Vacation is over for the Green Bay Packers rookies, first-year players and most quarterbacks as they moved into their training camp dormitory at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., Monday.
"I'm ready to get back in the swing of things," said quarterback Craig Nall. "It's been fun being back home and coming and going as you please, but at the same time it's always good to get back in a little bit of structure."
He played golf -- one of the few non-football respites he will receive during the next month when they will eat, sleep and drink football -- on Monday morning. With two practices-a-day, mandatory bed checks and conditioning, the players have time for little else.
"It's football all the time," said defensive end Seante Williams, a first-year player allocated to NFL Europe. "I'm here for business."
Nall will room with his good friend, defensive end Aaron Kampman, his roommate during training camp and road games for the last two years. He, however, conceded he will miss spending time with his wife, Amanda, who lives just across the river.
"I understand why we do it -- to keep everybody here so you really understand how things work," he said. "At least [Kampman] doesn't snore too much, and I know he isn't going to keep me up."
Many of the players selected their roommates during the organized team activities last month.
Their rooms have air conditioning, two beds and a bathroom but lack some modern amenities.
"I've got to buy me a TV," Williams said.
Williams, like many players was cut during training camp last year but said this year will be different. Last year he was a "deer-in-the headlights" rookie.
"Last time it was just the excitement being with guys like Brett Favre, Bubba Franks and Al Harris. I didn't know how to handle all that. I got caught up in it. But now I'm just focused and can't wait."
With practices starting on Tuesday morning, he won't have to wait much longer.
The Packers will live at St. Norbert during training camp for the 48th consecutive year. Sensenbrenner Memorial Union will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and an evening snack to all of the players until they break camp on Aug. 21.
Over nearly three weeks, the Packers will consume:
- 7,200 bottles of Gatorade
- Nearly 6,000 bottles of water
- 4,800 bottles of Snapple-brand beverages
- 1,200 pounds of poultry
- 700-800 pounds of chicken wings (not included in above poultry)
- 1,800 pounds of beef
- Nearly 840 pounds of pasta
- 2,200 pounds of seafood
- 400-plus gallons of ice cream
