I'm just going to throw some random stuff out there as best as I can recall it for you.
First impression is the size on this 2014 Packers team. One of the things I was really looking forward to seeing first hand, as I thought Bahktiari and Datone suffered most last season simply from being rookie-sized. Well, holy crap. These players developing did not disappoint. Datone Jones, Josh Boyd, David Bahktiari, Andy Mulumba, JC Tretter and Derrick Sherrod - all of them much bigger than we saw last season, and noticeably so. That was a good sign to see these players who really needed the NFL body type for their positions to mature, and they all clearly put a lot of work in to improve themselves this offseason.
Next, Rodgers in a throwing drill was just ridiculous - throwing into a giant net with 3 smaller target nets located about receiver high. Rodgers nailed every single throw into the small target net. Funny to see Cobb, who was catching some balls in their drills with Nelson, take a turn and drilled the small target net as well after Rodgers last one. Pretty funny.
After that, you can't help but notice the incredible size of Julius Peppers. Being OTAs and his true vet status, didn't get to see a whole lot, but he really is impressive. I did spend more of my time on the O side of the field, but they did do a lot of team drill work, and Peppers was an active part and looked to be moving pretty well.
The kicking units started the day. Returning punts were Cobb, Tramon Williams, Micah Hyde and Jared Abbrederis. This was not at all impressive, and a bit troublesome to see Tramon and Cobby back there.
Mason Crosby looked really impressive. He has a leg. Booting two 47 yd FGs with ease, both would have been good from 60 yds out. Peppers was often lined up over LS to block.
Organization of the OTAs looks good. Busting into full team drills, then position drills, then team takeaway drills, etc. problem today was a number of false starts and offsides O vs. D 11 on 11. I think that was the sloppiness McCarthy was alluding to. Maybe some of the QB play as well. Speaking of which, Tolzien looked much better then Flynn today, who looked very slow to release the ball. Tolzien looked sharp and ready. I could see him winning this backup job if he keeps that up.
My takeaways were:
1. Starks looks fantastic - raw speed and power, and Lacy looks like a fine tuned veteran feature back.
2. Richard Rodgers looks like the real deal. This player has incredible size in the lower half of his body and should prove tough to take down. Showed good hands and route running.
3 The Perillo kid from Maine also looks like he really belongs. Has the size to do it all, showed the speed, the hands, the RAC. I was very impressed by Perillo, all day. Makes one play after another. Also, Ryan Taylor made a remarkable sideline catch and got drilled mid air and hung onto the ball.
4. Datone Jones can make his way to the QB. Man, this player moves! Mike Neal and Josh Boyd also looked great in pass rush.
5. Clinton-Dix and Adams both looked pretty solid at their positions. You can just sense they have those qualities that will set them apart. Ha Ha can really range. Davante can move after the catch.
6. Abbrederis and Janis are insanely good. Janis can absolutely fly. Abby caught a TD and Jani could have probably added a couple more.
7. For as towering a figure as Peppers is, Adrian Hubbard is nearly as tall. Hubbard has the rookie body and could use some meat on his bones, but his play in the drills was sound. Peppers has that veteran beef with him, and, standing alongside Hawk, Peppers made Hawk look like a little boy. That was a comment from my bench neighbor and everybody started laughing.
8. I would be remiss to not mention WR Chris Harper. Wow, did this kid look fluid, fast and sure out there. Left an indelible impression on me and many others nearby.
A couple of other notes I just remembered and thought I would add here.
The DBS and WRs got together for some pass catching and tackling drills. Tackles were made on a giant red workout ball rolled in the direction of the receiver after the catch. Both groups rotated sides, which I thought was cool, both working on catching, turning upfield, with the opposing player working on wrapping up.
Another drill which was pretty good had TEs and LBs fielding onsides kicks. Clear emphasis on fielding the ball, keeping these players sharp for STs.
They also ran a ball security drill that was tough to gauge, as I was looking for more takeaways. However, it was pretty up eventful in that the ball remained pretty damn secure! Good job O!
One other, had O on my side of field and they ran through plays with opposing O players taking defense positions. Really just a drill to get everybody dialed in on correct formations and how plays are run. Rodgers was in at MLB. Jordy played L CB. Jordy could have easily had 2 or 3 pick 6s! It was pretty funny. He was having fun with it, and it made me think this guy could easily play CB in a pinch.
Lastly, the OTA session is over, everyone is off the field and back in the locker room, except one player who wants extra work on his snaps. Linsley. Imagine that. Think he doesn't want that starter job?
I wish I could have caught more of the straight D drills, but I am planning to go up next Tue and will spend more time on that side of the field. Let me know if anyone here wants to meet up.