walleye
15 years ago
1. Backup quarterbacks to get a lot of reps
There will be plenty of time to watch backup quarterbacks Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn as Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the starting offense wont play much in Thursdays preseason finale (only about 10 plays, according to coach Mike McCarthy).


The two rookies have struggled throughout the preseason. Last Friday at Denver, Brohm failed to complete a pass and Flynn threw for a total of just 2 yards. Because Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher typically plays his starters into the second half in the last preseason game, Brohm and Flynn should get some work against quality NFL players.

If either one has some success, it could go along way toward easing the Packers concerns about whether they can handle a regular-season game. If they struggle, it could force the Packers to consider bringing in a veteran backup for the regular season.

2. Grant to debut?
Running back Ryan Grant is expected to make his preseason debut after missing parts of training camp due to his contract situation and then a strained hamstring. Grants practice reps have been extremely limited, so its unlikely McCarthy will play him very long Thursday night.

Last season, Grant didnt become the No. 1 running back until the seventh game of the season in part because he wasnt with the Packers in training camp. They had hoped to have Grant for a full camp this year, but it didnt work out.

3. How will the defense hold up?
Last week in Denver, the Broncos ran all over the Packers defense. On the Broncos 16-play, 99-yard touchdown drive that spanned eight minutes and 29 seconds, they ran 10 times, including six straight plays.

Sure, the Packers were without starting defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, their best run stopper, and they will be without him again Thursday night due to the hamstring injury that has kept him out for all of the preseason.

Still, the Packers had plenty of regulars in the game during that drive, and they still couldnt stop the Broncos. The Titans have a capable running game both because of their quarterback Vince Young and their top halfback LenDale White that will prove to be a good measuring stick to see if the Packers have improved from last week.

4. Cornerbacks Harris, Woodson might not play
Theres a good chance that the Packers entire starting secondary wont play Thursday night. Cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson didnt do much in practice this week and may not play.

Safeties Atari Bigby (ankle) and Nick Collins (neck) were banged up last week against the Broncos and probably will be held out even though their injuries dont appear to be serious. That means plenty of playing time for the backups, who are still fighting for jobs. While Tramon Williams appears to be a lock for the No. 3 cornerback job, theres still a battle for the third spot between Will Blackmon and Jarrett Bush.

For most of camp, Bush has held the edge, but Blackmon has been closing fast. Look for Bush also to get some time at safety behind Aaron Rouse and Tyrone Culver, who should start in place of Bigby and Collins.

5. Herron, Lumpkin, Morency battle it out
Perhaps the last true battle for a roster spot is at running back, where the threesome of Noah Herron, Kregg Lumpkin and Vernand Morency are running close. In Herron and Morency, the Packers have known commodities. Herron plays smart and is assignment sure, especially as a third-down back who can effectively pick up blitzes.

Morency does the same plus is perhaps a little better with the ball in his hands. Lumpkin, the undrafted rookie from Georgia, is probably the most talented of the three but is raw. Injuries limited his playing time in college and allowed him to slip through the cracks, but the Packers made him one of their free-agent priorities. A good showing Thursday night could make him impossible to cut.
UserPostedImage
Here Fishy Fishy
Greg C.
15 years ago
#1 This is the biggie. We need one of these guys to step up soon, so Thompson does not have to bring in an emergency vet.

#2 No big deal. He will probably only get a few carries at most.

#3 Without Pickett, I'm not expecting much, but it would be good for them to put up some kind of resistance.

#4 This will be excellent experience for the backup CB's.

#5 I love this battle. I'd like to see Lumpkin get some reps with the #1 offense so we can judge him better.
blank
SINCITYCHEEZE
15 years ago
I want to Jordy up against some 1st string special teams tonite to see what he can reallly do.
Wisconsin Born, Packer Bred
UserPostedImage
warhawk
15 years ago
While the majority of NFL coaches opt to use the third pre-season game to target getting the starters in "real game" type readiness the Titans apparentyl take the final game more seriously than most.

This means our starters will be taking a quick exit and the rest of the game our 2'nd teamers will be facing their #1's and our third and fourth level guys will be in against the Titans 2'nds, etc.

So don't be surprised if Brohm, for example, has it rough because he won't be in with our #1's but will be up against theirs for several series. It would be different if he were in there with our top line guys but McCarthy is not going there tonight.

At the end of the day this could mean we might get smoked tonight and while many here will surely predict the sky is falling this game, for us, is about who will be the last three or four players to survive the cut and nothing more.

You won't see our top line defense in there long enough to know how they will hold up and the last thing they will do is risk injury to Grant in a meaningless game so don't look for much there either.

This game right here is why they are giving consideration to reducing pre-season to three ball games. There is really little sense for it.
"The train is leaving the station."
zombieslayer
15 years ago
1. As of now, Flynn has impressed me more than Brohm.

2. I hope Grant gets less than five carries. I don't want to see him play more than the first series.

3. This is where I miss Corey Williams.

4. Good. Keep both of them out. I want them both 100% for Game 1. I also want to see Bush at S because he's pissing me off at CB.

5. Question for all of you - are we keeping four RBs? If so, it's Grant, Jackson, Herron, and whom? Mo or Lumpkin? Maybe tonight I'll get the answer.
My man Donald Driver
UserPostedImage
(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
Greg C.
15 years ago
It seems like just a few years ago the Packers ended the preseason by getting trounced by the Titans at Lambeau--in the rain. The same thing may happen tonight.
blank
gopackgo
15 years ago
I'll be interested to see how the QB's do tonight. Many people think the Titans are all about VY, but it is their defense that has been the reason for their recent success.
blank
agopackgo4
15 years ago
Move Lumpkin up the list behind the quarterbacks..To me.
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (1h) : Former #Packers TE Josiah Deguara is signing a 1-year deal with the Jaguars, per source.
Zero2Cool (2h) : They do not do it for "content sake".
dfosterf (12h) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
Zero2Cool (19h) : Haha
Mucky Tundra (20h) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (20h) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Against tbd
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
beast (25-Mar) : Simply fined in the week to follow
beast (25-Mar) : I agree with one NFL official, it'll probably be like some of the helmets hits, not really called by the refs on the field but simply fined
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Hip drop is not. Super confusing. Referees job is harder
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Swivel hip drop is banned
dfosterf (25-Mar) : The hip drop enforcement will be in the form of fines, etc. Not flags
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2023 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 10 @ 3:25 PM
Bears
Sunday, Sep 17 @ 12:00 PM
Falcons
Sunday, Sep 24 @ 12:00 PM
SAINTS
Thursday, Sep 28 @ 7:15 PM
LIONS
Monday, Oct 9 @ 7:15 PM
Raiders
Sunday, Oct 22 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Sunday, Oct 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Nov 5 @ 12:00 PM
RAMS
Sunday, Nov 12 @ 12:00 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 19 @ 12:00 PM
CHARGERS
Thursday, Nov 23 @ 11:30 AM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 3 @ 7:20 PM
CHIEFS
Monday, Dec 11 @ 7:15 PM
Giants
Sunday, Dec 17 @ 12:00 PM
BUCCANEERS
Sunday, Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM
Panthers
Sunday, Dec 31 @ 7:20 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 7 @ 3:25 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM
Cowboys
Saturday, Jan 20 @ 7:15 PM
49ers
Recent Topics
12h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

12h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

12h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

19h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

24-Mar / Around The NFL / dhazer

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.