Packers OTA 5/28/15

Just so you folks get a more complete picture, here is what happened that I was able to see last week:

OTA 5/28/15 Hanging at the Fence at Clarke Hinkle Field

I'd like to set the scene first. Since this is at Hinkle, all viewing is through the chain link fence from the sidewalk. It can make seeing everything a bit of a challenge. I let the little guys in front of me as I can easily see over them. Lots of jostling for position to view, but a great crowd of Packers fans. Gorgeous, hot sunny day on Oneida St.

Started with warm ups, then drill work, and the longest, most concentrated STs practice that I have ever seen them run. Ever. This was encouraging to see.

Hayward, Perry, Neal, Nelson, Boyd and Peppers out, along with Hundley & Montgomery who are committed to some NFL Rookie function.

ACME is reporting Vaughters was out, but I could have sworn I saw his 43 a number of times.

Randall in on early drills then held out mostly 2nd half, in 11 on 11s , etc.

You certainly know when Matt Rotheram walks onto the field.  Big dude. Dwarfs Tretter. Of course, Fabbians Ebbelle then walks out and dwarfs everyone. Huge. Ebbelle is not a rail thin 6-8 315. He has good power in his drives. His feet are good, but has an odd, knock kneed kind of walk, but who cares? He moves very well. Rotheram is giant as well, and looks like he could step right in.  Both a nice surprise on our OL. Everyone else looks great.

Adrian Hubbard looks like a more confident and capable guy from last year.

Jordy looks like his old self, even though he was held out. Always seems to be screwing around. Loves being in on the action even if from the sidelines. He is a really fun player. He did seem to be moving just fine.

First drills I saw were TEs up and close. Man, this is a very capable group with great hands. I don't think I saw a single dropped ball outside of one from Henry.

Next, ball security with LBs and DL right in front of me. Carl Bradford has a completely different demeanor and confidence as well that is quite noticeable from last year at this time. All players on tackling dummies hitting first to make a tackle, then a ball strip, then recovery. Pretty rudimentary. I was focused more on the LBs, but did notice Christian Ringo standing next to Mike Daniels. Daniels looks far more solid and sizable. Ringo looks like a Rookie DL, but Hooks has a bit more to him, which is good. I like this player. Thornton, Jones looked similar to last year but moved well. Jones looks better than I've seen him practice in the past. Mike Pennel is giant as ever. I'm sorry I did not get a better chance to see the DL work today. After this drill, they moved way to the opposite corner of the field, as far away from the fence as they could get, for much of the 2nd half of practice. Will try to see more next time.

STs segment lasted for much of the first half of today's two hour practice. Punt blocking drill had Bradford, Hubbard, Elliott, Ryan all putting on good pressure from the outside. Thomas and Francis making some nice plays up the middle.

A lot of intense work with the gunners. Saw Goodson, Rollins, Gunter, Blake and Glover-Wright all taking reps.

Punt return had Randall, Rollins, Cobb, Abby and Hyde taking reps catching from the juggs. A lot of catches made one handed with the other hand holding another ball. Pretty cool seeing Randall, Rollins, Cobb and Hyde all making their catches. Abby missed. Saw Cobb and Rollins drop a couple. Interesting drill.

They did put on some hard return work, of which I don't believe Randall took part, and the action by the returner was just too far away from me to get anything.

DBs backpedal and change of direction drills. Randall & Rollins shine. Shields looks good, as does Goodson. Gunter and Blake seemed to do ok.

11 on 11. Kennard Backham really impressed. Made 3 really great catches and took one to the house on Barrington in coverage. We are going to love watching this kid working out of the slot. He's not the biggest guy, but he plays all out and catches everything. Seems fast too.

Davante Adams also very impressive, along with James Starks. Adams seems very nicely dialed in with Rodgers. Also at QB were Tolzien and Matt Blanchard, and both showed really well. Blanchard shows more of a grip of the O and natural ability than any #3 QB that I've seen in recent years.

Janis looks to have some of the same problems with his hands. Rotheram called for a false start.

Goodson, Shields, Burnett, Clinton-Dix, Elliott, Matthews, Barrington, Hubbard, Guion, Raji and Daniels starting on D.

Goodson looks pretty good. Rollins and Gunter subbed in at CB, and Bradford and Ryan worked together almost exclusively inside. Palmer-Thomas, Dantzler-Francis all got reps. Palmer looked pretty impressive both inside & outside. He obviously came to make plays and win a job. Dantzler is one of my own personal favorites. He has great size for the position, but clearly had the tentative, "I've got too much going on in my head," kind of look, as all rookies do. Ryan has some of that too.

Hyde made a nice INT on the sideline on a throw by Tolzien intended for Blue.

Coxson caught a great near sideline pass and took it to the house. The kid does show some speed. I recall Collins also made a nice reception.

Elliott completely blew up a reverse by Rodgers to Cobb that would have easily been a 13-15 yd. loss. If he hadn't gotten Cobb, Richardson was right there to drop him for a 7 yd. loss. Pretty impressive D.

Quinten Rollins is on everything. Looks like the real deal in coverage. Super impressed with this player.

Wish I could give you more on our RBs. Raijon Neal does not look like he's going to go down without a fight. I saw him make a couple of nice runs, along with Starks. Also, Alonzo Harris looks very big. Solid. About the same size as Ripkowski, nearly identical. He made a nice run that I saw too, along with Starks. I failed to even notice John Crockett. Did not see the guy, but pretty tough when my main focus was LBs and CBs. Didn't see Lacy run either, but he looks as good as ever.

Other bits I recall, Banjo and Fanor made a couple of nice plays. Letroy Guion looks awesome. Tay Glover-Wright seemed to struggle a bit today. Shocked to not see Nick Perry out there today.

Split into Offense v. Offense, D v. D 7 on 7s. Disturbing to me to see Rodgers playing MLB in this, albeit with the red shell designating no contact. This is one of those ridiculous CBA deals, forcing same units to play O & D sides to get work in. Seems foolish to me.

I'll leave you with this thought. Our offense is a machine, and I mean, a machine. That is one, insanely solid group of players. And, they made more noise on their 7 on 7s. They were having fun, and it showed.

I'll try to head up to GB again in these next two if I am able.