Well, here’s one creative way to get prepared for Lambeau Field in late December.
To prepare for the harsh winter conditions expected at Lambeau Field, the New Orleans Saints coaching staff has adopted an unusual training method: Practicing inside a walk-in freezer.
With temperatures in Green Bay projected to hover around 30 degrees or lower for their Monday night clash against the Packers, Saints quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko decided to simulate the icy environment, according to ESPN.
Janocko joked that the 1993 movie Cool Runnings, which humorously depicted the Jamaican bobsled team adjusting to freezing weather, was the inspiration.
“This morning, Janocko took us in the cafeteria freezer, where it was like 10 degrees, and we’re just going through the whole script in there, and so just doing that, that helped a lot,” rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler said.
Rattler, who is stepping up in place of the injured Derek Carr, took part in the unconventional training session.
“So hopefully it’s not 10 degrees, but we’ll be ready,” he added.
Janocko coached in the NFC North, so he’s very familiar with what’s coming Monday night.
Janocko held various roles with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015-2021, including quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach.
He was just the quarterbacks coach for the Chicago Bears during each of the last two seasons, working with Justin Fields.
“I think there’s something we said about just preparing for [the cold], so you’re not shocked and it’s not something surprising,” Sanocko said. “It’s something that you deal with as far as you prepare for the opponent and prepare for the venue. So I just thought it was good to do something a little different.
“At this time of the year, it’s fun to do different stuff,” he continued. “It’s a long season and sometimes other than just sitting in a meeting day after day after day, just doing something different, changing up the scene. Guys thought it was hilarious. The cafeteria workers think I’m out of my mind.”
This lighthearted approach comes at a crucial time for the Saints.
With Carr nursing a lingering injury to his left, non-throwing-hand injury, and star running back Alvin Kamara also sidelined, the team is leaning heavily on younger players like the 24-year-old Rattler to keep their fading postseason hopes alive. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Saints in the 2024 draft.
At 5-9, the Saints are clinging to slim playoff chances, while the Packers, sitting at 10-4, are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot.
