Le Flore, who had been very,
very careful, treading lightly and still has not taken
a direct shot at Aaron Rodgers. Here's LaFleur from yesterday
about the general subject. No players named specifically,
even
if there's only one prominent player who isn't there?
The floor on his attitudes regarding the importance of
attendance at OTAs.
Yeah, each guy has that right to make that choice, if you're
asking me, I want everybody here. So,
you know, I think
Some of the thought process may have changed over what's
transpired over the last two years, especially
with our covid situation where, you know, we didn't have OTAs
and then but my always might think to our guys is well,
neither. Did anybody else? You know, so everybody was playing
had the same circumstances that they were dealing with. So,
obviously, now with
everybody being Hoping and you'd like to see as many guys
as possible here.
You know.
That's a risky comment. It's inherently risky. And
I remember in the early days of voluntary workouts. You
couldn't even say that. Yeah, I know couldn't say. I want
everybody here. Yeah. Hey, they got the right to be here if
they don't want to, but I want
them all here that in of itself, the nflpa wanted to
push it even now and they don't, they don't maybe they
will. I don't know. That is a statement that is dangerously
close to the line. If not over the line. We just don't think
of it because Matt
lafleur's, not the kind of guy who talks like that, right? Not
the kind of guy who who who steps close to the Fine, but
that sentiment and maybe it's just a manifestation
of his frustration that is starting quarterback. Isn't there
at a time? When you know, it's pretty important to get this
new look receiving Corps up to speed. I'm surprised that he
said it because there's some stuff in there that really does
push the envelope and he doesn't seem like the kind of
guy who does that? No. No. No, you know, you're right, you
know, I
hope the nflpa doesn't do anything. I think he's just
given an honest coaching answer and
you know, he's he made it.
Clear that it's their right. And they don't have to be here
but man, every coach feels the same way. I mean, they want
everybody there. Yes, you have limited time.
You have a limited time during the season now, with some of
the practice rules. So these guys don't want to give that up
as much as that. A lot of people are sit there and go.
Oh, it's practice and early June. How much is the matter?
It does matter.
It helps. There's no doubt,
you know, there's things in the offense that got implemented
that our new. You talked about the chemistry with guys, all
that. So that's a real thing. Now maybe
with Rogers. Yeah,
you know as far as the offense and the new plays and maybe
things like that that's going to be nothing for him. But
I think the chemistry and Leadership of a new group of
guys at all that that is important. I don't care who you
are. There's no doubt and
head coaches. Of course, believe in that. So that's
going to bother them. But you're right. He, he flirted
with a little bit, but I don't think he crossed the line. He
kind of just kind of let it be known. He wants you there, but
he didn't cross it. I didn't think
he crossed the line if the line is enforced, as the line is
written and, and we don't hear Coaches say that I think that's
what was jarring about it, too. They stay away from that line.
Now, they've learned through time and experience to stay
away from that line, to not do anything to
suggest. It's anything other than purely voluntary, and just
simply saying, I want them all here. I want them all here.
That could be problematic. Again, Matt LaFleur gets away
with it because he's never done anything remotely close to
it. And he delivers it in a way that is. So I don't. Ya know,
it's drying guy next door:, Tasha lot. It's not like, he's
like, I want everyone. Are and he's banging on the table,
but the content.
I'm not. I'm not passing judgment. All I'm doing is
stating facts. I know what the CBA says. I know what has
gotten coaches in trouble in the past. And this is the kind
of thing that we'll see. We'll see if the nflpa does anything,
but I can understand. Why wants Rogers
there because Christian Watson Eric's, I wrote about this over
the weekend. The offensive coordinator Adam stanovich
says that Watson eventually is going to be a problem. He's
going to, you know, in a good way. Yeah, for the problem for
Dina bad way for Defense. Yeah, and a great,
a great long read format, shneidman of the athletic about
Christian Watson and his background and growing up and
why ended up in North Dakota State? And right, you know,
growth spurt wasn't
playing in high school until he was a junior or senior but
great potential, great potential. He's a star in my
right. Yeah. Measurables. Yeah.
He was one of your top guys. Going to draft this year. But,
but look, look at the end of the day.
They're counting on this guy to walk through the doors. The
number one receiver and you can rattle off all the names of
the second and third-round picks that the Packers have found
over the years. We became great receivers. They did not
walk through the door
with the obligation, with the urgency, with the assignment of
becoming the number one guy on the roster. So, and I say that
because number one, it's not going to be easy for Watson.
And number two, would be a little bit easier
if your quarterback was there to help you through it.
That's why I said last week. It's not about what Rogers needs.
It's about. What Watson needs Watson needs him there
and
he's not obviously but I think Watson needs him there and
I think that's where that frustration that's what caused
Matt LaFleur to be a little more candid
than maybe he's ever been in the past about something like
this because he knows it's going to help. Watson's can
help. Sammy Watkins is going to help all the guys who are their
learning how to run routes and catch passes
if they're doing it with
the guy that they're going to be doing it with in September
and Beyond. No, you're right. I mean, again, I think that has
Great Value. I do, I'm I'm always going to support being
at practice getting the Reps doing that 100%.
Now, Rogers, does he have some work with these guys? At some
point? I'm sure he will,
you know, again, it's not the same work, but at least it'll
get them going. I'm sure they'll meet somewhere and have
a week of throwing and doing all that. But I think your
point the biggest thing is Watson, Christian Watson who's
a freak Show. And to me was the freakiest receiver in the draft
other than Jameson Williams
is, is like you're talking about Out like, already being
marked as the number one guy. I mean,
I saw comments from Randall Cobb last week going like,
there's nothing this kid can't do like, he's going to like,
like the offensive coordinator said, he's going to be
a problem for defenses. And that is different
to your point of
when Jordy Nelson got there. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver
were there. So he didn't have to be like, perform, right
away. And then when guys like Davante Adams got there,
Jordy Nelson. And Randall, Cobb were there. So he didn't have
to perform right away this One's different. This is no
massaging. This is like we're going to be going into game one
and you're the biggest threat. We got it receiver
and we need you to
you know, scare some people and that makes it a little
different for sure.