Packers wasting no time at training camp getting into regular-season routine

Ryan Wood

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy looks on during training camp practice on Aug. 1, 2015, at Ray Nitschke Field.

GREEN BAY – In years past, the Green Bay Packers divided the two phases of their training camp – installation and preseason – by following vastly different schedules.

In the installation phase, when coach Mike McCarthy implemented the team’s base offensive and defensive scheme, practices often fluctuated from early morning to early evening. An 8:15 a.m. practice could be followed by a 6:15 p.m. practice. As the Packers got deeper into practice, the practice time disparity eventually disappeared.

McCarthy scheduled the Packers practice times differently for the team’s upcoming training camp. Thirteen of the 14 scheduled practices start within the same hour, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The lone exception is Family Night, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Lambeau Field.

The change will put the Packers on a regular-season routine.

“We just felt it was best that we get right into the in-season schedule,” McCarthy said. “There’s routine and regularity that you chase each and every year because every one of your teams is different, every training camp is different. There’s different challenges each and every year.”

One challenge this year is the Packers' 100th anniversary celebration and related activities. McCarthy said it was a factor in his decision, but ultimately he wanted to quickly acclimate players to the regular-season schedule.

McCarthy said the daily schedule will still resemble training camp. Players will have meetings in the evenings, and young players will have additional meetings designed for their development.

Regardless of any schedule adjustments, McCarthy said the goal of his team’s training camp remains unchanged.

“We need to make sure,” he said, “we’re doing everything through this training camp process to get ready for really those first four games.”