Well, the preseason has begun and the Packers have their first preseason game this coming Saturday 
against the Titans. While preseason games are not the most exciting games, I am SO pumped for this game for a couple reasons:
- It is the first chance to see the Packers in action
- I’m gonna be at the game!
Everybody says that the preseason doesn’t matter…WRONG. While it is true that the scores of the preseason games don’t matter and the wins and losses make no difference whatsoever, the games themselves are critical to the final evaluation of the players. Now, am I saying that the coaches need four preseason games to evaluate? Probably not, in fact a lot of coaches have said that they think there are too many preseason games but that doesn’t change the fact that the very BEST way to determine whether a player should stay or be cut is to watch them in live action versus a live opponent.
Here are three things that I am gonna have my eye on in this game:
*These are general but I will get more specific as we get closer to game time.
- The center exchanges – is everything smooth, are there any hiccups? The relationship between the quarterback and center is crucial and regardless of who is first string (likely Tretter), it will be a new player this year.
- The play of the tight ends – is someone gonna lock up the position? The tight ends are called upon to do a lot (run routes, catch passes, run block, and pass pro) and the Packers need a replacement for Jermichael Finley. Will they find it?
- Do we get pressure on the quarterback? The Packers got Julius Peppers and have several first round draft picks on the defensive line and at the linebacker position, do those moves translate to quarterback pressures? Quarterback pressure is going to be crucial to the Packers winning an NFC North that features some of the best quarterback/receiver combos in the league.
So there are a few things that I will be looking for, there are a million more things to wonder about, all of which are beginning to come clear and will hopefully culminate in a successful start to the 2014 season.
What will you be watching for? Let me know in the comments section below…and GO PACK!!!
I think with the ref’s enforcing the PI penalty this year it will be key for the defense to apply pressure on the QB’s. The DB’s will have to put themselves in position for pass protect better now instead of the crowd and maul protection of the past so that is an area I will be watching. This is why Sherman will only be a average corner this year because his game was all about contact and playing tight now he will be called for that type of coverage. As I have stated in past blogs I believe Hayward and Shield’s are better corners than Sherman for the simple fact they are open space corners what I mean by this is they give room for the receiver to run then close on them as the play comes together, and if the D lineman are putting pressure on the QB it means they will have to throw faster and our corners,safeties and linebackers will have a much better chance at coverage. I will also be watching the middle again this year to see if Hawk can finally be that wow factor we need I know he is reliable and always on the field but he has never lived up to his draft status IMO. Maybe if the D line plays better it will make his job easier also. But honestly I am hoping either Doughty or Thomas can play out standing and maybe just maybe show they can play the middle with more fire than Hawk has done in his long tenor here.
Jones and his backups were a much bigger liability than Hawk last year. I expect he’d be replaced long before Hawk in the middle. But yes, it would be great to have Hawk improve from his best season ever at ILB – last year.
I will be at the game too! We recently moved to Nashville, but I am a die hard long time Packer fan. Watched the Packers in the snow at Milwaukee when Vince was the coach. Are there any pre game activities planned??
I WILL BE AT GAME COMING IN FROM SONS HOUSE IN MICHIGAN TO VISIT OTHER SON IN TENNESSEE BEFORE HEADING HOME TO VEGAS. LOOKING FOR A CHEAP TICKET ANY IDEAS
Hey Bruce. Glad to hear you’re going to get a chance to visit TN.
Tickets should be easy to come by. It’s the Titans and preseason so they aren’t going to sell out. Tickets directly from Ticketmaster are going to start out about $41. You might also try stubhub to get them cheaper.
I’m curious to see how the WRs outside of Nelson and Cobb perform. I’m not sure Boykin is a lock at #3, and #4 is wide open if he is.
From what I have seen the packers need to be able to stop the run and tighten up in the secondary