Jordan Love isn't overly concerned about how teams will defend him this year, even with a full season of film to study. Entering Year 2 as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, Love has plans to counteract any defensive strategies developed from his prior performances.
Facing Defensive Adjustments
Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles will undoubtedly dissect Love's 19 starts from the previous season, aiming to counter what made him successful. Love is fully aware that defenses will have a sharper understanding of the Packers' strengths and his tendencies. However, he remains confident in his coaching staff's ability to adapt and put the team in the best possible positions.
"We know going into this year teams are going to have a better feel of what we do, what we did good," Love said. "That's their job -- to try to figure out how to stop that."
For Love, the challenge of anticipating and adjusting to defenses is part of the thrill of the NFL. "That's the fun part about the NFL. At the end of the day, we've got a very good coaching staff that's going to put us in the best position," he added.
Coaching and Development
The Packers' coaching staff, led by head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, has taken proactive steps to facilitate Love’s development. LaFleur, despite his previous reservations, introduced a 7-on-7 period in offseason practices to simulate more game-like conditions, focusing on perfect footwork and progression through reads.
"What we're making a big emphasis on is [having] perfect feet," LaFleur noted. "Making sure the guys go through their progressions, having perfect feet. When they're not, they hear about it."
Clements, with his extensive experience, is dedicated to honing Love's skills to better counter defensive pressures. "Sometimes I get out of whack with my feet, and I might start drifting in the pocket too much," Love admitted, highlighting one area of ongoing improvement.
Performance Under Pressure
The previous season revealed that Love faced challenges when under pressure, with his statistics ranking 27th and 26th among NFL quarterbacks regarding these situations. However, his strategy of opting for deep throws over taking unnecessary risks resulted in only one interception when pressured, a testament to his decision-making abilities.
"The biggest thing for me is just staying poised in the pocket," Love stated. "Being able to stay balanced in the pocket."
Love’s tendency to throw deep instead of scrambling has evolved, with increasing efforts to maneuver within the pocket and make play-extending moves. Clements has noted significant improvements in Love's approach from early last season to its conclusion.
"Early in the season, when Jordan scrambled, I'd say 95 percent of the time he ran the ball," Clements observed. "Second half of the year, that maybe flipped -- maybe not 95 percent but a larger percentage he was moving around, looking to throw the ball downfield."
Adapting to Change
This shift marks a critical development in Love's game, enhancing his versatility as a quarterback. "Rather than just taking off and running, he's looking and trying to make a play, and that's where good things can happen," Clements explained. This adaptability is poised to become an asset as defenses evolve their strategies to counter Love's abilities.
Love's focus remains on refining his skills to navigate the pressures of opposing defenses effectively. "If that happens, you have to have a lot of film study and be able to react," noted Clements, emphasizing the importance of preparation and adaptability.
As Love embarks on his second year as the Packers' starter, he remains committed to continuous improvement, supported by a coaching staff invested in his success. This offseason's efforts, from perfecting footwork to enhancing pocket awareness, illustrate the comprehensive approach to his development.
"You might anticipate a defense maybe bringing a little more pressure," Clements commented. "Disguising a little bit more, making it more difficult to see where to go."
Jordan Love's readiness to embrace these challenges and leverage his coaching support underscores a promising future, potentially leading the Packers to new heights. His evolution as a thoughtful, adaptable quarterback sets the stage for what could be an exciting season ahead for the Green Bay faithful.