The Green Bay Packers got their first taste of how things could look with Jordan Love running their offense this week. The team took part in a joint practice against the Cincinnati Bengals, which had some highs and lows for the offense.
At points, Love looked good, making plays down the field with precision throws and allowing his receivers to make plays. But, there were also some low points, such as an interception during red zone competition and the offense stalling out in a two-minute drill.
That isn’t the last time we will see Love and the Packers’ first-team offense face off against the Bengals. The teams are set to face off in a preseason game on Friday, which Love is going to get a few series in.
While most teams don’t use their first-teamers in preseason, the Packers are in a unique position. Their group is lacking experience, so getting live game reps, even in an exhibition, would do them some good. It is something that Love is excited to take part in.
“Yeah, the plan to get a couple of series out there. Not sure how many yet. We’re going to base it off practice, how it went,” Love said. “But I’m excited, I definitely want to be out there, get some reps, get back in the game mode.”
A walk-through is being held on Thursday following the joint practice on Wednesday. Love has received plenty of playing time during the last three seasons during the preseason, but he knows how important it is to still be out there now despite being a starter.
“Just to get that feeling, being back out there, getting live reps. I definitely think it’s important,” Love said.
Getting live reps and chemistry with his teammates is certainly key. If everyone is on the same page, it will give the Packers an edge once the regular season gets underway.
Another benefit of playing in the preseason, in Love’s opinion, is getting used to taking hits again. That is something he hasn’t done much of given his limited playing experience, but he believes it would do him some good being out there and preparing himself to absorb contact even though avoiding hits is one of his major goals.
“I haven’t been hit since last year,” Love said. “I’m never trying to get hit, that’s never the goal, but it does prepare you, get your mind back in that live mentality.”
With only 83 career pass attempts in the regular season, there certainly isn’t any harm in Love getting in more reps during the exhibition games. Gaining as much experience as possible will do him and his young supporting cast some good in the long run.
