Nate Hobbs Must Find A Better Balance Of Aggressiveness In Camp

Putting on pads for the first time in the summer provides a jolt of energy at training camp. For the Green Bay Packers, that started on Monday.

With that jolt that comes an increased physicality in practice — and with that comes trust from the coaching staff that there won't be any crazy friendly fire at practice.

It's a balance Nate Hobbs must learn to strike.

Packers fans have been begging for years for a defense that plays with more edge and aggressiveness. In Year 1 under Jeff Hafley, that started to take shape with a group spearheaded by safety Xavier McKinney.

In the past, people have labeled Green Bay's defenses as lackadaisical and lacking true grit. Last year started to feel different thanks to the pit-bull mentality of cornerback Keisean Nixon and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, among others.

The Packers added Hobbs via free agency in the offseason, and to say he doesn't mince words or hide his confidence is a massive understatement. LaFleur has already addressed this.

During Sunday's open practice, wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks took a hit from Hobbs that left him on the ground. The Packers weren't wearing pads, and Wicks was slow to get up. However, he didn't take offense to the hit following practice, noting some guys have different motors.

LaFleur took a different approach.

When LaFleur was asked if Hobbs needs to tone down the physicality, the head coach said, unequivocally, "The answer is yes."

Monday was the first day in pads, and with it came another head-scratcher from Hobbs. On a toss play to running back MarShawn Lloyd, Hobbs went low. Really low. Lloyd took a shot to the legs from Hobbs and slowly peeled himself off the turf and hobbled off the field. Lloyd didn't return to practice, and Hobbs stayed on the sideline for quite a few reps before returning later.

It was one of those hits that was jarring to see between two teammates at training camp. It's the exact type of play LaFleur and the Packers are trying to avoid when telling Hobbs to tone it down.

It’s a tough tightrope to walk. Hobbs brings a much-needed aggressiveness to this defense, particularly in the cornerback room, following Jaire Alexander's departure.

Neither Nixon nor Hobbs may ever be a lockdown, No. 1 cornerback. What they can be, as they've shown throughout their careers, is a formidable duo, tenacious in their craft and an irritant to opposing wide receivers. In other words, a couple of pit bulls on a defense that can never have enough.

Ideally, Hobbs channels some of that and stores it away for the regular season instead of diving at Lloyd's legs. Considering Lloyd missed most of his rookie campaign with numerous injuries, Green Bay can't be thrilled with what transpired Monday.

The coaches aren't alone. Right tackle Zach Tom briefly approached Hobbs face-to-face after he hit Lloyd.

Green Bay doesn't want to strip Hobbs of what makes him excel and what drives him. His style of play is a big reason why the Packers gave him a four-year, $48 million deal to bring him to Titletown.

It's all about finding the balance of when to fully put it on display, and training camp, against your own teammates, isn't the time to be going low for tackles.

Hobbs will be a crucial part of Hafley's defense this year. With Alexander gone, Green Bay has a solid trio at cornerback with Nixon, Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine. Hobbs' versatility and ability to play on the outside and in the slot make it feel as though he's two chess pieces on the same board.

The Packers need players who chirp, don't take crap from opponents, and have an edge to them. Hobbs checks all those boxes. The next step in the maturation process is ensuring he can access that ability when called for and hold back when it’s prudent. That’s still a work in progress.