The Packers were back at it on Ray Nitschke Field this afternoon for a 2 hour, 16 minute workout in some beautifully mild weather. Nice breeze. Mid-to-upper 70s. Partly cloudy.
Lets hit the highlights
A little chippy: Coach Mike McCarthy was not a happy camper with some of the early moments in practice. More profanity being thrown around than usual. Things got really loud after a couple miscues by rookie RB Quinn Porter. First, he didnt take the field with the No. 2 kickoff team like he was supposed to. Porter then dropped a kickoff moments later, throwing off the kickoff coverage rep.
I dont design that, McCarthy said about his vocal frustrations. Practice, there is an accomplishment, a level of practice that you try to have every day. When we dont reach that, its my responsibility to get it out of them. This is a tough practice. Year in and year out this is always a padded practice 48 hours after a game. This is a tough practice on our football team, so it was important to get the quality work out of our team today. I think we accomplished that. Well look at the film, but we werent as sharp as we needed to be when we started practice today.
No change: Daryn Colledge and Bryan Bulaga continue to split first-team reps at left guard. Bulaga is also taking the No. 2 snaps at left tackle. So, basically, nothing has changed there after the first exhibition game. McCarthy said he has no time frame on making a decision.
I dont have a deadline, but really just the progress that Bryan makes and how Daryn continues to go through camp will answer that question. I know everybody would like to have the starting line by the third game, but well just see how it goes.
Injury update: RB Ryan Grant sat out today after sustaining a concussion during the exhibition game. McCarthy said he hopes to have Grant back Tuesday. No. 3 back Kregg Lumpkin was also out after tweaking his hamstring Saturday. That left Brandon Jackson and Quinn Porter running the ball today. Actually, fullback John Kuhn got in the mix with the numbers issue. Remember, sixth-round draft pick James Starks hasnt practiced yet because of a hamstring. (And you can tell McCarthy is growing impatient)
McCarthy said hes comfortable with the depth at running back and has no issues with Jackson being the No. 1 back, if necessary.
(The Blog is not as confident)
WR Tom Crabtree is still out with a hand injury and McCarthy said head trainer Pepper Burruss called it a wrist sprain. But Crabtree was scheduled to see the doctors again after practice and possibly be fitted for a cast.
C/G Evan Dietrich-Smith was also new to the sidelines with a neck sprain.
Besides that, it was the usual cast: S Atari Bigby, S Will Blackmon, CB Al Harris, RB James Starks, LB Alex Joseph, LB Clay Matthews, LB Nick Barnett (who did participate in some walk-through periods), LB Cyril Obiozor and G/C Jason Spitz.
Closing out: LB Frank Zombo wrapped up practice with back-to-back sacks of Matt Flynn during the final period. The No. 2 offense had 3rd and goal from the 9-yard line with time running out when Zombo recorded the first sack. The offense hurried up for one last snap on 4th and goal from the 11-yard line and Zombo got to Flynn again. Great coverage on the last play and Zombo kept working to get there.
Good work: Mason Crosby was 6 for 7 on field goals. Made from 28, 30, 36, 40, 43, 45. Missed left from 33. Chris Bryan held on the first four (28, 30, 33 and 36). Tim Masthay held on the last three.
Short period: Just four punts today. Bryan went first with a 56-yarder and a 41-yarder. Masthay hit a 54-yarder and a 65-yarder for touchback.
Cause and effect: The Packers fumbled the ball four times against Cleveland on Saturday, losing two to the Browns. Every practice the team has a ball-security period, but its usually broken up between positions with the lineman working on something else. Monday, the entire team was pulled together for the session and there was an emphasis and urgency to the drill that was a little more intense than normal.
Up next: Tuesday is a scheduled workout with the team practicing at 8:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m