Matt LaFleur embracing heat wave that is Packers' latest practice
It may be the dog days of training camp, but Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur doesn't care. "That's the one thing that you have to understand, whether you're playing football or whatever sport you're playing. When you have a couple days off, you have to be ready to go," LaFleur told reporters Wednesday […]
It may be the dog days of training camp, but Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur doesn't care.
"That's the one thing that you have to understand, whether you're playing football or whatever sport you're playing. When you have a couple days off, you have to be ready to go," LaFleur told reporters Wednesday when asked about his disappointment with the offense's performance on Tuesday. "And that's part of being a professional. And I don't think we had the focus that was needed to have a winning performance, quite frankly. There were way too many [mistakes]. Whether it was busted plays or pre snap penalties – things that you're in total control of that we didn't go out there and execute. And when you do that, it's hard to put a winning performance out there."
He's 100% right in his statement. There are no days off in the NFL and every rep is crucial when it comes to developing players and creating chemistry.
Things won't get any easier for the Packers on Wednesday, either. The heat will really be turned up, literally. Weather forecasts project the temperature to be 90 degrees, at minimum, during practice. In fact, an alert was issued Wednesday morning advising against strenuous activity outdoors.
Think of, pretty much, the Packers-New York Giants NFC Championship Game matchup in Lambeau back in 2008, except with heat instead of the equivalent of arctic temperatures.
And, naturally, LaFleur not only expects his guys to perform – he's embracing the situation, entirely.
"You deal with it. That's part of the circumstances," said LaFleur. "We talked about, you know, competitive greatness [is] being your best when your best is required, regardless of the circumstance, and that's the situation. So we have to get our mind right for that. We gave the guys a heads up yesterday, in terms of making sure that [they] get the proper nutrition [and] proper hydration, so that it's a non-issue."
"It's kind of sick of me, but yeah, I don't mind it," he added, "I think going through something tough is good for you."
The Packers have a lot to figure out in 2023, therefore, they don't need guys on the roster that can't take the heat (pun intended). Fighting through adversity and performing despite the surrounding environment/circumstances is a must-have for teams that want to win in the NFL.
Matt LaFleur takes the blame for big mistake during Packers practice
Gotta love the accountability and honesty.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
