Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
- 0
Roster and practice-squad limitations – 10 players on the practice squad is nowhere near enough to field full scout teams on both sides of the ball – force the opponent work to be shared amongst almost all players not considered front-line starters, so double duty is common.
Taking all the scout-team snaps as Campbell did, according to LaFleur, and then playing in the game so extensively is a tad unusual. In this case, it wasn’t the plan for Sunday, but Campbell’s in-game snap total nearly doubled when he ended up on the field for all of Carolina’s final 18-play drive to conclude the game.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said in practice Campbell insisted on staying in for all the scout-team work just to help get himself ready for what was supposed to be a more limited role in his long-awaited season debut.
“‘IC’ is a guy, he knew he needed the reps just coming out of (the inactive list),” Pettine said. “He was fresh having all that time off, and he was feeling good. He knew he just needed football – the speed of the game, diagnose a play and react.”
The extra workload got Campbell up to speed and he came out of the game no worse for wear. But the weekly award also shines a light on the value the coaches place on giving full-speed, all-out effort on the scout team.
“The most important thing is the look squad,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. “They’re the ones that get us prepared for everything.”
The scout teams run plays or schemes off of cards that are drawn up and shown in the meeting rooms, and again in the huddle at practice. Certain players are charged with mimicking a star player from the opponent, whether it’s a running back, receiver, pass rusher or shut-down corner. Others are rotated through when they have regular offensive or defensive snaps to take as well.
The Packers’ two coordinators are both extremely complimentary of the looks their units get from the scout-team players, having coached in other places where similar diligence can be lacking.
“I’ve been around some teams, you had to be constantly on them about giving the look,” Pettine said. “This is pretty consistent across the board.
“It starts with us as coaches. You get what you emphasize. We have to make sure we draw the cards right and have the information we need, and then we’re keeping an eye on those guys.”
Both coordinators were reluctant to single out too many individuals for their exemplary efforts, knowing they’d inadvertently overlook someone. But Pettine did praise the scout-team offensive line for its consistent work throughout the season, along with receivers Jake Kumerow and Allen Lazard for the prep they’ve given the defensive backs.