Green Bay Packers Training Camp: 5 Early Storylines to Watch

The Green Bay Packers are set to have their first training-camp practice on July 30, and for fans of the team, that's about as good as regular-season football.

Per the team's website, the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that Packers training camp will attract 90,000 visitors this summer. Some of those travelers will be first-timers anxious to see Lambeau Field and Packers stars close up. 

But many fans, the "railbirds," know the entire 90-man roster in and out and are prepared to watch, eagle-eyed, every development for clues about everything from position battles to coaching changes to injury updates. 

For those fans in the know, here are five storylines that could prove particularly important during this summer's camp.

CB Casey Hayward's Health

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Unfortunately, being injured during training camp is a recurring issue for Packers cornerback Casey Hayward, who looks to take a big step in 2015 as the lead candidate to replace Tramon Williams on the outside. 

Hayward started seven games in 2012 and is the Packers' best bet outside given his ball skills and experience. However, he missed OTAs with a foot injury. It's reminiscent of 2013 training camp, when Hayward missed time with an injured hamstring and then went on to miss 13 games that year. 

It was a disappointing setback for Hayward, who had an impressive rookie season with six interceptions and 25 passes defensed. However, now Hayward once again has the opportunity to capitalize on his talents and earn a starting job...if only he can stay healthy. 

If the injury does hinder him in camp, the Packers may have to think about starting Randall outside for the season opener. Second-year player Demetri Goodson would also be an option.

However, it would appear that Hayward is recovering nicely. Lilian Abdelmaleka of DSA Training posted a video that showed Hayward with some smooth backpedaling moves during the offseason. In the video, his foot doesn't appear to be slowing his movement.

The Effect of the Coaching Changes

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The Packers made an unprecedented number of coaching changes this offseason. 

Head coach Mike McCarthy gave play-calling duties to former offensive coordinator and now associate head coach Tom Clements. 

McCarthy also fired special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum and promoted his assistant Ron Zook. Edgar Bennett, former wide receivers coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator, and Alex Van Pelt became the quarterbacks/wide receivers coach.

Now, McCarthy will focus more on the big picture of game-planning and management, while Clements gets the play calls off. An immediate benefit has been the head coach's ability to focus more on special teams and the defense. 

His focus on improving the unit was obvious this offseason and should continue to be into training camp. 

"We’ve spent a lot more time on special teams in Phase II (of OTAs) than we have in the past, and we’ll spend more time on special teams in Phase III than we have in the past," McCarthy said in May, per Vic Ketchman of Packers.com.

It will also be interesting to see if Clement's play-calling is less conservative than McCarthy's. The two drives against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game in which McCarthy called for field goals rather than attempt touchdowns with the ball on Seattle's 1-yard line come to mind. 

That might be more obvious in the preseason games, but for training camp, pay attention to the quarterbacks and wide receivers. With Van Pelt managing both units and the players at each position sharing meetings, expect everyone to be really in sync during camp, from backups to starters.

The Second-Year Players' Development

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There are a handful of players entering their second year for whom training camp will be a make-or-break experience. 

Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis essentially took a redshirt year in his rookie season, after he tore his ACL during 2014 training camp and spent the season on injured reserve. Now he returns, healthy, to an extremely crowded position. 

During camp, Abbrederis' performance could lead the Packers to decide whether or not to keep five or six receivers on the 53-man roster. If Abbrederis doesn't step up, perhaps only Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jeff Janis make the cut. 

ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reported recently that, "Abbrederis could be in trouble." Even if he does come on during camp, there is a group of talented undrafted rookie receivers, including Ricky Collins, that could push him for a roster spot. 

Then there's Adrian Hubbard. 

The 2014 undrafted free agent spent last season on the practice squad. The Packers' outside linebacker group trends older and could see a shake-up in the near future, with Nick Perry entering a contract year and Julius Peppers' enormous cap hit.

But Hubbard will have to compete against other talented young players, such as Andy Mulumba and Jayrone Elliot, for a spot on the 53-man roster this year. To help his cause, he spent the offseason training in Green Bay to show his commitment to the team. 

"He's really taken a huge step like you see from every player that's been here from year one going into year two," McCarthy said in May, per Tyler Dunne, formerly of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I'm impressed with what Hubbard has done so far. He was here early prior to the offseason program. He's put a lot of work in."

Other second-year players to watch during camp include tight end Justin Perillo, linebacker Carl Bradford, cornerback Demetri Goodson and defensive tackle Mike Pennel. All could make the final roster over other players at their positions if they can perform.

How Are Special Teams Returners Progressing?

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The Packers had one of the worst kick-return units in the NFL in 2014, averaging only 19.1 yards per kick return, 31st in the league. 

Though it appears they performed better in punt returns, with an average of 11.5 yards per punt return for fifth in the league, that number is totally skewed by a 75-yard Micah Hyde return. 

Watching who gets snaps returning both kicks and punts for the team will be one of the most interesting storylines of training camp. 

General manager Ted Thompson drafted Stanford wide receiver and return specialist Ty Montgomery in Round 3 to help out. In 2014, Montgomery averaged 19.8 yards per punt return and 25.2 yards per kick return.

The Packers have also been using Jared Abbrederis, Micah Hyde and Randall Cobb on punt returns in offseason practices, per Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Expect undrafted rookie John Crockett to make a splash at kick returns, as well, something that could help him win the No. 3 running back job over Rajion Neal. As NDSU's primary kick returner in the second half of the 2013 season, Crockett averaged 26.2 yards over 11 returns.

Can RB John Crockett Get Healthy in Time to Compete?

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The training-camp battle for the No. 3 running back spot will be one of the most important this summer. The job will likely come down to undrafted rookie John Crockett versus practice-squad holdover Rajion Neal. 

There are many weights on the scale for both players. Neal has the hands to catch passes out of the backfield, a skill that would complement Eddie Lacy's power-running style. Through his college career, Neal had 66 catches for 626 yards and five touchdowns. He also played as a wide receiver.

Crockett doesn't run as powerfully as Lacy or James Starks, but his vision and ability to keep his feet moving helped him find remarkable production at North Dakota State. Crockett had three consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards, and in his senior year, he set school records for all-purpose yards (2,419), rushing yards (1,994) and rushing attempts (368). 

Crockett could also be a prime candidate for the Packers in kick returns. 

However, it's unclear ahead of camp if Crockett will have the opportunity to compete all-out for the job. He is still recovering from a sprained ankle he suffered during the Packers' first minicamp practice while running a route up the sideline.

As Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin reported at the time, Crockett expects to be "full-go" for training camp. When the "did not practice" list comes out at the Packers' first practice, looking for Crockett's name should be one of the first things you do.