July 28, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end D.J. Williams (84) makes a one handed catch during training camp practice at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

From all indications, the Green Bay Packers have had a very productive week of training camp practices.

And if one doesn’t believe that, just ask Head Coach Mike McCarthy.

Not only is the coach fired up about being back with his team for the start of a new season, he seems even more excited to talk about it.

After Wednesday’s practice, McCarthy held his daily round at the microphone answering questions and talking about what he’s seeing.

An animated McCarthy took to the podium to crack a couple of jokes – as wry as they were – tussle a bit with a reporter, call out the efforts of some of the players who are standing out to him and describe where the team is headed at this point.

He began, as he always does, with an injury report. On the good news front, he told reporteres that John Kuhn and Desmond Bishop were headed toward a full return to practice, but he also mentioned that wide receiver Tori Gurley left because of a leg injury. He didn’t say how severe it was.

Gurley can ill-afford to miss any practice time as he competes against a deep and talented pool of players vying for a roster spot at that position.

Most interesting from McCarthy today was his take on the defense, which he said amped it up Wednesday afternoon and focused on their blitz packages.

“I felt it was important to crank it up,” McCarthy said, implying that the team is just beginning to get into the swing of the camp with now being the time for both the offense and defense to begin giving their best shots.

This is the time of camp when players stand out and show their value.

It’s also a time when both the offense and defense show what they’re made of.

“We had great work on both sides … it’s great for the offense … we had some quality work today.”

That said, what I feel will bring this team togther this year is the depth on the defense. Not only will it give opponents jitters once the games begin, but a better defense always makes for a better offense. After all, it’s the offense that has to go up against the defense every day at practice.

If one can imagine the Packers’ offense getting any better, consider that it’s only inevitable. As the defense stiffens, the offense needs to also bring its best.

Anyway, it’s great news from McCarthy.

The head coach also called out some players who have been standing out for him. Davon House, the second year defensive back was mentioned by McCarthy, but he would be remiss not to mention players from the offensive side as well.

Nov 14, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Ryan Taylor (82) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Vikings 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

He was asked about tight end D.J. Williams and said that he’s been impressive. “The quickest way to the end zone is the middle of the field,” McCarthy said, indicating that the skill set Williams brings to the field allows the offense to exploit the middle.

“D.J. Williams … Ryan Taylor … really happy with those guys,” McCarthy said.

Other notes of interest:

• McCarthy’s concerns about the transition from morning practices to evening practices and the need to do so to make the adjustment to the game schedule;

• His disagreement that Packers backs – Marc Tyler in particular – were having difficulty adjusting to pass protection; and

• His discussion about readying his team for Family Night.

With injuries at a minimum, it seems this first week of training camp has been very productive for the Packers. Can you believe that it’s just a few days before the team kicks off its preseason schedule?

While some may yawn at the prospect, I look at preseason games as the Super Bowl – you see for the guys on the bubble, the guys who are fighting for a job, this is their Super Bowl. This is their time to shine.

That’s why I love watching these games. You can pick out the guys who have a shot, you have the opportunity to watch players for the first time who are the stars of the future and you can always pinpoint the guys who will be turning in their playbook the following Monday.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28). Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

Round 4
Davon House, CB, New Mexico St.

After going offense three times to start the draft, Ted Thompson used the fourth round pick on a cornerback. No doubt worried about Charles Woodson’s ability to continue to play cornerback (notice I didn’t just say “play”) at a high-level for the next couple years, Thompson chose a tall cornerback with speed to put into the Packers’ draft and develop pipeline.

Most probably thought Thompson’s first defensive pick should have been at OLB or DE, since it looked like the defensive backfield was well-stocked. House didn’t even play until the meaningless regular season finale. Fast-forward one year and this pick looks pretty prescient. Why? Because a year after Tramon Williams and Sam Shields played almost lights-out football, they both visibly regressed. Shields was even pulled from the playoff game in favor of special-teamer Jarrett Bush. This pick also looks smart now because Charles Woodson may be forced to play safety to fill-in for the injured Nick Collins. Let’s just hope that House can actually play.

Green Bay Packers tight end D.J. Williams (84) during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Round 5
D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas

With his fifth selection, Thompson picked a replacement for Jermichael Finley. With Finley coming into this last contractual season, Thompson needed to hedge against the possibility of Finley leaving the Packers for a humongous contract elsewhere. With the labor strife, no one knew whether or not franchise tags would exist for the Packers to use on Finley, or if they would be prohibitive. It turns out though that the Packers were able to sign Finley to a compromise contract, much like they did with Greg Jennings, that allows Finley the opportunity to hit the free agent market when he is still in the prime of this career.

Meanwhile, that means that Williams, who was an occasional contributor for the Packers in 2011, can take two more years to get up to speed (much like Finely took 1-2 years) with the offense before he’s expected to play a big role, assuming that Finey does leave for more green. In the meantime, Williams should compete with fellow tight end Andrew Quarless for the backup TE spot.

Predominantly Orange is the Denver Broncos site managed by editor Kim Constantinesco

Kim Constantinesco, the Denver Broncos blogger with Predominantly Orange, took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions about the Denver Broncos and provide a look at Sunday’s upcoming game.

Here’s what the word is coming from the Mile High City.

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What’s so cool about it is that it will be the first time at the hallowed location for many of those fans.

But they won’t be alone.

In fact, because of the NFL lockout this may in fact be the first time several of the rookies on this year’s team have had a chance to even see the field, let alone play on it.

In an enlightening story on packers.com, Mike Spofford details what the experience will be like for the rookies.

“That’s something you dream about as a kid, and now I have the opportunity to do it,” receiver Randall Cobb, a second-round pick, told Spofford. “It’s going to be exciting. I can’t wait.”

Rookie cornerback Davon House had similar thoughts: “It will actually be my first time seeing Lambeau. I haven’t even seen the field yet since I’ve been here, because I’ve been so busy with meetings, and going over the playbook. It’s going to be fun.”

Fifth round pick and tight end D.J. Williams said he has peeked at the field from the mouth of the tunnel, but didn’t take a Twitter picture or go too far for fear of “getting in trouble.”

“I stepped on it for the first time, just my toe,” he told Spofford. “It will be fun actually playing out there. All that history, a big-time place to play NFL football.”

So a special night it will be for many.

In the past, the event included a full scrimmage, but because this is just the fifth practice in pads, tonight’s event will be just that … a practice.

There will, however, like other practices, be match-ups between offense and defense.

So if you’re in the vicinity tonight, you might want to swing by Lambeau. 

Heck, what other time will you be able to walk up to the window at the field, buy a $10 ticket and go in and watch the Packers?

If not, the scrimmage is also being broadcast throughout the state of Wisconsin live and is also going to be presented on tape delay on NFL Network.

Check your local listings and enjoy the show.

Desmond Bishop is being tabbed as a starter at inside linbebacker, but who will back up inside is something yet to be decided. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

With day three of Packers camp in the books and the first day of pad work being held Monday night, there seem to be three things (among others) developing that are of interest to the final coming together of a team.

First, the rookies – it looks like first and second round choices, Derek Sherrod and Randall Cobb, are being looked to quickly for contributions.

Cobb, according to tweets last night and early morning news reports, made several difficult catches yesterday, showed impressive bursts of speed and is being touted as everything he’s been billed in the early going. Getting his timing with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to take some time. (more…)