GREEN BAY -- There was no bigger storyline this past Packers offseason than the depleted and rebuilt wide receiving corps.
Davante Adams demanded and received a trade to Las Vegas and Marquez Valdes-Scantling left for the free agency riches of Kansas City, leaving quarterback Aaron Rodgers without a clear No. 1 receiver for the first time in his Hall of Fame career.
“The answer is no,” Rodgers replied when asked if he was in any way assuaged by the knowledge that he has made receivers better (and figures to do the same again) during his time as the Packers starting quarterback. “When you walk in the locker room, and for so many years and you see 87’s locker over there and it’s Jordy Nelson, or you see Davante Adams, it gives you a different feel.”
Rodgers did add he liked what he saw on the first day of camp, however.
One of the best plays that was turned in came on a Rodgers-to-Allan Lazard connection of roughly 50 yards. Safety Adrian Amos deflected the ball, but Lazard was still able to come up with the catch laying on his back.
There was also rookie Romeo Doubs climbing the latter to come down with a high throw. Doubs impressed Rodgers and the coaching staff alike during the team’s offseason program with his athleticism and ability to hang on to the ball.
Rodgers and Juwann Winfrey also connected on a long pass down the right sideline. And while the quarterback has said for weeks that he thinks that the vaunted Green Bay defense will give the offense fits in practice, Eric Stokes was beaten in one-on-one coverage on this play early in the workout.
With day one in the books, day two is upon us next. The team will hold an open to the public practice at Ray Nitschke Field starting at 10:30, with The Mike Heller Show once again broadcasting live from the balcony at Resch Expo across Armed Forces Drive from the practice facility.