Cheese Curds, 6/14: Packers’ defense impressing as team breaks for the summer

After a fun day on Thursday, the Green Bay Packers are officially on summer break. Minicamp is over, the last day of practice having been swapped out for a paintball tournament, and the team is free for about six weeks until the players report for training camp on July 24th.

However, if offseason workouts are to be believed, the Packers are in a strange position heading into the break. That weird feeling is the defense being the more impressive unit in spring workouts.

The reasons are understandable. The team made a bigger investment in adding defensive personnel than players on offense this offseason. There’s a new head coach and new offensive system taking hold, while the defensive coordinator is in his second year. But with the pads off and no contact allowed, one would expect the offense to still hold an advantage.

The fact that it has not is probably a good sign, however. There will be another six weeks of training camp to get right on that side of the football. The defense, however, is already established under Mike Pettine. Hopefully when games roll around, both units will be in prime shape to make a statement that the Packers are back.

Packers focus on team-building, play paintball | Packers.com
The team's Thursday activities involved a double-elimination tournament, which the team led by Davante Adams and Nathaniel Hackett won. Check out all the photos and social media videos compiled here.

The surprise offseason standout for all 32 teams | ESPN
Receivers earn the spotlight here since there is no tackling allowed in offseason practices. For the Packers, it's Jake Kumerow and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, while an old friend pops up on the list for the Dallas Cowboys.

Packers' revitalized defense turns tables on still-evolving offense | Packersnews.com
Bryan Bulaga was clear that he feels the defense is ahead of the offense now, something he hasn't seen in his ten-year tenure. Matt LaFleur acknowledged as much as well, and with the team officially off for the next six weeks, that will need to change when pads come on in July.

Pat Bowlen: Broncos owner passes away after Alzheimer's battle | SI.com
Bowlen was chosen as a member of this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class, and his induction will take place this summer.

Olympic curling champion uses gold medal to mark ball at Pro-Am | Golf.com
Wisconsin native and noted Packers fan Matt Hamilton had some fun on the green this week when he marked his ball with his gold medal from the 2018 Winter Olympics.