Practice over; McCarthy up next
Today's OTA practice has ended. If you missed it so far -- are you in a cave? -- check out my updates on Twitter. I'll post an expanded report in a bit.
For now, I might as well repost the roll call here ...
Absent: Nick Collins, Donald Driver, Charles Woodson, Nick Barnett, Tyrell Sutton, Brandon Underwood, Travis Dekker.
Limited or did not participate: Alfred Malone, Atari Bigby, Cullen Jenkins, Breno Giacomini, Clay Matthews, Chad Clifton, Scott Wells, Lorne Sam, Brad Jones.
Coach Mike McCarthy will be at the podium shortly. Refresh here for updates.
UPDATE: Here we go ...
* Attendance: Ten players that did not participate because of medical veterans, including seven veterans. Three younger players: Sam (abdominal strain), Matthews (hamstring strain), Jones (slight groin strain). Jones did not participate on Wednesday either. Absentees include Driver, Woodson, Collins. Doesn't want to address personal/professional stuff. Sutton and Underwood absent for school. Dekker has been placed on reserve/military.
* On Jenkins: Had some work on ankle. "He's close." Probably will be back for training camp, maybe end of OTAs.
* On Clifton: Not concerned about those guys. Wells shoulder, Barnett has personal situation plus knee but is "doing very well", Giacomini is ankle and "very close."
* How does Kampman look? "I think this defense is going to help Aaron Kampman." Always hesistancy when asked to do something different. First and second down different. Moves well in space, spent lot of individual time with Kevin Greene. Greene and Capers feel good about where Kampman is at.
* On Harrell: Thinks he fits well. Will play defensive end, also inside player in subpackages. "My expectations for Justin are to stay healthy."
* How important for Justin Harrell to be here and going through OTAs? "It's very important. It's an opportunity to improve."
* Compare/contrast where are with Aaron Rodgers vs. a year ago? "I just think Aaron Rodgers today has more credibility with his teammates and probably with the media and the fanbase." No one who watched practice every day questioned Rodgers' ability. Can build on consistency showed as first-year starter. "He's had an excellent offseason. It's been to watch him" go through QB school with Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn.
* Content with three quarterbacks, or thinking about four? Not thinking about a fourth. Danger of not having a No. 4 is not having extra arm. But there are more reps to go around with only three.
* Overall impressions of practice today: Tempo was very good. Had plus-7, plus-8 (minutes). Defense had 22 mental errors on Wednesday and offense had nine -- but that happens. "I think the overall work that we've done has been good." This time of year is getting all 80 players on the same page.
* Short of Mark Tauscher coming back, right tackle going to be inexperienced. What think of options? Positive of offensive line group is have had number of players play 2-3 positions.
* What went into decision to open center position? "There's nothing like competition. Scott Wells has been a very good starter for us." Fighting through injuries. It's a product of offensive line with depth, which has increased in recent years.
* Tramon Williams unsigned but practicing. What tell about him? "I can't say enough about him. He works every day, always has a smile on his face. He's a very gifted young man. ... I think he's got big days in front of him." Respects how Williams goes about business and have told him so.
* Expect to have Woodson, Driver, Collins next week? Done with addressing attendance.
* Happy with 3-4 transition so far? "Absolutely." Change he felt needed to be made. Players can be more aggressive, play with more vision.
* Breaking defensive players' habits key? "New techniques, new language."
* Where gauge B.J. Raji in terms of football IQ? "I think he's well-coached." Picks up things well. Communicates well. Been impressed with Raji so far.