After an extended offseason, the Green Bay Packers are now into their second full week of training camp. At PackerFansUnited.com, we've also had an extended hiatus. Hey, when the Packers aren't playing, or drafting, or training, or trading...well, life is rather dull, isn't it? So we've been kicking back, getting ready for the preseason and the regular season. But just so you know, whether we're actively posting ourselves or not, you can always view our Amazing 2nd Page just by clicking its link at the top of our page. That page will always give you about as real-time coverage as you'll find anywhere. Yes, really. Give it a try.
Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Takeaways from the Family Night game
The first takeaway, of course, is that Saturday evening's Family Night game wasn't a game, it was a practice. And yet, the Packers turned out about 70,000 fans for that practice. It's always fun to see other teams get excited over pulling "record" crowds of about 21,000 for similar events (e.g, Arizona Cardinals). Puh-leze. You aren't even in the same league as the Packers.
And that may not be too far from the truth. As you no doubt know by now, many pundits -- as well as Vegas oddsmakers, if you are into such things -- are picking the Packers to play in Super Bowl 50 (what's that Roman numeral again...?). So many other teams really aren't even in the same figurative league with the Pack. Let us rejoice and be glad!
Sorry for the digression...back to the observations from Saturday evening...
The Packers, first of all, made it through that enhanced scrimmage without any major injuries. We saw some of the young players that are already getting attention in training camp display their talents under the lights and in front of perhaps the largest crowd they've ever played in front of (poor grammatical structure there, but you get the meaning).
We were curious to see rookie receiver Ty Montgomery. The Packer had him returning kickoffs as well as part of receiver sets. He looks big and fast, a great combination in a receiver and returner. The draft-time comparisons of him as being "a bigger Randall Cobb" seem on target. Lets hope he has the hands and smarts to go along with that size and speed.
Another veteran receiver has also been getting attention during camp: Myles White. He has apparently been making some nice catches during camp and he also had a few Saturday evening.
As for other takeaways...? Well, QB Aaron Rodgers looked sharp, although he did have an early interception and was off-target on a few throws, although that might have been more on the receivers than Rodgers. Backup QB Scott Tolzein buttressed head coach Mike McCarthy's comments from the OTAs and this camp that Tolzein has really stepped up his game. He looks to have a lot of arm strength and is sharper on his throws and decisions.
But an enhanced practice is one thing, a game something else. We'll get to see a bit more of what the Packers have in the cabinet, so to speak, come this Thursday evening when they play at the New England Patriots. (Hope they keep the balls inflated there.)
A Few Other Quick Notes About the Weekend
Congrats to former Packers Executive Vice President and General Manager, Ron Wolf, on his enshrinement in the NFL Hall of Fame this past weekend. Well deserved for helping to resurrect what was at the time a moribund franchise. Thanks, Ron, for bringing the glory back to Green Bay!
We also want to note the passing yesterday of NFL Hall-of-Famer and broadcasting great, Frank Gifford. Gifford was a great athlete in his day, one of the last players who played both offense and defense. He spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the New York Giants. He then went on to join Howard Cosell and "Dandy" Don Meredith as part of the Monday Night Football crew that did so much to advance the popularity of the game on television. Rest in peace, Frank.
