Last evening, the Packers held a practice in Old City Stadium for the first time since an intra-squad scrimmage in 1961. And before that, they played in the stadium from 1925-1956. Six championship teams played on that field — teams that included Curly Lambeau, Clarke Hinkle, Johnny “Blood” McNally, Arnie Herber, and Don Hutson. The same field is now used by Green Bay East High School, and all of the old wooden grandstands were torn down years ago. But it was fun to see the team return to its roots, and it probably will not happen again for a long time. The reason they did it now is to tie in with the 50th year celebration of Lambeau Field.
From the Green Bay Press-Gazette, here’s what the fans saw last evening:
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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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:
• If it were allowed in practice, A.J. Hawk would have easily sacked 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• In an unrelated item, the NFL Network is taping portions of tonight's practice and will air footage at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
• 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.
• 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.
