Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 Open OTA Practice News and Notes (DJ Williams Hurt: Hammy)

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Mike McCarthy on the Packers' final week of OTA's
jsonline.com
06-11-13

(On the off-season)
Has gone well. ...First time a team takes the field, the installs are pretty easy. Thought the offense was ahead of schedule. Minicamp work last week was good. Today was 7th install, very good for the defense. Three practices left, get to last install and then two days of review. Further along then we were last year. Having a good off-season program.

(In what ways better than last year)
Quality of work, No. 1. ...Scheme, coming off of last year, installed and understanding and the new players have integrated well. One of the better integrations for a young group. Have been saying this since April in the weight room. This team has a better edge to them. Higher sense of urgency. Maybe it's my higher sense of urgency. Leadership is very consistent as far as everyday work. No major swings, high and low. A lot of quality work in that we can apply to the future.

(On what created higher sense of urgency)
Understanding what it takes and that every year, every challenge is different. Look the the past to know how we can conquer challenges in front of us. We're a young team but we're a young, experienced team. I like the blend.

(On run game expectations)
No number on it. ...We have to get in pads to see what's real and what's perception. We'll be better --- I promise you that.

(On Sinkfield)
He's fast. Always nice to see fresh legs out there. He'll have an opportunity.

(On Shields)
Sam Shields not here for personal reasons. He's back home.

(On D.J. Williams)
Terrible timing for hamstring injury. Was a featured player in a number of different concepts. He had a big play today down the middle of the field. Has that ability. Has done a nice job on special teams, continues to get better. Can't have enough tight ends.

(On Lombardi)
Amazing how many times his name comes up in every type of conversation, whether you're sitting at a table with a bunch of businessmen or out on a golf course.

(On B.J. Coleman)
Very talented. Really like the development in fundamentals he has made. Fun to watch. But just like anything, you can't practice two-minute drill enough. You can't get enough reps as a young quarterback.

(On the back-up QBs)
Confident in it. Room to grow at position. Graham Harrell has improved every year. Much stronger. See it show up on the field. Needs to show up in the preseason. ...B.J. has a ton of talent, but needs to play. Needs the game to slow down a little bit. The young guy (Brown), he's getting his feet wet.
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McCarthy says write it down; running game will be better
packers.com
06-11-13

Harrell solidified his position as Rodgers’ backup last season with a strong performance in the preseason finale against Kansas City. Coleman, as a rookie last season, showed promise on a couple of occasions.

“The preseason can be tough at times, simply because there are so many moving parts. I feel much better now than I’ve ever felt. The preseason is huge. For guys that aren’t first string, that’s your chance,” Harrell said.

Coleman said his coach “hit the nail on the head. I have to continue to play faster. I learn through doing. I have to get better in the film room. My job is to compete and put it out there for the coaches to see.”

McCarthy proclaimed the defense the clear winner of Tuesday’s blitz drill. continue

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McCarthy, Rodgers confident in Packers' back-up quarterbacks
jsonline.com
by Tyler Dunne 06-11-13

Aaron Rodgers had high praise for Harrell in the locker room on Tuesday, comparing the 28-year-old quarterback to Matt Flynn.

"I think Graham’s done a great job," Rodgers said. "I think he’s really improved. I think you saw it last year throughout the season as he became more comfortable. I look at him as being in the same spot that Flynn was when Flynn was in his last year with us. We’re very confident in the offense and it means more to him to be successful every day in practice like you saw just a slight shift with Matt, and it was no surprise when Matt got a chance to play how well he played." continue

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Packers ready to wrap up OTAs.
fox11online.com
Jude Wilbers, 06-11-13

The league MVP thinks the difference in OTA's is the tone McCarthy has set since the veterans returned to the facility.

“We sat down we talked about the direction of the OTA's and what we did last year that didn't work and what we'd like to see,” Aaron Rodgers said.

Rodgers teammates have seen the change in the environment around the team facility.

Brad Jones face lit up while talking about what the OTA’s have been like. "The energy has been crazy. It's definitely been different," the linebacker said.

Wide Receiver Randall Cobb added, "It has been a little more intense but that's something we've been preaching on and really want to take into this next season."

The true test for the players comes in training camp when the pads go on and Aaron Rodgers pointed out a pair of new teammates Datone Jones and Matthew Mulligan, he's excited to see in pads. Jones was proud to have been singled out by Rodgers but knows the more important days are yet to come.

"I'll take it as a compliment, just make sure I'm getting better every day,” Jones said. “I kind of understand what he's saying guys being practice all-americans with no pad but you know I don't feel that's the case here." continue

quote:

McCarthy says write it down; running game will be better