The first sign of fall: Green Bay Packers football
By Josh McPeak
The leaves have not yet started to change colors and most of us have the air-conditioning running wide open but the first sign of fall has arrived, much to the joy of all Green Bay Packers fans.
Training Camp for the Packers is already a whole two days in. Yes, Packer fans football season is officially under way. The great part of this year’s camp is Ted Thompson gave us fans a huge gift on the first day.
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Perhaps one of the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL today to go along with being the favorite target of Aaron Rodgers is going to be a Packer for at least another four years.
Jordy Nelson signed a four-year extension totaling $39 million with $14.2 million in guaranteed money. A great deal for a Packer who has become a staple since bursting onto the scene in Super Bowl 45.
The current phase of camp displays athleticism as full pads will not be put on until Monday. If you were to read through various reports from camp it would appear that I was pretty spot-on in labeling the Packers X-Factor (removing the hand patting myself on the shoulder to finish this article).
Multiple reports state that Casey Hayward got a hand on nearly every throw from day one of camp. And despite rookie Davante Adams catching one on Hayward as he bit on the route, he still had a great showing. This is certainly news that Packers fans should enjoy hearing given his absence in the 2013 season.
Randall Cobb has been reported as saying he doesn’t believe he has earned a contract extension and would like to use the 2014 season to earn one. I’m sure Ted Thompson will evaluate Cobb week-to-week and if he remains healthy I am confident his play will warrant an extension by the end of the 2014 season.
Something that may intrigue fans is that early-on it appears the second-string quarterback duties is an open battle. Reports are day one was all Matt Flynn with the second team offense, but day two saw Scott Tolzien take a vast amount of reps with the second-team offense.
Early reports also indicate Micah Hyde is relishing in his new role at safety while taking first-team reps over first-round pick from Alabama Ha Ha Clinton Dix.
The tight end position also seems to be an early pleasant surprise as rookie Richard Rodgers and Brandon Bostick are reportedly having great starts to camp.
While only two days into training camp there has been a lot of news out of Packers’ Camp.
There is plenty of optimism and buzz flying around the 2014 Green Bay Packers. Questions will arise and questions will be answered over the next several weeks leading up to the regular season opener as the Pack takes on the 12th man and the Seattle Seahawks as they raise their first championship banner.
It may still be July, the leaves may still be green and it may still be scorching hot, but the first signs of fall are definitely evident.