The stat sheet for Jordan Love could have looked much better had the receivers for the Green Bay Packers made more plays during Friday night’s preseason win over the New Orleans Saints.
After drops plagued the preseason opener and at times during joint practices, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he counted at least five more drops on Friday night.
“Unfortunately, we, again, had too many drops. I want to say we had at least five drops on offense,” LaFleur said post-game.
LaFleur was especially irritated with rookie Samori Toure’s drop on a beautiful throw down the field from Love in the second half.
“The ball has to be caught,” LaFleur said.
Love rolled to his left and made a perfect throw in the rain, but Toure couldn’t finish the over-the-shoulder catch. The drop negated what could have been a pass play of 35 or more yards.
On the Packers’ first possession, rookie Romeo Doubs had to make a tough adjustment to an outside throw and couldn’t complete the catch on another throw from Love.
LaFleur wasn’t sure if the blame was more on Love or Doubs, but it was another missed connection.
It’s worth noting that Doubs made amends when he skied for a touchdown pass on a perfect throw from Love later in the first half.
In the second half, Amari Rodgers couldn’t finish a pair of catch attempts on third down, including one up the seam and another toward the sideline. The first was a drop through contact, the second was a failed contested catch.
Love finished the contest completing 12 of 24 passes, but the 50 percent accuracy was hardly indictative of his night throwing the football. LaFleur said he was confident and decisive with the football. Love said he’s getting more and more comfortable in the offense, allowing him to play fast and let it rip.
The Packers receivers playing in the preseason are young, and LaFleur said there’s room for error as they play through and learn from mistakes. But the regular season is approaching fast, and the drops keep happening. Can the young receivers start finishing plays more consistently?
