Green Bay Packers mini-camp continued into its third day Friday, although this time the rookies got involved.
After waking up early to go through their physicals and get fitted for equipment, the 2004 rookie class was on the football field at the Don Hutson Center by 10:30 a.m.
Practice began with individual drills, allowing drafted cornerbacks Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas to work against the Packers' receivers.
Wide receiver Robert Ferguson got the best of Carroll on one double-move, but Carroll rebounded later in the day to break up a few passes in team drills.
Thomas, meanwhile, had several pass breakups in both individual and team drills.
Among the veterans, Al Harris and Donald Driver weren't afraid to get physical despite the lack of pads, as Harris broke up a 5-yard pass for the former Pro Bowler.
Later in team drills, recent addition Chris Watson also broke up a pass, but after deflecting the football into the air it bounced through the hands of several Packers players before Bubba Franks pulled it down to the cheers of his teammates on offense.
More than an hour into the morning practice, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman released many of the veterans so that rookies could get the bulk of the reps.
The Packers turned to special teams, allowing third-round draft pick B.J. Sander to showcase his leg opposite Travis Dorsch.
Meanwhile, a handful of Packers players practiced receiving the punts, including wide receivers Ferguson and Carl Ford, running back Najeh Davenport and safety Eric Crouch.
The afternoon practice was for rookies and selected veterans, and featured left-handed quarterback Scott McBrien alternating reps with Craig Nall.
For the third day in a row, several Packers players were held out of team drills: Aaron Kampman (knee), Grady Jackson (knee), Marco Rivera (knee) and Mark Tauscher (hamstring).
No players have been added to the injury report since the start of mini-camp.
The Packers will return to the practice field Saturday (veterans & rookies) at 10:30 a.m. Weather and field conditions permitting, practice will be held outside at Clarke Hinkle Field (open to the public), but otherwise will be held inside the Don Hutson Center (closed to the public). An afternoon practice for rookies and selected veterans will begin at 2:45 p.m.
Today At A Glance ...
Where: Don Hutson Center (indoors)
Weather: 46 degrees, light rain
Did Not Practice: Na'il Diggs (shoulder), Chris Johnson (knee) Scottie Vines (knee), Bryant Westbrook (Achilles).
Did Not Attend: Joe Johnson (excused), Mike McKenzie.
