OTA Open Practice — June 2, 2016

We attended the second “open to the public” OTA practice on Thursday, arriving the night before. Above is a view of the west side of Green Bay as we crossed the Fox River at dusk. If you know where to look, you can spot Lambeau Field.

Fans line up outside Ray Nitschke Field before the gates are opened at 11:00 a.m. for the 11:30 a.m. practice.

So many new rookie players... we made a cheat sheet at the last moment. And this doesn’t include the new players who aren’t rookies.

The view of Ray Nitschke Field before the players arrived.

Our first look at QB Aaron Rodgers (#12), strolling onto the field along with T Bryan Bulaga (#75) and G T.J. Lang (#70).

WR Randall Cobb (#18) with fellow offensive teammates before stretching exercises begin.

LB Clay Matthews (#52) walking out to limber up.

Team stretching before any drill work is done.

WR’s Jeff Janis (#83) and Jared Abbrederis (#84) stretch their muscles.

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) and WR Jordy Nelson (#87) chat for a few minutes.

More stretching.

LB Julius Peppers (#56) talks with LB Clay Matthews (#52).

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) and teammates kick those legs up high.

New for this year... if there are any giant donuts that get onto the field during a game, the Packers will be prepared to tackle the problem.

Defensive backs working with their coach.

Linebackers off on their own.

OL Coach James Campen gets right in there with his players.

Offensive Linemen working against each other.

Second-string QB Brett Hundley (#7) gets some snaps during drills along with QB Joe Callahan (#6).

WR Randall Cobb (#18) awaits the snap of the ball with his fellow receivers.

It sure is good to see WR Jordy Nelson (#87) back on the field. He ran a few routes, mostly off to the side, one-on-one with Aaron Rodgers. He was just positioned at the line of scrimmage here... he did not run routes with defenders around. They’re being cautious.

WR Jordy Nelson (#87) watching some special teams drills.

Working on punt returns and blocking.

Offensive and defensive linemen working against each other.

G Josh Sitton (#71) has mastered the art of holding a giant red ball so that it cannot move.

Randall Cobb enjoyed a laugh around a couple of teammates.

QB Brett Hundley moves from one drill to another during a simulated “TV Timeout.”

Rodgers talks with QB Marquise Williams (#7), who did not participate in much throwing this day.

Did we mention we’re so glad that WR Jordy Nelson is back?

GM Ted Thompson looks over all of the guys he signed. Not all of the players we saw will return for Training Camp.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy also checks over his team.

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) and WR Jordy Nelson (#87) head off to work on some pass routes.

Team punting drills.

Team field goal drills.

QB Aaron Rodgers and the #1 offense begin the scrimmage portion of the practice.

K Mason Crosby chats with a young Packers fan as he gets a drink from the water cart.

RB James Starks (#44) looks for a hole.

QB Brett Hundley (#7) takes control at the line of scrimmage.

Rookie draft choice WR Trevor Davis (#11) turns on the speed to elude S Marwin Evans (#25).

WR Jared Abbrederis (#84) and WR Randall Cobb (#18) try to get open in the secondary.

Offensive huddle.

S Chris Banjo intercepts a Rodgers pass and returns it.

A multi-bobbled ball falls to the turf. There were several INT’s in the scrimmage section of the workout.

A good number of fans took time off or left work for a “meeting” to watch practice.

The defense working against itself. 

Defensive close-up.

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) plays LB while the offense works against itself.

LB’s Nick Perry (#53, mostly hidden), Clay Matthews (#52), and Julius Peppers (#56) take a breather near the end of practice.

CB Sam Shields, starting his coverage of a receiver.

Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers watches his defense.

The team gathers around Mike McCarthy at the end of practice.

Leaving Ray Nitschke Field... see you next time, trusty Training Camp friend.

After dinner we had to stop and take a photo of a favorite sign... the motel is closed, though.