The Packers are about to open training camp and like every year I am fired up. That is the same with all Packers’ fans but what separates me from most is I love the preseason games. This year the Packers are returning something like 20 of their 22 starters from last year which means there won’t be many battles for starting jobs. The open right tackle position will be the hot one and outside linebacker will be warm as well. Most of the competition this year is for backup jobs and that means we’ll be seeing guys fighting for their professional lives in the weeks to come.
I love seeing these guys battle for jobs and and then trying to decide who should be cut and comparing it to who actually does get cut. Guys I’m going to be watching are guys like last year’s training camp sensation – running back Kraig Lumpkin, linebacker Clay Matthews, who along with B.J. Raji should get plenty of playing time in the preseason. Defensive lineman Justin Harrell, healthy for the first time in his life should be interesting to watch. I’ll certainly be watching the backup cornerbacks as Charles Woodson and Al Harris won’t be around forever, in fact it would be nice to see them get pushed a little to keep them at the top of their game.
I also want to see more of Jordy Nelson and he and James Jones should see plenty of action. What could hurt those two is once Aaron Rodgers leaves the game the Packers have very little at quarterback. I’m not high on Matt Flynn or Brian Brohm at all. I’m sure they can hand to Lumpkin and Deshawn Wynn pretty good though. In that same vein, tight end Jermichael Finley is looking to beat out Donald Lee has a starter but may have to make his move when Rodgers is still in the game and more so in practice.Needless to say the switch to the 3-4 defense will on the top of most peoples list of what to watch and is on mine as well, but the difference is I believe Dom Capers when he says the Packers will be ready to go opening day, no six game learning curve like I hear mentioned so much. In this case, however, we may not be able to glean much with the starters only play a few quarters together in the preseason. Still, seeing the schemes and how the linebackers play will be fun to watch.
My biggest concern is the same as it has been for the last 18 years, don’t get the quarterback hurt before the games count. It is always a fine line between playing enough to get the timing down and coming out to soon to avoid injury. Other guys that could kill the Packers season before it gets started by getting hurt in the preseason would by Greg Jennings, Woodson or Harris, Ryan Grant, and Chad Clifton, who covers Rodgers’ back. I would also be very concerned if Ryan Pickett or Raji got hurt. Pickett never has got his just do but he is a key player for the Packers’ defense. Raji has shown from the day he got here, no pads yet, that he is going to be starting somewhere on the d-line.
Finally, the best thing about preseason games is that you don’t have to get all nervous before or during the game. It is great to watch the Packers play and not really care what the final score is. Coaches can talk until they are blue in the face about the importance of winning every game you play but we all know these games mean nothing in the win-loss column. So sit back, enjoy your favorite beverage, and watch the Packers mold their team into what I think will be at least a division champion. It all starts Saturday I’ll be there.