Training camp feels like the ultimate meritocracy, where the proverbial cream rises to the top (and is used to make cheese curds). Players do have to perform to get onto the field, but players with big numbers next to their names on the salary cap or with low numbers next to their name on the draft chart get the benefit of the doubt.
Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson ran with the starters long before they proved they were good enough to play there.
Building a team is no different, which complicates the handicapping of the receiver battle being waged in the Green Bay Packers’ training camp because the best players might not be the ones to make the final roster.