The experience for fans traveling to the Green Bay Packers training camp will be different this summer than in years past. For the first time, the Packers will be practicing primarily on Ray Nitschke Field.

Moved to the opposite of the Don Hutson Center from their former home on Clark Hinkle Field, the Packers have installed stadium-like seating for 3,000 people, a big difference from the small sections of crowded metal bleachers fans have been used to in the past.

Perhaps more importantly...

"(Head coach Mike) McCarthy now has the option of working outside with the new practice field with the same kind of special turf and heating system that is in place at Lambeau Field," wrote the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Lori Nickel in an article back during OTAs.

One of the biggest criticisms of the McCarthy/Ted Thompson era has been the perceived loss of a home field advantage, especially during cold weather games.

The slide began toward the end of Mike Sherman's tenure but has continued during McCarthy's time at the helm including a loss during the 2008 NFC Championship at Lambeau Field.

"In the past, McCarthy has often opted to practice inside in bad weather, in part to get things accomplished, but also because the frozen footing was so treacherous," writes Nickel.

Critics say the players have been coddled, not practicing in an environment in which they must do their job. McCarthy, instead, has opted to practice with footballs frozen in a freezer to approximate the conditions.

With the same type of reinforced turf installed at Ray Nitschke Field that exists at Lambeau Field and heating coils undernearth the surface, McCarthy and the Packers have one less reason to practice inside.

It will be interesting to see when the weather turns cool, whether the Packers spend at least a portion of their practice time out in the elements.