Pats-Packers Joint Practices: Matt LaFleur Praises Bill Belichick

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur believes that there's no better way to prepare for a trying season than working against Bill Belichick's New England Patriots.

No matter how feisty or physical joint practices between the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers get this week, the two sides could perhaps always bond on one thing: neither has anything nice to say publicly say about Aaron Rodgers.

Beyond the status of the current New York Jets quarterback, however, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is keeping the good tidings rolling as his team prepares for a visit from Belichick's Patriots. New England will face Green Bay in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before the affair culminates in a preseason exhibition on Saturday night at Lambeau Field (8 p.m. ET, WBZ).

"He’s arguably the best to ever do it, so I thought it would be in our best interest to try to learn a few things from him," LaFleur said, per Bill Huber of Packer Central. "I’ve always admired how their team has played, having gone against him many times."

Who and what will go to Green Bay is not burdened with the championship expectations that are normally placed on Belichick's New England groups, but LaFleur's comments make it clear that both he and his philosophies remain respected. As LaFleur and the Packers prepare for their first season without either Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers since 1991, the Green Bay boss can think of no better challenge for those trying out for the fateful roster than Belichick's Patriots.

"Having them here last year, I thought just specifically on the defensive side of the ball, I thought they did a really good job of attacking the football, probably as good as anybody we played last year," LaFleur said. So, (we) wanted to just see their practice habits and how they go about their business.”

LaFleur was referring to the teams' Week 4 thriller from last October: though Green Bay prevailed in a 27-24 overtime decision, the Patriots' defense fought and kept them in the game until the literal last second (which saw Mason Crosby kick a 31-year field goal). Jack Jones took a Rodgers interception back 40 yards for a score shortly before halftime and also forced and recovered a fumble from the arms of Romeo Doubs. 

---

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.