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Monday is the Green Bay Packers’ first day off the practice field in training camp, as the team gets a break from on-field work today. This comes after a four-day stretch of practice and before another four straight days with practice starting on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the team put full pads for the first time this summer, and practice ratcheted up a notch in intensity. It looks like a good thing for the team’s first draft pick in 2019, Rashan Gary, who has been looking good in both team and individual drills so far. Gary’s athleticism is not in question, and he has reportedly trimmed down his body fat to ten percent; instead, it’s his drive and intensity on the field that has coaches and teammates excited.
Meanwhile, one of the team’s least-hyped rookies — quarterback Manny Wilkins — is impressing in his own right. Saturday was his best practice in the early portion of camp, as he made some very nice throws to announce his arrival in a backup quarterback competition. Wilkins still appears to be the team’s fourth option, but he has earned himself some more opportunities as practice continue and as the team works towards the start of preseason action.
Packers impressed with Rashan Gary’s effort early at training camp | Packers Wire
Gary’s motor has been standing out to LaFleur and company, which is a great sign for a player who faced questions about that coming into the draft. He has been strong in run pursuit and also had some excellent one-on-one performances in pass-rushing drills.
Packers' David Bakhtiari knows helping Rashan Gary helps him, too - ESPN
Gary also appreciates advice on improving his craft from any source, and that includes the Packers' All-Pro left tackle. Bakhtiari has been making a point to work with the rookie and help him out, giving him the opposite perspective on playing the line.
Trevor Davis, Jake Kumerow share good day as WR competition keeps rolling | Packers.com
Davis had a tremendous practice on Sunday by all accounts, and if he can finally sustain that into preseason game action, that should combine with his special teams skills to give him a great leg up on a roster spot. Kumerow had some nice plays as well, though, and it looks like those two are running ahead of J'Mon Moore for the time being.
Manny Wilkins forces Packers to find practice reps for a fourth QB | Packersnews.com
Mike McCarthy always liked having four quarterbacks in training camp, so the reps question probably isn’t a big deal. More important is how Wilkins has been impressing his teammates and coaches — he’s learning leadership skills inside and outside the huddle, and his performance on Saturday will earn him a bigger share of reps in general moving forward.
Colts rookie Parris Campbell impressing Frank Reich - NFL.com
It's still tough not to think about what the Packers could do with Campbell on the offense this year. Elgton Jenkins may well be the best pick long-term, particularly with some holes potentially opening up on the offensive line in the near future, but Campbell looks like a star in the making.
Giants' Golden Tate to appeal four-game suspension for substance abuse | SI.com
Tate was suspended last week, but he believes that the positive test was the result of fertility treatments. He says he stopped using the drug immediately after realizing it contained something on the banned list, but the league has suspended him anyway.
Canada murder hunt: search for teen suspects leads only to polar bear | The Guardian
The two fugitives remain on the run, while police sweeping the area around Churchill, Manitoba found only the migrating bear when scanning the area with the help of some military aircraft. But are they 100% sure that it’s not just two people in a bear costume?