The Packers announced their training camp schedule on Wednesday morning, and the format will be very similar to each of the past few years under Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
The players will report to camp on Friday, July 30, with the first practice scheduled for Saturday, July 31, at 2 p.m. The first two weeks of camp will feature five "two-a-day" sessions, and of the first 15 practices, 13 of them are scheduled to be in full pads.
"The training camp schedule is very similar, especially the first three weeks comparing to last year's training camp schedule," McCarthy said. "The number of padded practices that we had last year to the prior year is all the same.
"Now, once we get into the preseason games with Cleveland at home and Seattle away, and then we go to a short week at home against Indianapolis on Thursday night. We will then transfer into more of an in-season schedule."
The Packers' annual Family Night Scrimmage will be held on Saturday, Aug. 7, with the first two preseason games, vs. Cleveland (Aug. 14) and at Seattle (Aug. 21), both falling on Saturdays as well. The team will have a quick turnaround following the Seahawks game with a nationally televised game at Lambeau Field against the Colts on Thursday, Aug. 26, before wrapping up the preseason with another Thursday night contest at Kansas City on September 2.
"I'd prefer seven days between every game," McCarthy said. "If it was up to me I would play four on Saturday, but having the first two games, Family Night on a Saturday night and then preseason games No. 1 and 2 both on Saturday, I think it gives you a chance to get through all of your installations and be smart as far as your padded practices and how they fall and so forth. As long as the first two games are seven days apart, I'm fine with it."
For the second straight year, the Packers will hold their training camp practices at Ray Nitschke Field, highlighted by eight night sessions under the lights. The final practice of camp open to the public will be on Tuesday, Aug. 31.
"Our environment, in my opinion, is second to none," McCarthy said. "The new stadium down there with the fans and the night practices, it is a great environment and we look for quality, physical work again this year."
Underwood apologetic
Cornerback Brandon Underwood spoke to reporters for the first time since he was accused by two women of sexual assault in Lake Delton, Wis., last weekend.
Underwood was one of several Packers players in Lake Delton for a charity golf tournament. No charges have been filed in the case.
"Just at this current time I'm not going to be able to make any statements involving the situation due to the legal matters," Underwood said. "I understand that you guys all have a job to do, but just at this current time I'm just not going to be able to make any statements or answer any questions.
"I just want to apologize to my teammates, who have been dragged into this. I'm sorry that it has been a distraction for the team."
McCarthy said the incident was addressed in the team meeting on Wednesday morning.
"We discussed the fact that we are in an offseason program and we're in the paper way too much with things other than football," McCarthy said. "We all have a responsibility and an obligation to represent the Green Bay Packers properly. Every decision we make, both on and off the field, has consequences, and poor judgment was made.
{sportsad300}"It was an opportunity to go through some things, review some things that they have heard before, and just once again recognize the responsibility that they have to the National Football League and to the Green Bay Packers to make the right decisions, to make the right choices, and to make sure that you do that accordingly, both on and off the field. I think anytime you do that, your team has an opportunity to grow, and I think we will definitely grow from this."
Injury/participation update
Tight end Jermichael Finley sat out Wednesday's practice due to tendinitis in his knee.
Defensive end/nose tackle Ryan Pickett continued to be sidelined due to a pectoral strain. Justin Harrell worked as the No. 1 left end in the base defense in Pickett's place.
Linebacker Nick Barnett also continued to sit, and McCarthy said Barnett had a "clean-up" procedure done this offseason on his right knee that he injured in 2008.
"Just going through the rehab," McCarthy said. "Just being smart with him. Dr. McKenzie is particularly cautious at this time of year with all of our players, and it's going to be challenging, too, once we get to training camp and making sure we have enough guys to go. Because we do have a number of injured players coming off of last season going through the offseason program."
McCarthy said that veteran wide receiver Donald Driver, who has been sitting out OTAs, also had some offseason "clean-up" procedures done on his knees.
Rookie Bryan Bulaga took some snaps at left tackle with the No. 1 offensive line and Breno Giacomini saw some action at right tackle with the first group with veterans Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher both getting some rest during practice.
