2007 Packers Training Camp got underway today under sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 80’s. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, there were an estimated 10,000 people over at the Clark Hinkle Field along Oneida Street. Your “Packerville” reporter got to town a little too late (2 hours before practice!) to get a seat in the middle of the practice field, so he spent the session down on the end where the defense spent a majority of the time before the scrimmage near the end of the 2-1/2 hour workout.
One of the oddest sights was seeing linebacker A.J. Hawk wearing a knit stocking hat in the 88-degree heat. To our reporter, #1 draft pick Justin Harrell (#91) seemed to be winded more than his colleagues on the defensive line, taking a “knee” quite often. Harrell did not participate in the team’s offseason workouts.
Here’s a practice wrap-up from today, courtesy of the Green Bay Press-Gazette:
Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly and DeShawn Wynn were on the non-football injury list today, and receiver Donald Driver failed his physical because of a shoulder injury, coach Mike McCarthy said after practice.
Pickett and Jolly were placed on the list because of conditioning, and McCarthy said he was “not happy.” Wynn has an illness. Tight end Tory Humphrey, who was hurt during practice, has an ankle injury and was taken for X-rays, according to McCarthy.
There was no advantage gained in the first field goal period. Dave Rayner went five-for-five, making two field goals from 27 yards, one from 32 yards and two from 37. Jon Ryan was his holder. Rookie Mason Crosby went four-for-four with all of his field goals from 32 yards. David Lonie and Ruvell Martin each held for two of Crosby's kicks.
Two notable items from a team blitz drill:
— Linebacker A.J. Hawk ran over rookie running back Brandon Jackson on his way to what would have been a sack of quarterback Brett Favre.
— Rookie receiver James Jones showed an ability to come back hard for the ball and make a tough catch in heavy traffic from Brett Favre.
Tight end Tory Humphrey went down during team drills about an hour and 20 minutes into practice. Humphrey slumped on his side and then rolled over on his back while medical personnel attended to his left leg. Humphrey was carted off the practice field with his leg heavily wrapped from the knee all the way down to his foot.
Former Packers offensive coordinate Jeff Jagodzinski was in attendance today. Jagodzinski, who is the head coach at Boston College, was wearing a Boston Red Sox baseball cap and standing on the field with other Packers coaches.
Although first-round draft choice Justin Harrell was listed as a starter on the preseason depth chart at defensive tackle, veteran Corey Williams was working with the No. 1 unit during drills. Colin Cole was filling in at the other defensive tackle spot in place of Ryan Pickett.
Greg Jennings fumbled an end-around handoff from Brett Favre during team drills.
Punter Jon Ryan consistently was booming kicks with hang times over 4.5 seconds. Ten of Ryan's 19 punts went 50 yards or longer, with a long of 57. Free agent David Lonie didn't participate in the punting drill.
Rookie safety Aaron Rouse stripped the ball from tight end Bubba Franks during a ball-protection drill.
We thought you’d enjoy some photos from today’s practice, so we’ve provided a few from our sideline photographer.
