GREEN BAY – The first practice in pads was, well, the first practice in pads.
"I thought it was sloppy," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday morning before the second padded workout. "We had way too many guys on the ground."
It wasn't all bad, of course. McCarthy appreciated the competitive spirit and intensity, but the Packers have to clean things up, a common refrain at this time of year.
There's almost a learning curve to practicing in pads, where players maximize on the contact allowed while still taking care of each other and not putting themselves and others at too much risk for injury.
"I thought the energy was terrific. I thought we had some good moments," McCarthy said. "But it's probably the same (darn) thing you say every year. We just had way too many guys on the ground. It was as high as I can recall.
"The competitive part was excellent, but it's a reflection of being in pads for the first time. We have a lot of work to do."
Running back Aaron Jones missed Saturday's practice with a hamstring injury, and McCarthy said he would miss Monday's workout as well. He did not have a timeline on Jones' potential return.
Packers.com will have more following practice and locker room interviews.
