DE PERE, Wis. -- Here are five quick observations from the Packers' training camp.
Camp Classic Moment
Former coach Forrest Gregg wasn't a fan of seeing so many fans outside training camp practices. The Packers are considered one of Wisconsin's best tourist attractions. So he often hinted to a veteran reporter that he'd like to move summer practices to a remote area. The writer put out the story. The phones of president Bob Harlan were overloaded. What disturbed Gregg the most was the noise of the traffic and how it might distract the players. Not going to happen. These Packers belong to the fans.
— John Clayton
1. First-round choice Jamal Reynolds, a 266-pounder, shows a great motor. On one play in the morning drills, Reynolds tried to split a guard and tackle double-teaming him and rapidly shrank the left side of the pocket. His biggest challenge will be to keep his weight and strength through 16 grueling weeks.
2. Torrance Marshall, the team's third-round choice, is so mobile and such a presence that he will get playing time once he learns the defense. Coordinator Ed Donatell keeps big notations in his office about strengths of each of his players. Once he identifies Marshall's, Donatell will fit him into his many defensive packages.
3. Wide receiver Antonio Freeman looks in exceptionally good shape and should be able to get back into the 80-plus catch range. Quarterback Brett Favre said Freeman led the receivers at the conditioning drills Friday, outrunning younger receivers who were Olympic sprint prospects.
4. Favre is a treat to watch when he throwing and he's happy. There is no quarterback in football that throws footballs with his velocity. He waited until the afternoon practice to lob some 50-yard completions. If the tendinitis doesn't return, he should have a monster year.
5. The defensive tackle position has numbers but is a little scary. Santana Dotson and Steve Warren are expected to miss the pre-season recovering from torn quads from last year. Cletidus Hunt, who might have been the starter, opens the season on a four-game suspension. Veterans Russell Maryland and Jim Flanigan can't get hurt in training camp. |
