GREEN BAY -- This marked the second time that Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy held a rookies-only camp following the draft, an approach that is becoming the norm in the NFL.

  McCarthy was pleased with what the camp accomplished, largely because the numbers were bolstered by 19 tryout players and seven roster holdovers who participated. The Packers had nine draft picks and 11 undrafted signees.

 ``Comparing it to last year, it was significantly better,'' McCarthy said. ``You could just see the progression of practices, how they improved from Friday to Sunday. I'm just very pleased with how the whole weekend went, and just like I told the players when we broke, I was very impressed with the quality of work we were able to get done this weekend.''

 Up next: The 13 OTA sessions, followed by the mandatory full-squad minicamp June 17. Players will travel to Green Bay on May 18 for the start of OTAs, which are technically voluntary, and the mandatory three-day minicamp will break roughly a month before the first practice of training camp on July 28.

 Previously, McCarthy had held the mandatory camp in May, followed by the OTAs.

 ``I just felt it would be better to do (the mandatory camp) at the end and give a chance for the rookies and the younger players to build up to that camp, instead of having the camp first and then having the OTAs second,'' McCarthy said.

First impressions

 McCarthy said rookie quarterbacks Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn would likely be allowed to take their playbooks with them following the rookie camp in preparation for OTAs -- another sign that the Packers very well could go with new starter Aaron Rodgers and the two youngsters at quarterback.

 McCarthy said whether the team adds a fourth quarterback depends on whether the NFL increases the roster limit to 86 players at a meeting later this month or leaves it at 80. In the meantime, his first impression of Brohm and Flynn was a good one.

 ``Friday's practice was a little rough. It was better (Saturday), and it was very efficient -- particularly from the quarterback position -- (on Sunday),'' McCarthy said. ``(I'm) very happy with the starting point that both Brian and Matt give us, but we do have a lot of work to do.''

Extra points

 McCarthy said he doesn't expect any of the team's rookies to miss any of the OTAs or the mandatory minicamp because of scheduling conflicts with their respective schools. Two years ago, for example, first-round pick A.J. Hawk missed time because Ohio State's academic calendar is on the quarters system. ``We are clear of that this year,'' McCarthy said. ... McCarty also made sure there'd be no conflict with NFL sponsor events like last year, when running back Brandon Jackson was forced to miss minicamp for a league function in Lost Angeles. ... McCarthy said tight end Tory Humphrey (broken ankle), defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (shoulder), linebacker Abdul Hodge (knees) and cornerback Will Blackmon (foot) probably won't participate in the OTAs. Their availability for the mandatory minicamp is up in the air. ... McCarthy, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and administrative assistant Matt Klein are participating in a symposium next week.

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