GrnBay007
07-23-2006, 11:18 AM
A Fans' Guide to Green Bay Packers Training Camp
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: July 22, 2006
THE BASICS
• The Green Bay Packers' training camp will be at St. Norbert College in De Pere for the 49th consecutive summer, the longest stay at one location for any team in the National Football League. Previously, the Packers trained at Rockwood Lodge just north of Green Bay from 1947-'49, in Grand Rapids, Minn., from 1950-'53 and in Stevens Point from 1954-'57.
• Players again will be housed at Victor McCormick Hall on the St. Norbert campus until Aug. 18. Marginal players then will take lodging in a hotel near Lambeau Field until their fate is determined. The St. Norbert campus is about 6 miles south of Lambeau Field and the team's administrative / training complex. All practices are conducted at the team facility just as they are during the regular season.
• In the past, the Packers had an earlier reporting date for rookies and first-year players than for veterans. This year, coach Mike McCarthy has established a reporting date of Thursday for all players. The first practice will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. It will be conducted in full pads. The players will undergo a physical testing run Friday morning.
PRACTICE TIMES
The Packers have made a radical change in their practice schedule. Gone are the days when they'd practice once in the morning and once in the afternoon. This year, coach Mike McCarthy has eliminated about 25% of the practices by rotating days with two workouts followed by days with one workout. McCarthy hopes to keep the players more energized and spend more time watching video with players after each daylight practice.
Players now will eat lunch and dinner at the stadium as well as hold meetings there. The Packers will utilize the college for lodging, continental breakfast and an evening snack.
A total of 28 practices will be open to the public, including 15 in pads. The other two practices on the schedule will be closed. Just two of the morning practices (Aug. 9, Aug. 25) are scheduled in pads. There are five fully padded practices at 2 p.m. and eight at 6:30 p.m. Most of the morning practices, including nine in "shells," will start at 9.
Several previous coaches in Green Bay conducted afternoon practices devoted entirely to special teams in which about half the players were excused. When McCarthy practices, every player is expected to participate.
DAYS OFF
No practices are scheduled on days after the intrasquad scrimmage and the four exhibition games.
WHERE TO WATCH
In order to practice at night, the Packers have rented 11 lighting units and will install them on Clarke Hinkle Field this week. They will be removed soon after the final night practice on Aug. 17.
In good weather, the Packers will practice on the synthetic surface at Hinkle Field, which is located just west of the Hutson Center. When practice is inside, fans aren't able to watch. Some frustrated fans always mill around outside the Hutson Center on rainy days.
In summer 2004, FieldTurf was installed at Ray Nitschke Field, the team's other outdoor practice field that is located east on Armed Forces Drive across from the Resch Center. Nitschke Field has been the Packers' regular-season outdoor practice venue.
The bleacher area at Hinkle Field has seating for approximately 600 fans. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are free. Aug. 26 is the last day for fans to attend practice. Canvas is drawn around Nitschke Field so the Packers can practice in privacy to prepare for the regular season.
Parking for practice is available in the Lambeau Field lot, where tailgating is welcome.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase near the practice field. Food also will be available in the Lambeau Field atrium at seven restaurants.
FAN INFORMATION
In 2005, the Packers launched a Web site, www.packerstrainingcamp.com, to provide more information for fans. The latest alterations in the practice schedule will be made available here. Fans also can obtain daily reports on practice times and transactions by calling (920) 569-7502. Daily reports also are available at www.packers.com. New this year is the fan assistance kiosk located near the practice field. Fans also can be advised of practice times by looking at a portable matrix board on the west side of the Hutson Center.
The team's guest relations desk in the atrium generally will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SCRIMMAGES
The "Family Night" scrimmage will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5. Tickets for the scrimmage, priced at $8, sold out in a matter of hours in June, just as they did for a scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills in 2005. The appearance by the Bills was the first by an opposing team during a training camp in Green Bay since 1991.
PHOTOS / AUTOGRAPHS
Citing safety risks, the Packers realigned their old parking lot in '97 to reduce the number of fans who could wait outside the administrative building for players and coaches after practice.
Today, players and coaches use a reserved lot on the east side of Lambeau Field that is off-limits to fans. At times, players will sign for fans that stand outside the fence.
It has been a tradition in Green Bay for players either to walk or ride on kids' bicycles to and from practice. McCarthy is encouraging it again this season. However, in the last decade, more starters and key players have begun jumping into vans after each practice for rides from the field to the facility, making them inaccessible to fans.
The Packers have done away with autograph tables this year and established a fenced-in "Kids Zone" just south of the Oneida Nation gate on the east side of Lambeau Field. Dubbed the "Future Lambeau Leapers" area, all kids ages 12 and under will be allowed in to seek autographs. The area will be open after the first practice of each day but never after a night practice. Eight to 10 players will be shuttled from the field to the "Kids Zone" immediately after practice to mingle with fans and sign autographs for about 20 to 30 minutes.
ROSTER REDUCTIONS
All teams must reach a 75-man roster limit by 3 p.m. Aug. 29. The first reduction was increased from 65 to 75 players because all NFL Europe exemptions will be expiring at the first cut this season rather than the final cut. The final cut to 53 players must be made by 3 p.m. Sept. 2. On Sept. 3 after 11 a.m., teams may establish a practice squad consisting of eight players for the third straight year.
HALL OF FAME / STADIUM TOURS
The Packer Hall of Fame is located in the Lambeau Field atrium. From July 28 to Aug. 28, the 25,000-square foot facility will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., although hours vary on home game days. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 for ages 6-11 and free for 5 and under. Call (920) 569-7212 for information. Reggie White's locker has been added as an attraction.
One-hour tours of Lambeau Field will be conducted daily during training camp at 15-minute intervals starting most days at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tickets are available in the atrium on a first-come, first-served basis for each day's tours beginning at 8 a.m. Groups of 20 or more can book private tours at least two weeks before, but there are no reservations for individuals. Tours begin in Harlan Plaza. Tours sell out on a regular basis. Ticket prices are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for ages 6-11 and free for 5 and under. Call (920) 569-7213 for information.
Adults can buy a combination Hall of Fame and Lambeau Field tour ticket for $19.
The Packers Experience, a free interactive training-camp playground, is situated in the concourse area at Lambeau Field adjacent to the atrium. All children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian to enter the area. A signed waiver of liability by the minor's parent or legal guardian is required to enter. The waiver may be downloaded and signed in advance to present upon entrance. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28 to Aug. 26. It will not be open Aug. 5, 6, 13, 19 and 20.
Hours for the Packers Pro Shop are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: July 22, 2006
THE BASICS
• The Green Bay Packers' training camp will be at St. Norbert College in De Pere for the 49th consecutive summer, the longest stay at one location for any team in the National Football League. Previously, the Packers trained at Rockwood Lodge just north of Green Bay from 1947-'49, in Grand Rapids, Minn., from 1950-'53 and in Stevens Point from 1954-'57.
• Players again will be housed at Victor McCormick Hall on the St. Norbert campus until Aug. 18. Marginal players then will take lodging in a hotel near Lambeau Field until their fate is determined. The St. Norbert campus is about 6 miles south of Lambeau Field and the team's administrative / training complex. All practices are conducted at the team facility just as they are during the regular season.
• In the past, the Packers had an earlier reporting date for rookies and first-year players than for veterans. This year, coach Mike McCarthy has established a reporting date of Thursday for all players. The first practice will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. It will be conducted in full pads. The players will undergo a physical testing run Friday morning.
PRACTICE TIMES
The Packers have made a radical change in their practice schedule. Gone are the days when they'd practice once in the morning and once in the afternoon. This year, coach Mike McCarthy has eliminated about 25% of the practices by rotating days with two workouts followed by days with one workout. McCarthy hopes to keep the players more energized and spend more time watching video with players after each daylight practice.
Players now will eat lunch and dinner at the stadium as well as hold meetings there. The Packers will utilize the college for lodging, continental breakfast and an evening snack.
A total of 28 practices will be open to the public, including 15 in pads. The other two practices on the schedule will be closed. Just two of the morning practices (Aug. 9, Aug. 25) are scheduled in pads. There are five fully padded practices at 2 p.m. and eight at 6:30 p.m. Most of the morning practices, including nine in "shells," will start at 9.
Several previous coaches in Green Bay conducted afternoon practices devoted entirely to special teams in which about half the players were excused. When McCarthy practices, every player is expected to participate.
DAYS OFF
No practices are scheduled on days after the intrasquad scrimmage and the four exhibition games.
WHERE TO WATCH
In order to practice at night, the Packers have rented 11 lighting units and will install them on Clarke Hinkle Field this week. They will be removed soon after the final night practice on Aug. 17.
In good weather, the Packers will practice on the synthetic surface at Hinkle Field, which is located just west of the Hutson Center. When practice is inside, fans aren't able to watch. Some frustrated fans always mill around outside the Hutson Center on rainy days.
In summer 2004, FieldTurf was installed at Ray Nitschke Field, the team's other outdoor practice field that is located east on Armed Forces Drive across from the Resch Center. Nitschke Field has been the Packers' regular-season outdoor practice venue.
The bleacher area at Hinkle Field has seating for approximately 600 fans. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are free. Aug. 26 is the last day for fans to attend practice. Canvas is drawn around Nitschke Field so the Packers can practice in privacy to prepare for the regular season.
Parking for practice is available in the Lambeau Field lot, where tailgating is welcome.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase near the practice field. Food also will be available in the Lambeau Field atrium at seven restaurants.
FAN INFORMATION
In 2005, the Packers launched a Web site, www.packerstrainingcamp.com, to provide more information for fans. The latest alterations in the practice schedule will be made available here. Fans also can obtain daily reports on practice times and transactions by calling (920) 569-7502. Daily reports also are available at www.packers.com. New this year is the fan assistance kiosk located near the practice field. Fans also can be advised of practice times by looking at a portable matrix board on the west side of the Hutson Center.
The team's guest relations desk in the atrium generally will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SCRIMMAGES
The "Family Night" scrimmage will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5. Tickets for the scrimmage, priced at $8, sold out in a matter of hours in June, just as they did for a scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills in 2005. The appearance by the Bills was the first by an opposing team during a training camp in Green Bay since 1991.
PHOTOS / AUTOGRAPHS
Citing safety risks, the Packers realigned their old parking lot in '97 to reduce the number of fans who could wait outside the administrative building for players and coaches after practice.
Today, players and coaches use a reserved lot on the east side of Lambeau Field that is off-limits to fans. At times, players will sign for fans that stand outside the fence.
It has been a tradition in Green Bay for players either to walk or ride on kids' bicycles to and from practice. McCarthy is encouraging it again this season. However, in the last decade, more starters and key players have begun jumping into vans after each practice for rides from the field to the facility, making them inaccessible to fans.
The Packers have done away with autograph tables this year and established a fenced-in "Kids Zone" just south of the Oneida Nation gate on the east side of Lambeau Field. Dubbed the "Future Lambeau Leapers" area, all kids ages 12 and under will be allowed in to seek autographs. The area will be open after the first practice of each day but never after a night practice. Eight to 10 players will be shuttled from the field to the "Kids Zone" immediately after practice to mingle with fans and sign autographs for about 20 to 30 minutes.
ROSTER REDUCTIONS
All teams must reach a 75-man roster limit by 3 p.m. Aug. 29. The first reduction was increased from 65 to 75 players because all NFL Europe exemptions will be expiring at the first cut this season rather than the final cut. The final cut to 53 players must be made by 3 p.m. Sept. 2. On Sept. 3 after 11 a.m., teams may establish a practice squad consisting of eight players for the third straight year.
HALL OF FAME / STADIUM TOURS
The Packer Hall of Fame is located in the Lambeau Field atrium. From July 28 to Aug. 28, the 25,000-square foot facility will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., although hours vary on home game days. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 for ages 6-11 and free for 5 and under. Call (920) 569-7212 for information. Reggie White's locker has been added as an attraction.
One-hour tours of Lambeau Field will be conducted daily during training camp at 15-minute intervals starting most days at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tickets are available in the atrium on a first-come, first-served basis for each day's tours beginning at 8 a.m. Groups of 20 or more can book private tours at least two weeks before, but there are no reservations for individuals. Tours begin in Harlan Plaza. Tours sell out on a regular basis. Ticket prices are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for ages 6-11 and free for 5 and under. Call (920) 569-7213 for information.
Adults can buy a combination Hall of Fame and Lambeau Field tour ticket for $19.
The Packers Experience, a free interactive training-camp playground, is situated in the concourse area at Lambeau Field adjacent to the atrium. All children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian to enter the area. A signed waiver of liability by the minor's parent or legal guardian is required to enter. The waiver may be downloaded and signed in advance to present upon entrance. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28 to Aug. 26. It will not be open Aug. 5, 6, 13, 19 and 20.
Hours for the Packers Pro Shop are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.