For the 55th consecutive year, the Green Bay Packers climbed out of tiny door-room beds at St. Norbert College on Thursday and made the 6.6 mile commute from De Pere, Wis., to Green Bay for training camp. And, as has been tradition since the days of Lombardi, the players arrived at the field riding bikes belonging to local children, stopping to sign autographs and indulge the adoration. And then, as only the Packers can do it, they began their 2012 season -- under the watchful eyes of 1,500 fans seated and screaming in nearby stands. Some things have never changed here; the one the Packers hope will be different, though, is the ending to this season, after last year’s 15-1 team lost in the playoffs and failed to defend its 2010 crown.
Who’s here: All eight of the Packers’ draft picks participated in the first practice of training camp Thursday. That’s significant because, of those, the six defensive rookies are being counted on heavily to resurrect a defense that fell from top 5 in 2010 to last in 2011. First-round OLB Nick Perry and second-round DE Jerel Worthy were lively and both were starting in the nickel package that the team plays most often. RB Alex Green, who tore his ACL last year, practiced for the first time and looked sprightly. And, of course, reining MVP quarterback and fan-favorite Aaron Rodgers was there, too, at one point raising his arms and cupping his hand to his ear to rouse the crowd.
Who’s not: Most conspicuous was the absence of veteran SS Charlie Peprah, who was the starter last year but was cut Wednesday after failing his physical. The two young safeties who will vie for his spot, rookie Jerron McMillian and undrafted second-year M.D. Jennings, both expressed shock after practice over Peprah’s release. LB Desmond Bishop was present but sat out with a calf strain. TE Andrew Quarless, who is still a long ways from returning from a severe knee injury suffered last year, was missing.
Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLGB.