Packers training camp has begun!

At 8:20 a.m. CT this morning, Green Bay Packers coaches and players hit the practice field for the first time as summer training camp got underway. Head coach Mike McCarthy has indicated in talks with reporters that the reason for the 8:20 a.m. start time for nine of the team's initial morning practice sessions during camp is that he feels it will more closely approximate a typical game day schedule (at least in terms of getting the players up early) and help endurance. You can find a full training camp practice schedule here.

One of the initial observations coming out these early moments in camp is that instead of doing a jog through as is often the case, McCarthy reportedly had the number one offense going against the number two defense for a while. Nothing like jumping right into the fire.

PUP list
Starting camp on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) are seven players: OT Derek Sherrod (leg), DE Jerel Worthy (knee), RB DuJuan Harris (knee), S Sean Richardson (neck), OT JC Tretter (ankle), DE Mike Neal (abdomen) and S Chaz Powell (unknown). LB Jamari Latttimore was also placed on the non-football injury list.

There are no real shockers on this list other than Mike Neal, who was at and performed well during offseason OTAs and minicamp. No doubt more will come out about Neal's status as camp takes shape.

A disgruntled Greg Jennings?
It's not unusual for a pro athlete these days to bad mouth his former team, particularly if they felt they were not treated fairly or respected somewhere along the way. But Greg Jennings?

Now that he is with the ViQueens, Jennings has been mouthing off about the Packers and especially QB Aaron Rodgers. We won't dignify Jennings' comments by repeating them here as they are really not worthy of comment. Coach McCarthy said it best in his press conference yesterday when asked about Jennings' statements: "When you put on that purple, something happens to you." Yes indeed. And considering Minnesota is where some formerly great Packers players go to soon regret their new existence, it should be no surprise that Jennings is having his moment of ViQueen remorse by venting against his old team. That's OK, Greg. Good luck with that new guy throwing the ball in your general vicinity. What's his name? Oh yeah, Christian Ponder. Hope that works out well for you. I'm sure that will be much better for your career. (Insert sarcastic snort here.)

That's about all we have time for at the moment, Packer fans. But this is the beginning of the fun. Always great to see who emerges in training camp that is a total surprise. Wonderful to get the football juices flowing again, isn't it? You bet. It's great to be a Packer fan!

Say it with me: Go Pack Go!!!