Friday, July 29, 2011

Quiet Day Around Packerville

Today was a hectic day within the Packers’ administrative and football offices with all the cuts, signings, and contracts going on. But outside, it was a quiet day with no public events planned. We went over and checked out the practice field — the Ray Nitschke Field — as it was prepared for the first practice of Training Camp 2011, to be held on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.

The grandstand bleachers sit empty, awaiting the first fans of the new season.

One of the three entrance gates to the practice facility.

The backside of the stands which face the parking lot.

Training Camp banners hung for the new year.

Can you ever see too many Packer “G” logos? We don’t think so.

The crew works on getting the field painted with yard lines, hash marks, and yard-line numbers.

The area which contains some miscellaneous equipment, such as the “cooling station.” This has been mandatory in the N.F.L. since the heat-related death of Minnesota’s Korey Stringer in 2001.

The headquarters of the Packers’ Turf Department.

Here is a view of Lambeau Field with Clarke Hinkle Field in the foreground. This was where Training Camp practices were held before the newer facility behind the Don Hutson Center opened last year.

Make sure those lines are straight, fellas.

The back side of the Don Hutson Center.

This equipment will be used for the first time in 2011 on Saturday.

The view of Lambeau while looking down Armed Forces Drive (formerly Packer Drive).

The front side of the Don Hutson Center.

We mentioned the visit from the Broadway cast of “Lombardi” being at the annual meeting yesterday. Here is a publicity shot of the cast.

So long, Mark Tauscher. Thank you for your years as an anchor on the Packers’ offensive line.