Monday marked the first day NFL teams could begin their on-site offseason strength and conditioning programs, and two NFC North teams capitalized on the schedule.

Green Bay and Detroit opened their doors Monday. Chicago's players are scheduled to return March 29. Minnesota has not made its opening date public knowledge, but it is believed veteran players will start between March 29 and April 3.

Many players receive workout bonuses for attending, but remember, these conditioning days are optional and absences don't always convey a problem or dispute. I won't spend too much time detailing which players participate unless it appears the absence is an intentional consequence of a larger issue.

A few key players could fall under the category in Green Bay, which has a half-dozen restricted free agents who have yet to sign their tenders.

"That's part of the business landscape that we're going through right now," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said, "so we'll deal with that accordingly."

This is when McCarthy starts his "Quarterback Camp" - where he takes them through an intense film study and drills on the fundamentals of footwork, throwing motion, decision making, reading defenses, etc.

He started this QB camp when he first came to GB - it has always been optional (which means that Brett never went through it just once, then skipped it because it's a lot of work) - - - - - - this camp is how McCarthy changed Rodgers throwing motion, improved his footwork and pretty much helped to mold him into being one of the top NFL QB's (and Pro Bowler).

The Packers use this time for conditioning drills to work on explosiveness (jumping drills, etc.), quickness, flexibility and reflexes....(these things also tend to reduce the chance of injury) - - -
- - - obviously, having a team that is very young (and creating a lot of competition) is necessary to get the players to willingly arrive this early (for boot camp situation). Some of the veterans have been showing up, last year, because they see the competition and especially because the drills minimize later risks of injury....

"rwpollox" wrote: