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  • Tue., May. 28, 2013 11:30AM - 1:00PM CDT Organized Team Activities (OTAs) The Packers announced details on the remainder of their offseason schedule, including the fact that five of the team’s offseason practices will be open to the public, weather permitting.

    The open practices will be three organized team activities (OTAs) and two mandatory minicamp workouts. The open OTA practices are slated for three Tuesdays — May 21, May 28 and June 11 — and will begin at 11:30 a.m. CT. The two mandatory minicamp practices are scheduled for June 4 and 5 with a start time TBA.

    Due to ongoing preparations on Ray Nitschke Field for training camp, the OTA and minicamp workouts will be held on Clarke Hinkle Field this year. Viewing of the open practices will be standing-room only along the Oneida Street side of Hinkle Field.

  • Sat., Jun. 01, 2013 8:30AM - 3:30PM CDT Junior Power Pack Clinic The 16th Annual Junior Power Pack Clinic will take place June 1, 2013 inside the Don Hutson Center, the Packers indoor practice facility. Reserved exclusively for members of the Junior Power Pack kids fan club (ages 5-14), this event features the chance to run skills and drills with other Packer backers and a few up-and-coming Packers players.
  • Sat., Jun. 08, 2013 3:00PM - 5:00PM CDT Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 10th annual Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer event, set for Saturday, June 8. The event once again features a motorcycle ride, but non-riding fans who want to support the cause are welcome to attend the post-ride party at Lambeau Field’s North Loft, the rooftop deck below the TundraVision in the north end zone.
     
    On the day of the ride, registration begins at 9 a.m. and will continue through 10:30 a.m. at Vandervest Harley-Davidson in Green Bay. The post-ride party begins at 3 p.m. at Lambeau Field in the North Loft, which can be accessed through the Bellin Health Gate. The party will include food and drink for purchase, a silent and live auction and fun while bringing awareness to cancer. Attendees will also have the opportunity to get autographs from Packers players in exchange for a $10 donation to the event.
  • Tue., Jun. 11, 2013 11:30AM - 1:00PM CDT Organized Team Activities (OTAs) The Packers announced details on the remainder of their offseason schedule, including the fact that five of the team’s offseason practices will be open to the public, weather permitting.

    The open practices will be three organized team activities (OTAs) and two mandatory minicamp workouts. The open OTA practices are slated for three Tuesdays — May 21, May 28 and June 11 — and will begin at 11:30 a.m. CT. The two mandatory minicamp practices are scheduled for June 4 and 5 with a start time TBA.

    Due to ongoing preparations on Ray Nitschke Field for training camp, the OTA and minicamp workouts will be held on Clarke Hinkle Field this year. Viewing of the open practices will be standing-room only along the Oneida Street side of Hinkle Field.

  • Wed., Jul. 24, 2013 11:00AM - 1:00PM CDT Packers Shareholders Meeting

    The Green Bay Packers 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held Wednesday, July 24, at 11 a.m., at Lambeau Field. The meeting will take place rain or shine.

  • Sat., Jul. 27, 2013 6:30PM - 11:45PM CDT 5K Run at Lambeau Field The computer-timed run is highlighted by a neighborhood route that ultimately takes participants into Lambeau Field and around the famed gridiron. The event has a special finish line – the Packers’ ‘G’ painted on turf located in the parking lot.

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Mike Spofford

Mike Spofford has worked as a sportswriter in Wisconsin since 1995 and has been a packers.com staff writer since 2006. He has covered the Packers' last two Super Bowl appearances, XXXII and XLV.

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Seventh-round picks have their upsides

Posted Apr 30, 2011

Versatility can be an overused term, but it certainly applies to the Packers’ two seventh-round draft choices.

North Carolina’s Ryan Taylor has played tight end and special teams, and even dabbled some at linebacker, playing both ways in a game a few years back.

Arizona State’s Lawrence Guy has played defensive tackle, defensive end and nose tackle. No spot up front is foreign to him.

With roster spots on the defending Super Bowl champions perhaps hard to come by, late draft choices such as Taylor and Guy can and will do whatever they’re asked to make the team.

“You’re always looking at versatility,” General Manager Ted Thompson said. “That’s one of the qualities we look at in any prospect, regardless of position.”

Thompson made it clear that Taylor, the 218th overall pick, will play tight end, where he set a school record for receptions in a single season with 36 last year. His work at linebacker in college came about due to injuries at North Carolina, and he even played both ways in a game against in-state rival N.C. State in 2008, but after a medical redshirt due to a knee injury in 2009, he came back last season as a full-time tight end.

“It was fun, but by no means was I any good at linebacker,” Taylor said. “Nothing I would hang my hat on, but it’s kind of cool to say I did it.”

Taylor’s versatility likely will be on display on special teams. He was a special teams captain for the Tar Heels two different seasons and he takes a lot of pride in his contributions there.

“I honestly think it’s a third of the game,” Taylor said. “I think it’s as important as offense and defense. It’s something I put a lot of stock in, and I worked on all four units here.”

Guy, the 233rd overall pick, worked everywhere along the defensive line in his three seasons at Arizona State, overcoming an attention-deficit disorder and dyslexia to earn honorable mention All-Pac-10 each year.

An early entry in the draft, Guy most likely projects as an end in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme at 6-4, 305.

“He’s a big man that can run really fast,” Thompson said. “We think he’s still developing. We had our defensive staff and (line coach) Mike Trgovac do a study on him and we think there are a lot of things he can add to our defense.”

A three-year starter, Guy recorded eight sacks and 23 tackles for loss in his career. No matter where he lined up, he played the same way.

“I like to hit you hard,” he said. “I like to make a statement like I’m here. I don’t ever give up on a play. I refuse to give up. I go as hard as I can every single play until the game is over to make sure everybody understands you aren’t going to have an easy game with me.”