Any word on how they looked? I heard DJ Williams continues to impress, Ryan Taylor has looked very good. Cobb was making some amazing catches, and Havner was at ILB. Sherrod was #1 RG again.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

ESPN's Kevin Seifert was in Green Bay to watch the Packers practice, and a couple of players stood out according to an article he posted on Sunday :

TE D.J. Williams. Seifert took note of an excellent one-handed catch Williams made. The absence of TE Andrew Quarless (hamstring) and TE Jermichael Finley (held out as precaution) is certainly giving WIlliams a chance to make an impression.

LG Derek Sherrod. While NT B.J. Raji beat him on an inside move, Seifert said that Sherrod "doesn't look out of place" at a position he's never played in his life. The Packers first told him he was playing left guard when he reported for training camp late last week. If he can look competent after only a couple practices, imagine what he'll look like in a couple months.

Thumbs up: As impressive as rookie wide receiver Randall Cobb was throughout practice, repeatedly making catches across the middle and drawing the standing-room-only crowd’s attention, second-year offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse had an even better night. He just plays a position where outstanding play doesn’t catch the naked eye as easily. Getting first-team reps at left tackle while veteran Chad Clifton rested his balky left knee – something coach Mike McCarthy said will be a regular occurrence – Newhouse was as solid as a rock in both 11-on-11 work and in the 1-on-1 pass-rush drills. He essentially redshirted as a rookie fifth-round pick last year, and while it was only the first padded practice of camp, he certainly made an excellent first impression.

Lots to cover so I'm just going to give you my gut reactions to the proceedings tonight and I'll have some more measured analysis tomorrow and through out the week.

1. The rookies at the offensive skill positions really impressed me with how well they seem to have absorbed the initial offensive install. It was obvious that McCarthy and Philbin were only working a very small portion of the playbook but guys like Randall Cobb, Alex Green and D.J. Williams all seemed to be able to step right in, Cobb and Williams with the first string, and make all the necessary adjustments. That is an encouraging sign right out of the gate.
2. Speaking of rookies - D.J. Williams and Randall Cobb are crazy impressive.
3. T.J. Lang looks like a new man - a man on a mission. He split times with Derek Sherrod, but he was light years more impressive than the rookie. Great punch in pass pro. Latching onto guys in the run game. Just real solid all around. The tentative guy we saw last summer after the wrist injury is gone. I'm pretty sure this is your left guard opening day.
4. Speaking of camp battles, Erik Walden is your leader at OLB opposite Clay Matthews. He has gotten bigger during the offseason and was absolutely destroying guys in one-on-ones. At one point, he ripped through Scott Wells and Kevin Greene exploded with joy. It was awesome.
5. Brad Jones looked really strong as well - much better than Zombo actually.
6. Quiet night for guys like Jennings and Driver - ton of work going to the younger guys.
7. Speaking of younger guys, remember this name: Ryan Taylor. He's one of a billion tight ends on the roster. I'm not sure if he sticks here in Green Bay, but he's bound for an NFL roster somewhere.
8. James Starks is just so much more explosive than any other running back on this roster. Ryan Grant looked good - ran hard, hit the hole with authority like he always does. But James Starks is the best back on this team.
9. B.J. Raji looked in mid-season form. Ripping through guys in one-on-ones, tearing through double teams in team sessions - the man is a monster.
10. Overall, this team is crazy deep. Yes, the inside linebacker position is a concern, but second year veteran Robert Francois was making some noise tonight with an A Gap blitz or two when he got a chance to run with the ones. It's pretty obvious that the Packers will have some really hard decisions to make come cut down time for many positions. The depth on display tonight was incredible.

Ctv wrote:

--- The first day of hitting is in the books, scuffles free. Mike McCarthy saw what he expected.

"We need a lot more of them," he said. "That was evident. I would say it’s normal when you get in pads the first time. There’s going to be a lot of positive things when we watch the film tomorrow, but I felt it was sluggish. The tempo’s not where it needs to be"

--- Rookie receiver Randall Cobb made several difficult catches throughout Monday's practice and appears to have an early comfort level in the offense. McCarthy credits him for being a quick learner. Moving forward, the key is to get more reps with Aaron Rodgers.

The two didn't work together up to camp. Establishing timing is important.

"Not only reps between him and the quarterback, but also the timing and spacing of the routes and how each concept works," McCarthy said. "Identifying the coverages and the cheat system, as I always refer to it. Everybody plays football. Everybody has similar plays. But it’s the ability to cheat within the particular play with anticipation, coverage recognition, all the things that help a receiver be productive and create a smart path to run a good route and create separation for a quarterback."

Cobb outstretched his body for multiple catches across the middle of the field, including one high zinger from Rodgers. For now, the punt-return job is his to lose but his role on the offense is still unknown. Right now, he's the fifth wideout behind Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson. A good problem for the Packers to have.

--- Derek Sherrod struggled in his first padded practice. He caved backward in several one-on-one matchups with defensive linemen and wasn't overwhelming in team play. Of course, his head must be spinning, his coach notes. The first-round pick is switching back and forth between guard and tackle throughout the practice. The long-time tackle is in the picture at Green Bay's vacancy at left guard.

"Really like what you see physically," McCarthy said, "but we’re asking him to do things a little differently from what they asked him to do in college. So, it’s going to take some time."

Elsewhere on the line, Marshall Newhouse was impressive filling in for Chad Clifton at left tackle. Quarterbacks were rarely pressured with him on the backside. Clifton isn't injured, rather coaches are just keeping a pitch count.

--- Jermichael Finley and Morgan Burnett continued to practice but were held out of 11-on-11 work. Both are further ahead than defensive end Mike Neal, McCarthy said. While Finley and Burnett should be ready to play in everything by Wednesday, Neal (rotator cuff) is easing back more slowly. C.J. Wilson is getting the No. 1 reps at defensive end.

--- And finally, look for some movement at linebacker. McCarthy says he's searching for linebackers that can play both inside and outside. With Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones all vying for a starting spot, it makes sense for somebody to get bumped in.

TylerDunne wrote: