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Rookie receiver Ty Montgomery steps right in at Packers' minicamp

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Seen and heard at the Green Bay Packers' minicamp practice on Tuesday:

  • Ty's time, finally: Although he actually practiced twice late last week, this was the first chance to see rookie receiver Ty Montgomery in action since rookie camp. The third-round pick from Stanford missed all but the last two organized team actvity practices (both of which were closed) because his alma mater was still in session. And he stood out from the get go. He caught a deep ball on a seam route during a team period and also showed his catch-and-run ability. Packers quarterbacks/receivers coach Alex Van Pelt said he was impressed with Montgomery's ability to retain the plays from rookie camp despite missing so much time. However, Montgomery said he still felt behind. "It is difficult," Montgomery said. "I was actually talking to one of the other receivers today about that, a little bit of that pressure, 'Oh, you know, he's a Stanford guy. He knows the plays.' But thankfully we have the type of guys that we have here that have no issues helping me out if I have any questions."

  • Dueling quarterbacks: It may not matter even if it stays this way throughout training camp, but Matt Blanchard looks well ahead of Brett Hundley in the competition for the No. 3 quarterback (if the Packers even keep a third quarterback). Blanchard, who has spent time with both the Bears and Panthers, threw touchdown passes on consecutive plays -- one to Montgomery in the red zone and another on perfectly placed corner route to Randall Cobb. "Matt Blanchard had a heck of a day today," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I'll just tell you what I told him when I met him in April [at his workout]. I said, 'Why the hell don't you have a job?'" However, Blanchard may be out of work again if the Packers feel compelled to keep Hundley on potential and because he was a fifth-round pick.

  • For kicks: The Packers don't have a second kicker on the roster and judging by the way Mason Crosby booted the ball, there's no need. He made all eight of his field goals -- from 33, 36, 40, 43, 45, 46, 48 and 50 yards -- during a special teams period. In a brief punting period, veteran Tim Masthay had both of his kicks fair caught at the 10-yard line while Cody Mandell had one touchback and another that was fair caught at the 15.

  • Taking attendance: All 89 players on the roster were in attendance and only the following six were held out completely: receiver Javess Blue, cornerback Casey Hayward, outside linebacker Nick Perry, tight end Justin Perillo, defensive end Josh Boyd and outside linebacker Mike Neal. Receiver Jordy Nelson, who is still recovering from hip surgery, took part only in individual drills.

  • Crockett out: Undrafted rookie running back John Crockett from North Dakota State dropped out of practice and had ice on his left ankle. McCarthy does not give injury updates during the offseason.

  • Team-building Wednesday: As expected, McCarthy canceled Wednesday's minicamp practice in favor of a team-building event. Minicamp will wrap up Thursday with a 10:30 a.m. (local time) practice.