It is getting closer, Packers fans. The pads came on for the first time in Saturday morning’s training camp practice, and there were numerous players and drills that I studied.

Two players in particular who have deservedly received extra attention early in camp are two rookies ­­– former Stanford wide receiver and third round pick, Ty Montgomery, and an undrafted defensive back from Miami (FL), Ladarius Gunter.

Montgomery’s versatility was evident, as he participated as a kick returner and at wide receiver. Other than slightly misjudging the ball on a couple of kick return reps, he looked pretty comfortable back there. If he continues to hone his kick return skills and take advantage of those reps, he could be a difference-maker. Considering how poor the kickoff return unit was during the 2014 season, it would be refreshing to see improvement in that area. In addition, Montgomery showed major flashes at WR during the team session. His ability to gain yards after the catch (YAC) can be valuable for the Packers offense. One of the more notable plays he made was a touchdown on an End Around.

CB Ladarius Gunter has also stood out lately. At 6’2”, he has an advantage that most CBs do not have. I kept my eye on him during the one-on-one WR-DB drills and during the team session. In the small sample size of reps in the one-on-ones, where he mainly played “off” coverage, his footwork looked smooth, and he contested every pass thrown his way. He also demonstrated his potential when he was at CB on the outside during the team session. One notable play was when he was physical with Jordy Nelson and proceeded to break up a pass intended for Nelson on a slant. Excluding the times when was the “Cloud CB” in Cover 2 (about every CB can execute that), his potential was evident. He is a player to watch in the preseason.

Another fascinating sight was safety Sean Richardson occasionally playing the nickel (slot) CB spot, making it a true “Big Nickel” defense (three out of the five defensive backs are safeties). In 2014, Dom Capers typically used Richardson in the base 3-4 defense as a third safety playing near the line of scrimmage (he was substituted in for a CB), and that was a role that fit his skillset. It was surprising to see Richardson in the slot (where Micah Hyde usually plays), because Richardson is not at his best when he is covering in space. That is something else to watch.

It was also interesting to observe the drills featuring the offensive and defensive linemen. Offensive Line Coach James Campen and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari worked with their unit on 1) picking up defensive line stunts and “games” in pass protection and 2) performing “combo” blocks to simulate the blocking on an Inside Zone run, which consists of double-teaming the defensive tackle and working up to the linebacker. It is great to see those drills in practice and then see plays on tape that prove the usefulness of those drills.

One final note on the offensive/defensive line: Mike Daniels continues to show why he is one of the best defensive line technicians in the NFL. In the one-on-one pass rush session, Daniels executed a perfect bull rush on T.J. Lang. Daniels’ takeoff, blow/location with his hands, and ability to lock-out his elbows, which are all key aspects of defensive line play, are so impressive.

These observations were based on the first padded practice of training camp, so it is important to not overreact. Things can definitely change, but it was good to finally evaluate players with pads on. It will be entertaining to follow the analysis coming out of future padded practices and to assess each player during the preseason.

Thanks for reading, Packers fans. Follow me on Twitter at @RobertOlson92 for daily analysis on the Packers.