Monday night's practice was the shortest of camp, just 1:45 on Ray Nitschke Field.  There were two reasons for that.  Mike McCarthy's roster has been thinned by several injuries and since this was practice number 9 of camp, the installation of the offensive, defensive and special teams systems is now complete.  McCarthy called the first week and a half of camp, "a sprint", and now the refinement begins as the team actually will start game planning for pre-season opponents starting next week.   They will spend some time going over San Diego Chargers plays on Tuesday in advance of Thursday night's pre-season opener in California.  In other words, the train is loaded and is now rolling, any mental mistakes by players on the practice field now will have them chasing the train, trying to hop on before it rolls into the regular season with only 53 players on board.

Two injuries occured Monday night, Sam Shields suffered an elbow injury and Brandon Saine pulled a hamstring.  Shields has plummeted on the depth chart since his huge, two pick performance in the NFC title game against the Bears a year and a half ago.  Jarrett Bush, Davon House and even rookie Casey Hayward have been getting reps ahead of Shields.   Saine will be a part of some offensive packages in the backfield but that may have to wait until next week.

McCarthy ruled out several players for the Chargers game on Monday night.  Greg Jennings and Ryan Taylor with concussions, Du'ane Bennett with a knee injury, Ray Dominguez with an ankle, Tori Gurley with a groin (one that he reinjured Sunday night, possibly trying to come back too soon), Jon Hoese with a hamstring, Eric Lair with a knee and Mike McCabe with a hip injury.   Marshall Newhouse has not been ruled out even though he suffered a mild concussion in the Family Night Scrimmage.

The NFL office is refuting reports on ESPN that negotiations are taking place with Jonathan Vilma that could have his bounty gate year long suspension reduced if he agrees to drop the federal injunction and defamation lawsuit he filed against Commissioner Roger Goodell.  The reported discussions may also involve Anthony Hargrove of the Packers, although he hasn't heard anything about it.  On the link below, comments from McCarthy on the 9 installations now in the books, Graham Harrell on getting ready for the Chargers and Hargrove on the latest development in the bounty scandal story.