A 30 minute delay because of a little lightning around was nothing compared to the two year wait for fans to attend the 20th annual Family Night with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Cancelled because of the pandemic a year ago, the highlight of training camp returned as the Packers worked out in a steady light rain for about an hour and 45 minutes in front of a crowd announced at 34,835 who didn’t mind one bit. It was just great to see fans back in the seats and crowding the concourse.
There was live tackling in camp for the first time during the final team periods and when it was 11 on 11, most of the plays were made by the defense.
Jaire Alexander proved pesky with Aaron Rodgers, breaking up a couple of passes directed at Davante Adams. Kabion Ento also had a nice night with a pair of PBU’s.
Devin Funchess stood out among the receivers with a couple of fluid routes into the middle of the defense.
In one of the last move the ball periods, Rodgers hooked up with Robert Tonyan for a big gain but the drive fizzled when Adams bobbled a short, inside pass and Darnell Savage paddy caked it before cradling an interception inside the 10 yard line.
Rodgers got the crowd wired during individual drills when the raised net was brought back into the corner of the end zone. After dropping it in from the 20 yard line, Rodgers wowed the fans by swishing two in a row from 50 yards away. Even Kurt Benkert got an ovation with a 50 yard hit.
A handful of players were held out of the practice with injury concerns. The list included receivers Chris Blair, Equanimeous St. Brown and Juwann Winfree. Linebackers Kamal Martin and Randy Ramsey were sidelined as were Josiah Deguara and Kenny Clark.
Rookie T.J. Slaton opened at nose tackle for Clark during the first team series on defense.
Even in the rain, the fans batted beach balls around the stands, tried the wave and just enjoyed being back in the stadium.
After practice, Head Coach Matt LaFleur said it was a soggy, but good night for the entire organization, not only in Green Bay but in far away Canton, Ohio where the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were taking place.
The fireworks show after practice had to be called off but there were just enough on the tundra to send everyone home happy.
The team is off on Sunday but there will be news from the stadium as assistant coaches and General Manager Brian Gutekunst will meet with the media before camp resumes on Monday.
