Packers HC Mike McCarthy Sunday Presser: Micah Hyde can line up anywhere

Football is back, which also signals the return of daily press conferences with Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

• McCarthy definitely prefers padded work, "Historically, there's always a jump when you go to pads. Definitely practice will look different tomorrow. It will be longer."
• Those hoping for defensive lineman Datone Jones to improve in year two will be glad to hear that he's bigger now than as a rookie, "Datone Jones is stronger. He looks explosive. When he cam here last year, he had some impactful moments."
• According to McCarthy, linebacker Jamari Lattimore's absence from practice was due to a "stomach illness." No clarification was given as to whether this is the same illness that sidelined wide receiver Jeff Janis.
• The head coach seems pleased with his backup quarterbacks, "Matt Flynn has gained experience. Matt is steady as they go. Scott [Tolzien] didn't have a chance to learn the offense A through Z. Now, he's had a chance to go through the offseason. We're seeing the benefits." McCarthy added that the rep split between Flynn and Tolzien has been roughly equal.
• One of the new features of training camp is the snack break between sessions. McCarthy insists that this isn't actually a new feature, but rather something they've taken from the cafeteria to the field.
• While the team insists that several positions on the offensive line are open for competition, McCarthy's words indicate how unlikely it is that the team breaks up the group of David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, J.C. Tretter, T.J. Lang, and Bryan Bulaga, "Every offensive line I've been around, when they line up and play 16 games together, that's a damn good offensive line." While this group hasn't played 16 games together, building continuity before the season is clearly an emphasis.
• The safety position also seems to impress McCarthy. He called Morgan Burnett "an outstanding pro" and discussed his expanded leadership role. But McCarthy seemed most enamored with Micah Hyde. "Micah Hyde's transition to safety has been seamless. He's just a good football player. You can line him up anywhere. He's a playmaker."

That's all for McCarthy. Keep your internet machines tuned to Acme Packing Company for the latest Packers news and developments.