The Green Bay Packers officially reported to training camp on Thursday morning. Of the 90 players on the camp roster, 33 of them are rookies. With OTA's and mini camp behind them, head coach Mike McCarthy said the educational period for the newcomers is over, and now it's time to get to work.
"If we have a player when we get together tonight and start talking about install number one and he doesn't know his assignments already, he's in trouble," McCarthy said.
"These young guys now contribute. It's one thing to run around in underwear and helmets and feel good about their athletic ability. They belong, and we're glad they're here but we have to get these guys ready for these padded practices, get the offense, defense and special teams installed and get ready to play games."
One youthful area of special importance is special teams. Punter Justin Vogel and long snapper Derek Hart are both rookies and the only players at their respective positions listed on the camp roster.
"We're very green there," McCarthy said. "And I'm not talking about our uniform color."
The first training camp practice will be Friday, July 27 at 8:15 a.m. at Nitschke Field.
