This was the last practice where the rookies were involved, and John Carlson and Lawrence Jackson and Owen Schmitt and the others were hustling into the building afterward to get their stuff and take showers before their flights home.

Jackson, Carlson and Red Bryant all echoed similar sentiments: They were rusty, they learned some new things, the players are all much bigger and faster than college and the speed of the game presents issues. But they said they were happy to meet their teammates and get a feel for what they have to do. Carlson spoke about how complex Holmgren's offense is. He is heading back to Notre Dame instead of back to Litchfield, MN. Jackson is going back to LA to work out at USC's facilities until they get back here in two weeks, and Bryant is heading back to Texas.

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