Spotlight on Family Night scrimmage

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The pressure is mounting. The adrenaline is pumping. Ted Thompson is pacing the field. Mike McCarthy is barking out plays. For the Packers rookies, the Family Night scrimmage is their first taste of what playing in front of thousands of adoring fans feels like. Thus, they’d like to make a good impression.

Leading up to Family Night, the Packers will have gone through nine practices. It’s enough work for the coaches to figure out a depth chart for the scrimmage. It’s also enough time for the younger players to feel comfortable within the schemes.

Typically, the Packers run about 65 plays throughout the scrimmage. Recently, the first two minute drill has featured the number offense versus the number one defense. Then, the number two’s hash it out. The field goal unit is next. Then, it’s the number three’s turn. Mason Crosby and company trot out for more field goal work. And, then the victory play is run through.

Playing well or playing poorly in the scrimmage doesn’t make or break a player. However, it does provide the coaching staff a chance to evaluate a game-like situation. Remember Kevin Kaesviharn? He had a tremendous scrimmage that included two interceptions that he returned for touchdowns. Kaesviharn was cut shortly thereafter. A couple of years ago Charlie Peprah was a ball magnet at the scrimmage. He’s struggled with injuries since, but the Packers still feel he is a valuable safety to have on the squad.

Needless to say, the spotlight on the scrimmage has gotten bigger and brighter during the last decade. You’ll be entertained, you’ll be informed, and you’ll find out which lesser known player might become a bigger household name.