The blitz: Open OTA No. 2
Cleaning out the notebook from today's open OTA practice at Clarke Hinkle Field:
* With Ryan Pickett absent, first-round draft pick B.J. Raji slid over to nose tackle with the No. 1 defense, and Johnny Jolly replaced Raji at left end. Charles Woodson's appearance meant Tramon Williams moved back to the nickel role in the secondary. RDE Cullen Jenkins, S Atari Bigby (ankle) and ILB Nick Barnett (knee) went through the jog-through portion of practice before giving way to Justin Harrell, Anthony Smith and Brandon Chillar, respectively. Jeremy Thompson remained the top right outside linebacker, ahead of Brady Poppinga, and Clay Matthews (hamstring) remained out. Aaron Rouse continued to work as the No. 1 free safety in place of Nick Collins, who remains absent.
* No major changes on offense, though WR Donald Driver was back after skipping last week's practices. James Jones and Jordy Nelson appear to be on equal footing as the No. 3 receiver, with Ruvell Martin and Brett Swain behind them. Jermichael Finley appears to be ahead of Tory Humphrey for the No. 2 tight end role. With T Breno Giacomini (ankle), C Scott Wells (shoulder) and LT Chad Clifton (shoulder/knees) all still sidelined, the No. 1 offensive line remained (from left) Tony Moll, Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz, Josh Sitton and Allen Barbre. Rookie draft picks Jamon Meredith (left) and T.J. Lang (right) continued to work as the second-string tackles.
* Today's work included the 2-minute and red-zone installs, and the top two offenses each got one drive from their own 40, facing a 14-10 deficit with less than 2 minutes to go. Neither got the touchdown they needed. For the No. 1s, led by Aaron Rodgers, the drive started with 1:31 on the clock. Nelson made the play of the day to give the offense a first down, dragging his toes at the right sideline to make a catch for a 10-yard gain. But Rodgers missed Driver on his next throw and then was intercepted by Williams when Finley couldn't handle a low pass, with OLB Aaron Kampman dropping in coverage. The No. 2s, led by Matt Flynn, got 1:54 to work with. They got bailed out by a defensive offsides call, keeping the drive alive on fourth-and-16. But on a second-and-3 from the defense's 28, Flynn threw over the top for WR Kole Heckendorf, who broke off his route, and S Jarrett Bush got an easy interception.
* With the exception of the 2-minute drill, Flynn and Brian Brohm appeared to get identical reps. In five team (11-on-11) periods, the passing stats were as follows: Rodgers 11-for-19, INT; Flynn 7-for-11, INT; Brohm 1-for-5.
* Later, during a red-zone period, Kampman broke up a slant for WR Brett Swain, drawing cheers from his teammates. CB Pat Lee, Williams and OLB Brad Jones had PBUs during 7-on-7.
* There were two field-goal periods, and Mason Crosby converted 7 of 8 attempts from between 33 and 43 yards. Flynn worked as the primary holder. Crosby's lone miss was wide right from 41 with Durant Brooks holding. Brooks' presence as the No. 2 holder is notable, since it might be indicative of his status in the three-legged race for the punting job.
* The fullback battle remains tough to break down, because the Packers use so many sets with extra receivers and tight ends. Rookie Quinn Johnson was getting a lot of work as the back blocker on kick returns.
* Dropping 'em like they're hot: RB Kregg Lumpkin, Martin (twice), WR Patrick Williams, Humphrey, Finley.
* Practice ended with two 7-on-7 periods. Rodgers was 5-for-11, Flynn 4-for-5 and Brohm 3-for-5, including an interception into the hands of Rouse that concluded the session.
More stories and quotes from the locker room coming as the day rolls on ...
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com