With a day of R & R behind them, the Green Bay Packers returned to Clarke Hinkle Field Thursday to continue their June mini-camp workouts.
Over 275 fans were in attendance as halfback Najeh Davenport, approaching his second NFL season, showed flashes of brilliance, taking a handoff around the left side of the line for a would-be touchdown.
But for the majority of the day, it was the defense that dominated.
First, it was the defensive line busting through to stop the running backs in the backfield. Then, safety Darren Sharper intercepted a pair of Brett Favre passes, the first intended for Donald Driver on the right sideline, the second intended for David Martin on the left sideline.
Driver was later involved in an injury scare, when after making a reception he was hit on the forearm by a defensive back attempting to strip the ball. Driver experienced some numbness in his fingers as a result, but X-rays showed no bone damage.
Driver said he expected to return to the practice field Friday, at which point he hopes the offense will rebound as well.
"We didn't have as good a day as we were supposed to," Driver said. "That's one thing about the receivers and (defensive backs), we go at it all the time. After it's all over, we laugh and joke, but tomorrow it will be the same thing: we'll go after it again ...
"We dropped a lot of balls today and we know that's not our thing. We have to come back tomorrow in the red zone and take care of business."
Cornerback Erwin Swiney also made contributions on the defensive side of the ball, diving to break up a pass to receiver Javon Walker, 40-yards down the right sideline.
Not to be left out, cornerback Mike McKenzie ran stride for stride with fourth-year receiver Karsten Bailey before turning around at just the right time to break up the play.
In addition to the 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 team drills, the Packers also logged time at special teams, working on punt return blocking and coverage skills.
Kick returners Antonio Chatman and Carl Ford worked on their fielding techniques by trying to catch punts while holding foam strips under their arms, against their sides. After practice, quarterback Eric Crouch -- an option star at the University of Nebraska -- stayed on the field to catch punts.
The team will continue mini-camp workouts Friday at 10:30 a.m. Weather and field conditions permitting, practice will be held outside at Clarke Hinkle Field (open to the public), but otherwise will be held inside the Don Hutson Center (closed to the public).
Today At A Glance ...
Where: Clarke Hinkle Field
Weather: 70 degrees, partly cloudy.
Did Not Participate: Chad Clifton (pelvis/hip), Tony Fisher (quadriceps), Joe Johnson (triceps), Nick Luchey (knee), Chukie Nwokorie (knee), DeAndrew Rubin (hamstring), Gari Scott (knee), Mark Tauscher (knee), Rod Walker (shoulder).
Remains Unsigned: Gilbert Brown.
