Paul Bretl | 8/4/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The return of Zach Tom to team drills will be a welcomed sight for the Packers’ offensive line–a unit that has taken it’s lumps throughout training camp.
Tom has been at practice going through walkthroughs and individual drills as he works his way back from a pec injury that he sustained back in April. However, this upcoming week when the Packers are back on the practice field, Tom should be joining the rest of the offense for 11-on-11s.
“That is the plan,” said Matt LaFleur after Family Night when asked if Tom would return this week. “So he’s looked great.”
Following the Packers’ annual Family Night practice, Tom acknowledged that even when back on the field for 11-on-11s, he may be on some sort of snap count initially. The rehab process has been “really good,” said Tom, but there is still work to be done when it comes to getting back to full strength–literally.
“Honestly, it’s probably going to be a work in progress,” said Tom about getting his strength back. “I’ve never dealt with this injury, either. I’m sure there’s going to be some things that I’m going to have to work through, but the only way you’ll know is if you start playing football.”
Through what is now 10 training camp practices, the Packers defensive line has routinely controlled the line of scrimmage over their offensive counterpart. Led by Rashan Gary, the defensive front has not only generated regular pressure each practice, but there have been numerous instances where they’ve been in the backfield what seems like almost immediately.
The best way for a defense to disrupt any play–run or pass–is with quick pressure up the middle. In the passing game, it forces the quarterback to rush, not allowing the play to fully develop, which disrupts the rhythm and timing of the passer, oftentimes resulting in a disjointed effort from the offense. Success on the ground has been even more difficult for the Packers offense to come by.
At this time of the year, the defense being in the backfield can make evaluating the offensive side of the football more challenging for the coaching staff.
“It’s tough on the O-line right now,” said LaFleur. “Certainly I think the D-line gets frustrated at times bc in practice we use a lot of chippers, I’m like hey man that’s a credit to you guys, that’s the ultimate complement, we feel we have to get four hands on you to block you. It’s going to happen during the season.”
To a degree, it’s not a surprise that the offensive has struggled. For one, they are at a disadvantage when not in pads, and two, the right side of the line has consisted of rookie Jordan Morgan, who is playing guard for the first time in his career, and either Kadeem Telfort or Andre Dillard at right tackle.
While the current play along the offensive line is far from perfect, it is improving. In recent practices, there has been a bit more cohesiveness, which has provided time for the quarterbacks, but particularly in one-on-one situations, is where we’ve seen the collective unit struggle.
“Pretty good,” said Tom about the play of the offensive line. “Obviously there’s a lot of things that we need to clean up, but that’s what camp is for. I think we’ve done a good job coming in and correcting the mistakes and taking it to the next practice and getting better every day.”
Getting Tom back in the mix should help provide some needed stability for this unit. Last season was Tom’s first full year as a starter. According to PFF, he would surrender just two sacks along with 37 pressures. Out of 50 eligible tackles, Tom ranked 13th in pass-blocking efficiency.
Making Tom’s performance even more impressive was the competition he went up against. Of the NFL’s top 10 edge rushers in terms of total pressures, Tom faced six of them, including Nick Bosa, Aidan Hutchinson, Micah Parsons, and Maxx Crosby, all of whom finished in the top-four of that pressure category.
After that already impressive season, Tom is determined to achieve some big goals this season, and now with this pec injury getting more closer to being behind him, he’ll soon have the opportunity to solely focus on achieving them.
“However many sacks I gave up is too many,” Tom said during offseason programs. “This was really my first year starting and I was able to go up against some of those premier guys. Learned a lot. Now, this year, come back even better. I’ve got big goals in mind for this year.”