The Green Bay Packers are heading into the season with some uncertainty on defense, especially at the cornerback position. One of the biggest storylines in training camp so far is how new cornerback Nate Hobbs is fitting in. Hobbs, who joined the team in March, was brought in partly because of questions around Jaire Alexander’s health and availability.
Hobbs made an impression during Sunday’s practice, not by making a big play, but by showing intense and aggressive energy. Head coach Matt LaFleur noticed it and spoke with Hobbs afterwards. LaFleur said he didn’t think Hobbs was trying to hurt anyone but felt it was important to remind him to be careful.
“This is what I told him: ‘I don’t think it’s malicious,’” LaFleur said. “One of the qualities we really admired about him is how he competes.”
Hobbs, for his part, didn’t back down from his style of play. He explained that being physical is part of who he is as a player and that while he understands the need to be careful, he isn’t going to stop being a football player.
But less than 24 hours later, that same intensity became a problem. During Monday’s practice, Hobbs came in too hard on a toss play to running back MarShawn Lloyd. The hit left Lloyd shaken up and walking off with a trainer.
As Andy Herman of Packer Report wrote, “Hobbs comes in aggressively and looks to bring him down, and Lloyd is hurt. He walks off gingerly with a trainer.”
This is not the kind of attention Hobbs wanted early in his Packers career. After being warned to dial it back, he ended up hurting a teammate the very next day. Now the coaching staff, especially LaFleur, will have to decide how to handle the situation moving forward.
Hobbs’ physical playstyle can be valuable during the season, but in training camp, where teammates need to stay healthy, it may do more harm than good.