Friday Cheese Curds: Eric Stokes earns respect of Packers’ veterans

Stokes endured a baptism by fire during training camp, but those trials paid off and caught the attention of his teammates

If you’ve read any tweets or recaps from Packers training camp this year, you would believe rookie cornerback Eric Stokes has had a rather brutal start to his professional career.

Such struggles naturally trigger concern from fans who figured Stokes was drafted to be CB2 across from Jaire Alexander to form a young and elite cornerback tandem.

If you’re among the worried masses, relax. Every rookie takes their lumps during their first camp, no matter how high or low they were drafted, and the Packers threw Stokes right into the fire facing off against Davante Adams and the other starters on offense so some rough waters were ahead.

As camp went on however, Stokes started to get more comfortable and even gave Adams fits at certain times. The baptism by fire apparently has started to pay off.

The offensive veterans, or at least Adams, did take notice of the rookie’s skills while they were putting him through the gauntlet. Stokes has drawn comparisons to Sam Shields and also Alexander from his teammates and that is some high praise.

Alexander himself has become the best corner in the league but he wasn’t there overnight and if general manager Brian Gutekunst saw the same things in Stokes he did with Alexander as his first pick as GM, the payoff is coming.

It just might not be in 2021.

Davante Adams likens Packers rookie corner Eric Stokes to Jaire Alexander, Sam Shields—PackersNews.com

The sooner Stokes is up to speed the more likely it is that Kevin King is relegated to the bench and/or a rotational role. With the bad taste of last year’s NFC Championship still lingering, that moment won’t come soon enough for many fans.

5 things learned at Packers training camp – Aug. 19–Packers.com

Day two of joint practices between the Packers and Jets saw New York quarterback Zach Wilson learn a tough lesson at Jaire University. Preston Smith meanwhile flashed some 2019-like pass rushing ability.

Aaron Rodgers’ ‘Aston Martin,’ a treehouse mishap and fun returns to Packers camp—ESPN

After an offseason filled with tension, training camp has been much more enjoyable and dare we say fun as fans and a more normal routine emerged. As camp winds downs, this is a recap of some of the more lighthearted moments of the summer.

Packers unveil throwback uniforms for Week 7 game vs. Washington—NFL.com

Personally, I love these. This is what I had in mind for the color rush uniforms more than the all-whites the team has worn the past several years. In related news, reports say my wallet is not a fan.

Firefighters discover ‘body in the river’ was a swimmer relaxing—UPI

It’s like a scene from Monty Python. “I’m not dead yet!” Thankfully this was just a false alarm.