After Watching the 6-10-15 OTA I have More Questions than Answers

Photographed and Written By: Todd Stelzel, PackerToddsnEnds

#84 Jared Abbrederis, Image From: Todd Stelzel

My lovely wife and I attended the Green Bay Packer OTA practice on June 10, 2015.  It was a beautiful sunny, breezy 80 degree day in Green Bay. The practice was open to the public and there was no admission. What could be better than that?

Seeing the Packer players up close was an experience that put a smile on our faces that wouldn't go away for days afterward. The guys practiced with their fellow position players for an hour and fifteen minutes and then a 15 minute scrimmage game was played right in front of our eyes. It was awe-inspiring to say the least--and interesting to observe and evaluate the performance of not only the rookies but the seasoned players as well.

For example, as we watched various Packers fielding punts out of the jug gun, I couldn't help but ask myself..."Who will return punts for the Pack this year?" In need of a second opinion, I posed the very same question on Twitter to Ryan Wood, Packer Sports Writer for the Green Bay Press Gazette. Below is his response to my question.

Question From PackerToddsnEnds

Lovely wife of 28 yrs and I saw the 6-10-15 OTA and a number of Packers fielding punts. Besides Randall Cobb, which Packer looked the best yesterday in this role? My pick: Jared Abbrederis. He looked really solid, although he did muff one punt out of the jug gun. Even though it's early... who did you like back there?

Answer From Ryan Wood, Green Bay Press Gazette

Congrats, PTE. Lovely wife and I are celebrating our fourth wedding anniversary today. Happy times. As for punt return, Jared Abbrederis is getting a lot of reps there. He could be the guy, but I think Micah Hyde may be the most likely to be a full-time punt returner this season. That's something we won't know until August at the earliest.

Reply Back From PackerToddsnEnds

Well then.....Happy fourth wedding anniversary! Enjoy following you and Wes! Finally, I agree....Micah is the man to beat out in the punt return role, unless Jared shows well during the preseason, and we will not know those results until the end of August. Thanks for the kind words & reply!

Final Comment From Ryan Wood

It probably comes down to how much subpackage the Packers play, which is why I'm not sure Micah Hyde will be the guy. The Packers haven't always wanted a regular player at returner. If that role can be filled by someone playing fewer offensive and defensive snaps, it probably will. But Hyde would be the best option, and McCarthy has said he wants more starters on special teams. (Hyde effectively being a starter as a nickel back if the Packers go predominantly to subpackages.)

Final Word From PackerToddsnEnds

After reading this exchange of ideas, it sounds like anyone's guess at this point. So, you tell me...Who do you think will be returning punts for the Green Bay Packers in 2015?