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Cheese Curds, 8/3: Josh Myers impresses early, Preston Smith aims for 2021 rebound

A rookie is taking control of a starting job already while a veteran pass-rusher looks to get back to form.

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NFL: JUL 31 Green Bay Packers Training Camp Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Sure, Aaron Rodgers was the storyline in Green Bay a week ago, but with him back on the field and practicing with the team, it’s time to focus on the rest of the Green Bay Packers’ roster. Early on, one of the team’s most impressive players is one of its younger members, as a rookie has been locked in on the first team since the first day of OTAs.

That player is center Josh Myers, the Packers’ second-round draft pick out of Ohio State. His selection was a bit of a surprise, with many expecting the team to move Elgton Jenkins or Lucas Patrick to center. Instead, Myers has grabbed the center job and run with it throughout all of the offseason practices and through the first week of training camp, allowing Patrick to remain at his comfortable guard spot and Jenkins to move all over the offensive line.

Indeed, if Myers locks down the center spot, Jenkins may well be the Packers’ week one starter at left tackle in place of David Bakhtiari.

On the other side of the football, the Packers brought Preston Smith back with a pay cut for 2021, and he has had a great opportunity to start camp in a good position with Za’Darius Smith sidelined. However, the offseason was a big one for Smith, who focused more on cardio and was determined to come into camp in better shape after a rough second year in Green Bay.

The pads go on for Tuesday’s practice, marking the next major step forward as the Packers head towards Family Night on Saturday and the preseason opener a week later. Keep it here at APC for updates this afternoon and join us on Twitter after practice as our Kris Burke hosts a Q&A after attending today’s session.

5 things learned at Packers training camp – Aug. 2 | Packers.com
Krys Barnes said on Monday that he played much of 2020 too heavy, closer to 245 pounds than his listed 229. Now he feels more comfortable around 235.

Aaron Rodgers impressed by early returns on Packers rookie C Josh Myers | Packers Wire
Myers has been answering any question about his ability to step in and take over the starting center job from day one. The next big step comes Tuesday, when the pads go on.

Aaron Rodgers-Davante Adams tandem clicking already: 20 things we learned from Packers' first week of camp – The Athletic (subscription)
If this does become a last dance for this duo in Green Bay, they're certainly off to a good start in camp.

Preston Smith banking on his own resurgence in 2021 | Packer Report
Preston Smith's goal is to rebound in 2021 after a largely dismal 2020. But while he says he dropped into coverage more last year than in 2019, the numbers don't bear that out as being the reason for his decline as a pass-rusher.

From Hall of Fame talent to Hall of Fame production to NFL legend - the evolution of Charles Woodson | ESPN
One can never tell Woodson's story too many times, but Woodson was a very different person as a young man in Oakland than the man he became after his stint with the Packers.

Olympic Cameraman Stopped Filming Field Hockey to Focus on a Cockroach | Insider.com
Field hockey may not be most people's first choice for Olympic events to watch, but I'd certainly rather the cameraman focus on the game than a random bug on a rail in the stadium.