Notes from First Practice

[GBRulz]

I went to practice tonight for about an hour. The new field is awesome, but if I have one gripe... it's that if you sit in the first three rows of bleachers because people are constantly walking in front of you and it's hard to see. I see they also have a guest staff working at the gates, too. Not sure exactly what they there for though, lol.

I don't ever remember practice being as fired up as it has been lately. The guys are really playing with a high level of energy, tempers are flaring, fights are breaking out and they are giving it their all. One of the most interesting matchups that I've been watching this year are Jones and Nelson vying for the #3 spot. Jones looked amazing with some of the catches he was bringing down tonight. Amongst the crowd were several comments saying "Hey Jones, why don't you do that in a game" ouch.

Rodgers has one of the prettiest deep balls I've ever seen. The largest cheer of the night came on a bomb to Jennings. However, when it comes to 25-30 yards are so, he was overthrowing his targets...by a lot. He also seemed to show some signs of frustration and was holding on to the ball too long.

I was mostly on the offense side, but did see the team play together at the end. Perhaps I have missed a camp report or two but why the hell was Harrell in shorts and not practicing? Is this guy hurt...again??? Seriously, people.

I'm uploading some pics right now and will post them in a little while.

[Partial]

I went to practice tonight for about an hour. The new field is awesome, but if I have one gripe... it's that if you sit in the first three rows of bleachers because people are constantly walking in front of you and it's hard to see. I see they also have a guest staff working at the gates, too. Not sure exactly what they there for though, lol.

I don't ever remember practice being as fired up as it has been lately. The guys are really playing with a high level of energy, tempers are flaring, fights are breaking out and they are giving it their all. One of the most interesting matchups that I've been watching this year are Jones and Nelson vying for the #3 spot. Jones looked amazing with some of the catches he was bringing down tonight. Amongst the crowd were several comments saying "Hey Jones, why don't you do that in a game" ouch.

Rodgers has one of the prettiest deep balls I've ever seen. The largest cheer of the night came on a bomb to Jennings. However, when it comes to 25-30 yards are so, he was overthrowing his targets...by a lot. He also seemed to show some signs of frustration and was holding on to the ball too long.

I was mostly on the offense side, but did see the team play together at the end. Perhaps I have missed a camp report or two but why the hell was Harrell in shorts and not practicing? Is this guy hurt...again??? Seriously, people.

I'm uploading some pics right now and will post them in a little while.

Excellent report. Glad to hear the tempo is high. I've heard from the WSSP shows that Jones is running away with the job right now because Nelson has been dropping a lot of passes despite looking far more comfortable. They have said on numerous occasions that Driver, Jennings and Jones all look like stars.

Harrell was held out by MM for too many reps, but is good to go for tomorrow I guess.

Rodgers hit 3 balls from 40 yards away into a hoop. That is incredible.

[GBRulz]

a few pics that I took at practice tonight....









































Fun with a fish eye lens.....

[Zool]

a few pics that I took at practice tonight....

Finley: "How the HELL do you pronounce that?"

[GBRulz]

LOL - I thought for sure, you'd make a comment about the nose picker....3 pics from the end.

[Zool]

I almost did, but that might actually be my cousin.

[Partial]

Look at those tree trunks for calves on Harrell. Sheesh.

[MJZiggy]

Thanks Michelle, you know I love your photographic eye. Few others around here have a true appreciation for it...

[GBRulz]

Thanks Michelle, you know I love your photographic eye. Few others around here have a true appreciation for it...

anytime, Zig. I probably have more that you would appreciate, as well.

I tell ya though, as it got darker and you are shooting under those lights, I have a deeper appreciation for pro photographers who can walk away from that with some really good pics. I deleted most of mine...including a Jennings/Driver hip bump that would have been an awesome pic otherwise.

I rented two lenses lately...my budget calls for buying one of them (they are about the same price) and I am torn over which one to buy. Both are Canon's "L" series glass. The 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 , which is excellent in daytime conditions. And also the 70-200mm F2.8 IS. I love the reach on the 400mm, but when I looked at overall, pics from both, I"d have to say I've taken better pics with the 200 F2.8.

Earth to PIP....

[HarveyWallbangers]

Awesome pics.

[Waldo]

Thanks Michelle, you know I love your photographic eye. Few others around here have a true appreciation for it...

anytime, Zig. I probably have more that you would appreciate, as well.

I tell ya though, as it got darker and you are shooting under those lights, I have a deeper appreciation for pro photographers who can walk away from that with some really good pics. I deleted most of mine...including a Jennings/Driver hip bump that would have been an awesome pic otherwise.

I rented two lenses lately...my budget calls for buying one of them (they are about the same price) and I am torn over which one to buy. Both are Canon's "L" series glass. The 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 , which is excellent in daytime conditions. And also the 70-200mm F2.8 IS. I love the reach on the 400mm, but when I looked at overall, pics from both, I"d have to say I've taken better pics with the 200 F2.8.

Earth to PIP....

Dam those are nice.

The only L I've got is the 17-40, but I'm probably going to go to Falcons camp to play with my 70-300 f.4-5.6 IS next week some time.

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/52627572.html

THUMBS UP

One thing Aaron Rodgers could do better than Brett Favre almost from the time he got to Green Bay was throw a beautiful deep ball. Favre could throw it longer, but Rodgers' rotation and touch on the ball can be a thing of beauty. On Thursday night, he was at his best in a drill in which the quarterbacks throw 40 to 50 yards trying to drop the ball in what looks like an oversized fishing net in the corner of the end zone. If one of the three quarterbacks hits one during a practice, it's a good day. Rodgers hit four in the night practice, including an incredible three in a row. He pumped his fist like Tiger Woods after each one. Then in team drills, he threw over the head of cornerback Al Harris and into the arms of Greg Jennings for a long gain. He also led Donald Driver perfectly on a ball that cornerback Charles Woodson tipped away at the last second. Now if Rodgers could just stop throwing interceptions to safety Nick Collins. Rodgers threw his fifth pick in eight practices in team drills, with three going to Collins. Another by Aaron Rouse in the morning didn't count because the defense was offsides, and Rodgers treated it as a free play.

THUMBS DOWN

There's a reason Mike McCarthy brought in Dom Capers' blitz-heavy defense. Aside from Cullen Jenkins and Aaron Kampman, he doesn't have any pass rushers. In one-on-one drills in the night practice, the offensive line absolutely dominated the defensive line and outside linebackers. In the first round, Jenkins, Anthony Toribio, Ryan Pickett and Mike Montgomery were the only victors in 24 attempts. In the next round the offensive line won 12 of the 13 matchups, the only non-victory a draw between Montgomery and tackle Allen Barbre. Maybe it was just an off night for the line, or maybe the absence of Clay Matthews (hamstring) and B.J. Raji (contract) contributed to the failures. But more likely it's an indication of the lack of pass-rush talent the Packers have in their front line and how much help they're going to need from blitzing linebackers.

Is the second one a surprise? 3-4 defenses basically have three DTs playing on the line. You don't see many great 3-4 pass rushing DL. This would actually tell me that the switch was needed more than anything--because we basically had no DL other than Jenkins and Kampman who could get to the QB.

Pittsburgh had 51 sacks last year. 11.5 of them came from DL. Of course, we need to get pressure from our LBs.

[GBRulz]

Dam those are nice.

The only L I've got is the 17-40, but I'm probably going to go to Falcons camp to play with my 70-300 f.4-5.6 IS next week some time.

Even saying you have one L lens is a big investment as most have $1,000+ price tags. I only one one myself, the 24-70 F2.8. Love it.

I didn't find it necessary to upgrade to L until I bought a 15MP. I noticed the high resolution on the camera really picked up the flaws on my cheaper lenses. I guess the way to go is to invest in glass and not the camera!

I would love to see your Atlanta TC pics though.

[Waldo]

Dam those are nice.

The only L I've got is the 17-40, but I'm probably going to go to Falcons camp to play with my 70-300 f.4-5.6 IS next week some time.

Even saying you have one L lens is a big investment as most have $1,000+ price tags. I only one one myself, the 24-70 F2.8. Love it.

I didn't find it necessary to upgrade to L until I bought a 15MP. I noticed the high resolution on the camera really picked up the flaws on my cheaper lenses. I guess the way to go is to invest in glass and not the camera!

I would love to see your Atlanta TC pics though.

I absolutely love my 17-40, just wide enough to have wide angle effects (I have a crop sensor, a rebel xt), but the 40 is long enough for me to use it as a walkaround and it rarely leaves my camera. The saturation, contrast, and detail of the lens is exceptional. The pics that come out of my other lenses, the 50mm f/1.8 and 70-300 are very sharp (both are noted for their sharpness), but just blah looking compared to what my L takes.

[Scott Campbell]

Awesome pics.

Agreed - thanks Michele.