By CHRIS HAVEL
Green Bay’s battle cry should be “No Excuses … No Regrets!”
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Packers head coach Mike McCarthy gathers his players for their first team meeting on the eve of training camp in a few weeks.

• What is McCarthy’s overriding message going to be?
• How much if at all will he refer to 2015?
• Will the team’s stated goal be “Houston or bust”?

If it were me, I would ignore last season. I also would make it clear Super Bowl 51 is THE goal. I’d make darn sure everyone in the room realized the assembled group possesses the talent to win a title, but that talent alone isn’t enough.
Then, I’d send in a pass play and turn it over to Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers are a bona fide Super Bowl contender because of their offense, their play-caller and their quarterback. If Jordy Nelson returns to form, and Ty Montgomery and the rest get right, they also will have the play-makers to win it all.
Some point to the cliché: Defense wins championships. That is true.
However, I would add this: Offense wins a lot of games on the road to the title.
In 2011, the Packers went 15-1 and were summarily bounced from the playoffs. The Packers’ offensive machine flattened one opponent after another during the regular season.
Green Bay’s defense was good – and improving – but the offense was the driving force. Rodgers and his weaponry were special. They still are special.
The Packers are built to get a lead, make the opposing offense one-dimensional and then bury it.
That sounds like an “offense first” mentality. The reality is that it requires strong defensive play, especially early in games, in order to give your offense an early edge.
It also requires a defense that can rush the passer – repeatedly if necessary – and a secondary that can run all day if need be.
The Packers appear to have an abundance of both.
What remains to be seen is how Green Bay’s defense defends the center of the field. Will Jake Ryan, Sam Barrington, Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez be enough to stop the run on early downs and allow the defense to attack on later downs?
In 2011, Green Bay’s lack of balance was its downfall. Injuries also played a key factor.
This season, the Packers’ running game with a presumably sleeker, better-conditioned Eddy Lacy should provide balance. Also, tight end Jared Cook’s pass-catching ability and speed gives the offense another explosive weapon.
That, the upgraded defense and improved special teams play ought to put the Packers on the precipice of immortality.
So what will be the determining factors? Naturally, Rodgers needs to play better than he did last season. That will happen if the running backs are ready to roll and the offensive line remains relatively healthy.
Also, Rodgers will have a new weapon in Cook, an old reliable in Nelson and a refocused Randall Cobb and Davante Adams.
Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis will be better for the experience last season, and rookie speedster Trevor Davis adds a much-needed dimension.
I suspect we will know early on if the Packers’ offense is going to resemble its 2011 predecessors.
Clearly, the Packers’ defense has been buoyed by the draft. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark and linebackers Fackrell and Martinez are being counted on to play significant roles.
J.C. Tretter’s development and rookie Jason Spriggs’ presence, plus a healthy Josh Sitton and company, gives the offensive line a real chance to give Green Bay a real 1-2 punch in terms of its “first contact” (the lines) units.
Defensively, Mike Daniels and Clay Matthews continue to set the tone for an aggressive style. Julius Peppers is coming off a quiet 10 ½-sack season, while Nick Perry gets one more chance to sustain those occasional flashes of excellence.
Ultimately, the Packers have fewer questions than most teams entering the season.
The quarterback, offensive weaponry and linemen are A-OK. The receivers will be better if only because they can’t be worse.
The Packers have no excuses entering the season.
If they play with an aggressive, attacking style on offense, everything else should fall into place.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).
Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

By CHRIS HAVEL
As NFL franchises go Green Bay is blessed with great past, bright future
The Fourth of July is a good time to reflect on all that is great in this country. That includes the opportunity to enjoy the uniquely American sport of football, and especially the National Football League.
Clearly, it has been a pursuit of happiness for Packers’ fans.
A quick refresher: The Green Bay Packers are one of only two NFL teams (New England is the other) to qualify for seven straight post-season appearances.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has the highest quarterback rating (107.9), the second-most touchdown passes (170 to Drew Brees’ 193) and the best TD-INT ratio (170 to 33) since 2011. Also, the Packers rank second in the NFL in wins since 2009 with 84, trailing New England with 93 and well ahead of Baltimore, Denver and New Orleans with 74. That’s a remarkable amount of success.
Toss in Brett Favre’s Pro Football Hall of Fame run, which included victory in Super Bowl XXXI, plus all the rich history and tradition such as the Golden Years that came before. It might be overwhelming if it wasn’t so commonplace.
In Green Bay, sustained success sprouts from a continuous, focused effort to proceed a certain way – corny as it may sound – the Packer Way. With success comes expectations, and with expectations comes the potential for disappointment. In the NFL, where one of only 32 teams can be truly happy at season’s end, the potential for disappointment is great.
It is why some fans cry out for a “go for it” mentality – I’m still not sure what exactly that means – because they feel a title is so close but yet so far. They want more without realizing they’re already getting more.
In fact, the Packers’ steady roster building, shrewd draft picks and timely free-agent signings all represent an aggressive mentality and approach.
Some fans need to remember the Packers are close year-in, year-out because they have a high sense of urgency. Common sense suggests a stagnant approach will doom a team. If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. It’s a cliché for a reason. It’s true.
The Packers’ ability to stay on top of situations and to be pro-active is a testament to their sense of urgency. How can it be otherwise in a league where teams will do anything to win? How can it be otherwise with such a supportive, well-informed and yet demanding fan base?
The answer is obvious: It cannot be otherwise.
Many believe the Packers will do great things in 2016. I agree, but I also point out: And how does that differ from 2015, or 2014 … or 2011?
It doesn’t.
And here’s the point: The same expectations that are quite reasonable going into this season are no different from the expectations going into last year or any previous year.
The difference in Green Bay is that the expectations are valid. Not because GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy underwent sweeping changes in this off-season. On the contrary, it’s because they continue with the same steady, firm and proven approach that’s made the Packers winners.
A vast majority of Packers fans understand this. It’s just another reason to support their favorite team. They’re always in contention for something great special.
Furthermore, the new CBA protects the franchise financially. The TV revenue sharing is critical. So is the Packers’ ability to generate new revenue streams while enhancing the fan experience.
The Packers will enter training camp as an NFC favorite. There are many reasons for it. Jordy Nelson’s anticipated return is front and center. So is the likely defensive impact from a draft class that included Kenny Clark, Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez.
Throw in the holdovers – Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, etc. – and their stated desire to win a championship says a lot.
As they say, the Packers’ time is now.
I might add to that, but until training camp opens, the Packers’ time is their fans to speculate, ruminate and day-dream about between now and then.
Enjoy the next several weeks. Once the season begins it’s going to be a fast and furious ride.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).
Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

By CHRIS HAVEL
President Mark Murphy, players from current, former teams come together
As the five-day bus trip was coming to a close the players – current and former – teased each other about everything from having sore elbows from signing autographs to hilariously mispronouncing Wisconsin cities along the way.
Voices were hoarse and eyes were a bit blurry but none of the Packers’ 2016 Tailgate Tour entourage was complaining.
“Oh, man, it’s a lot of fun,” said LeRoy Butler, one of three players from Green Bay’s Super Bowl XXXI team to make the trek. “It’s a great chance to spend time with some of the current players, but it’s also a lot of fun catching up with the fans.”
Butler, an All-Pro safety, was joined by receiver Robert Brooks and defensive end Sean Jones as representatives of the1996 team. Jones said he appreciated the opportunity to get to know Jayrone Elliott, Sam Barrington and Jared Abbrederis. In particular, Jones took note of Elliott’s interest in picking his brain.
“(Elliott) sat down by me and took the time to ask some really good questions,” Jones said. “Football questions … questions about pass-rush techniques … all kinds of things.”
Elliott’s respect for Jones’ knowledge was one thing. His desire to ask really good questions and demonstrate a genuine thirst for great information was quite another.
“He was really into it,” Jones said. “I always admired his game, but it’s a little different when you get to know players on a personal level. I’ll be watching him a lot closer this year.”
This was Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy’s ninth tour.
In the early years, the Packers would have an emcee to host the event at the various stops. Over time, Murphy gradually became the tour’s “unofficial” spokesperson and as such its emcee.
It’s especially fun to see Murphy interact with the players. He has no qualms about praising or teasing them, depending on what the situation calls for. Clearly, he is certain to get a reaction from the players and fans.
The Packers fans gathered at the Crawford Center in Shawano last Tuesday erupted when the contingent rolled in. They were especially raucous when Abbrederis – who starred at Wisconsin and is a Wautoma native – was introduced.
The fans surely were into it. One lady purchased a “Lambeau Leap” t-shirt online especially for the event. She wanted Butler – who received the lateral from Reggie White and raced into Packers folklore – to sign it.
“I told him, ‘I got this t-shirt just for you to sign,’ ” she said. “He was so sweet and I got a great hug, too.”
Elliott was enjoying the drip even before his beloved Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 to capture the NBA Finals.
“They’ve been my favorite team for a long, long time,” Elliott said. “I was a fan even before LeBron (James) came to town.”
Elliott acknowledged seeing the Cavs win a title just makes him that much more anxious for the Packers’ season to kick off.
“It’s what we’re all working for,” he said.
Murphy said it was a pleasure to help raise money for worthy charities throughout the state. If he didn’t enjoy it, he wouldn’t be making his ninth straight tour. He had to laugh when he it was suggested that he’s by far the most-liked president in the state in this election year.
“It’s funny you should say that,” Murphy said. “It’s happened several times when parents introduce me to their younger children they’ll say, ‘This is the president.’ And they look at me all wide-eyed as if to say, “You’re not President Obama.”
“We’ve had a few good laughs over that.”
Along with engaging with the fans, Murphy said it is fun for him to see the players mingle with each other.
Murphy said it always strikes him how the retired players and current players will begin the tour on opposite ends of the bus. By the time the tour is concluded they are all one team.
“The interaction they have with each other is special,” he said. “It crosses eras and all of that but they’re all Green Bay Packers.”
Just ask Sean Jones.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).
Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

By CHRIS HAVEL
Next time McCarthy, Rodgers and Co. assemble it’ll be ‘Back to Football’
The Green Bay Packers’ offseason began with a vivid, timely message delivered by an unlikely source. LeBron James sent it loud and clear Sunday night:
“It’s good to be champion!” said the NBA’s greatest player.
Indeed, James and his trusted sidekick, Kyrie Irving, delivered the city of Cleveland its first professional sports championship since the NFL’s Browns did it in 1964.
The Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 93-89, at Oakland in an epic Father’s Day Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
In the process, James and the Cavaliers were a study in determination.
They refused to lose.
Down 3-to-1 in the best-of-seven series, James said his confidence never wavered. He didn’t waste energy bemoaning the team’s doubtful circumstances. Instead, he led by example.
James stayed tough. He stayed focused. He didn’t blink. Meantime, the mighty Warriors with Draymond Green and the Splash Brothers – Steph Curry and Klay Thompson – fell silent.
The tie-in to the Packers’ upcoming season should be clear. Green Bay has a great player (quarterback Aaron Rodgers) surrounded by a championship-caliber roster (in my opinion).
A berth in Super Bowl 51 isn’t going to be easily attained. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible.
Packers GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy have built a roster with a singular goal: To win a championship.
On offense, defense and special teams the 2016 Packers appear to be equipped with all it takes – the whim of the football Gods aside – to advance to the Super Bowl.
A handful of key questions must be answered in training camp. It’s that way for all 32 teams in the NFL. If the 53-man rosters were set the league could dispense with training camp and the preseason and go straight to the opening weekend kickoffs.
What sets the Packers apart from most is the fact that they are proven and battle-tested in the most critical areas.

Quarterback:

Few teams have anything close to Rodgers in terms of leadership, toughness and skill. He is in his prime. He has ample weapons, especially with the off-season additions of tight end Jared Cook and rookie receiver Trevor Davis, plus the return of Jordy Nelson. This should be a BIG year for Rodgers.

Running back:

Eddie Lacy’s weighty challenge has been well-chronicled. It will be fairly obvious early in training camp whether the lead ball carrier is up to the task.
Either way, the Packers have had several months to make sure Lacy’s weight and conditioning are non-issues.
History suggests Lacy will be ready when the bell sounds.

Receiver:

It is pointless to speculate about Nelson’s return.
What matters is that the star receiver is on pace for a complete recovery, and that he is expected to be ready for the regular season.
Meantime, if that doesn’t play out exactly to plan, the reality is that the Packers have had an entire year to figure it out.
At some point, skeptical fans and cynical media members have to rely on the Packers’ track record in the past decade. Furthermore, they don’t lack for motivation what with the Vikings capturing the NFC North championship, and all three division foes beating Green Bay at Lambeau Field.
First win the division, and then the conference, for the Packers.

Defense:

The rookie class should provide an infusion of much-needed depth, youth and talent. The skill still needs to be developed, but that’s what the coaching staff is for. Fortunately, everyone from nose tackle Kenny Clark to linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez look the part.
They appear to be the NFL’s equivalent to “gym rats.” They love to play the game. Their career dominates their thoughts and constantly motivates them.
If these three don’t contribute (injury aside) I will be shocked.
Clark has a chance to make Mike Daniels better and solidify the unit in the process. Fackrell and Martinez have been smooth thus far, but there’s a long way from practice to a live game. The good news is that nothing suggests they won’t be up to it.

Special teams

Special teams played much better last year. Some of that had to do with Ron Zook’s replacing Shawn Slocum. And some of it had to do with McCarthy’s relinquishing of play-calling duties in order to spend more time improving the special teams.

It’s good to be champion

Ultimately, the Packers want to accomplish what the Cavaliers finally succeeded in doing last night.
As LeBron James said, “It’s good to be champion.”
 
 
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).
Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

By CHRIS HAVEL
McCarthy, Rodgers going easy when it comes to throwing praise around this time
The change is scarcely noticeable, but make no mistake, the Packers’ approach this offseason is decidedly different than a year ago.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has been forthcoming with his opinions on players’ performance through the OTA’s and into this week’s mandatory minicamp.
But he hasn’t been nearly as effusive as last offseason. The same can be said for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
When Jeff Janis – aka “The People’s Champ” – makes a nice play it will be duly noted. It’s the same with Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis and the rest.
Suffice it to say there isn’t going to be an offseason MVP this time around.
Now, I don’t believe that McCarthy’s praise of Adams last season contributed to his subpar play. On the other hand it’s difficult to blame Adams for feeling pretty good about himself, especially when the head coach and QB are tossing bouquets.
I’m not sure why McCarthy was so generous with his compliments. Most likely it’s because he really believed Adams was on the verge of big things. He also likely felt the offensive line was as good as it gets in the NFL.
He even had kind words for the backup offensive linemen.
Certainly some of it was merited. The lesson in this is something that GM Ted Thompson alluded to in the weeks before the draft. The position that you feel might be a need today may not be a need next week.
The point is that the NFL is a fluid game. Nobody is as good as they think, or as bad, for that matter. The truth lies in between. That’s why Rodgers has been almost as careful with his comments as he is with his pass attempts.
Clearly, the Packers are planning on big things this season. It’s been that way forever, or so it seems.
But last year reminded everyone that even the best-laid plans can be sabotaged by injuries and ineffectiveness.
When Jordy Nelson suffered his season-ending knee injury most Packers fans thought it would be a serious blow. However, they also knew that McCarthy and Rodgers were so high on Adams and Ty Montgomery and the rest that everything would be OK.
It was anything but OK. The Packers never replaced Nelson despite James Jones’ strong showing, and Randall Cobb’s struggles caught most off-guard. Then Adams went belly-up, Montgomery was injured and Janis was too raw to step up.
Now, as the Packers anxiously await Nelson’s return, the truth is undeniable: There is no excuse for a repeat of the offense’s misery this season.
Last year, the Packers had few options to overcome Nelson’s loss. Jones’ availability seemed like the logical solution, but only if the other receivers stepped up their game.
They didn’t.
This time around there won’t be any reason even if Nelson is slow to come back. The Packers have had an entire offseason to prepare for his absence if it comes to that.
The free agent signing of tight end Jared Cook was significant. In fact, that alone might be enough to help the Packers survive should Nelson be unavailable for stretches.
Cook certainly looks the part. The only concern is his foot surgery, although McCarthy and the team doctors seemed unconcerned.
Eddie Lacy’s resurgence is essential, too. Lacy looked to be in good shape at the last OTAs, but there’s still a long way from now to the regular season. Furthermore, the running back situation hasn’t changed behind Lacy. It’s still James Starks, John Crockett and whoever steps up.
Defensively, rookie linebacker Blake Martinez certainly has stood out thus far.
McCarthy has been positive in his comments on Martinez, but considering the glaring need at inside linebacker his performance so far has to be promising.
However, McCarthy isn’t about to proclaim Martinez all-world or anything of the sort. The attitude seems to be positive but not overboard.
The Packers know they’re good. In fact, they should compete for the NFC Championship. Taking a low-key approach seems wise, though. The Packers intend to let their playing do the talking.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).
Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

By CHRIS HAVEL
Will Martinez start at ILB? Is Cook going to be OK? How does Nelson look?
The Packers’ offseason process includes OTAs, mini-camps, training camp and the exhibition games, not to mention plenty of room for speculation.
Here’s a quick Q & A thus far:

Which rookie will have the greatest impact?

The logical answer would be nose tackle Kenny Clark. It is reasonable to expect the first-round pick to be in the Packers’ base defense on opening day at Jacksonville.
Clark’s presumed ability to play the run at a high level should be a blessing to Mike Daniels and whoever flanks him on the other side. If Clark’s all-out hustle and tenacity translates to the next level, Daniels’ numbers should go up.
If Clark is the obvious answer to this question, so be it.
It’s better than drafting a first-round question mark.

Will rookie Blake Martinez be in the Packers’ starting lineup? If so who will be joining him?

I have a nagging suspicion it’s going to be Martinez alongside Jake Ryan. Sam Barrington is the favorite to be a starting inside linebacker coming off his injury.
However, if Martinez is the real deal and Ryan builds upon a decent stretch run last season, they could be the starters. My long-shot to make some noise at linebacker is hard-hitting undrafted free agent Beniquez Brown from Mississippi State.
Brown (6-1, 229) can really run, plus he’s a willing hitter who was one of the SEC’s top tacklers. Keep an eye on him.

How does Jordy Nelson look?

He looks great.
What’s not to like about seeing Aaron Rodgers and Nelson playing catch again? OK, so it was no more than that, but it still qualifies as progress. Nelson’s return from the ACL injury is as much-anticipated a return of any player in recent memory.
Let’s face it. The Packers’ offensive juggernaut was naught without Nelson.
It’s impossible to overstate his importance to the attack. However, the Packers have no excuses if they haven’t properly prepared for the event that Nelson’s return is somehow stalled.
Can the Packers’ offense succeed without No. 87? It can, but that requires more from the rest of the receivers, especially Randall Cobb, DaVante Adams and Ty Montgomery. At least two of those three need to be significantly better than they were in 2015.

How concerned should Packers fans be with the news that free agent tight end Jared Cook underwent foot surgery?

It sounds like Cook is going to be OK.
It is interesting from the standpoint of how news is delivered these days. Cook was absent from one of the few OTA practices that is open to the public and media.
The media, through due diligence, realized there could only be several reasons for Cook’s absence:
A) He chose not to go – it wasn’t a mandatory practice – in which case the team generally announces and goes along (begrudgingly) with it. That didn’t happen.
B) Cook is absent because he wants to make a point about his contract, his role, etc. Clearly, that wasn’t the case.
C) That he had an off-the-field problem, such as a bad PED test, or perhaps he was injured and required surgery?
Bingo! It turned out Cook required off-season foot surgery, but he is expected to return in time for training camp.
Let’s hope.

Who is going to be the No. 3 running back?

It appears to be a two-man battle between holdover John Crockett and newcomer Don Jackson of Nevada. Crockett showed to be a hard runner and decent receiver out of the backfield. He is similar to starter Eddie Lacy though not as fast or as explosive.
Jackson has decent quickness, acceleration and straight-line speed. However, it remains to be seen if he can be trusted in terms of pass protection, ball security and catching it.
It should be a good battle.

What is the Packers’ deepest, best position group?

Well, the good news is this isn’t any easy or obvious question to answer. The quarterback position is about as good as it gets, so I’ll remove them from the conversation.
The tight end position appears to be vastly improved with the addition of Cook, plus Richard Rodgers’ leaner, more toned physique and another year in the system for Justin Perillo and Co.
The offensive line looks much better, too. Everyone looks healthy or on the verge of it, plus second-round pick Jason Spriggs really looks the part.
However, the best position group has to be the defensive backs. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy praised the “back end” of the defense in a recent interview and for good reason.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is an excellent safety. His running mate, Morgan Burnett, is a fine complementary safety, plus Micah Hyde is a versatile play-maker.
At cornerback, the Packers have overcome the loss of Tramon Williams, Davon House and Casey Heyward. In fact, they have gotten younger, better and cheaper.
Quinten Rollins and Damarious Randall are promising second-year pros, and Sam Shields is a proven All-Pro caliber corner. Behind them, LaDarius Gunter and Demetri Goodson have shown promise.
Here’s the catch: For the Packers to maximize their strength – their secondary’s ball-hawking ability – they need their offense to regain its magic, point-making touch, and they need their pass rush to be at its best.
It’ll be interesting as it plays out.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).
Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

By CHRIS HAVEL
Veterans, rookies get busy on Day 2 of OTA’s – first that’s open to fans, media
Herb Waters wears No. 16.
He plays wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers. He is a six-foot, 188-pound rookie from the University of Miami. He is about as nondescript as they come in OTAs. Then, suddenly, he flashes.
As Brett Hundley’s high-arching pass pierces the southeasterly breeze, Waters outmaneuvers two defenders, high-points the lob and deftly plucks it with his hands and cradles it to safety.
Waters succeeded in going where every undrafted free agent wants to be: A place where he is noticed. For Waters, the clever jostling and keen grab were enough to get noticed.
For rookies such as him, though, it’s just the beginning. So it was for young and old alike Tuesday at the Packers’ second official Organized Team Activities (OTA) workout. It was the first in view of the fans and media.
Here are several observations:

Jared Cook is an athlete.

There hasn’t been this sleek, fast and large tight end in a Packers’ uniform in forever. Cook fills out his No. 89 jersey through the chest and shoulders, but it’s his sprinter-like legs that draw attention.
Cook can run. If he doesn’t successfully challenge the heart of NFL defenses I’ll be surprised. After years of working with hacks and wannabes at quarterback, Cook will have to get used to catching the football between the “8” and the “9.”
It’s a nice problem to have.

The wait is over. That’s right.

Eddie Lacy is back and better – but not bigger – than ever before. Lacy, who went on a P90X workout campaign this offseason, seems to have conquered his battle of the bulge.
Nobody would ever mistake Lacy for svelte – my guess is he currently weighs 235 – but it’s his tone and conditioning that seem to have improved.
Frankly, who cares if Lacy bowls over defenders at 270 or gets them off balance and then crushes them at 235? What matters is that he gets the job done, and that his conditioning is such that it allows him to be a legit threat in the fourth quarter.
Lacy’s calves and biceps are taut. His stomach is noticeable but not ridiculously so. Simply put he looks good. He looks healthy.
He also smiled a lot, which suggests he’s happy.

Martinez looked incredibly comfortable for a rookie.

Blake Martinez, the inside linebacker from Stanford, lined up with the starters in the base 3-4 defense. He joined Jake Ryan at inside linebacker while veteran Sam Barrington sat out as he recovers from last season’s injury.
He seemed to be able to communicate effectively as he shouted out defenses and positioned players accordingly.
Physically, Martinez doesn’t give the impression of being in any way too small to man the position. In fact, Martinez looks like he could defend the run or the pass. He has nice swivel in his hips and finds the football easily in the air.

Mike Pennel

Mike Pennel, big ol’ No. 64, was slugging it out in the defensive line. Pennel was lining up where he might’ve lined up – at nose with the starters – if he hadn’t been suspended the first four games for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
I tried to pencil in Kenny Clark, the Packers’ first-round pick, in where Pennel was playing. I think Clark’s going to be a terrific addition, but I also think just about when he starts to hit the rookie wall in Week 5 Pennel will be back.
The suspension is unfortunate but Clark’s presence should be able to fill the void. And Pennel’s return will bolster the depth.

Mike McCarthy was asked about Davante Adams.

Adams, who struggled as a second-year receiver in 2015, made several impressive plays on Tuesday. One catch, in particular, drew “oohs!” and “ahhs!” He beat double-coverage and came down with the football.
“He looks a lot stronger than in the past,” McCarthy said of Adams. “He’s healthy. We’ve talked about this a bunch during the season. I think he definitely showed that (strength) today.
“He high-pointed the football, he made the play … frankly, he needed an off-season to get healthy and stronger and it looks like he’s done that.”

Datone Jones looked leaner and stronger

Jones’ prepares to play the “elephant” position in defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ scheme.
“Jones playing the elephant – I think the position reflects the way you have to use him,” McCarthy said. “His flexibility as a five-technique, a six-, a seven- … nine-technique – Datone’s very productive with the opportunities he gets – production versus playing time. He’s really found his niche here.
“I think it’s the right position for him.”

McCarthy on Clinton-Dix

McCarthy was asked about Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who along with veteran safety Morgan Burnett appears to be in tip-top shape going into the season.
“I think (Clinton-Dix) is an excellent young player,” McCarthy said. “I think Ha Ha is as fine a safety as there is in the NFL. I think he and Morgan Burnett, the way they fly around out there, their cohesiveness on the back end … I like it.”
Both spent time between drills discussing football on the sideline. It seems Clinton-Dix and Burnett feed off each other.
“I like our secondary,” McCarthy said.

Julius Pepers

Before he called it a news conference, McCarthy was asked about the ageless one, Julius Peppers.
The outside linebacker/edge pass rusher is 36 years old. He also doesn’t show signs of slowing down as he enters his third season in Green Bay.
“Julius Peppers is ageless, I agree with that,” McCarthy said. “When you see him run the 220s and some of the conditioning stuff he does with the DBs, it’s impressive.”
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).
Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.

By CHRIS HAVEL
Chad Clifton, Nick Collins among classiest, most professional I’ve dealt with through the years
James Campen and Charles Woodson have been bestowed a tremendous honor.
Campen, the Packers’ former center and current offensive line coach, and Woodson, a surefire Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back, have been selected to present Chad Clifton and Nick Collins at the 46th Packer Hall of Fame Induction Banquet.
The late Russ Winnie, the former broadcaster, will be presented by grandson Russ Winnie III on July 23.
Clifton and Collins are especially near and dear to my heart. They would rate high on any list of my “favorite Packers” that I have covered since 1992.
Physically and in several other ways they couldn’t have been more different.
Clifton, who was a massive 6-foot-6, 320 pound left tackle, stood in stark contrast to Collins, a well-muscled 5-foot-11, 200 pound safety.
Clifton spent his career (2000-2011) protecting the quarterback’s blindside. He did his best to keep them healthy and upright so they could look good.
Collins spent his career (2005-2011) trying to make quarterbacks took bad. He did everything in his power to study offenses, read the quarterback and intercept passes at a high rate.
Here’s what they had in common:

Both were among the finest at what they did.

Clifton developed into a Pro Bowl left tackle and was instrumental in fellow Packer Hall of Fame player Brett Favre’s NFL-record consecutive games played streak.
Without “Cliffy” the story of Brett Favre surely would’ve been a bit different in the telling.
He took over at left tackle halfway through his 2000 rookie season and never relinquished the job.
Collins developed into one of the NFL’s top safeties. He punctuated that rightful place in Super Bowl XLV when he intercepted the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger and returned it for a 37-yard touchdown. He finished with the interception plus four solo tackles and a pass defended.

Both were quiet, mild-mannered second-round draft picks.

It was fitting both were taken in the second round because although they had first-round talent they wouldn’t have been comfortable with all the fuss.
Clifton, chosen 44th overall, hailed from Tennessee.
He was a big-time player from a big-time program with a small town attitude. The first time I saw him in public after he signed with the Packers, he and his family were dining at an Ashwaubenon all-you-can-eat pizza buffet.
If he was going to fly through his signing bonus it would be one slice at a time.
Collins, chosen 51st overall in 2005, was as quiet as they come.
He and his wife, Andrea, could be seen walking and holding hands after training camp practices his rookie season.
Collins seemed painfully shy, although as his career played out he began to come out of his shell and proved to be a very engaging speaker.
Both Collins and Clifton (Candy) are married to their college sweethearts and are busy raising their families.

Both endured a NFL player’s worst nightmare: A serious injury that occurred in the blink of an eye.

In Clifton’s case, the 2002 cheap shot he received from Tampa Bay’s Warren Sapp nearly ended his career. He suffered multiple injuries including a broken pelvis. Clifton was hospitalized for almost a week and needed crutches to walk for the next five weeks.
That hit led to the NFL Competition Committee’s decision to make those types of blindside hits illegal and calling it “unnecessary roughness.”
Clifton rehabilitated with his close friend and Packers’ right tackle Mark Tauscher, who was recovering from a serious knee injury. Clifton made it all the way back to Pro Bowl form.
Collins wasn’t so lucky. On Sept. 18, 2011, at Carolina, Collins sustained a neck injury when the crown of his helmet collided with Panthers’ running back Jonathan Stewart. Collins was carted off the field in a stretcher and suffered a herniated disk in his neck.
He underwent cervical fusion surgery and never played again. By then, however, Collins’ story had been written.
He and Clifton were Packer Hall of Fame players and this summer, Woodson and Campen will be fortunate enough to share in their induction.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).
Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games. Also check out our new Podcast: Between the Lines for more Packers insights. New episodes every Wednesday.