Does ex-UK star Carrington Valentine look like a keeper for Packers? Coach: ‘I’d say so.’
Carrington Valentine has been making plays all during training camp for the Green Bay Packers.
The seventh-round draft pick out of Kentucky continued to do so Friday night in front of family and friends in Cincinnati.
The rookie cornerback’s NFL preseason debut in his hometown included an interception he returned 17 yards, four solo tackles and three passes defensed. Valentine started the game in place of All-Pro Jaire Alexander, who was held out of the game because of a groin injury.
And his impressive effort came in a 36-19 victory.
“Me being a seventh-round draft pick, I’m always going to go out there and prove people wrong and show teams made mistakes. That’s just how I’m wired,” Valentine said afterward. “I’m a competitor, I’m going to get after you. I’m going to tire you out.
“I’m a real gritty dude. I’m not scared to run. I’m not scared to tackle. I’m not scared of how big you are. I’m going to go after you.”
That playing style, determination and performance has him on track to make the Packers’ roster.
When asked after the game if Valentine is “looking like a keeper,” head coach Matt Fleur responded: “I’d say so. And it’s only one game, and he’s got to understand that. You got to go and stack these games and continue to battle and get better and better and better. But I think he’s got a ton of talent. I love his approach to the game. He works his tail off every day, and he’s an exciting young player.”
Ahead of the game, Valentine said he was happy to get play his first preseason game in the town where he grew up and against the team he cheered for.
“It’s surreal,” Valentine said, according to a report on the Packers’ website. “Getting drafted to Green Bay and hearing your first preseason game is going to be back where you spent all your life at and built those connections, I couldn’t really believe it.
“Hearing that you get to come out here and practice down here, when you used to come to games as a kid — being out here, taking in the environment, it’s a blessing.”
RODRIGUEZ’S DEBUT
Former Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez, a sixth-round draft pick by the Washington Commanders, had five carries for 39 yards and played 12 total snaps across the second and third quarters in his team’s 17-15 preseason victory Friday against the Cleveland Browns.
The rookie’s first carry covered 8 yards, followed by runs of 12, 11, 5 and 3 yards.
▪ Former UK tailback Benny Snell gained 23 yards on six carries in his first appearance for the Lions. Detroit, who added Snell to the roster Thursday, defeated the New York Giants 21-16 on Friday night.
This story was originally published August 12, 2023 at 10:06 AM.
