Thursday Is Packers Game Day » Brats & Beer

Posted on August 23, 2007

We are just hours away from the third pre-season game and thank the stars this one is on national television so I finally get to see all these players in action. I’ll be studying hard to learn the new guys by jersey number so when the regular season starts I can yell the right name after they pull some boneheaded move.

It sounds like Ted Thompson will be studying this game pretty closely as well, since he and coach McCarthy want to make their first roster cuts over the weekend. There are a lot of close battles for backup positions and a good performance tonight against Jacksonville will mean the difference between wearing Green & Gold and getting a pink slip.

Normally I would expect to see Brandon Jackson getting a lot of carries tonight, but the battle for the no. 3 running back position hasn’t sorted itself out yet. Noah Herron and Corey White are the likeliest candidates, but it might turn out neither will make the team if TT decides to make a trade over the weekend or sign someone off waivers. The Packers also need a fullback, and with Brandon Miree hurt and Korey Hall trying to make the transition from linebacker there might be some wheeling and dealing there as well.

The tight end position has become a battle of attrition rather than a skills competition. We’re down to Donald Lee and Bubba Franks at starters by default, with Zac Alcorn and Clark Harris fighting for the backup job. It would be good to have some insurance at running back, but I think it might be even more prudent for TT to make some deals to get deeper talent at TE.

There’s uncertainty at the linebacker position as well with Abdul Hodge suffering patellar tendinitis. He was a third-round pick last year, but that doesn’t mean TT won’t cut or trade him if he thinks there’s someone better for the backup MLB job, and that might be Desmond Bishop.

Of course the secondary always seems to be in flux and that’s never been more true than this year. Atari Bigby is getting the starting nod over Marquand Manuel, so the former Seahawk could be on his way out. Meanwhile, Jerrett Bush seems to have won the no. 3 corner position over Patrick Dendy, who looked like he had a lock on the nickleback job at the start of training camp. Dendy might not even make the roster at all with Will Blackmon sure to be the kick return man and Tramon Williams showing some skills.

With so many jobs on the line, even watching the backups play should be pretty good football tonight. More than anything though, I’m just hoping the Packers can get through this game without any serious injuries. And a win would be nice.

Go Pack, Go!

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.