Who needs a break? Some Packers players take advantage of rare month off

GREEN BAY -- Green Bay Packers players have taken part in individual position workouts, a rookie orientation camp, organized team activities, and a mandatory minicamp in what is still called the "off season." There isn't much chance to get out of shape anymore, or even get away from the game -- except for right now.

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From the end of minicamp on June 16th until the players have to report for Training Camp on July 25th, there is a window of opportunity to take a break, but only if they want to take a break.

Dean Lowry



"I think just more preparing for the grind ahead. It's going to be a long season. The vets really stress to be focused the whole season, you gotta come in prepared for that and having this month off -- I think taking a little time away mentally but staying focused and being prepared for the next step in the chapter," Dean Lowry, Packers defensive end said.

Blake Martinez



"I know when I go home, I'm going to work with my dad and go through and understand the whole entire scheme -- like every single play. I'm trying to figure out -- OK, what is the D line doing? What are they doing on certain stunts, certain things like that. What are the corners doing on certain plays? Do I know I have help out there? All those little things that are going to help me that much more where I can see everything and I don't have to look backwards and see is the safety there? I know he's going to be there on this play," Blake Martinez, Packers linebacker said.

Matt Rotheram



A guy like Matt Rotheram has been through this. He is an offensive lineman who was on the practice squad in Green Bay last year. He's not taking a vacation over the next few weeks either.

"You've got to keep going because you have such a short window to have a career in the NFL that you don't want to minimize your opportunity by taking time off really -- so you've just got to keep going," Rotheram said.

This is going to be a long campaign for the Packers. They play an extra pre-season game in conjunction with Brett Favre's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and their Bye Week comes in Week Four -- meaning everyone will have to be aware of not running out of gas in December.

Brett Favre



Of course, the team also hopes to have multiple playoff games after that. How the guys handle the next few weeks could have an impact on how they handle the season.

"I think it will be huge in the mental aspect, and then physically, I think it's going to help a lot just from, I know four weeks before I got out here I was hitting it hard in the weight room and stuff trying to get stronger, and I'm trying to come back looking like Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews and all them, so we'll see how that goes. The first year is all grind," Martinez said.

No matter what they do between now and then, the Packers players will report for Training Camp on Monday, July 25th and hit the practice field the next day.

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