It was only the first game of the preseason but the Packers’ defense and special teams did not show the expected improvement from within that has been preached all offseason. Both units opened with poor performances against the Browns last night. The Packers’ offense, with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, looked unstoppable, but then again the Browns’ inexperienced secondary was easy pickens’ for the veteran QB.
With weapons like Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley, the Packers have the ability to score a lot of points, and if they are going to be getting into shootouts every week they might rewrite the NFL record book. While I’d like to see a lot of points scored, you do need to control the ball and the clock and give your defense a rest every now and then.
The special teams looked like the same poorly coached unit they have always been under Mike McCarthy. Even with all the extra emphasis placed on them in the first two weeks of practice they still couldn’t even get the right personal on the field. Penalties and turnovers are once again their trademark. Special teams might be the downfall of this team for yet another year.
I’m confident the defense will be alright, I still don’t see anybody running the ball on them with any great success. It is hard to be real confident in the secondary, however. Players like Brandon Underwood and Pat Lee have to come of age in a hurry and the sooner Al Harris gets back the better. The third preseason game is the one to watch – Peyton Manning and Co. come to town. If the Packers’ defense gets ripped that night we might be in trouble.
It’s off to Seattle this week for game two. Another veteran quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck, so it should be a good test. I would expect to see the Packers try to put a little more pressure on the QB this week. They never touched Jake Delhomme in the Browns’ opening 80-yard touchdown drive.
I’m not going to panic yet, but it wasn’t a very good start for two-out-of three phases.