. But it’s easy to say that. Walker said.

"We’ve got to go show it. It’s easy to get up there in front of you guys and say what we can be, what we can do. But at the same time, with him healthy and me healthy at the same time, we can be a pretty special tandem, I would say.”

Walker has shown well in coverage, and at least to date, has shown maturity after being ejected from two games last year.

He'll be tested in another tense situation against an offense that will target his areas of the field early and often.

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Thanks to @JacobWestendorf for having "New Attitude" by Patti LaBelle in my head all day.https://t.co/yaxJ30LXAL
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 16, 2023