2016 Training Camp — Day 1

 

Well, after a long offseason, here we are at the start of Green Bay Packers Training Camp, Day 1. For an 8:15 a.m. practice, how early do we get up? The photo above should give you an idea, as seen while driving north on Oneida Street for the less-than-five-minute commute to Ray Nitschke Field.

It’s so good to be at the start of another season. 

The sunrise shines on Ray Nitschke Field. 

Some of our fellow early-risers are interviewed by Green Bay TV stations live. 

And your Packerville, U.S.A. editor got on camera as well when the WLUK-FOX 11 gal unexpectedly asked him how pumped he was for the start of Training Camp. He was trying to stay off camera, actually.

Looking through the gates before they opened at 6:45 a.m. 

Once inside, here is the view that greeted us. 

There are always new things at camp each year, and for 2016 they have done away with the scissor-lift video camera platform vehicles and replaced them with remote-controlled digital cameras on tall poles. That may get interesting on a strong windy day.

The video crew guys get things set up. 

Players begin to gather on the field about 7:45 a.m. 

WR Jordy Nelson (#87), who was revealed to be on the PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform), watches the early stages with Doug Collins, the Packers’ Director of Security/Risk Management. 

The defensive players get their stretching out of the way. The offense remained inside the Don Hutson Center for the first part of practice, leaving only the defense out on Ray Nitschke Field. 

LB Clay Matthews (#52) gets limbered up. 

Some defense-against-defense work. 

More defense-against-defense work. 

The offense comes out of the Don Hutson Center, giving us our first look of QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) in Training Camp.

OT David Bakhtiari (#69) talks with Assistant Offensive Line Coach David Raih. 

The un-zoomed-in view that we had at camp today, with the offensive linemen coming over in front of us to do their unit work.

James Campen, in green at left, talks with his players. 

Three of the QB’s in camp, Joe Callahan (#6), Aaron Rodgers (#12), and Marquise Williams (#9) work with Quarterbacks Coach Alex Van Pelt. 

OT David Bakhtiari (#69) works against a teammate. 

Bakhtiari works under the device which teaches linemen to keep low off the snap. 

OG Lane Taylor (#65) and OT Bryan Bulaga (#75) work against teammates with pads under the watchful eyes of Coach James Campen.

OT Don Barclay (#67) and TE Kennard Backman (#86) hit an unidentified lineman. 

 GM Ted Thompson keeps an eye on his offensive linemen.

LB Clay Matthews (#52) goes one-on-one with OT Bryan Bulaga (#75). 

LB Nick Perry (#53) working on OT David Bakhtiari (#67). 

OT Kyle Murphy (#68) and LB Kyler Mackrell (#51). 

OG Lane Taylor (#65) gets acquainted with DE Mike Daniels (#76). 

First-round draft pick DT Kenny Clark (#97) gets a club to the head from OG Lucas Patrick (#62). 

Veteran OT Bryan Bulaga (#75) meets fourth-round draft pick DE Dean Lowry (#94).

Bulaga gets good leverage over Lowry. 

Bakhtiari and LB Julius Peppers (#56) get after it. 

What a beautiful sight. 

OG Josh Sitton (#71) cools off without a helmet during a break. 

OG Lucas Patrick (#62) working on the use of his hands in blocking. 

QB Aaron Rodgers (#12) gets off a throw in a drill. 

Rodgers showing his technique in getting a drink. 

Rodgers behind center as scrimmaging begins.

Rodgers handing off to RB Eddie Lacy (#27). 

Rodgers and C J.C. Tretter (#73) giving different signals before the snap. 

Overall view during scrimmaging. 

Rodgers apparently telling his teammates that he saw a ten-point buck on the way to the practice field. 

QB Brett Hundley (#7) in the process of handing off. 

RB Eddie Lacy (#27) busting off a long run.

Rodgers calls the play in the offensive huddle. 

Rodgers attempting a hand-off to RB Eddie Lacy (#27) in what turned out to be a broken play.  

The starting defensive unit awaits the offense. 

The defense stops Eddie Lacy after a few yards. 

WR Jeff Janis (#83) and WR Jordy Nelson (#87) chat during scrimmaging. 

This was the view we had of Head Coach Mike McCarthy pretty much all morning. 

Rodgers takes off for a run after possible receivers didn’t materialize. 

Two more players on the PUP list — OG T.J. Lang (#70)... 

... and WR Ty Montgomery (#88). 

Part of the starting defensive backfield — CB Sam Shields (#37), FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (#21), and FS Morgan Burnett (#42). 

Rodgers gives a few pointers to QB Marquise Williams (#9). 

Practice has ended and Mike McCarthy gathers the whole team together for a few remarks.