Meaningless Thoughts On A Not So Meaningless Game » Brats & Beer

August 12, 2008
posted under: Packers, Post-game, Pre-season

Has the sun come out again over Packer Nation today? Let’s call the forecast mostly sunny with periods of nagging doubt after Green Bay’s first pre-season game. The Packers definitely have room for improvement before beginning this year’s campaign to defend their NFC North Division title, but the team showed last night a lot of good things they can build on.

The most important thing the Packers needed to show was confidence and poise under the leadership of Aaron Rodgers, and on that note I think they scored a 10. Despite starting the game with a false start penalty, a blindside sack and later an interception, there wasn’t any sign of panic or frustration on the Green Bay side and they rallied for two scoring drives in the first quarter. Rodgers looked a whole lot more cool and collected last night than he did in the scrimmage a week ago: He stood tall in the pocket, seemed to see the whole field, and was efficient with his throws. There were a couple overthrows, including one intended for James Jones that would have been an easy touchdown, but overall I thought his performance was quite solid.

Speaking of Jones, I’m still watching replays of his 30-yard touchdown. That’s why we watch the game, people! To be fair it was one play in a pre-season exhibition so let’s not anoint him MVP just yet, but it’s a great sign of what we can expect from the receiving corps (again) this year. Some other studs from last night: Abdul Hodge, Aaron Rouse, and Danny Lansanah. Danny Lan-who? My reaction, also, but the rookie free agent was right in the middle of a bunch of plays late in the game.

The running game with Brandon Jackson showed the same stutter and burst it did most of last season. Jackson averaged a little better than seven yards a carry, but most of that came on two breakaway runs. He did show a great move on a 16-yard run, ducking under a defender and making something out of nothing. The offensive line definitely needs improvement over the next couple weeks in order to create consistent running opportunities, an effort that will be helped by Scott Wells’ return to the lineup.

Not to be overlooked, the starting defense played pretty well I thought, holding the Bengals without a first down in three positions during the first quarter. The linebackers, especially, seemed much more active in coverage and getting into the backfield on running plays. Cincinnati finally started to move the ball once subs started rotating into the line, though, and this worries me. Without a healthy and deep roster of talent on the D-line, our chances for success this year are going to be limited. I hope that Ryan Pickett gets healthy soon and stays that way, and hopefully Johnny Jolly’s legal trouble doesn’t keep him from contributing this year. I also hope Ted Thompson brings in one or two more people if an able-bodied candidate gets cut from another team. (I’ve lost any hope that Justin Harrell will see any significant playing time this or any other year.)

On the downside last night: Chris Francies went a long way towards playing his way off the team with a couple dropped passes and the interception, Brandon Jackson needs some serious work in pass protection (still) if Ryan Grant isn’t getting back on the field soon, and Brian Brohm looked every bit like a rookie. (I’m not entirely sure what happened on Brohm’s interception, but it looked like McCarthy was giving Tory Humphrey an earful after the play. It was a bad throw regardless.) I would probably also mention the ESPN crew here if I hadn’t been listening to Wayne and Larry, but I have read that Tony K. was having an apoplectic fit most of the night over Brett Favre being traded to New York. I did see him decked out in a green and white #4 jersey; someone should have dumped a beer on him.