Official OTA/Minicamp Thread

[Joemailman]

I think for a while now access to rookie minicamp has been limited. They want it to be a low-pressure environment. OTA's should be better. And last year at least 1 minicamp practice was open to the public.

[run pMc]

Yeah, it's rookies. Once all the vets come in and things get more open there will be more info. Honestly, until the pads go on in training camp it's all just running around in helmets and shorts.
Josh Jones and Oren Burks looked like superstars in shorts.

That said, there's always excitement and impatience from fans (myself included) to hear about how the rookies look.

[MadScientist]

Yes. Sometimes OTA reports accurately give insights, like how Shields was making plays every day, but just as often they there are players who only look good without pads.

Still, we are coming to that happy time of year, where all the rookies are looking strong, fast, and are really learning the plays. Where all the vets are in the best shape of their careers, and all the injured are recovering ahead of schedule. Enjoy it, it ends when the season begins.

[Fritz]

You mean it ends when training camp begins. That's when the off-season injury guys, who were rehabbing so far ahead of schedule, are suddenly put on the PUP list with no explanation, and the rookies who looked so good have pulled groins or hamstrings and can't open training camp, and the last-ditch veteran free agents you were hoping the Packers would sign end up signing elsewhere for minimum wage deals, and The Flower really digs into the meaningless coach cliches every day. The highlight is watching the players ride the kids' bikes, and the expressions on the kids' (and players') faces.

[Joemailman]

"Hey Luke! All we gotta do is beat out DeGuara and Tyler Davis!

[Anti-Polar Bear]

"Hey Luke! All we gotta do is beat out DeGuara and Tyler Davis!

85: “When’s the last time an NFL team fielded an ALL-WHITE tight end corps?”

88: “Dunno. 1963, I guess. DeGuara is Italian, so if he makes the team, I guess he counts as ‘colored’.”

[Anti-Polar Bear]

To paraphrase Master P:

I used to hang with J-Mike. Used to bang with J-Mike. Even slang with J-Mike. Goddamn, I miss J-Mike.

[Joemailman]

Matt Schneidman
@mattschneidman
Packers veterans who I don’t spot at the first open practice of voluntary OTAs:

Dallin Leavitt
Jaire Alexander
Rasul Douglas
Jonathan Garvin
David Bakhtiari
Elgton Jenkins
Preston Smith

Eric Stokes and Rashan Gary are here but not going through drills.

[run pMc]

Who cares about Jordan Love and the OL, give us all the news about the long snapper battle and Jakadis Bonds.

[Fritz]

Saw an article about Samari Toure's rebuilt body and newfound steely reserve, but the most interesting part was just a note at the end that last season his teammates called him "Captain Casual."

Ouch.

[Joemailman]

In total, it was a hot-and-cold day for Love. Rather, it was a cold-and-hot day. He went 1-of-4 on his first series of plays, then 2-of-5 in a third-down drill in the red zone that failed to gain a first down or find the end zone.


He fell to 3-of-12 following a 0-for-3 series that included drops by Aaron Jones and Dillon.

Love got going late in practice, though. During a second red zone period, Love connected with Christian Watson for a touchdown against Keisean Nixon – Watson went to the flat before turning his route inside and made the catch in the back of the end zone – as well as scores to Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure.

.

[bobblehead]

Saw an article about Samari Toure's rebuilt body and newfound steely reserve, but the most interesting part was just a note at the end that last season his teammates called him "Captain Casual."

Ouch.

Being named captain in your rookie year is a big deal!!

[SudsMcBucky]

Being named captain in your rookie year is a big deal!!

[run pMc]

Saw an article about Samari Toure's rebuilt body and newfound steely reserve, but the most interesting part was just a note at the end that last season his teammates called him "Captain Casual."

Ouch.

Rodgers gave him that name last year, but also commented that by end of year Toure had picked up his intensity.

[Joemailman]

Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

It’s OTAs. There’s no pads. It means next to nothing. We all remember DJ Williams…

But Luke Musgrave looks fantastic today. Quick, soft hands, body control, over the shoulder catch deep down the field. He’s been as advertised.


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Packers starters in team

Love
Jones
Reed - Doubs - Watson
Deguara
C. jones - Elgton - Myers - JRJ - Tom


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Defense

Wooden - Slaton - Clark

Hollins - Quay - Campbell - Smith

Ballentine - SJC

Savage - Ford


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Nice quick hit pass from Love to Doubs off the quick play action fake in gun. Rodgers ran that play so well - Love stepping right in where 12 left off.

Next throw Love is wide to Dillon in the flat off PA.


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Lukas Van Ness with a gorgeous rush on Yosh Nijman. Legit teach tape stuff. Played the run off play action, ripped through the tackle, exploded to the QB. Fun stuff.


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Love fires into double coverage deep down the field to Doubs. Ball hangs a bit and Savage comes down with the fairly easy pick.

Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Devonte Wyatt is here but not practicing. Great to see Quay practicing after dropping out last week. With Wyatt out, Colby Wooden getting legit looks with the 1s on defense. Huge opportunity for him.

Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Corey Ballentine should have had a pick 6 of Love in coverage vs Reed but the ball bounces off his hands. Not an ideal play as a Packer fan all the way around.

Next play is a false start by Caleb Jones.


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Love with a gorgeous pass over the middle to Musgrave in stride on the next play with Moore in coverage. Musgrave can make a real difference in the mof.


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Love finding some rhythm. Back to back completions to Toure and Reed on what looked like slant routes.

Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Love shows off his mobility, navigates the pocket, rolls to his left, throws a bit of a wobbler to Doubs who is wide open and catches it for a big gain down the left sideline.

Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Sean Clifford to Malik Heath for the play of the day so far. Beautiful ball from the rookie and Heath did well to catch it over his shoulder in stride.

Now Clifford to Watts on a slant. Slightly high but Watts made a great adjustment and still accelerated through the catch.

Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Packers connecting on the slants today. Love to Doubs in two minute drill. Now Deguara with a catch over the middle.

Love to Doubs on a nice out route. Perfect timing from 10. Stops the clock.


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Love had Jayden Reed for a td in two minute on a deep corner route, but ball is overthrow. Love still working on timing with young WRs.


Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Love hits Doubs in stride over the middle. Drive continues.

Then Musgrave gets his second catch on the drive. Offense moving.

Andy Herman
@AndyHermanNFL

Heck of a fading away awkward arm angle throw from Love to Doubs for a completion. Looks like that’ll do it for practice today.