GREEN BAY — Taking a closer look at the Green Bay Packers' third practice of training camp from Monday:
Thumbs up: Whether it's motivation, or being in better shape, or the position switch, or facing a first-year center, nose tackle B.J. Raji has looked phenomenal during the first four practices of camp. On Wednesday in pads, Raji trashed center JC Tretter on a pair of 1-on-1 run-blocking matchups — although Tretter did stop Raji on a 1-on-1 pass-rush rep. Then, in an 11-on-11 team red-zone period, Raji whipped Tretter again to reroute an Eddie Lacy run in the backfield. Having returned on a one-year prove-it $4 million deal, Raji is off to a terrific start.
"B.J.'s in great shape," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said when asked about his nose tackle's strong start to camp. "I know our strength staff [was very happy with] where B.J. came in at with his weight and where he is and so forth. Some of the things we've changed, not really changed, but what we're emphasizing in B.J.'s particular job responsibility, I think he does very natural."
Thumbs down: Oh, Myles White. With the increased competition for a roster spot at wide receiver following the selections of Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis, you can't be muffing punts — much less three in the same period. But that's exactly what happened during a special teams session Wednesday. While White probably is the team's fourth or fifth option as the punt returner, it's never a good idea to make glaring fundamental errors, especially in succession.
Jason Wilde wrote: