GREEN BAY - Marcedes Lewis came to Green Bay with a strong reputation for being one of the NFL's top blocking tight ends.
One week into his first training camp with the Packers, the veteran tight end hasn't disappointed.
A former Pro Bowler, Lewis spent his first 12 NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before signing with the Packers in May. According to Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the 6-foot-6, 267-pound tight end has looked good in early padded work and also flashed his abilities as a receiving target.
"He's obviously a big man, but he's powerful," said McCarthy in his pre-practice news conference Thursday morning. "His ability to cut and anchor on a block and maintain the line of scrimmage has been impressive, and frankly we haven't really had that here with a man of his size and his ability. He can still run. He's a vertical threat. I think he's done some really good things in the passing game. Love his experience, his professionalism. He's been a great addition to our team."
Despite a light mist and 60-degree weather in Green Bay, McCarthy said the team still plans to practice outside Thursday. NFL officials are in town for the next three days and will work Saturday's Family Night practice, the team's eighth and final installation.
These next three days will be an opportunity for Green Bay's coaches and players to ask any questions they might have about the rule changes, which include new rules for helmet hits and kickoffs.
"Definitely more volume," said McCarthy of the number of questions prior to previous years. "You can just see with the communication from NFL officiating department, a number of emails, particularly the video that's been moving around the league. Just as far as creating good teaching tapes for our players. We've already taken a lap through it. We have a segment of our team meeting, game education, that we've been able to cover most of it so far and it'll be good to have officials here the next three days."
