TUESDAY EVENING SESSION: COMPLETE WRAP UP
Tonight's leftovers
Read Rob Demovsky's Insider report for more on this, but for now, let's just say the Packers' first go at the 2-minute drill was ugly. The final damage between the three units: zero points; a net loss by the second and third teams; two bobbled snaps and a fumble by third-string QB Paul Thompson; and at least four offensive penalties.
Elsewhere ...
-- With Brandon Miree (Achilles') sitting out, rookie fullback Korey Hall took the majority of first reps with the starters. In the last team period, Hall caught a pass and bowled over cornerback Will Blackmon at the goal line.
-- The play of the night probably goes to Calvin Russell and Aaron Rodgers, who hooked up to torch rookie safety Aaron Rouse on an all-go during the blitz period.
-- Dropping 'em like they're hot: Chris Francies, Robert Ferguson, James Jones (the play after Ferguson's) and Brandon Jackson.
-- Newly signed tight end Joe Werner's first practice was much like the past six years of his life: He didn't play football.
-- P.J. Pope would have been in more trouble had Nick Barnett actually tried to light him up after sniffing out a screen during the last team period.
-- And your final passing stats from City Stadium (7-on-7 in parentheses): Rodgers 27-for-38 (10-for-14); Ingle Martin 16-for-20 (7-for-8); and Thompson 6-for-10 (3-for-3).
The Packers return to the field at 8:45 a.m. Thursday.
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Miree has Achilles injury; Franks out after taking shot to head
Fullback Brandon Miree has an Achilles injury and linebacker Rory Johnson has an abdominal injury. Both sat out tonight's practice, according to Coach Mike McCarthy. Tight end Bubba Franks also left the field after taking a shot to the right side of the head during a team drill, but McCarthy said he didn't notice Franks go out and didn't have any other information.
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Crosby 5 of 5, Rayner 4 of 5 in field goal drill
In another field-goal drill, Dave Rayner made two of two kicks from 28 yards, two of two from 34 yards and 1 of 2 from 40 yards. Rayner's first kick from 40 was blocked by Jarrett Bush on a bad snap from Clark Harris. Rookie Mason Crosby made all five of his field goals, including 2 from 28 yards, 2 from 34 yards and one from 40 yards.
-- The team period was marred by some penalty problems. Left tackle Chad Clifton and guard Travis Lefew both had false starts and defensive lineman Michael Montgomery was offsides. All three penalties came during an 18-play stretch.
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Franks, Jennings draw cheers
TE Bubba Franks drew the biggest cheer of the night with a deep catch over the middle and he showed some agility to avoid converging defensive backs. Greg Jennings also drew cheers when he caught a deep crossing route from Rodgers. More cheers came when running back Jackson burst through a huge hole in the middle of the line.
Other observations from a team drill:
-- A.J. Hawk would have easily sack Rodgers on a blitz.
-- Receiver Chris Francies beat Patrick Dendy on a deep slant route.
-- Calvin Russell dropped a pass from Rodgers on a blitz drill with Aaron Rouse in coverage.
-- In a one-on-one receiver vs. defensive back drill, Jennings had a nice catch in the end zone over Al Harris. Jennings then later beat Harris on a crossing route over the middle. Donald Driver, who was the sidelines for the first two days of camp, caught a pair of passes over cornerback Charles Woodson.
-- A large color LED TV screen is located in the northwest corner of City Stadium. The 4 by 8 1/2-foot screen is displaying Packers highlights as well as training camp schedules and other information.
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RB Jackson struggles again
For the third straight day, rookie running back Brandon Jackson struggled to pick up blitzing linebackers during the team drill. Jackson missed a block on Nick Barnett who would have sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In the same period, first-round draft pick Justin Harrell took a few snaps with the No. 1 defense. Also in the blitz period, Rodgers connected with receiver Ruvell Martin for a deep sideline completion over Patrick Dendy.
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Defensive backs finally get a chance to tackle -- a dummy
Defensive backs haven't been engaged in any live tackling during training camp, so tonight they took out their pent-up frustrations by diving at a tackling dummy placed on a thick-padded landing area. Charles Woodson didn't participate in that drill. Committing drops during the pass-catching drill in the secondary were Jarrett Bush and Will Blackmon. In an unrelated item, the NFL Network is taping portions of tonight's practice and will air footage at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
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Rayner edges Crosby in kicking drill
Dave Rayner held a slight advantage over Mason Crosby in a kicking drill. The Packers kickers booted successful 42-yard field goals, but Rayner held the upper hand on kickoffs. Rayner's five kicks went to the 4-yard line, the 6-yard line, the goal line, the 4-yard line and the goal line. His hang times were: 4.16 seconds, 4.25, 4.00, 3.87 and 3.85. Crosby's kickoffs went the following distances: to the 7-yard line, the 13-yard line, the 17-yard line, 1 yard deep in the end zone and to the 9-yard line. His hang times were: 3.94 seconds, 4.31, 2.38, 3.62 and 4.18. Lining up for one kick return unit: Shaun Bodiford and Ryan Powdrell.
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Packers start practice at City Stadium, Werner in uniform
The crowd, estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 people, greeted the Green Bay Packers tonight as they conducted their first practice in 46 years at the stadium, adjacent to Green Bay East High School. Dressed in shorts for the start of the 6:30 p.m. practice and who did not participate in full-scale workouts: Vernand Morency, Brandon Miree, Daniel Muir, Juwan Simpson, Allen Barbre and Rory Johnson. Newly signed tight end Joe Werner was in uniform, wearing No. 47.
