Alex Light showing ‘flashes’ as Packers’ swing tackle

[Cheesehead]

Reps haven’t been in short supply this summer. A year older and eight pounds lighter, Light has been in the driver’s seat to be Green Bay’s primary swing tackle behind starters David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga through the first month of training camp.


That typically means being the first off the sideline at either tackle post whenever Bakhtiari or Bulaga takes a breather or has an off day, an opportunity that’s provided Light with valuable snaps against the Packers’ top pass rushers.


“I’ve been able to elevate my game going against Za’Darius and Preston every day,” said Light after practice Monday. “If I make the team and happen to be out there, then I’m going to have to go against those type of players every day. So just going against them and working my technique that I’ve learned from the coaches and older guys here … is really a blessing.”


A three-year collegiate starter who played both tackle and guard, Light signed with Green Bay last year after conferring with former teammate Thomas Evans, who went to camp with the Packers in 2017.


Although Evans didn’t make the team – he’s now a strength and conditioning coach at Delaware – he sold his former teammate and close friend on the opportunity available to college free agents in Green Bay.


The two worked out together for five weeks, with Evans providing Light with pointers on the various cadences and techniques the Packers favor to help him get comfortable.


Once the 2018 season was over, Light returned to Richmond to train with his former strength coach, Scott Brincks, in order to prepare his 6-foot-5, 309-pound body for playing in the outside-zone scheme new Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur employs.


Looking to be leaner, faster and more flexible, Light worked out from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day for three months, often lifting as many as six times a day. He also adhered to a strict diet, removing carbs from nearly everything besides his post-workout lunch. Dinners were mainly meat and vegetables.


He felt an immediate difference, both mentally and physically, after reporting for the start of training camp last month.