Soggy field conditions forced the Packers to take practice indoors for an upbeat workout inside the Don Hutson Center, Thursday.
"I commended them on their intensity," GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said. "I would like to see the execution get a little better, but as long as we have intensity, and I look for that everyday in practice and I tell them how it is everyday, then we'll get better."
Following position drills, the team worked on stopping the running game in 'thud' contact team drills.
The defense looked solid as safety Bobby Jackson broke into the backfield, standing up Najeh Davenport at the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Chukie Nwokorkie also stopped the 250-pound running back behind the line on the ensuing play.
In special teams drills, Antonio Chatman, Carl Ford, Brian McDonald and DeAndrew Rubin again shared reps returning punts while the punt teams worked on downing the ball inside the 5-yard line as well as punt and field goal protection.
Javon Walker continued to impress in team drills, nabbing a 25-yard reception from quarterback Brett Favre, who split two defenders -- Bhawoh Jue and Darren Sharper -- with the pass.
On just his second day with the team, running back Herbert Goodman solicited cheers from teammates with a cutback move in the backfield that lost just about every defender near him.
Moving to 7-on-7 drills, seventh-round draft pick Ford improved his chances of making the team, displaying athleticism with a sliding catch of a pass thrown behind him.
Also looking to catch on with the Packers, former Arena League speedster Chatman pulled in a 30-yard pass along the left sideline from quarterback Doug Pederson, just over the outstretched arms of Marques Anderson.
Rubin, also a seventh-round draft choice, showed great balance, nabbing a 12-yard pass from Craig Nall while toeing the right sideline.
The hit of the day came when Bryant Westbrook, who has made the switch from cornerback to safety, blasted through fullback Tommy Collins on the way to forcing running back Tony Fisher out of bounds.
"I thought he (Westbrook) had a nice play on our toss sweep," Sherman said. "He really came up and blew up our fullback Tommy Collins on that play. He's a physical player, and we'll have to wait and see (how he adjusts)."
Returning to action after sitting out yesterday's practice were Keith Burnell, Chris Johnson and Rubin.
The Packers returned outdoors for the afternoon practice, which was reserved for special teams only.
Wide receiver Donald Driver was excused from practice to spend time with his wife Betina, who gave birth to their first child, Cristian Donald Driver, Wednesday afternoon.
Weather permitting, the Packers return to Clarke Hinkle Field for a pair of practices Friday: 8:45-11:15 a.m. (shells) and 2:45-4:10 p.m. (shells).
Where: Don Hutson Center
Weather: 78 degrees
Did Not Participate: Earl Cochran (shoulder), Donald Driver (hamstring), Robert Ferguson (tailbone), Jorg Heckenbach (kidneys), Aaron Kampman (calf), James Lee (hip), Nick Luchey (knee), David Martin (hamstring), Terdell Sands (ankle), Lamar Smith (knee), Adam Tate (knee), Rod Walker (shoulder), Steve Warren (back), Reggie White (knee), Jerry Wisne (calf).
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