The bikes lined up outside Lambeau Field once again this week. Players made dreams come true just by simply making their way to and from practice and being visible for those kids to see up close and in person. Many of us older Packer fans are excited to see our favorite team get back to work as we look forward to cheering them on each week until hopefully February. But for many of these kids, camp is a memory that will last them a lifetime. That's what makes Packers Training Camp so special. Many of them won't get to a game this season, so this is it. And the Packers do it like no other. 

I've been to Training Camp practices at least once a year for the last decade and a half, and you can always feel the excitement around you. To someone who doesn't understand, they may sit in the bleachers of Ray Nitschke Field and think it's silly that fans are applauding and hollering for catches by receivers just running individual routes. Outside of fans just being passionate, this could be the only time some of those fans will see that in person this season, so they want the players to hear their support. And judging by the mix of players getting the crowd riled up during practice, they want to hear it from them, too. 

As usual, we have our stand-outs from Training Camp week 1 and a few things to discuss, so let's get into it. 

Brandon McManus

Let's get this one out of the way right away. Last year, we suffered through Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph battling it out for the open kicker position in camp. In each practice, there would be a "winner" of the kicker battle. But that was often questionable, as one kicker would go 3/5 and the other 2/5. So, in reality, we were all losers. We won't suffer through the rest of the details before Brandon McManus saved our kicking game, and so far, McManus is 24/24 in field goal attempts through three camp practices. What a change a year makes, and I can't emphasize enough how good it feels not to have to discuss a kicking competition. 

Marshawn Lloyd

Last year around this time, the thought was that Marshawn Lloyd might give AJ Dillon a run for his money to be RB2 behind Josh Jacobs. Dillon never played a down last season, so that left the job all to Lloyd, right? Well, Lloyd himself struggled with injury after a strong camp and barely touched the field as well. This year, Lloyd seems to be back with a vengeance. He's been practically glued to Josh Jacobs' side, which is not a surprise given the excitement Jacobs has for Lloyd's return. The second-year player is soaking up all he can from the vet so he can come out screaming in 2025. 

Lloyd showed off the burst he has when changing direction and turning upfield with several outside runs this week. One of the highlights was when Lloyd bounced outside, turning what could've been a minimal play into a possible 20-yard run. Of course, we're not in pads yet and not tackling, so that is purely speculative, but it's clear Lloyd isn't just here to get through camp and see what happens; he's here to claim his spot on gameday. 

Matthew Golden & Savion Williams

The day 1 and day 2 rookie receivers are turning heads already in training camp.

Golden is already showing how he can be a weapon anywhere on the field. He's shown some good reps coming down with the ball easily with two feet in the end zone, and we also got a peek at him taking a jet sweep on Friday, which could be an interesting feature in 2025, having so many receivers capable of making plays in that situation. Perhaps one of the best reps I got to see a highlight of was when he ran a short return route and noticed that Jordan Love was under pressure, so he turned upfield a bit and was hit by Love for what would've been at least a 20+ yard gain. Golden is showing some great on-field awareness to bail out his QB and make a play early on.

Savion Williams also showed some good flashes, including a leaping one-handed catch in the end zone. It is of note that Williams did not practice on Friday due to a concussion. The cause is not yet known, nor how long he will be out. 

Carrington Valentine and Nate Hobbs

On to the defense. With the departure of Jaire Alexander, of course, everyone's a little nervous about the corner position. But Carrington Valentine and Nate Hobbs made a bit of a statement in camp this week that they will not be hearing it. 

Valentine has been very sticky in coverage, staying on receivers regardless of the route. He's come up with two INTs in camp so far, which one was off a tipped Malik Willis pass and the other was due to the receiver, Julian Hicks, falling, but in Valentine's eyes, those will likely be just excuses, and nonetheless, a pick is a pick. He nearly had a third on a comeback route against Matthew Golden, but came up just short. Valentine is making a big case for a starting job already this summer. 

Hobbs has been showing that he comes with intensity every day and has several pass breakups to his credit in camp so far, including a big one against Dontayvion Wicks, where he may have gotten a little overzealous with a no-pads hit to Wicks, earning him a talking-to from Matt LaFleur but regardless, Hobbs looks like he could be fun to watch. 

Edgerrin Cooper

Edge Cooper is doing Edge Cooper things. That's all there is to say. Cooper is picking up where he left off last season, with many moments where he's burst through the line for what would be a tackle for loss in the running game. This could be the year Edgerrin Cooper becomes a star in the NFL. 

Isaiah Simmons

The former 2020 eighth overall pick is showing why he was just that. His size and speed are already on display in camp so far, as he's gotten some reps in the base defense on the strong side in the absence of Quay Walker. He's been all over the place, his top highlight so far being a tipped Malik Willis pass that was intercepted by Carrington Valentine. We've been saying it all along that if Simmons' full potential can be unlocked, he'll be a huge addition to this defense. 

Mark Murphy

Last but not least, we have Mark Murphy serving his final day as President and CEO of the Packers on Friday. Murphy cemented his legacy in Green Bay with all the stadium and Packers facility additions he oversaw, as well as the TitleTown creation. His swan song was the NFL Draft in Green Bay, and he nailed every bit of it. During Training Camp last year, I chased down Mark in the Lambeau Parking lot with my son to have him sign my son's football, that's gathered quite a roster of signatures over the last four seasons, and he was very gracious with us and I can't thank him enough for that and everything he's done for the Green Bay Packers in his tenure. Thanks, Mark, enjoy your well-earned retirement.