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JONESBORO – Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett, who's set to report to training camp on July 28th, held his fourth annual youth football clinic at Tara Stadium on Saturday.
Burnett, who played at North Clayton High and Georgia Tech, has been trying to rebound this offseason after his interception in the NFC championship game against Seattle appeared to wrap up the game with the Packers leading 19-7 with 5:07 to play.
After picking of Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, Julius Peppers signaled to Burnett went to the ground, while some critics contend he should have tried to score on the play.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Packers, with some curious playing calling and a major special-teams blunder, imploded and lost in overtime. Seattle would go on to lose to New England in Super Bowl 49.
Burnett has done his best to not let that play spoil his offseason and was upbeat at his camp.
Packers cornerback Casey Heyward (Perry High, Vanderbilt), safety Ha-Ha Clinton Dix linebacker Sam Barrington and Denver Broncos wide receiver Andre Caldwell were on hand to assist Burnett with more than 600 kids at the camp.
Here’s a Q&A with Burnett, who discusses his camp, the interception, playing with Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews and how the Packers plan to rebound in 2015:
Q: Are pleased with how the camp going?
A: We had a good turnout and the kids got a good workout. They are having fun out here. Our youth kids are out here now. The second group will be our middle school and high school kids.
Q: Are the coaches stressing fundamentals?
A: This camp is really based off of fundamentals and agility. At the beginning of camp we did a lot of foot work, speed, ladders and cones. Then we put the kids in position specific drills.
Q: Can the Packers rebound from that tough playoff exit from last season?
A: We are looking forward to it. This year is a new year. We have to build our new identity. We can't go off last year's identity. It's exciting. Everyone is excited to get back to training camp and get that fresh start. We already have the OTAs under our belt, so now we are just ready to build off that and keep that momentum going into the season.
Q: Has it been a tough offseason emotionally after you made the interception that appeared to wrap up a trip to the Super Bowl in the NFC championship game?
A: Really, like once the game was over, I thought about it for a little bit. But you've got to get your mind ready, get your mind right for the next year. You have to find a way to bounce back and get things corrected as a player. Then get better as a player. Find things that you did well and continue to work on that. You have to work hard in the offseason to get ready for the next season.
Q: What are some of the changes the Packers implemented over the offseason that will help going into 2015?
A: I just really like our team bond. We have a great brotherhood in our locker room. Guys enjoy being around each other. Guys enjoy playing for each other and playing together. We have a great team bond so we are really looking forward to it.
Q: What’s it like playing with perennial Pro Bowlers in quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker Clay Matthews?
A: It's a lot of fun. The most important things is that those guys are great professionals. They are humble guys. They are guys that you look up to. They are very respectful people and it's fun to be around them.
Q: Now as an entrenched starter what should we expect from you in 2015?
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
A: I'm just really just trying to find a way to get better. I have to keep going through everything that will help me get better. I'm blessed enough to be going into my sixth year and I just want to be better in year six than I was in year five. I'm just trying to find ways to improve and get better with my coverage, with my tackling and my all-around game.
Q: You all have to see Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson twice a year, but what was it like being on the other side of that show Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones put on at Lambeau Field last season?
A: You just know that in today's game this guys are bigger, stronger and faster. As a DB that's why we really have to be technique sound. With any little false step, you can get beat because these guys are fast, explosive and can make a lot of great plays.
Q: This is your fourth camp. Just a part of you giving back to the community?
A: That's the most important thing, trying to prepare our youth. They are our future leaders. We just have to try to prepare them. Anything I can do the help out and give back, I want to do that anyway possible. But it takes a community. This is our whole community working together trying to find ways to do positive things with our youth and keep them inspired and motivated.
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