Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is looking for more grit from his talented roster.
Green Bay will need to embody toughness, attention to detail, and humility if it is to seriously contend this year.
LaFleur wants players on his team that can buy into such a culture, which helps explain why former practice squad linebacker Kristian Welch has begun making a name for himself on LaFleur's Packers and is seriously competing for a roster spot.
Zone Coverage's Matt Hendershott wrote about Welch on Thursday after the 26-year-old Iowa alum turned in an inspiring preseason performance versus the Denver Broncos.
"Matt LaFleur was initially unimpressed with the team’s overall grit and efforts in their time with Denver," Hendershott wrote. "Still, a few players managed to separate themselves from the pack. On a day when the rest of the team looked to be in slow motion, linebacker Kristian Welch played with his hair on fire."
"Building on a solid training camp and a good showing against the Cleveland Browns in the first preseason game, Welch was one of Green Bay’s best defenders on Sunday. With his experience as a core special teamer and the Packers’ lack of proven depth at linebacker, the Iola native could push for the final roster."
"Keeping Welch makes sense with Green Bay’s lack of proven experience at linebacker and its need to have some talent on special teams. Welch might make it through the final cuts if he has another eye-popping game against the Baltimore Ravens."
Welch was released by the Baltimore Ravens in August of last year after three years of service. He was scooped up by the Packers and contributed to their practice squad before becoming a fixture on their special teams unit by October.
While the national media gushes over Jordan Love (and speculates about his backup), LaFleur knows that Green Bay is dealing with heightened expectations.
The variable of distraction is a real and present danger for the Packers this season, and players like Welch tend to cut right through that and reinforce a culture of winning in the locker room.
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