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5 things learned at Packers training camp – Aug. 2

5 things learned at Packers training camp – Aug. 2


GREEN BAY – For the first time in training camp, the Packers practiced in full pads at Ray Nitschke Field on Tuesday.

Here are five things we learned.

1. Amari Rodgers is feeling a difference with improved cardio.

The 2021 third-round pick made it his goal to report to training camp lighter than he did last year, and Rodgers hit the mark when he returned at 202 pounds.

After playing as heavy as 218 last season, the second-year receiver has felt an improvement in both his speed and cardio through the first week of training camp.

Rodgers credits his improvement to his offseason training with former Olympic gold medalist Dwight Phillips in Atlanta. With lingering disappointment from his rookie campaign, Rodgers mentioned to Phillips how fatigued he felt in games, even when he wasn’t playing much.

“I knew it was because of my weight but I also knew it was because of my conditioning. I didn’t really condition last offseason like I wanted to,” Rodgers said. “So he put a plan together for me, just for speed and endurance and doing workouts for power and sprinting. … By the end of it, I felt like I could run a track meet.”

Phillips and Rodgers devised a plan that worked in concert with the goals of the Packers, which included a rigorous meal plan and track workouts three or four times a week.

Better conditioning has lifted Rodgers’ confidence this summer. He’s competing to earn not only more reps on offense but also a more defined role on special teams.

“I think Amari had a really good day (Monday), not only what he’s shown on ‘We-fense,’ but also on offense as well,” Head Coach Matt LaFleur said, the moniker a reference to special teams. “Some of the effort he displayed out there was pretty gritty, which is something that we want from the entire receiving room. I think a lot of times the receivers help establish your identity as an offense in just how tenacious they in both the run game and in the pass game.”

There’s still a long way to go in both the receiver and returner…

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