By Mark Eckel, Player Engagement Insider
Dean Lowry grew up in Rockford, IL and went to college at Northwestern, so he knew all about the tradition of the Green Bay Packers organization. Still, it was different knowing about it and experiencing it.
Lowry, a fourth-round Draft pick of the Packers, goes to work every day now at 1265 Lombardi Ave. He’ll play his home games at Lambeau Field.
He can’t wait.
“At first, when you walk in that locker room, it’s a bit surreal,’’ Lowry, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound defensive end, said. “Being around the facilities at Lambeau Field and sharing a locker room with some of the guys who you enjoyed watching going up through the years, it was different. Now, as the season gets nearer and you get to the grind of things. We’re all going for that common goal of winning a championship. And it is pretty cool to be sharing that with them.’’
Lowry, the rookie from Northwestern, has been getting a lot of time in the Packers’ 3-4 base defense as the 5-technique end. In the sub packages he’s been asked to move inside when the defense switches to a four-man front.
While there was a lot to learn after playing in a 4-3 scheme in college, Lowry has listened to Packers’ defensive line coach Mike Trgovac and it’s going pretty well.
“This is the first time I’m moving outside more,’’ Lowry said. “Things happen quicker inside, there’s more double teams, stuff like that. But I am seeing a lot of new things.
“Overall, it’s gone about as I expected,’’ he said “I missed the OTAs, because I was still in school finishing up, but I learned the playbook right away. I was on the phone with (Trgovac) a lot, so when I got here I was caught up. But it’s still about being on the field and getting those physical reps, the practice reps, the live game reps. So I feel I’m getting a little better every day and that’s a good direction.’’
Lowry didn’t take long to learn the Packers’ defense and Trgovac, the long-time defensive assistant, has been a major early influence. But the big defensive lineman is also a student of the game.
“I really love learning about football,’’ he said. “I love studying all the schemes and stuff like that. It’s been going great. I’m understanding the NFL game and our defensive schemes here with the Green Bay Packers.’’
As opening day approaches rapidly, Lowry is grabbing hold of the fact that he’s in the NFL. He’s a Green Bay Packer. And just exactly what that means.
“Definitely,’’ he said. “And me being a Midwest guy, I’ve always followed the Packers. I admired the way this team has always played. So to be on these grounds and to understand the history here is a pretty special thing. When you get to the grind to really just take a look around and see the opportunity we have to play for this special organization it makes the bad days easier.
“It’s a smaller place, compared to most other NFL cities, so the players spend more time with the fans, are more endearing. You see it every day, the riding the bike with the kids back and forth to practice, or whether it’s just talking or signing autographs, the players really appreciate the fans here in Green Bay.’’