Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander was all smiles after Thursday’s joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens.
Not only was Alexander reunited with his college teammate Lamar Jackson, but the defense had a much better day than it did during last week’s joint practice with the Denver Broncos.
The consensus from last Friday’s joint practice was that the Broncos dominated.
The Packers desperately needed to come out strong in their next joint practice against a Baltimore team with high expectations for the 2024 season.
The Ravens are legitimate contenders out of the AFC, which is part of why Alexander was encouraged by what he saw on Thursday.
Either way, the joint practice was a good measuring stick for the Packers.
They responded well against a tough Ravens team with the reigning MVP at quarterback.
“I always joke with him and say, ‘When are we going to meet in the Super Bowl, man,’” said Alexander.
Following Thursday’s joint practice between the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens, cornerback Jaire Alexander was beaming. Alexander not only got to see his college buddy Lamar Jackson again, but the defense also performed significantly better on this day than it did during the joint practice with the Denver Broncos the previous week.
Alexander stated, “I believe that today our defense flew around.”. “Compared to last week, we definitely looked better. “.
Alexander stopped a pass that Jackson was trying to pass to tight end Charlie Kolar during one of the 11-on-11 plays. Jackson tried a deep pass to Rashod Bateman a short while later, but Xavier McKinney’s excellent over-the-top coverage forced an incomplete.
The defensive line won the day, even though Green Bay’s secondary produced a few standout plays. The pass rush, which continued to produce pressure during the subsequent 11-on-11 periods, made Jackson’s job of running the offense very difficult, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
After a dismal two days in Denver, it was a significant step for the Packers. Maybe it was the altitude, but from their performance the week before, it seemed like nobody wanted to compete. Everybody seemed to agree that the Broncos dominated the joint practice last Friday. To Matt LaFleur’s dismay, Denver crushed Green Bay 27–2 in Week 2 of the preseason, leaving no question about who prevailed over whom when the two teams met the following day.
“After being kind of humbled in practice the other day, I was hoping our guys would come out with more strain, effort, and grit,” LaFleur remarked. Furthermore, it’s not where you want to be for it to happen again. “.
Following the match, LaFleur instructed his players to examine themselves in the mirror and determine whether they had given it their all. Because failing to do so humbles you.
In their upcoming joint practice, the Packers had to play well against a Baltimore team that has high hopes for the 2024 campaign. Part of the reason Alexander was inspired by what he witnessed on Thursday was that the Ravens are serious AFC competitors.
“That held great significance. Everyone seemed a little more confident, in my opinion,” he said. “The Ravens are a smashmouth team, so we were aware going into the game that they might try to intimidate us. However, I don’t think guys allowed that today, especially on our side of the ball. “.
At their last preseason game on Saturday, Green Bay will play Baltimore. The status of who will start and for how long is still up in the air.
In any case, the combined practice served as a useful yardstick for the Packers. With the MVP in place at quarterback, they fared well against the formidable Ravens squad.
These two teams would play one another in the Super Bowl the following time. Regardless of whether it happens this year or not, both teams are set up to compete for the foreseeable future. Alexander would have no trouble reuniting with Jackson on the biggest stage in the NFL.
Alexander remarked, “I always make jokes with him and say, ‘When are we going to meet in the Super Bowl, man?'”. “I believe the moment is rapidly approaching. “.
