First team looks good

The Green Bay Packers and head coach Mike McCarthy got what they were looking for in Aaron Rodgers and the first-team offense by putting up 10 first quarter points that should have been more had not for a drop that turned into a pick by wide receiver Chris Francies. Rodgers moved the team pretty much from the get go and showed poise in the pocket in his one quarter of play.

The Packers’ defense also looked stout even though starting cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris watched from the sidelines. Linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk made big plays and held the high-powered Bengals to two-straight three-and-outs to start the game. When the starters left the Pack led 10-0.

Thankfully, football is back and the only thing that matters now is what happens on the field. I’ll have more on the game tomorrow, but first impressions are not too shabby.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 10:16 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • TRIP

    Not too shabby, indeed. Rodgers looked good. Commentators made a good point that there was a time when QBs usually had 2-3 years of bench-view before they led the team. That seems to have benefited a first-round selection in how confident he looked in handling the speed of the defense.

    If he can play like that through the regular season, he’ll help me forget about #4 quick. But that still won’t make me a Tedophile like Al, lol.

  • http://orlando Mark

    A long way to go before the opener. We need help at DT, backup QB, punter?

  • Michael Legat

    I’m content with the 1st stringers’ performance. I agree that Brohm isn’t ready for a #2 spot in the NFL just yet, but I hope they wait and take a competent, steady vet off the waiver wires in the coming weeks. I do not, repeat, do not want Daunte Culpepper coming within a country mile of the Green Bay locker room.

    As with most NFL teams, injuries will make the difference between a deep playoff run and oblivion. I’m as excited as anyone to see what goes down this year.

  • CheesyD

    I thought Rodgers looked great, especially considering the pressure he had been under. Excellent zip on the ball and very accurate throws. His receivers let him down on a couple throws. Driver dropped a sure thing, as did Martin. Jones had the long ball on his fingertips but couldn’t pull it in. It was just one quarter of the first preseason game but if you’re a real Packer fan, you have to be happy with what Rodgers did tonight.

    Hats off to the Packer fans! Great ovation to Rodgers and the Packers to get things started.

  • TRIP

    Jones didn’t pull it in but did the very next play, I think.

    Brohm is definitely not ready, Rodgers getting hurt would be the end of the season, one thing that makes me uncomfortable.

    I don’t want Culpepper either, but the Packers didn’t make a good move on him, Pennington (possible Jets trade), or Leftwich. Only other notable QBs on the street I can think of are Tim Hasselback, Kelly Holcomb, Tim Rattay and Craig Nall. Good Ol’ Craig, lol. Amongst those 4 and Culpepper, I think Ted Thompson, the Magnificient, (sarcasm) should get the former Viking. He turned down $1 million, but the season is getting closer and closer, 1.5 million should do the job.

  • Steve

    Pennington is already in Miami.

  • IC Cyclone Fan

    Here’s my guess as to how the QB position will go down. They’ll put Flynn on the practice squad and sign a roster casualty with experience in a similar system, such as J.T. O’Sullivan or Chris Simms. Brohm will be the #3. Having Craig Nall (with his knowledge of the Packer playbook) on the street is a nice little insurance policy.

    There’s got to be something about Culpepper that’s keeping him off an NFL roster; wore out his welcome in MN; didn’t stick with either Miami or Oakland; passed over by Pittsburgh for a back-up’s role. I hope we never see him in a Packer uni!

  • Reid

    I was impressed by the first team offense and defense, especially considering we were missing 5 (?) starters: Harris, Woodson, Pickett, Jennings, Grant. Great camera-work by ESPN catching Rodgers look at Brandon Jackson for missing the blitz pick-up and almost getting him killed to start the year. I wonder if McCarthy asked Jon Ryan to show up at 5 am to work on his punting?

  • AllAboutThePack

    No kidding, loved that camera work on Rodgers after the sack. Then they played it back in slo-mo – as the old saying goes, “if looks could kill”. I think Rodgers played a solid quarter of football considering he was missing two of his starters in Jennings and Grant. Once they are back in the line-up things could open up even more. 2nd and third stringers kinda let Aaron down a little by dropping some sure passes but overall I was impressed by the hands on Martin and Jones – Driver has always been Mr. Reliable and continued to show why he’s still a force to be reckoned with if you don’t use proper tackling techniques. He stepped out of one tackle and then plowed a DB over on his way out of bounds – classic! Brohm did not impress me at all – he looked hesitant on everything he did. I actually though Flynn did a better job of executing overall but not having a quality backup is extremely scary. What will Packer management do? I think the Culpepper backup idea would be the absolute wrong direction, but if it’s all we got for options, I might feel a little better knowing there’s a veteran there at backup – and trust me, it makes me throw up in mouth a little bit to say that… LOL

  • scotto

    TRIP…I heard Leftwich signed with Pittsburgh, but I could be wrong.

  • Larry

    Dont sweat backup QB; Rodgers has now worked (or will have by season) with OL and knows any weakness’ they have. Keep Brohm and Flynn so they can get the reps and learn fast track. Can always bring in Vinnie later if need be. I think MM likes the film sessions with these kids. Well, on second tho’t maybe Vinnie is a bad idea, but someone would be available. I do feel, however, that total youth is the way to go right now. We’ve been blessed (as was BF) with those OTs but that also can’t last forever…………………Hey, help the old fart; what does LOL mean?

  • packer_bob

    Unfortunately I missed most of the first string offensive reps since I was at work. I caught a play here and there, but did see some break downs on ESPN after the game.

    It seems like Rodgers peformance could be characterized as a good start. He certainly didn’t look like a rookie out there, nor should he have. I’ve noticed the last couple of seasons how much more in command and comfortable he looked in preseason games compared to his first.

    The reaction of the fans at the game is no surprise to me. Even though I personally have not agreed with how we got here, this is where we are now. I hope Rodgers has a long and successful career with the Pack, but most of all I hope he can help us win NOW as we are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.

    Most packer fans that I know are fans of the team above all, and some of the sniping on here notwithstanding are amongst the classiest fans. Support for Rodgers will be there if he progresses and it was nice to see him get the reaction he received last night. This situation was never his fault and he has handled a difficult situation pretty well, so he deserved it!

  • Matt Hayton

    Remember that this was the Bun-gals defense…not the bears or the vikings which we face both 2x a year…not a very talented bunch of guys they were facing, so temper the excitement…with that being said Rodgers still missed 2 wide-open WR’s – Jones on that deep ball and Martin on an out route…not to mention on his only TD, Jones made a phenomenal catch on an overthrown ball, that could have just as easily been dropped…

    There is still work to do here… Rodgers accuracy needs to improve, otherwise in live action, those balls will become drive killers and turnovers…

    But he did flash some nice things, as well…he’s gotten better timing on the slant routes and hitches, than he did at the scrimmage…I think he is going to be a work in progress and next year will be when he is ready to be a quality QB, this year is OJT…

    Defense…#1′s looked lights out against a vanilla Bun-gals offense (no TJ Housh, 85%, 85 and no starting tailback)…#2′s, Run defense is a concern…

    With our brutal schedule…my prediction for this team is 7-9…think they will struggle early going 2-5 before the bye and then improve as the season continues and the schedule gets a little easier…Tehy could only be 5-11 or 6-10 if they suffer some injuries…10-6 if they play lights out and gel quickly with Rodgers at the helm…

  • Larry

    Wow, thats quite a prediction. Between 5-11 and 10-6, I’d bet you’d make $ if a bookie would take that one.

  • Michael Legat

    Way too much can happen between now and the end of the season for anyone to make a more definitive prediction. I’d agree that with injuries creating a worst-case scenario, 5-11 to 10-6 is a pretty fair window. We could have a better record, but luck and great breaks will have to be a factor. Favre did create a lot of those breaks last year (San DIego, Denver). Will it happen again? We’ll see.

  • matt

    I agree with Hayton’s comments regarding the poor Bengal’s defense and that we can’t read too much into it. The Packers did what they were expected to do. They played well on offense and defense. Rodgers did very well and I am pleased. Although, Sitton was pushed back once.

    I am concerned about our DT situation. If we can’t stop the run, we will get hosed no matter who is our quarterback. It has to be remedied our we will finish the season with a record of 5-11.

    There seem to be many emerging playmakers on the second team. Hodge, Bush, Williams, Hawk, Jackson, and Jones played well. It was encouraging to see.

  • Maxaz1

    Rogers passing was ok within ten yards, outside of that it was horrible. He missed a wide open receiver. The only deep throw should have been intercepted by the defender or knocked down. Praise for him was overrated. 5-11 looks like a good bet to me.

  • Roy Jamison

    Anyone know if Johnny Jolly is going to play or be suspended? Also, is Harrell going to be a complete bust?
    When the rest of the guys get healthy, this is going to be an awfully good Packer team. I thought Flynn did a nice job against the third stringers, Brohm was inconsistent, but it’s way too early to put too much on one exhibition type game.

  • snyz

    8-8, just like the lyn dickey years. like i posted before, let the mediocrity begin. i definitely think we need about 20 more undrafted free agent receivers to come in to camp, we’re short on depth there. *sigh*

  • CheesyD

    Since we’re now apparently doing predictions… 11-5 unless we see some disastrous injuries.

    Vikes @ GB – Pack wins
    Lions away – Pack wins
    Cowboys @ GB – Cowboys win
    Bucs away – Pack wins
    Falcons @ GB – Pack wins
    Seahawks away – Seahawks win
    Colts @ GB – Colts win
    Titans away – Pack wins
    Vikings away – Vikings win
    Bears @ GB – Pack wins
    Saints away – Pack wins
    Panthers @ GB – Pack wins
    Texans @ GB – Pack wins
    Jags away – Pack wins
    Bears away – Bears win
    Lions @ GB – Pack wins

    GO PACK!!

  • Matt Hayton

    I agree w/Roy…thought Flynn looked good (against the 3′s, though) …but, there is some flair to this kid that I really like…

  • Luke
  • Jeff

    I’ll go with you most of the way CheesyD, but I’ll be very happy indeed if we go 5-1 in the division this year. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to drop the road games at MN and DET.

    If we go 11-5 instead of 8-8, I think the leadership of our coach and our new QB will be vindicated regardless of playoff action.

  • jeffn

    Rodgers just needs to keep doing what he has been doing. If he does that then the Packers have what they need in their QB. Time will tell but I’m feeling pretty positive about Rodgers.

    I think 11-5 is a reasonable prediction for this season, but the Pack will get better as the season goes (youngest team in the NFL) on so I’m expecting another run this year.

    You put as many 11-5, 12-4, 13-3 seasons together in a row and eventually you win a super bowl.

    I can’t remember the last time the team with the best record won the super bowl. Might have been 1996.

  • Larry

    Everything considered I’d settle for 8-8, but expect more. Last year was a tremendous learning year for the O. New people, new scheme, and depth we haven’t had in a long time. Regarding the D it was all about depth. Special teams were totally revamped, and I think played great all year. You’ll find thru all the years the winners have had the depth to overcome the unavoidable injuries to key players. This team has all the makings of a great team without super stars. Latest example has been the Pats, Brady has never impressed me that much, but look what he had around him. All dynastys in the past have been like that; they had a lot of “names” but they were names because of how everybody meshed together (along with great coaching). So comes a new era in Packer football. 8-8, 10-6, or 12-4 this team has been built to be winners for a long time.

  • Yoop

    I don’t care what the wins and losses are. The total’s are not as important as winning the division and making the play offs.
    That I say they will do.
    OVERALL this is a better team then last year. IMO the best team overall in the NFC North BY FAR!
    More experienced and with the kind of experience that teams this young almost never get, going to the NFC Championship game.
    Rodgers is no rookie, he is fully versed in this offense and will run it very well.
    IMO right now Rodgers has more tools to play with then Favre EVER did.

    The defense will be even better then last year, the defense was 6th in the most important stat, points allowed, I fully expect that to be in the top 5 this year, and see more 3 and outs and less yards given up in both the running game and passing game.
    I fully expect the Running game to be MUCH better then last year, and the passing game to stay in the top 10.

    Special team went form 32nd to 10th last year, and I expect it to be even better, we will see some VERY exciting return play.
    And now a lot of thses young players have another year of experience and actual depth even on the return teams.

    Will they be 13-3 I highy doubt it, Will they get as far as last year, only time will tell, lots of things have to fall in place for ANY team to go 13-3 and get that far in the play offs.
    But you got to make it to the play offs to get anywhere, that they will do.

  • Jeff

    Looks like Green and Gold stars in your eyes Yoop – but I’ll be jumping for joy if you’re even half right.

    My concerns are o-line and d-line. The vets must remain at the highest level and some unproven players must step up. DT is a notable worry as is cornerback and safety. TE had a way of disappearing last year too, and we’re not talking about a rookie there anymore. We’re looking for a lot of development from within – I sure hope we get it.

    Rodgers is not my biggest worry at this point.

  • packer_bob

    It’s far too early to be making predictions. A case can be made for 5-11 or 11-5 at this point, and all those cases would be predicated on a lot of “ifs.”

    I agree with Jeff’s concerns about the line play, particlularly D-line at this point. Rodgers isn’t my biggest concern either—IF he can stay healthy. (There’s that word again!)

  • Yoop

    Unproven starters? Back Ups? I really am asking who are these unproven players? Are they starters back ups, rotational players?

    TE had one of the best years for Packer TE in a very long time, Lee had 48 catches for 575 yards and 6 TD’s, Franks had 1 year with more catches and NO years with more yards ansd one year in the last 5 with more TD’s and that was one more.
    And there have only been 3 TE’s in the Packers history to have a better year.
    Aother interesting stat is that all of Ryan Grants best days, Lee was the TE, Franks was not on the field.

    I’m not saying he is great, I’ saying he is a pretty good TE, If I remember correctly he was 9th in yards and 7th in TD’s for TE’s in the NFL last year.

    CB and Safety? What are you concerns there? The back ups? The starters?
    I see very little concern with either of those positions. Last year I would have agreed with those area’s being a concern not today. The nickle who ever ends up winnign it will be better then the vast majority of the season last year and those behind him will be better.
    The Safety position has more competition then it has had for a VERY long time. With the players they have right now and the abilities they, they can do what is needed and wanted in this defense, the ability to have interchangeable safeties.

    DT for me Williams will not be missed at all, When you look at the stats for Willams and what team he got all those sacks agaisnt it is not much at all.
    I think the overall DT play will be beter even if Harrell doesn’t play a down all year.
    For me Jolly is a far better DT, Cole and Pickett have the NT spot held down, Muir and Malone will be just fine behind Jolly.
    Muir is a bigger , stronger, quicker version of Jenkins. Malone hold the point of attack just fine adnb is very good at knocking down passes.

    3rd down will be Kampman, Jenkins, Jolly, and KGB or Montgomery.

    The advantage this year is better DE depth to spell Kampman and Jenkins.

    From what I have saw in practice, Family night and the Game Monday night, Montgomery can rotate into both DE spots for Rotation and so can Hunter, Thompson is RAW but he all the tools to play well against the run and rush the passer.
    I also liked what I saw out of Montgomery playing inside on passing downs.

    The Oline I am not worried about EVEN if there are injuries. There is enough depth to cover any of the postions and still play with little if any difference.
    The competition at the inside spots who ever wins it the OLine will be better.
    And the work they are getting outside is doing nothing but helping the line overall.

    This team will be better becasue the runnigng ame will be better, the defense will be better, one of the biggest things making that come true is experience more than anything else, these young players playign more and more, knowing the system better and better allowing the coaches to do more and more.

  • Jeff

    Your last paragraph restates one of my two main points. If this team is to be better, it’s going to come mainly from internal development. We disagree moderately on just how likely that is.

    Looking at it now, I don’t see this team as having improved much over last year, but I would really enjoy being wrong. It’s not simply improvement – it’s improvement over and above our competition that matters, and I really question whether or not we achieved that.

    Cornerback, Safety and Oline really don’t bother you at all? I think your assessments in those areas are optimistic. Yes, Donald Lee had a very good year. *One* very good year . . . not so different from Grant. Dline choked on the biggest stage we had and failed to sack Manning or force him into an INT despite his throwing 40 passes in cruddy weather. The vets there are a year older, nobody of significance was added and Muir, Malone, Montgomery and Hunter are all unproven.

    To restate my other main point, I don’t think Rodgers is the biggest concern here. The team is good. Is it better? I’m not as sure about that as you are.

  • Larry

    Points well taken, however, “choked” negates the moves made by the opposing coaches. Starters on D are my main concern but I do feel we have better depth and the waiver wires haven’t started humming yet. Keep in mind that this is a much touger schedule and will be a greater test to the team than last year.