As scheduled, we’re coming to you from Green Bay with photos from Packers Training Camp 2013. Sunday’s practice was scheduled to begin at 8:20 a.m., but “McCarthy Time” must be like “Lombardi Time,” because it started early. We were in line to get a good seat by 6:30 a.m., and there were probably 25 people ahead of us.
Most players, like LB Nick Perry (#53), arrive by bike or by walking, coming in the gate on the North end of Ray Nitschke Field.
Practice got underway early with some punt teams work.
Loyal Packer fans come in all shapes, sizes, and kinds.
QB’s B.J. Coleman (#9), Graham Harrell (#6, scrambling), and Aaron Rodgers (#12) work on their own at the beginning of practice.
Defensive players (always in green “home” jerseys in Training Camp) work on some calisthenics. led by LB Clay Matthews (#52).
Rodgers limbers up.
Above and below, LB’s were matched with TE’s for a drill where they tackled and fell onto large padded mats. We’ll try to get some closer photos next time.
Matthews acts as a ball carrier in this drill.
Some early team scrimmaging gets underway.
Rodgers and the first team offense wait to huddle up.
Rodgers gets off a throw.
Some more punt coverage/returns work.
Rodgers and the QB’s working on some footwork and agility.
WR Randall Cobb jogs back to his offensive mates. They still have him working on some punt returns, for those of you who are concerned for his health while playing special teams.
LB’s coach Kevin Greene emphasizes his point to his players.
Matthews works in positional drills.
Greene watches over his players going up against the TE’s again.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson discuss the state of your 2013 Green Bay Packers.
Defensive players wait for the next set of plays.
This is what keeps us coming back to Training Camp for the 23rd straight year: big guys beating each other’s brains out. We weren’t the first to notice that this year’s camp seems more “spirited.”
Rookie RB Eddie Lacy (#27) looks for an opening to gain some yardage.
More work in the trenches.
Rodgers working with the starting offense against the starting defense.
RB James Starks (#44) finds some running room.
Rodgers gets a good-sized pocket to work in.
Starks stumbling through the line.
More offensive line vs. defensive line.
Some of your starting offensive line for 2013: T Bryan Bulaga (#75), G Josh Sitton (#71), Evan Dietrich-Smith (#62), and G T.J. Lang (#70). G/C Greg Van Roten (#64) is at left.
TE Jermichael Finley (#88) gets some stretching help late in practice.
RB Eddie Lacy (#27, right) jokes with some of his offensive backfield teammates.
WR’s James Jones (#89) and Jordy Nelson (#87) taking a breather on the sideline.
Rodgers working again in full team scrimmage time late in practice.
The pressure is being delayed just long enough for Rodgers to get off a pass.
QB B.J. Coleman is not so lucky, and has to scramble to get out of trouble.
This is the third fight of the day. The first scuffle had DE Mike Daniels shouting obscenities loud enough to be heard in Appleton.
Pass-catchers getting some liquid refreshments and a rest. The weather was in the mid-Fifties, so heat was never an issue.
Coach McCarthy gathers his team together at the conclusion of practice.
Outside of practice, fans at Training Camp can stick a pin in their hometown, showing how far they travel just to watch the team practice.
The stands have emptied, and it’s time to go and get warm. This is usually never an issue the last week of July.
How many assistants does it take to sort helmets, jerseys, and shoulder pads after practice?
Fans wait to have the players ride their bikes, get an autograph, or maybe a photo. There is no practice on Monday, so we will be back on Tuessday. Thanks for visiting the blog.
