Thumbs up: The Green Bay Packers knew that they were getting a big, strong, fast athlete in Datone Jones. But could the team really have envisioned this? The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Jones not only has shown impressive power and strength doing his primary job on the defensive line, but on Tuesday, he lined up on both the kickoff coverage and punt coverage units during the special teams period. Packers coach Mike McCarthy couldn't remember the last defensive lineman to serve on kickoff coverage — Packer Report writer Bill Huber helped the coach's memory by mentioning 2011 seventh-round pick Lawrence Guy, now with Indianapolis — and while Jones may not serve in that capacity on opening day, the fact that the coaches feel he's capable says a lot. "He can run. He's a major match-up problem," McCarthy said of Jones. "But we'll work him as a back-up. I don't see that as a primary role for Datone. But he has a unique skillset and it's important for our young guys to come in and make sure they're ready to go on special teams."
Thumbs down:The No. 1 priority for a Packers running back has been clear for quite a while now. If former running backs coach Edgar Bennett, now the team's wide receivers coach, has said it once, he's said it a thousand times: It's not to run the ball productively, which is third on the list; it's not to protect the football and not fumble, which is second on the list. It's to protect the quarterback at all costs. In the first such drill of camp, the running backs failed in their duel with the outside linebackers. Doing a blitz pickup drill early in practice that was reminiscent of the old Nutcracker drill, Kevin Greene's guys got the better of Alex Van Pelt's crew. Although the drill inherently favors the defense, the backs need to do better than they did, especially rookie Johnathan Franklin, who has the looks of an effective third-down back if he can handle the blitz pickup part of the gig. "I felt like the outside linebackers clearly got the best of the running backs today," McCarthy said. "We were too high. We weren't sitting down. We didn't have our head up. So it'll be good tape to watch. So that's a drill I'm sure we'll do again."
Play of the day:Rookie Eddie Lacy was terrific during the red-zone period, but James Starks continues his resurgence. The oft-injured running back had another excellent run in 11-on-11, and he might've had another big gain on a catch-and-run if not for Jones' athleticism. During the team run period, Jones dropped off the line of scrimmage and into coverage, filled the void in the middle of the field and, when No. 3 quarterback B.J Coleman tried to hit Starks across the middle, swatted the ball away with a defensive back's ease.
Camp confidential:McCarthy is usually leery of practices that come after a day off. The coach's feeling is that the day of rest frequently leads to sloppiness and reduced focus. But that wasn't a problem Tuesday. Although the No. 1 offense closed practice with a failed 2-minute drill and there were other imperfections, it was a crisper practice than the team had on Sunday, when it donned pads for the first time. "I liked today's practice. Usually after a day off it doesn't usually start the way you like, but I thought the start was good," McCarthy said. "I think watching the team periods specifically, there's some back and forth. Offense made some plays, defense made some plays. Offense ran the ball well. I liked a number of things I saw in the fundamental work. I thought we definitely took a step forward today."
Injury report:Cornerback James Nixon, who saw action with the No. 1 defense earlier in practice, left with a left knee injury. Cornerback Tramon Williams (knee), who dropped out of Sunday's practice, was out and could be out two to three weeks, according to McCarthy. Also new to the injured list was offensive lineman Kevin Hughes, who McCarthy said has been having problems with headaches. Safety Chaz Powell (foot) and cornerback Davon House (illness) both practiced for the first time, although House left at the end of practice with cramps. Still sidelined were: Wide receiver Sederrick Cunningham (wrist); wide receiver Charles Johnson (knee); wide receiver Kevin Dorsey (hamstring); defensive end/outside linebacker Mike Neal (abdominal), cornerback Casey Hayward (hamstring), defensive end Jerel Worthy (knee), running back DuJuan Harris (knee), tackle Derek Sherrod (leg), offensive lineman JC Tretter (ankle) and safety Sean Richardson (neck).
Practice schedule:The Packers practice again in pads on Wednesday at 8:20 a.m.at Ray Nitschke Field, weather permitting.
Jason Wilde wrote: