Jordan Love isn't overly concerned about how defenses will approach him this season, despite the increased scrutiny that comes with a full season of film to analyze. It's not that Love doesn't anticipate adjustments from opposing teams, but he and his coaches have a clear vision for his development as he steps into his second year as the Packers' starting quarterback.
Facing Defensive Adjustments
The Eagles and other teams are expected to scrutinize Love's 19 starts from last season, devising strategies to counter what he does well. Love is aware of this and has faith in his coaching staff to position him and his teammates for success. "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."
Coaching and Development
A significant part of Love's confidence stems from his coaching team. Tom Clements, who is well-versed in developing quarterbacks, is working closely with Love to refine his skills. In addition, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has made practice adjustments to further aid Love’s growth. Notably, LaFleur has incorporated a 7-on-7 period into offseason practices, a drill he previously avoided due to its departure from game-like conditions.
"Tom Clements and the offensive staff are putting in the time to anticipate defensive strategies," remarked Love. "At the end of the day, we've got a very good coaching staff that's going to put us in the best position."
Performance Under Pressure
Love had challenges under pressure last season, ranking 27th and 26th among NFL quarterbacks in relevant metrics. His tendency to throw deep under duress led to just one interception, but also revealed areas for improvement. "The biggest thing for me is just staying poised in the pocket," Love noted. "Being able to stay balanced in the pocket. Sometimes I get out of whack with my feet, and I might start drifting in the pocket too much."
His coaches emphasize the technical aspects of his game. "It's just more fundamental things," Clements said. "Footwork and how he moves in the pocket. We're working on drills, working on throwing a lot of routes on air."
Adapting to Change
Love's adaptability has been a bright spot. Late last season, he began to show more ability to make plays on the run, a crucial skill for modern quarterbacks. "Early in the season, when Jordan scrambled, I'd say 95 percent of the time he ran the ball," Clements recalled. "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."
"What we're making a big emphasis on is [having] perfect feet," LaFleur emphasized. "Making sure the guys go through their progressions, having perfect feet. When they're not, they hear about it."
Love has embraced this development, focusing on staying balanced and making smaller moves in the pocket. "Just pocket awareness, making smaller moves and understanding when I've got to get out of there," Love explained. "Also throwing on the run, being able to escape the pocket and make those off-schedule plays is something I worked a good amount on." This shift in his approach is an encouraging sign for his future prospects.
As he prepares for his second season as the Packers’ starting quarterback, Love remains determined to build on his experiences from last year. With a supportive coaching staff and a commitment to continual improvement, he is poised to handle the defensive adjustments that will undoubtedly come his way.
"You might anticipate a defense maybe bringing a little more pressure," Clements noted. "Disguising a little bit more, making it more difficult to see where to go. If that happens, you have to have a lot of film study and be able to react."
Love summed up the challenge ahead: "That's the fun part about the NFL. We'll also be able to adjust to what defenses might be doing and taking away from us, and we'll learn on the fly."
Jordan Love's journey is one of adaptation and resilience, qualities that will be crucial as he navigates the pressures of the upcoming season. With a dogged focus on perfecting the fundamentals and a keen awareness of defensive strategies, Love is ready to lead the Packers with confidence and poise.