Green Bay Packers: Organized Team Activities begin May 22
For fans of the Green Bay Packers, and all fans of the NFL, this is a very difficult time of year.
Like Godot, we wait … and we wait … and we wait …
But the waiting is over.
That’s because this weekend the Green Bay Packers will be opening its doors once again for the bulk of the offseason with the first of four scheduled Organized Team Activities (OTAs), which will be followed by the mandatory minicamp during the middle of June.
After those offseason gatherings, the players and coaches go on vacation to prepare for the big push of training camp that begins at the end of July.
Of the OTAs that are scheduled, the sessions set for May 23, June 1, and June 6 will all be open to the public on Clarke Hinkle Field, weather permitting.
In all, NFL teams are required to hold a total of 10 days for OTAs. There won’t be any live contact, but the team is allowed to hold 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.
This offseason has been an up and down affair for Green Bay Packers fans. We saw the likes of Julius Peppers, T.J. Lang, Micah Hyde, Datone Jones, Eddie Lacy and J.C. Tretter walk away from the Packers and join new teams via free agency.
On the flip side, the Packers signed tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks, as well as outside linebacker Nick Perry and cornerback and former Packer Davon House.
Ted Thompson also got former New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Jahri Evans to sign with the team – a move that could have huge implications in helping to solidify an offensive line that lost two of its best players this offseason.
Will the signings outweigh the losses?
That is the question that will be unveiled as the team begins its OTAs this weekend.
The Packers will conduct organized team activities May 22-24, May 31, June 1-2, and June 6-9, and conclude their offseason program with the mandatory minicamp June 13-15.
How the Packers infuse some of the rookies (both drafted and undrafted) in their overall plans will be laid out as the team progresses through its upcoming OTAs.
With the loss of Lang, considered by many to be one of the team’s best offensive linemen, will be of most interest early on.
This team’s offensive line, charged with keeping Aaron Rodgers upright and healthy, is seeing its biggest changes in recent memory.
For the second straight year the Packers will be dealing with the loss of one of their best. Last year, the Packers cut Josh Sitton on the first day of the draft and plugged in Lane Taylor at left guard.
With Lang gone this year, the Packers hope that Evans can step in at the position and keep the unit moving forward. But there are also other options that could include the likes of Jason Spriggs, Don Barclay and/or any combination of rookies.
The action and the debating will begin this weekend in Green Bay.
Stay tuned …