The rookies arrived in Green Bay en masse yesterday, and today they hit the practice field for the first time as members of the Packers.

Practice takes place at 4 p.m. CT inside the Don Hutson Center for rookies, a select number of tryout players and perhaps some first-year players, but the session will not be open to the public.

Following Friday's practice, the official website of the Packers will broadcast Mike McCarthy's press conference at a time still to be determined.

Friday's practice is the first of three during this weekend's rookie orientation camp. They'll do the same on Saturday and Sunday as well.

Presumably, they'll take part in meetings and get their physicals out of the way prior to 4 p.m.

One of my favorite things to watch for from rookie orientation every year is the ball handling drills, even for the linemen and defensive players.

Probably because it is their first opportunity to get an up-close and extended look at the players they've just signed and drafted, the coaching staff typically has every player carry the football during a drill at some point during camp this weekend.

This is a favorite "photo op" for the media-credentialed cameramen in attendance. So look for photos of Datone Jones with the football in his hands in the local newspapers this weekend. It's always an peculiar sight to see the big men with the football in their hands.