Matt LaFleur's first practice as Head Coach of the Packers on Tuesday was kept behind closed doors.
"I don't want to show all our secrets," he said, "I just thought it would be important for it to be just us, you're more than welcome tomorrow."
(Matt LaFleur watches Tim Boyle fire away)
The media was allowed inside the Hutson Center today and we finally got to see LaFleur at work. The 39 year old rookie coach was in motion throughout most of the practice. He would bounce from behind the huddle in one period, hustle for a look from the secondary in another. In such an early stage of offensive installation, he had the team running about 20 new plays and formations in practice number two, LaFleur also spoke with the quarterbacks or receivers after nearly every snap for corrections and suggestions.
(Matt LaFleur talks over a route with J'Mon Moore)
His energetic style wasn't the only difference at practice.
The Hutson Center has been outfitted with a brand new sheet of field turf. Instead of the one, 80 yard field, offest by another 50 yard field running perpendicular, there is now just a single, full, 120 yard indoor field complete with painted end zones and the Packer logo at midfield.
There were new sights, and new sounds. While the team was doing pre-practice stretching, new age bouncy hip hop music was being piped in. I thought that was a nice touch but was even more surprised to hear the music playing throughout practice, even during individual and team drills. LaFleur is obviously playing to the new generation of athletes.
The coach doesn't mind letting the players cut loose either.
After Jaire Alexander came down with an interception of an Aaron Rodgers deep ball to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, he gathered all of the defensive backs together for a pose and secondary coach Jason Simmons pretended to pull out a camera and snap the celebratory photo.
Even though the camp is voluntary, the Packers had every rostered player in attendance.
The only player who didn't participate in team drills was Kevin King who finished last year on injured reserve with a bad hamstring.
LaFleur will have only a walk through for the players on Thursday to wrap up his first camp and then turn his attention to the weekend draft.
Players will be back on the field in May when the organized team activities begin.