More than 60,000 fans filed into Lambeau Field on Friday for the Green Bay Packers' annual Family Night practice, a unique tradition that gives fans a chance to watch their favorite team compete against one another and allows young players to experience what it's like to play in a packed NFL stadium.
Sixty-five players suited up for the practice, but 15 key players sat out, including Tucker Kraft, Zach Bako-Bewele, Josh Jacobs, and Devonte Wyatt, who will provide a noticeable boost when they return.
Among those who did participate were four players who caught the eye of coaches and fans alike. WR Matthew Golden was nearly unguardable, getting the better of Green Bay No. 1 corner Keisean Nixon on three separate occasions in 1-on-1s before taking the top off the defense for a 52-yard touchdown during a team period.
Golden's performance was impressive, and it suggests he's ready to make a big jump in year 2. His ability to get open and make big plays will be crucial for the Packers' offense this season.
Edge Barryn Sorrell also had a standout performance, highlighted by three impressive run stops against MarShawn Lloyd, resulting in either a loss or no gain. Sorrell has been impressive in camp, and his performance on Family Night suggests he's a strong contender to step up at edge in Micah Parsons' absence to begin the regular season.
K Trey Smack made six of his seven field goal attempts on Friday, including makes from 33, 35, 38, 43, 45, and 47 yards. His lone miss was a 51-yarder that hooked wide left, but it still felt like a step in the right direction for the rookie kicker.
DT Anthony Campbell batted down his fifth pass of training camp on Friday while chasing down quarterback Kyle McCord. He's become one of the biggest surprises of training camp, and his performance on Family Night suggests he's a strong contender to be included on the initial 53-man roster.
The Packers still have a lot of work to do before their regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on September 13. They'll need to iron out their sloppy execution and reduce the number of penalties they commit if they want to succeed this season.
The team will continue to work on these issues in the coming weeks, and it will be interesting to see how these four players continue to develop. Will they be able to make a significant impact on the team's success this season? Only time will tell.
Source: Yahoo Sports