Training Camp: Saturday, July 30th

Today's practice involved much more work with special teams — the "third phase of the game." Admittedly, this has been one facet of the game that has been absolutely horrendous for much of the last decade. There are several ST takeaways from today's practice and they all point to one thing — the stronger emphasis on the special teams units. Today's theme: special teams "woahs" and "woes"...

WOAHS!

With the hiring of Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia, there has been a noticeable shift in philosophy for personnel. This has involved bringing over special teams aces Keisean Nixon (cornerback) and Dallin Leavitt (safety) from the Raiders. Due to their experience playing under Coach Bisaccia, it is believed that they will each have a good chance to make the 53 man roster. However, that is not to say they are locks.

Under Bisaccia's tutelage, several notable starters and veterans are getting looks on special teams — at least during practice. This has included several players working as a kick or punt returner.

Training camp stud receiver Romeo Doubs got looks at returning punts. He has been heavily involved in the offense early on in training camp. He has seemingly caught everything that has been thrown his way. Although he did drop a catchable pass today.

Don't forget about Kylin Hill and the way that he can contribute on special teams. He had shown some promise early on last year as a kick returner before he suffered an ACL injury. It sounds as though his rehab is going well. He is also competing for the RB3 role once he is healthy.

Aaron Jones was back deep receiving kickoffs during yesterday's practice. From Rob Demovsky's tweet, one can assume that veteran players will at the least be cross-trained, if not having a direct role in special teams operations.

That's a new one...the entire defense on the field. The last time that we saw the field goal blocking unit in action was in the playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers when there were only 10 men on the field. It never hurts to have everyone trained. After several blocked field goals and punts last year, we need to have the best blocking unit that we possibly can.

Recently acquired punter, Pat O'Donnell, had some nice booming punts today. Hopefully there won't be lots of punting this season (that is always the hope), but it always helps to have a more than capable punter. Hangtime and directionality are two of the most valuable skills of a punter. Good punting allows the ST unit to get down field and make plays. We'll see how this progresses as camp continues.

Woes...

After some less-than-inspiring seasons of special teams play, many fans had resigned themselves to being satisfied with the punt returner fair catching the ball — I, myself, was in this category. Fair catching a punt will NOT be acceptable in Coach Bisaccia's unit.

Snapper Jack Coco and kicker Gabe Brkic were working together while Mason Crosby rehabs. Unfortunately, it was not a great showing for Brkic.

ICYMI

Some injured players were practicing and rehabbing on the sidelines during practice.

Some Packers rookies did their best to pronounce names of places in Wisconsin. This is no easy task — I have lived in Wisconsin for the entirety of my life, and even I have difficulty pronouncing some of these.

Yesterday's practice involved a hype session between Bakhtiari and Rodgers in the Aston Martin. Let's get hyped for the next practice!