It appears Charles Woodson's much-discussed position change is happening. The 15-year veteran lined up at safety with the Green Bay Packers' base unit to open training camp Thursday, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
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The release of Charlie Peprah on Wednesday by the Packers makes more sense now. Peprah started 15 games last year, but wasn't that effective and he underwent knee surgery this offseason.
The Packers likely will tell us that Woodson's role might not be changing much. He already played some safety from the slot in the team's "Corner Okie" package. The Packers also like rookie Jerron McMillian from Maine and second-year pro M.D. Jennings, who will compete for snaps. When the team went to their nickel package Thursday morning, McMillan entered while Woodson went to the slot.
Still, this is a shift for the Packers. They want to get their best defenders on the field, and that will happen by lining up Woodson next to Morgan Burnett at safety in the Packers' base package. Jarrett Bush and Tramon Williams lined up at cornerback. Some other notes from early Packers practice:
• Second-year running back Alex Greenpracticed with the team and "did everything." That's a great sign in his recovery from knee surgery. The team is hoping he can step up into the team's backup role.
•Brad Joneslined up at outside linebacker after lining up inside during the offseason.
• Isn't it awesome to have football updates again?