The sample size was small — just 12 total snaps and 10 passes — but Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur was pleased with the poise and command of Jordan Love in his preseason debut as the starting quarterback on Friday night in Cincinnati.
Love, who played two series, completed 7-of-10 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown during the Packers’ 36-19 win.
“All in all, I thought it was a good first performance,” LaFleur said. “Very limited action…A lot to learn from, and a lot of good came out of it.”
LaFleur said Love would probably “love” to have back a missed throw to rookie tight end Luke Musgrave, who was running wide open on a third-down play during the first series. Love called it a “routine” throw that he “just missed.” But save for one misfire, LaFleur appreciated the way Love handled the overall job responsibilities of playing the position.
“Just the poise he showed, the command he showed. I thought we were getting in and out of the huddle quickly,” LaFleur said. “I thought it was a really good first exposure for him for this season.”
Love completed short passes to Aaron Jones and Luke Musgrave to open the first possession but then just missed on a deep shot down the field to Christian Watson. LaFleur said it “looked like an accurate ball” but he probably wanted Love to do more to hold the safety — Dax Hill, in this case — another second longer to give himself a chance to hit the throw. Hill darted over from centerfield and broke it up.
LaFleur did say the Packers want Love “putting more air” on go balls like the one to Watson. The trajectory of the pass wasn’t necessarily the problem, but instead the eye discipline on holding the safety. Love credited Hill will making a terrific play.
Love did connect with Watson on a quick throw to convert a third down to open the second series. He also hit Romeo Doubs for 12 yards on a designed rollout before connecting with Doubs again for a 9-yard touchdown on a double crosser concept that saw Watson occupy the single-high safety. Love recognized the safety double Watson, giving Doubs the one-on-one opportunity in the end zone.
Will the touchdown pass to Doubs represent Love’s last throw of the preseason? LaFleur said no.
“I would anticipate him playing some more,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur wouldn’t say if Love would play against the New England Patriots next Saturday night following two joint practices next week. The Packers finish the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks before taking on the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10 in Week 1.
