Judging by how quickly many players packed up their lockers after Wednesday's final mini-camp practice, they were eagerly anticipating the end of their five weeks of on-field work that began with the OTAs back in late May.
But according to Head Coach Mike McCarthy, they got their work done in the meantime.
"I think our football team did a great job of coming in here, learning the systems -- whether it was offense, the changes we made, defense being new, special teams being new -- they took full advantage of their opportunity to have a clear understanding of what we're asking them to do," McCarthy said. "So I am very pleased with that."
The last workout Wednesday was the shortest of all, a 45-minute jog-through that was focused on the last segment of corrections from the OTAs. The players are now off until they report for training camp on Friday, July 31, with the first practice scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1.
McCarthy noted that several players have workout routines scheduled at their own locations between now and then. He emphasized in the final team meeting on Wednesday morning that the players need to take care of their bodies, and that means not only staying in shape but getting the proper rest prior to camp.
Training camp will feature 26 public practices, including the annual Family Night Scrimmage on Aug. 8, plus four preseason games in a span of 34 days.
"The reality is our football team will come together in training camp, and I think we've done a very good job, players and coaches alike, getting ready for that training camp," McCarthy said.
No complacency
For anyone who thinks receiver Greg Jennings might suffer under the pressure of higher expectations that come with signing his much-hyped multi-year contract extension, Jennings made it clear that won't be an issue.
"My expectations are higher than anybody else's, I guarantee you that," Jennings said. "Money is not going to change the player that I am. It probably will change the outlook of fans, probably thinking I should produce more, but I should produce more anyway.
"That's not a concern of mine. I'm going to come out here and be the same guy. I want to be better. That's me. I like to improve on anything it is that I do, from year to year."
Other negotiations upcoming
While several other players, like Jennings, are heading into the final year of their rookie contracts and could be in line for extensions, the Packers are also in the unique position of having to negotiate rookie deals with two first-round draft picks.
Contracts with first-rounders are generally the last to be worked out, with players commonly signing on the eve or morning of the first training camp practice, or perhaps missing the first workout or two while negotiations are finalized.
Green Bay first-rounders B.J. Raji (No. 9 overall) and Clay Matthews (No. 26) both said Wednesday they hope and plan to be under contract before training camp starts. The Packers have three other draft picks to sign - fourth-rounder T.J. Lang and fifth-rounders Quinn Johnson and Jamon Meredith - in addition to Raji and Matthews.
{sportsad300}Though he noted he's not doing any negotiating himself, Raji said he doesn't "anticipate any problems" with his contract. Meanwhile, Matthews, who has been working with the No. 2 defense at outside linebacker, knows it's in his best interest to not miss any time in camp as he embarks on the competition for a starting position.
"It's very important," Matthews said. "I'm that type of guy. I want to be here day in and day out and show the type of person who I am, and not fall behind, especially being a rookie. I really can't take any time off. That's why this next month I'll be training and studying my playbook."
On the mend
Safety Atari Bigby did some jog-through work off-and-on throughout the last five weeks but otherwise wasn't cleared to practice as he continued to recover from offseason ankle surgery. But Bigby, coming off an injury-marred 2008 season, expects to be full-go for the start of training camp.
"Unless I have some sort of setback or some sort of freak accident, I'll be there," Bigby said.
Bigby is among several players held out of most drills and team work during OTAs and mini-camp who McCarthy expects will receive full clearance for training camp. That group includes linebacker Nick Barnett (knee), center Scott Wells (shoulder), tackles Breno Giacomini (ankle) and Chad Clifton (knees/shoulder), and defensive end Cullen Jenkins (ankle).
Some of those players, McCarthy noted, might only practice once per day when training camp begins. The Packers have three two-a-days in the first five days of camp.
As for the final mini-camp workout Wednesday, the participation list was for the most part the same as it has been all week. Defensive end Justin Harrell returned from an illness to do the jog-through work. Tackle Jamon Meredith, who dropped out of practice late Tuesday in the heat, sat out and was replaced as the No. 2 left tackle by rookie Dane Randolph.
