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General Details

Location: Lambeau Field
Time: 6:00 pm C, 7:00 pm E
Where Can I See the Game: Wisconsin Resident-Your Local CBS Channel, Outside Wisconsin-I will update this post if anything comes up.

Players Most Likely to Sit Out the Game:

James Jones, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Ryan Pickett, KGB (possibly), AJ Hawk, Charles Woodson (possibly), Al Harris (possibly), Atari Bigby, Nick Collins (possibly)

What to Watch For:

Since this if the final preseason game of the year this is the game where the Packers will mostly rest their starters. Starters are actually only expected to play one series in the game. This means that our backups will receive a lot of playing time this game. That is actually a good thing since we need the extra looks to see who we will be cutting to make it down to the 53 man roster limit. While this might lead to a pretty boring game it is necessary to get a good feel on which players should make the final roster. Here are some things to really watch in tomorrow’s game in my opinion:

1)   The Packers starters might only play a series but it is worth seeing how well they do in that series. Ryan Grant will also be making his first appearance of the season so we can see what kind of shape he is in after the injury and the holdout. KGB might also play so that will be another thing to watch. Hopefully the starters can have a successful series to instill confidence going into the season.

2)   The Titans will be playing their starters for most of the game. The Titans are one of the few teams in the league that actually prefer to sit their starters for the third game and play their starters for most of the fourth game. So if the Packers are creamed tomorrow night I wouldn’t worry too much. I actually would expect it. If the Packers are competitive or actually win I would seriously start worrying if I were a Titans fan. Even though our backups most likely won’t win it is a good opportunity for these players to face some tougher competition.

3)   I think the running back competition will actually come down to this final game. At this point I really couldn’t tell you who will win the competition. I think all three running backs are in competition for the one or two open running back spots on the roster. I think Herron will need to show more explosive plays. Morency will need to show more consistency. Lumpkin will need to show more of his potential. A new idea is actually being floated out there that the Packers could use Lumpkin as a fullback. If Lumpkin is given some time at fullback and he shows some potential at the position I think he will make the roster as a RB/FB.

4)   Like the running back battle I think the linebacking battle will be just as tight. At this point Abdul Hodge, Desmond Bishop and Tracy White are competing for one or two spots on the roster (there is a slim chance that they will keep all three). Just like at running back I think this battle will come down to the Titans game. While I didn’t think both Hodge and Bishop could make the team I am now thinking that it could be a possibility. Supposedly Bishop has got some work at OLB so if he is able to play OLB I think the Packers could keep both of them on the roster. If that doesn’t work out though I think only one of them will make the roster. Meanwhile Tracy White needs to show that he is more than a special teamer. If he can’t show he is more than a special teamer I think he might be shown the door since we have several other really good special teamers.

5)   The last big competition in my opinion is at defensive end. At this point I think Jason Hunter and Michael Montgommery will be competing for the final defensive end spot on the roster. Both have things working for them and against them. For example Hunter is a great special teamer and has finally shown some pass rushing ability but he is terrible in run defense and needs to be more consistent in his pass rush. Meanwhile Michael Montgommery is a pretty good run stuffer and can actually play defensive tackle as well. He lacks top speed though and has never been a great pass rusher. I think only one will make the roster so whoever shines more will get the spot in my opinion.

6)   I would recommend watching Brohm and Flynn. I have told you to watch them every game but I think this game is the most crucial. This will be the most time either of them have gotten in a game. Hopefully they can actually do something in this game or we could be in a lot of trouble if Rodgers gets hurt. Hopefully this will be their last gametime of the year and they should take advantage of it as they grow as NFL quarterbacks.

7)   Finally watch the bubble players. This is the last chance for bubble players to either win a spot on the roster or blow their chances of making the team. At this point some players I would consider to be bubble players include: Jarrett Bush, Joe Porter, Tyrone Culver, Charlie Peprah, Michael Montgommery, Jason Hunter, Brandon Chillar (very slim chance of being cut), Demsmond Bishop, Abdul Hodge, Daniel Muir, Alfred Malone, John Kuhn, Vernand Morency, Noah Herron, Kregg Lumpkin, Tory Humphrey, Joey Haynos, Breno Giacomini, Junius Coston, and Tony Moll. While some of these players have a good job of keeping their spot on the team, at this point I wouldn’t guarentee any of them a roster spot on the team. I bet there will be at least one surprise that doesn’t make the roster and one that does make the roster.

What will you be watching for in the Titan’s game?

General Details

Location: Lambeau Field
Time: 7:00 C (8:00 E)
Where I Can See the Game: ESPN, WBAY (Green Bay ABC Station), WISN (Milwaukee ABC Station). If none of these work for you check out this link for a live stream on the internet.

What to Watch For:

Since this is the first preseason game we finally get to see the Packers in a real gameday situation. Obviously the game doesn’t count and it doesn’t matter who wins but it is still great to finally have some Packer football back. I think fans can learn a lot from this game but fans shouldn’t overvalue anything that happens either since this is only a preseason game. So here are my things that Packer fans should be looking for in tonight’s game:

1. First and foremost we want no injuries. There are mainly three goals to training camp and preseason. The first is to give your young players some playing time and pick who makes the final roster. The second is to get your players in shape and in synch for the season after the long break. The final and most important in my opinion is to stay healthy going into the season. Nothing else matters if you head into the season with a bunch of injuries. The Packers have been dinged up a little so hopefully they can get past that and not have anymore injuries in this week’s game.
2. This is probably the most important preseason game in Packers history to date. The main reason is that everyone is watching to see how Aaron Rodgers will play. While it is a pointless preaseason game it is still important in my opinion that Rodgers has a good game. The main reason is that fans are not going to want to see Rodgers struggle after Favre was traded. If Rodgers struggles tonight I wouldn’t want to be in Green Bay since there will be plenty of angry fans. If Rodgers does well things will be much different though. It will calm some Packer fans down and they might finally have some confidence in Rodgers to lead the Packers this season. Next to injuries this is the most important thing in this game. Rodgers will probably only play a quarter or so but that had better be a good quarter.
3. The other QBs have to be watched as well. Both QBs will finally get some experience in front of a huge crowd. This is their first real opportunity to show whether they are ready to backup Rodgers yet or not. If they struggle I can see the Packers looking for a veteran and Flynn will be cut by final cutdowns (hopefully put on practice squad). I wouldn’t be too harsh on them since they are rookies and QB is one of the positions that takes the longest to adjust to the pro game. We should at least start to get a feel for what we can expect out of them if they would have to play this season.
4. At RB we probably won’t see Ryan Grant but America will be able to see the strides Brandon Jackson has made since last season. He has had a great camp and I think he will be a great #2 RB this season for the Packers. With Grant and Jackson i think the Packers will have a great running game as long as our run blocking is solid. Behind Jackson we will need to watch to see who will get the third RB spot. At this point Morency is winning but with a strong performance Herron, Wynn or even Lumpkin could have a chance of upsetting him.
5. At WR there isn’t a whole lot to watch for since I don’t think there will be many changes if any to the WR crew. I think we already know the five receivers that we are going to take and the only way one of the other WRs will make the team is if the team decides to keep 6 receivers. The one thing I would watch for is the chemistry between the QB and WRs and if the WRs drop passes.
6. TE will definently be an interesting spot to watch. At this point we know two of the TEs that will make the roster. Donald Lee will be the starter and Jermichael Finley will either be the 2nd or 3rd TE. At this point I don’t know who will win the 3rd TE spot. Humphrey makes some great plays but he also makes just as many stupid plays. Evan Moore (who I am personally pulling for) has great hands but I am suspect on his blocking ability. Finally Joey Haynos is a solid player. He doesn’t make big plays but he also rarely makes mistakes.
7. The offensive line is one of the key positions to watch. We have one starting position up for grabs along with pretty much all the backup spots. The LG spot will come down to Colledge, Barbre, or Sitton. At this point I am predicting that Barbre is in the lead but it is hard to tell since the Packers coaching staff has been pretty tight lipped. I think the job will go to whoever does the best in the first two preseason games since I think they will need to make a decision by that point in order to get the whole offensive line to gel properly for the first game.
8. The biggest concern with the defensive line is the injuries. The defensive ends have stayed pretty healthy but the defensive tackles can’t stay healthy at all. For the defensive line we will get to see a lot of the youngsters since most of the veterans are currently hurt and their is no rush to get them out on the field. One player I would really watch is Alfred Malone. He has really impressed the coaches in practice since he is great at tipping passes at the line. To make the team he is going to have to show that he can hold his ground in the running game and also get pressure on the QB. If he can show skills at both I think he will make the final roster.
9. The linebacking position will be somewhat interesting. The starters are all but already decided (Poppinga has almost no shot at losing the starting job). The reason I would watch the linebackers is because of the new agressive defense that we are planning on using this season. Expect more blitzing out of the linebackers this season. Other than the new plays you could also watch the backup linebackers since there is a stiff competition for the backup jobs.
10. The corners will be an interesting spot to watch. Al Harris and Charles Woodson might not play (they rarely play more than they have to in training camp and preseason). If they don’t play we will get even a longer look at our young CBs. I personally am really excited to see what we have at the position. At this point Tramon Williams will get the starting job but he needs to keep up the good play since the other cornerbacks are coming on sharp. Will Blackmon has looked pretty good (as long as he can stay healthy). Jarrett Bush seems to be rebounding from last season pretty. Pat Lee looked lost at the begining of camp but he is really turning it on the last week or so. While not in the competition for the #3 CB spot I would also watch Joe Porter because he has really impressed the coaches with his speed so he might be able to sneak on the roster or be put on the practice squad.
11. The safety spot will be pretty interesting to watch. At this point the Packers are having a battle for the spot. At this point Bigby and Collins are the starters but don’t count out a switch before the season begins. I think Bigby will keep his spot but I could see Collins lose his spot to Rouse who has looked like a huge playmaker so far in training camp. Along with a battle for the starting spot there is also a good battle between Charlie Peprah and Tyrone Culver for the fourth and final safety spot on the team.

Be sure to check back throughout the game since I will be posting my thoughts throughout the game. Also check back tomorrow when I will have a recap of the whole game.

So what are you looking for in tonight’s game? Feel free to leave a comment since I always appreciate getting comments.