CaptainD
05-22-2009, 03:41 PM
The Packers' nine-week offseason strength and conditioning program formally wraps today, allowing players to rest through the Memorial Day weekend and return on Tuesday for the first of 13 organized team activity (OTA) days.
Tuesday is an administrative day (physicals, equipment checks, etc.). The first practice is on Wednesday, marking the first time all position groups will have been on the field together since late December, and the first time for the veterans to take the field with the new crop of rookies and the remodeled coaching staff.
Including June's mandatory minicamp, the Packers will practice 16 or 17 times -- coach Mike McCarthy traditionally has scheduled five practices during minicamp, then cancelled one in favor of a team-building exercise -- over the next five weeks before they leave for the month-plus-break before training camp, which starts Aug. 1.
It's only non-contact, shorts-wearing, voluntary work. But it's always a welcome routine change for players, most of whom are expected to attend the workouts beginning next week.
It's also a welcome change for those of you who are sick of seeing stories about roundabouts near Lambeau Field and the chances of the Packers putting their logo on lottery tickets. (Don't look at me ... I didn't write them.)
Reporters -- and fans, weather-permitting -- are allowed to attend four of the 12 practices, beginning Thursday on the revamped Clarke Hinkle Field.
Tuesday is an administrative day (physicals, equipment checks, etc.). The first practice is on Wednesday, marking the first time all position groups will have been on the field together since late December, and the first time for the veterans to take the field with the new crop of rookies and the remodeled coaching staff.
Including June's mandatory minicamp, the Packers will practice 16 or 17 times -- coach Mike McCarthy traditionally has scheduled five practices during minicamp, then cancelled one in favor of a team-building exercise -- over the next five weeks before they leave for the month-plus-break before training camp, which starts Aug. 1.
It's only non-contact, shorts-wearing, voluntary work. But it's always a welcome routine change for players, most of whom are expected to attend the workouts beginning next week.
It's also a welcome change for those of you who are sick of seeing stories about roundabouts near Lambeau Field and the chances of the Packers putting their logo on lottery tickets. (Don't look at me ... I didn't write them.)
Reporters -- and fans, weather-permitting -- are allowed to attend four of the 12 practices, beginning Thursday on the revamped Clarke Hinkle Field.