2013 OTA's: Voluntary Session Updates (Packers Sign WR Alex Gillett)

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Final phase means final push
packers.com
by Mike Spofford on Monday, May 20th, 2013

The first five weeks of workouts, which began in mid-April, constituted the first two phases of the offseason program. The players began with two weeks of workouts in the Hutson Center aimed at expanding the workload the players could handle.

Video:
Phase 1 Workout with Randall Cobb

There was less time spent in the weight room than in previous years during phase one, but that was by design and had its benefits.

“They were really competing and pushing that work capacity, the ability to work at an up-tempo and high-intensity level, and I think we got that,” Packers Strength and Conditioning Coach Mark Lovat said. “It forced the team to work together in that kind of space and grow as a unit. We asked more and the team gave us more, so I was very pleased with that.”

Next in phase two, players combined time with their position coaches with regular sessions in the weight room. They also continued some running and other conditioning aspects introduced in phase one.

Lovat called it a “strength phase” with more running as part of the workouts than in previous years.

“Guys pushed some really good loads and were working through the adaptation that takes place when you ask for that – the soreness and aches and pains,” Lovat said. “Guys worked through it. They didn’t look for outs.”

Now, the idea is to go from “strength to power,” but with more limited time as a result of the OTAs in phase three. Again, the off-field workouts won’t be about “maintaining” anything aside from their intensity.

“We have to be really efficient with the movements we choose and our workout design,” Lovat said. “That’s where that becomes that much more crucial.”

Phase three wraps up on June 14, and then the players are off for five weeks prior to the start of training camp in late July.

“That’s a long time to get away and come back right into football,” Lovat said. “That’s tough. You have a nine-week run with your guys and you make some progress, and then there’s a five-week hiatus.

“What we hope is we’ve established a work ethic and a knowledge of training they can take with them so they can come back ready to roll.” continue

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Originally posted by titmfatied:
Days Till Training Camp Opens

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Packers' Mike Neal surprised by early move to OLB

By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel
May 21, 2013 3:25 p.m.

In year four, Mike Neal may be in the midst of a major position change.

Or not. It's May.

Nonetheless, the Packers are experimenting. At Tuesday's organized team activity practice, Neal worked at outside linebacker. The move back seemed to surprise Neal himself. He said he has not talked to coach Mike McCarthy about it at all and only spoke briefly to Dom Capers and the assistants. Long term, he's not sure what to make of it.

"There is no long term," Neal said. "This is OTA’s and it’s just them getting a feel for something. If I knew I would tell you. I have no clue."

For now, anyways, he's learning a new position.

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Originally posted by Pakrz:
What's up with Shields missing the OTA?

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Rookie tackle J.C. Tretter breaks his ankle
jsonline.com
by Tyler Dunne on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

According to Herman, the rookie lineman was taking part in a fumble recovery drill on the first day of OTAs when he got his cleat caught in the ground. He suffered a fracture at the lower end of his fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle.

Tretter will have screws and a plate inserted in his ankle to repair the ligament tear.

“It’s like they’re trying to slide into second base and he got his cleat caught and his ankle rolled over and broke,” Herman (Tretter's Agent) said. “Why they’re practicing a fumble drill, I don’t know. There’s not supposed to be contact. That’s a silly drill. Why have big 300-pound guys slide like that in OTAs?”

The surgery, which will be performed by team physician Patrick McKenzie, will take place in the next 24 hours, Herman said.

“It’s a six-month deal,” he said. “This is a torque injury. When there’s such pressure on the leg, you get the break on the bone and a ligament tear. McKenzie will reattach the ligament.”

Elsewhere Tuesday, ILB Desmond Bishop, T Derek Sherrod, CB Davon House, OLB Dezman Moses, DE Ryan Pickett, DE Jerel Worthy, RB DuJuan Harris, S Sean Richardsondidn't participate.

Coach Mike McCarthy wouldn't provide further details on injuries and/or why players were sitting out. DE Johnny Jolly wasn't at the practice, as McCarthy said he's "still going through the process.”continue

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Linebacker Desmond Bishop, offensive tackle Derek Sherrod and cornerback Davon House sat out the practice due to season-long injuries from last season. Asked when they might return, McCarthy offered no timetable but said the order of their return would likely be: 1.) Bishop, 2.) House, 3.) Sherrod.packers.com

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The flip is on with 110 days left until opener in SF
packers.com
by Mike Spofford on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Flipping sides isn’t as easy as flipping a switch, but with 110 days until the season opener in San Francisco, the Packers offensive linemen are confident they have plenty of time to smooth out this offseason makeover.

Bulaga and Sitton have moved from right tackle and right guard to left tackle and left guard, respectively, while Newhouse and Lang have done the opposite. They talked about the switch being “a process” that is just getting started, two days into OTAs.

“It’s different. I’ve lined up on the right side for nine years,” said Sitton, who is entering his sixth pro season, most among the group, and who dabbled at left guard in the Pro Bowl over the winter. “I played a little bit of left guard in college for a couple games, but you do something for so long, it kind of messes with your head.”

“It’s like batting left-handed or right-handed, but not being ambidextrous,” said Bulaga, who added he’s had no setbacks in his recovery from the hip injury and feels fine to this point. “OTAs is a good start for it, to be going against guys like Clay (Matthews) and Mike Neal. That’s good. That’s only going to help me, help footwork-wise and seeing different looks.

“I’m happy the switch was made now so that Josh and I both, and even T.J. and Marshall flipping to the other side as well, we can all get used to it and get our footwork down.”

“It’s flipping everything,” Newhouse said. “It’s flipping your hips, flipping your hands, flipping the plays in your head, and doing it all at the same speed or faster. It takes a little bit.”

Newhouse was the first right tackle with the No. 1 offensive line in Tuesday’s workout, but it’s been made known the spot is open to competition. continue

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Sam Shields a no-show at Packers' OTA
jsonline.com
by Tyler Dunne on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

The most noticeable absentee from Tuesday's voluntary organized team activity wasn't a major surprise --- Packers cornerback Sam Shields.

A restricted free agent, Shields has not signed his tender with the team. Coach Mike McCarthy would not offer a specific reason for Shields not practicing, but Shields is likely eyeing a lucrative long-term deal.

“Sam Shields is a young player and our program speaks for itself and how young players develop year to year," McCarthy said. "I wish Sam was here. He’s not here for his specific reasons that I’m sure if he wants to answer them, he can answer them. It’s about the opportunity to compete and our secondary is very competitive. I wish he was here.”

One of Shields' closest friends on the team, safety Morgan Burnett, says he has kept in touch with the corner. Burnett said the two haven't talked much about football, instead catching up on each others' off-seasons.

To Burnett, it is strange not to have Shields in the secondary.

"Yeah, it's different not seeing Sam because you all pretty much know that's who I'm with all the time," Burnett said. "So it's different not having Sam here, but hopefully he'll be here soon and I'll have my buddy back." continue

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Packers CB Tramon Williams says his shoulder is fine
jsonline.com
by Tyler Dunne on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Once the news hit, Tramon Williams' phone wouldn't stop buzzing. His shoulder was still a problem? What?

In an interview with 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore, Williams talked about the nerve damage in his shoulder. Yet while Williams was talking about the shoulder bothering him during the 2011 season, when the interview went viral, many thought he was talking about the shoulder still being an issue through the 2012 season.

Not the case, he says.

Williams insists the injury was not an issue for him last season when he finished with 61 tackles, two interceptions and 16 pass break-ups. In 2011, he was forced to play off of receivers and shy away from piles. In 2012, he was more aggressive.continue

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Packers' Jerel Worthy: 'I'm going to play this year'
jsonline.com
by Tyler Dunne on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

“That’s the goal — to play this year," Worthy said. "I’m going to play this year. Regardless of what time I do come back, whatever time it is, it’s going to be perfect for the team. I’m trying to do my best to be back. We don’t have a scheduled date as far as when I’ll return. But this season, definitely.”

Surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews was a success and Worthy said there was no extra damage around the ACL. About 4 1/2 months into his rehab and recovery, he has performed various mobility drills and straight-line speed work. He has not done any cutting drills yet.

He says he has not considered sitting out a full year, like tight end Andrew Quarless (knee) and Derek Sherrod (leg) did after their late-season 2011 injuries.

“No, no, no," Worthy said. "That doesn’t cross my mind at all. I’m just going to continue to take it day by day. I’ve been blessed to not have any setbacks to this point. We’ve been at this for 4-5 months now, so as long as I continue to stick to the plan and I continue to stay positive, I’ll be good.

“Just stick to the plan. Stay on task. Treatment is a must day-in and day-out, trying to prevent things. The focus is on your job and craft, so my No. 1 priority is to make it back. We have a lot of new talent in. There are a lot of guys competing.”
continue

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Packers physical during opening OTA
fox11online.com
by Justin Felder on Tuesday, May 21st

During the Packers second practice during their first of three Organized Team Activities, there were several shoving matches between players.

Among those doing the pushing and shoving, receiver Myles White and cornerback Brandon Smith tussled on the ground after a play; offensive lineman T.J. Lang and linebacker Brad Jones were among those heated after a play; and tackle Bryan Bulaga and rookie defensive lineman Datone Jones locked up during a live scrimmage period.

"There's not much to even talk about with that,” said Bulaga of his dust-up with Jones. “It's really irrelevant. It's early. Guys are fired up. That's just the way it is."

McCarthy said Tuesday’s live scrimmage drills, referred to as “team periods,” were the first of the OTA: Monday’s practice focused on teaching and fundamentals, leading up to Tuesday’s session.

"It's all good, we're teammates, a new brotherhood,” said Datone Jones. “I'm happy to be here and happy to play against those guys."

Linebacker Nick Perry, going through his second OTAs and a full-go after a wrist injury last season, says he sees more teaching from the coaches. He also sees a different mentality from his teammates.

"The intensity is up,” said Perry. “[There are] more things that we need to do, that we didn't do last year. We have to pick up the slack." continue

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Originally posted by Pakrz:
What's up with Shields missing the OTA?

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Falling in line
espnwisconsin.com
by Jason Wilde on Tuesday, May 21st

The initial meeting was brief, the information delivered matter-of-factly, without explanation.

When coach Mike McCarthy decided to reconfigure the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line, the five players involved – Bryan Bulaga, Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, Marshall Newhouse and Don Barclay – were summoned to offensive line coach James Campen’s third-floor office. It was April 29, the first day of Phase II of the offseason program.

“It was kind of a quick meeting. Basically, it was, ‘This is what’s happening: You guys are playing here, you guys are playing here,’” Lang recounted Tuesday, after the first open organized team activity practice of the offseason. “You’re thinking, ‘Am I not playing good enough? Am I losing my job?’ I don’t want to say any of us are secure, because there’s always competition, but …”

But the news was a shock.

“I think we’re all a little surprised. That’s a big move,” Sitton said Tuesday. “You don’t see a four-position switch on the offensive line very often, so it’s definitely surprising, but at the end of the day, it’s football. We’ll get used to it. We’ll continue to grow and hopefully it’ll be a good change for us.” continue

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Love that the rookie comes in and gets his face in it a bit.

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Tweets:
Kevin Seifert ‏@espn_nfcnblog
Via @espn_nfcwest, #Bears have highest average age among projected starters in NFL. continue

AJ Hawk ‏@OfficialAJHawk
First open practice of the year today. Thanks to all the die hard Pack fans that came out to watch!

Jason Wilde ‏@jasonjwilde
Meanwhile, @Desbishop55 said at the end of open locker room that he's expecting to be cleared to practice next Tuesday.

Wes Hodkiewicz ‏@WesHod
Chatted briefly with Dezman Moses in the locker room. Couldn't comment on why he sat out today, but said he'll be back soon

Green Bay Packers ‏@packers
McCarthy-A couple of things you want to accomplish-integrate rookies, important to give rookies chance to adjust to tempo

Mike Vandermause ‏@MikeVandermause
MM: In past always done 3 full practices during OTAs, now it is 2. Maintain emphasis in weightroom.

Wes Hodkiewicz ‏@WesHod
Don Barclay also got some work at guard. Greg Van Roten worked extensively as reserve center

Mike Vandermause ‏@MikeVandermause
More contact than I remember at OTA. Don't tell NFLPA.

Green Bay Packers ‏@packers

Clay Matthews and Nick Perry wait between reps. #Packers

Mike Vandermause ‏@MikeVandermause
Ted Thompson observing offense from deep safety position. He jokes with Finley, feigning tackle, after tight end makes downfield catch.

Tyler Dunne ‏@TyDunne

Nick Perry is practicing but he also has a cast over his wrist.

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Ross wants to win return job
Green Bay Press Gazette
by Mike Vandermouse on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Jeremy Ross said it took him one day to get over the muffed punt that cost the Green Bay Packers a touchdown in the NFC divisional playoff game in San Francisco in January.

Ross said he was discouraged, sad and mad at himself.

“And then the next day I flushed it,” Ross said. “So I was just trying my best to move forward and think about who am I trying to become now and what am I working towards.”

“He’ll have an opportunity to display his dependability as we move through training camp,” special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum said.

“I look forward to seeing his development.”


Slocum said other candidates for the return job include James Nixon, Johnathan Franklin and Angelo Pease.

Ross didn’t work with the punt returners on Tuesday but Slocum said that was because the focus of the special teams session was punt coverage. continue

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Packers' o-linemen shift into new positions
jsonline.com
By Lori Nickel
May 21, 2013 9:33 p.m

"Bryan is very smart, he's very fundamentally sound," said offensive line coach James Campen. "He was the youngest rookie to start in the Super Bowl and win. Bryan's just a mature kid. Heck, he'll go play guard for you, he doesn't care. He''s just a football player. I know he's excited about it."

The only question right now is if Newhouse will stay at right tackle. McCarthy noted specifically that he wanted competition there. The Packers also will consider Don Barclay. Campen said he doesn't look at starters and backups, just first, second and third groups, and as of practice right now Newhouse is in the first group.

"I just think that's unfair if you box in a guy and say he's got it," said Campen. "They've got to earn it from Day 1 and every year is a different year. Marshall started out with group one." continue

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Herman (Tretter's Agent) said. “Why they’re practicing a fumble drill, I don’t know. There’s not supposed to be contact. That’s a silly drill. Why have big 300-pound guys slide like that in OTAs?”