GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers kicked things into high gear for the first training camp practice Wednesday morning
This is the 78th Packers training camp; the tradition started in 1946 under Curly Lambeau.
Even though quarterback Jordan Love is new to his starting spot, he’s used to training camp.
“I’ve been a backup, but I’ve been here,” Love said after practice. “For three years, I’ve been around these guys. I got a good feel for these guys, got good relationships with all these guys. So, it’s not like it’s new or anything. It’s not like I’m a rookie coming in and trying to learn things. I’ve been here, so it’s just entering in that new role.”
Love admitted, though, there will be some growing pains.
“Obviously, get more reps at practice, more eyes on you. It’s not going to be perfect right away. This is a process. It’s growing pains that you got to work through,; just like today is day one — it’s not going to be perfect. Something that we’ve got to build every day,” he said.
Love has the support of his team — and fans — behind him, too.
“There’s more attention on him now,” said Packers wide receiver Christian Watson. “I think Jordan was always who he was. But I definitely see a lot of confidence in him and he’s ready to go and we’re all 100% backing him.”
Unlike the messy baton handoff from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers in 2008, Love said he appreciates that Packers fans have treated him well during this transition.
“I think it’s all been positive,” said Love. “I think it’s all been really good. Obviously, you go from one Hall of Fame quarterback who has been here for quite some time, and the fans love him. Then, moving on, it’s going to be tough for some people, but I think it’s all been positive stuff.”
Love said he got a text from his predecessor, Aaron Rodgers, on Tuesday night.
“He said, ‘Just be yourself; have fun. Enjoy it,’” said Love. “It’s obviously my time now, and he just said, ‘Be yourself. And that’s all you can do.’ That’s kind of been the message from everybody: Be yourself, Don’t try to be anybody else. Don’t try to be Aaron and things like that. Just be yourself. And that’s kind of what I’m trying to do.”
Love described his offseason workouts with teammates as “awesome” and let it be known he posted the best score when they bonded over bowling.
Love has the confidence of his teammates.
“It’s definitely not all on Jordan,” said Packers running back Aaron Jones. “It’s our job to make his job easier. Take the stress off of him. Make sure all of the team players know where they’re lined up. Know what we’re doing, so he’s not in the middle of a play trying to get somebody lined up. That way, he can focus on his reads and play the game as fast as he can.”