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Mike McCarthy: Davante Adams is Packers' offseason MVP

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The praise keeps coming Davante Adams' way.

Last week, it was from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

On Tuesday, it was from coach Mike McCarthy.

"Davante, if you wanted me to pick an MVP or an all-star [of the offseason] he would definitely be atop the list," McCarthy said after Tuesday's minicamp practice.

McCarthy said the second-year receiver is the shining example of how a player should improve in the offseason following his rookie year.

"If you want a clear illustration and example of a first-year player taking a jump in his second year, you just saw it here the last four weeks," McCarthy said. "I think he's been tremendous throughout the OTAs, and he's got more in front of him, too, so I think that's what's exciting. I think Davante has done a great job in the strength and conditioning. He's been really, really good in practice throughout this deal."

Tuesday's minicamp practice was just another example. He finished off the first team (11-on-11) period with a touchdown catch from Rodgers on a crossing route against cornerback Demetri Goodson.

Rodgers doesn't throw around compliments loosely so when he said last week that Adams has a "humongous upside and he's starting to reach that upside," people took notice.

"It means a lot," Adams said. "It means that my work and my approach to practice and meetings and everything is not being ignored. They're taking note of everything I'm doing, which means a lot to me. I want it to be more than that. That's the first step. Now, I want to be the MVP of the minicamp and training camp and then go out there and do some damage."

When the Packers re-signed Randall Cobb to a four-year, $40 million deal this offseason, it meant their top-three receivers would all be back. It also means it could be tough to Adams to get many more opportunities than he did as a rookie, when he caught 38 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns.

However, perhaps what Rodgers likes most about Adams is his patience and dedication even when the ball doesn't come his way.

"The biggest example to me of the kind of guy that he is is last year when he went through stretches where he didn't catch the ball, then has a huge game against New England [six catches for 121 yards], then goes through stretches again where he doesn't get a lot of balls thrown his way, then has a big game [in the playoffs] against Dallas [seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown],” Rodgers said. "That's all about approach and focus, and you can't teach that."