Quick Takes from Packers Minicamp Day 1

From the returns of Johnny Jolly and Sam Shields to the kicking competition that's shaping up, Cheesehead TV has its knee-jerk reaction to Packers practice on Tuesday.

The Packers held their first of two mandatory minicamp practices on Tuesday. What follows is knee-jerk reaction to the major storylines that developed while inside the Don Hutson Center as provided by team beat reporters.

Quick take: Tuesday represented Jolly's first practice since being suspended for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy back in 2010. It's too early to make any sweeping judgements on Jolly based on one practice, but it was a positive for him to simply get back into the swing of things and put his past transgressions behind him. Jolly faces long odds to make a team that more frequently than not only uses two defensive linemen on the field on any particular down. But he's getting a fair shot at making the team, and that's really all he can ask.

Quick take: Tuesday was also Shields' first practice after missing all of Phases I and II of the Packers' offseason program and then the first two weeks of OTAs until signing his one-year tender offer on Monday. Mike McCarthy acknowledged that both Shields and Jolly were essentially on a snap count, being eased back into action. Shields missed out on some valuable practice time, repetitions given to Casey Hayward with the starters, while he was gone. It's now incumbent upon Shields to prove himself during the 2013 season, because he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next year.

Quick take: While the Packers may have been practicing field goals in the sessions that have not been open to the media this offseason, Tuesday was the first time they focused on the kicking game in an 11-on-11 environment with the media present. It was an impressive debut for Giorgio Tavecchio who matched kick for kick with Crosby. Given the financial investment the Packers made in Crosby, it will be difficult for Tavecchio to unseat the veteran, but at least he's making things interesting in the early going.

Quick take: Rookie wide receiver Charles Johnson returned to practice for the first time since rookie orientation camp but fellow rookie receiver Kevin Dorsey remained out. In other injury news, Dezman Moses returned to action for the first time since OTAs began, but later dropped out and was spotted with ice wrapped around his calf. On the more disappointing side of things, it would appear rookie defensive lineman Josh Boyd missed his first practice since joining Green Bay. The Packers would certainly be pleased if all of the walking wounded joined Johnson in returning to action in short order.

Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (17)

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Ma Linger's picture

June 04, 2013 at 06:05 pm

Let the injury parade begin. Just wondering if anyone has statistics on the injuries our so called 5th, 6th, and 7th round gems from last and this years drafts had in college. Ex. Zombo was oft injured at Central.

Is that our problem were getting those players other teams passed on because they couldn't hold up in college. I mean were talking no contact practices and people are getting hurt? Are you kidding me?

Were talking rookies not showing up for practice? Are you kidding me.

Were talking guys showing up seriously out of shape and not ready to practice. Are you kidding me.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

June 04, 2013 at 07:47 pm

"Just wondering if anyone has statistics on the injuries our so called 5th, 6th, and 7th round gems from last and this years drafts had in college."

Your momma. Your momma has those stats.

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Point Packer's picture

June 04, 2013 at 09:25 pm

^This^

"Ma Linger" - Cow understudy with little to no brains.

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Morgan Mundane's picture

June 04, 2013 at 06:08 pm

Ya I agee. What's with some of dees guys? Jolly showed up and that's great but the picture I saw was of a very large out of shape person.
Wouldn't part of his treatment preparing him to play be getting in football shape, coming to town ready to impress somebody. Forgetaboutit!

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Stroh's picture

June 04, 2013 at 11:06 pm

You don't get in football shape unless your... you know actually playing football. He can be in shape, too heavy and not in football shape.

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zeke's picture

June 05, 2013 at 02:11 am

You can tell whether someone is able to contribute on the field by looking at a picture in a newspaper. That's fantastic.

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John's picture

June 11, 2013 at 08:28 am

Duh, he is a big guy even when he's in shape

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Fish . Crane's picture

June 04, 2013 at 06:41 pm

Do not underestimate the will of Mr. Jolly just yet.

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Nononsense's picture

June 04, 2013 at 06:54 pm

Would you guys like some cheese with that WHINE.

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Point Packer's picture

June 04, 2013 at 09:28 pm

Of these injuries or whatever, the one that is most intriguing to me is Dejuan Harris.

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Evan's picture

June 04, 2013 at 09:35 pm

Agreed.

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Lucky953's picture

June 05, 2013 at 07:26 am

NEWS: Aaron Rodgers, Clay Mathews, Randall Cobb, Datone Jones, Casey Hayward, Eddy Lacy, and Morgan Burnett all remain UNinjured as of yet!!

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GBPDAN's picture

June 05, 2013 at 09:27 am

Shhh ..dont jinx them lucky

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hayward4president's picture

June 05, 2013 at 10:48 am

Yeah I really wish they would spill the beans about DHarris.

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Evan's picture

June 05, 2013 at 12:37 pm

RE: DeJuan Harris.

He tweeted this a couple hours ago.

@Ol_sLy_Foxx: Thank God for team physicals!!! http://Instagram.com/p/aLsBFGgM7J/

Looks like something was uncovered during his physical.

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steven's picture

June 06, 2013 at 12:00 am

I believe it is reported that he is having a cyst removed

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John's picture

June 11, 2013 at 08:29 am

yep, from his lung

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