5 Things to Know from the First Wave of Packers OTAs

Miss the Packers' OTAs? Here's five things you should know. 

Here are the important things to know from the Green Bay Packers' first wave of Organized Team Activities (OTAs):

1. Corner Crazy

Tone down the fretting about Casey Hayward’s highly anticipated move to the outside. Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. isn’t worried; in fact, he sounded almost annoyed when asked about how Hayward’s transition would go. He’s far and away the favorite to take over Tramon Williams’ vacated spot on the perimeter. If there’s anything to worry about it, it’s probably the foot injury Hayward dealt with this offseason. He needs to be healthy. Just put some trust in Whitt, who has earned it. 

2. Matthews in the Middle

The least surprising development of early OTAs was Clay Matthews staying at inside linebacker. There appears to be the perception that Green Bay’s roster is forcing the Packers to keep Matthews there. Maybe that’s true. More likely, the Packers have realized Matthews is very good inside and that the defense is undoubtedly better with him there. If Matthews had been only average after the switch last season, the Packers likely would have prioritized the position and moved him back to the edge full time. Instead, they have a now versatile weapon capable of playing both spots at a high level. It would be insanity for the Packers to do anything but continue playing him all over the place. 

3. Calf Correction

The calf injury that limited Aaron Rodgers to end last season is now in the rear view mirror. The issue has healed. According to Rodgers, he took some time off but has since pushed the calf to the max in workouts without a problem. While it might not look the same, it’s no longer a hinderance, and that’s all that really matters. 

4. Raji’s Return

The Packers welcomed back B.J. Raji, who missed all of last season after tearing his biceps. He’s taken up various new workouts to improve his flexibility, both for functional reasons and to avoid another injury. Raji’s return is essentially the same as the Packers adding a free agent to the mix. He could have left for a fresh start elsewhere, but he decided to come back to handle some unfinished business. He could now provide a big boost on the nose, especially as part of a rotation with veteran surprise Letroy Guion. 

5. Healing Up

Like Rodgers and Raji, others are healing up. Head coach Mike McCarthy said he has no “long-term concerns” about any one player returning from injury. Jared Abbrederis, Don Barclay and Andy Mulumba all returned to the practice field after tearing their ACLs last season, while Jordy Nelson sat out while recovering from offseason hip surgery. Hayward, Nick Perry, Mike Neal and Josh Boyd didn’t practice, but it appears none of the issues are a threat to spill over to training camp. The Packers are entering the summer healthy. 

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Comments (13)

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Denver's picture

June 01, 2015 at 04:57 pm

I'm feeling quite a bit better about ILB after hearing CMIII sound like he's warming up to it more now than when they first moved him there.
Zach, any idea if Abbrederis has put on any beef? I haven't seen any pics of him. Sure would like to see that kid make it.

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NickPerry's picture

June 01, 2015 at 07:49 pm

He stayed in Green Bay for the offseason from what I've read and was hitting the weights pretty hard and doing whatever he could do while he did rehab on the knee.

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Oppy's picture

June 01, 2015 at 07:21 pm

"(Raji) could have left for a fresh start elsewhere, but he decided to come back to handle some unfinished business."

Are we sure Raji could have left?

It seems to me the Packers offered him some money, he decided not to take it and test the market, and when he didn't have any real suitors, the Packers offered him substantially less than they originally offered, and Raji jumped on it because it was the only real offer he got...?

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PackerAaron's picture

June 01, 2015 at 09:04 pm

According to Raji, he had more interest this offseason than last. Wilde reported that one of the teams interested was the Patriots.

http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/page.php?feed=2&id=20461&is_corp=1

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Oppy's picture

June 02, 2015 at 12:15 am

Fair enough, although teams kicking tires and teams making offers are two different things.

I understand we don't necessarily know that teams didn't make offers, but it would be surprising to me if anyone offered a guy who was largely ignored a season ago anything substantial after being out the season with an injury to boot.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 02, 2015 at 04:25 am

We do know that Raji's current contract is not quite as lucrative as last year's contract. When Raji says he had better options, it clearly is in the context of interest from playoff teams, and not necessarily in terms of money, though that is a permissible inference. We also know about the delay in signing Raji, during which time he presumably shopped himself around. Maybe Raji looked at NE, which played Wilfork 802 snaps, and he thought I've done that already. Don't know which other teams kicked the tires though.

Oppy, I think your comment about teams kicking the tires does not equal teams making more lucrative offers is spot on.

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Clay Zombo's picture

June 01, 2015 at 08:24 pm

That was last offseason Oppy. Raji said he actually had more suitors this offseason including the Patriots but im sure no one offered him substantially more than GB was offering this year or im sure he would have bolted.

According to Abbrederis he has gotten stronger and to me he does look a little bit bigger in his upper body.

The only real worry to me is the CB position and thats only because Casey is currently injured and so is our 1st round pick. Even then, Im not all that worried about it because I truly believe we have a stud in 2nd round pick Quinten Rollins.

Hayward will definitely get the first crack at replacing Tamon and he should but dont be surprised if Rollins is starting outside on opening weekend against Da Bears.

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Tundraboy's picture

June 02, 2015 at 07:51 am

Looks like Aaron needs to hit weights a bit. Does bear a resemblance to Johnny Blood though in pic.

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TKWorldWide's picture

June 02, 2015 at 10:19 pm

Yeah, his calves look particularly emaciated.

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Bear's picture

June 02, 2015 at 11:53 am

Is anyone concerned that Hayward's injury has been lingering since the early off season......and still isn't healed.

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Evan's picture

June 02, 2015 at 01:11 pm

::checks calendar::

Nah.

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TKWorldWide's picture

June 02, 2015 at 10:20 pm

SQ!

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Amanofthenorth's picture

June 03, 2015 at 01:09 am

Concern:? two beers one mouth

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