While the win-loss column does not reflect a particularly strong effort from the Packers this pre-season, all three phases of the team have played well at some point. Unfortunately, they have not all done their job throughout the entirety of one game.
The Packers defense has been the strongpoint thus far for a young Packers team. With a new quarterback in tow, strong defensive showings will be necessary if the Packers hope to return to the playoffs this year. When Al Harris and Charles Woodson were in their respective cornerback positions, the Packers thrived on defense, yielding no points and effectively shutting down the 49er offense. The linebacker corps, headed by middle linebacker Nick Barnett, is as deep as a head coach could ask for and continues to show strong play. The defensive line is still nicked up but has been serviceable thus far.
On the other side of the ball, the offense, particularly the offensive line, has played both the part of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In the Monday Night pre-season opener against the Bengals, the Packers offense moved the ball into Cincinnati territory on three of their first four possessions and scored twice. While Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn both struggled to get in the end zone, the Packers were in a position to make a run at the end of the game and, despite a poor night from punter Jon Ryan, generally were able to manage the field position battle. In San Francisco, the story was completely different. The merry-go-round that is the Packers offensive line was unable to consistently protect their quarterback leading to broken plays and too many knockdowns. None of the Packers’ signal callers were able to move the ball down the field. Even when they were given the ball within a hop, skip and jump of the end zone, the Packers had to settle for a field goal.
Special teams play as a whole has admittedly been fairly good, but while the offense was having success against the Bengals, punter Jon Ryan was doing everything he could to put the Bengals in position to have success. He was under the microscope after a poor showing and seemed to respond well in San Francisco; almost too well. Punts of 47, 56, 54, 48, 52 and 56 yards certainly look good on paper, but Ryan has to be careful that he is not sacrificing hang time for gross distance. Give Allen Rossum credit for taking Ryan’s last punt to the end zone, but also realize that Rossum caught the line drive punt without a Packer within 15 yards of him. Good returnmen will make the Packers pay if this trend continues. On the opposite end of a kick the most important thing a return man can do is hold onto the football, and thus far the Packers returners have been able to secure the football and gain average to above average field position.
Denver will provide a good test for the defense, as the Broncos have developed a reputation for having a strong running game year in and year out. In addition, the development of third year quarterback Jay Cutler and emergence of wide receiver Brandon Marshall have made the Broncos into a potent offense. They will provide a solid test in this third preseason game, which many consider to be the most important, before the regular season gets underway in two weeks.
The Denver defense, particularly the secondary, will challenge the Packers receiving corps as well. Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly are still considered one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL despite an off-year in 2007. The Broncos defense as a whole is a veteran group that averages over six years in the league and will pressure a young Packers team to prove their worth.
Denver’s special teams is average and should easily be contained. For the first time in 15 years, Jason Elam will not be kicking field goals in Denver. His replacement, Matt Prater, is 6 of 8 on field goals this preseason, missing from 30 and 49 yards. Expect the Packers to have good field position as the Broncos are giving up over 27 yards per kickoff. Jordy Nelson should continue his success and be able to exploit the Broncos punt coverage as well.
If nothing more, this game is important psychologically for the Packers. Coach McCarthy should leave his starters in longer for this game than any of the three other pre-season games. McCarthy always likes to have something to build off of, and with the short week to prepare for the final pre-season game against the Titans, this game will serve as an important stepping stone to the regular season opener on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings.
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