Larry McCarren's Training Camp Report: Full Pads!

CREATED Jul. 28, 2012

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The prelims are over.  The Packers held their first padded practice this morning and it came complete with 1 on 1's, half line drills and all that good old fashioned rough stuff that makes football, football.

We Liked: 

-The Packers' creativeness when it comes Randall Cobb.  Can't get into specifics, but the team knows he's got big play ability and Mike McCarthy is going to get the ball in his hands in a variety of ways.  

-The extra tackling drill for the cornerbacks.  And Coach Joe Witt was going to do it until the guys got it right.   It looked like some of his charges have never been taught the fundamentals of tackling.  They will now.

-The power Nick Perry showed in pass rush drills.  I know his pass coverage is a question mark but he wasn't drafted in the 1st Round to cover downfield, he was drafted to rush the passer.

-The pass protection fundamentals displayed by Bryan Bulaga, Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang in said drills.  The Packers have the makings of a fine offensive line.

-The non-stop style of 4th Round pick Mike Daniels.  He can disrupt.

-Tight end D.J. Williams improvement from year 1 to year 2.  Catching everything in sight and just looking like a stronger player.

-Tramon Williams looking more like himself.  He's pro bowl caliber when healthy.

-The intensity showed by the kickoff team.  Bodies were flying.

-2nd Round Pick Casey Hayward.  The corner seems to show up in a positive way every practice.  Had another INT today.

-The walking chalk talk Shawn Slocum puts the special teamers through 15 minutes prior to the start of practice.  With individuals coming from all position groups, coaching the special teams can be a monster, and the more time getting everybody on the same page, the better.

We didn't like:

-The play of Sam Shields.  He's talented but he's also been on the losing end of too many big plays in the early going.

-The depth on the offensive line.  It may turn out to be fine, but at this point it's unproven.  You're probably familiar with the second team center, Evan Dietrich-Smith, but the guards are Don Barclay and Ray Dominguez, the tackles Andrew Datko and Herb Taylor.

-The untapped potential of Mike Neal.  Physically, he is one imposing player with a wealth of talent.  There are times when he looks like a man playing against boys, and that's in a big-time NFL camp.  Some how, some way he's got to get himself on the field and stay there.  Mike McCarthy always talks about Accountability and "Availability." 

-The injury to Rookie OT Mike McCabe.  Free agent trying to earn a roster spot but he got crumpled by Mike Daniels during 1 on 1's.  Stayed down with a hip injury quite a while.  Didn't look good from a distance.

-Dropped Passes.  Too many today, and even Cobb was one of the guilty parties.

New on the Sick List:  Greg Jennings sat out today with a bruised elbow.  He's day-to-day.

Coming Attractions:  No Practice tomorrow.  We'll resume our camp reports on Monday when the team works in full pads at 8:15 AM.