Preseason Game 1 - Bengals @ Packers - 8/11/08

[xTitan]

Not a Brohm fan either, short, slow, not a strong arm................I did not have a problem with drafting Harrell because it is REAL important to have very good lines, saw Harrell play at TN and when healthy was a beast, that is why other teams were going to take him in the first round as well, but the injuries were a problem for him in college, hence the risk. With the extra pick coming for Favre I am leaning toward GB making a late camp deal for a vet d-lineman, if possible.

I also believe that we will not see KGB play another regular season game for the Pack. I thought both Montgomery and Hunter looked good pressuring the QB, and I believe KGB is scheduled to make about $8 million or in that neighborhood.

I also think Rodgers wished he would have thrown more to Nelson rather than Francis, who had no chance of making the team, barring injury, but had an awful game.

I feel that the 2 best safeties will NOT be starting the year, Rouse has a nose for the football and making plays while Collins just gets noticed when he is getting beat.

John Ryan better not get to feeling to comfortable, awful game for him.

The last RB spot is going to be real interesting...Morency, Herron, Wynn....I thought Lumpkin looked better than all 3 until he fumbled at the end.

[ReasonablySober]

I just got back from the game. well behaved crowd, IMO.

I don't think that Rodgers played as well as some are making it sound, but it wasn't bad. I hope his hand is okay after he apeared to hit it on another player. He only played a series I belive after he did it. Went to the side line shaking it.

Did they show that on TV? I hadn't heard anyone mention it, but it happened right in front of me.

OK, what did you want him to do better? Serious question. He was 9 for 15. Driver dropped a first down and Francies dropped the pass that lead to the INT. Considering the enormous pressure on him, I thought he looked fantastic.

But like I said, I'm serious when I ask what you noticed that you thought he could have done better at.

[Mags FTW]

I hope his hand is okay after he apeared to hit it on another player. He only played a series I belive after he did it. Went to the side line shaking it.

Did they show that on TV? I hadn't heard anyone mention it, but it happened right in front of me.

They showed it, but didn't talk about it. He was all smiles the rest of the night. Probably just a stinger. He left the game because they only planned on him playing 1-1.5 quarters. Got the TD, might as well leave on a high note.

[paulpressey25]

What would be the point of cutting KGB? Aren't we $30mm under the cap? I can't see him dumping a popular guy and good edge rusher to save a few extra $$.

Agreed that Rouse is a playmaker.....

[xTitan]

I just got back from the game. well behaved crowd, IMO.

I don't think that Rodgers played as well as some are making it sound, but it wasn't bad. I hope his hand is okay after he apeared to hit it on another player. He only played a series I belive after he did it. Went to the side line shaking it.

Did they show that on TV? I hadn't heard anyone mention it, but it happened right in front of me.

The only possible negative thing you could say about Rodgers was the he throws a bit of a rising fastball, that is a minor technical flaw that can be adjusted. I loved watching his poise in the pocket, he looked off safeties and looked better than Palmer quite frankly. The first sack was a blown assinment by Jackson, I remember he had the same problem to start last year. Rodgers has a gun and a pretty damn accurate gun at that.

The hand thing was on the first series so he played with it 3 more series, so it was nothing....I was more concerned with the low tackle from the side and hitting him on the knee....Rodgers took to many hits, has to learn to avoid that.

[xTitan]

What would be the point of cutting KGB? Aren't we $30mm under the cap? I can't see him dumping a popular guy and good edge rusher to save a few extra $$.

Agreed that Rouse is a playmaker.....

Because KGB is going to get beat out.....you have Kampman and Jenkins....Hunter and Montgomery have been having excellent camps and both were able to apply QB pressure today as well. You also have the Thompson kid drafted, who is a total hustle player right now but has alot of potential......you no longer need and over-paid 3rd down rusher who does not apply consistent pressure.

[Mags FTW]

The first sack was a blown assinment by Jackson, I remember he had the same problem to start last year.

The replay was pretty funny. When Rodgers was laying on the ground you could see him look up at Jackson with this "look" in his eye.

[Kerb Hohl]

I just got back from the game. well behaved crowd, IMO.

I don't think that Rodgers played as well as some are making it sound, but it wasn't bad. I hope his hand is okay after he apeared to hit it on another player. He only played a series I belive after he did it. Went to the side line shaking it.

Did they show that on TV? I hadn't heard anyone mention it, but it happened right in front of me.

OK, what did you want him to do better? Serious question. He was 9 for 15. Driver dropped a first down and Francies dropped the pass that lead to the INT. Considering the enormous pressure on him, I thought he looked fantastic.

But like I said, I'm serious when I ask what you noticed that you thought he could have done better at.

Yeah really. Listened to Bill Michaels for a bit on the post game show and he stated that "you know where ifs ands or buts leave you but..." if you take away the 2 drops, Rodgers goes 11-15, 144 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT, 129.5 rating. Now don't jump on me, because I understand those stats on the drops count and Favre also got those, however if we are just looking at Rodgers under a microscope, he threw the ball well.

It's debatable who made the mistake on the Jones overthrow, probably a bit more of Rodgers fault and hopefully he is able to make that throw as the season progresses but I thought he looked pretty damn good. I honestly doubt Favre would have looked much better.

[ReasonablySober]

I don't think there are many reactionary fans around here, the type that would use this game to justify anything. Most here are pretty grounded, intelligent people, I think. I saw what I expected to see. Even if I hadn't, I wouldn't be concerned.

The reason I'm happy is that (I hope) the boos should lessen a bit, that the personal insults are fewer in number. Kudos to the Packer fans at the game. When the offense took the field and I heard the roar of the crowd and I saw the standing ovation, I genuinely got chills.

The smart fans will realize it benefits absolutely no one to rip Rodgers/Thompson/McCarthy. It's cutting off your nose despite your face. For the benefit of the team, give the above three your support, at least this season.

[El Duderino]

Not a Brohm fan either, short, slow, not a strong arm................I did not have a problem with drafting Harrell because it is REAL important to have very good lines, saw Harrell play at TN and when healthy was a beast, that is why other teams were going to take him in the first round as well, but the injuries were a problem for him in college, hence the risk. With the extra pick coming for Favre I am leaning toward GB making a late camp deal for a vet d-lineman, if possible.

I also believe that we will not see KGB play another regular season game for the Pack. I thought both Montgomery and Hunter looked good pressuring the QB, and I believe KGB is scheduled to make about $8 million or in that neighborhood.

The last RB spot is going to be real interesting...Morency, Herron, Wynn....I thought Lumpkin looked better than all 3 until he fumbled at the end.

1. My concern with Harrell is he came to camp his rookie year out of shape and again this year while others in his draft class like Jackson/Wynn/Rouse spent most of the offseason in Green Bay getting stronger and tip top shape, Harrell spent his offseason at home getting fat on moms cooking. Then because of this, he was behind and pushed to fast in the weight room which the strength coach said played a role in him getting injured yet again.

2. I don't agree at all on KGB. He's still the second best pass rusher on the roster, so long as he's healthy and after letting Williams go, the defensive line needs all the pass rush they can get. Yea KGB gets a lot for a situation pass rusher, but rushing the QB is as big a key for any defense as anything else it does. Plus, why should Thompson care that KGB is overpaid by 2 million or so? After trading Favre, we are 26 million under the cap. So we cut KGB to get 34 million under the cap even though that 8 million wouldn't role over to the next year? I see no point to it.

3. I agree that Lumpkin is intriguing. He has nice size, looks to run strong, and has fair good quick feet. We should have a nice stable of tailbacks. Props to Ted for turning a very shaky position coming into last season, now to what looks like one that will be tough on cut day.

[El Duderino]

What would be the point of cutting KGB? Aren't we $30mm under the cap? I can't see him dumping a popular guy and good edge rusher to save a few extra $$.

Agreed that Rouse is a playmaker.....

Because KGB is going to get beat out.....you have Kampman and Jenkins....Hunter and Montgomery have been having excellent camps and both were able to apply QB pressure today as well. You also have the Thompson kid drafted, who is a total hustle player right now but has alot of potential......you no longer need and over-paid 3rd down rusher who does not apply consistent pressure.

Only way i see KGB getting cut is if he has injury problems

He had 10 sacks last year and was second in pressures. I don't buy for a second that either Hunter or Montgomery have the ability to get pressure on the QB like KGB can. Plus, we hardly need cap space. Hell, we are so far under the cap, i really wonder if cutting KBG would put the team under the minimum required cap floor?

With that said, i wouldn't be surprised at all if Montgomery got quite a few snaps on early downs with Jenkins sliding inside to get more snaps at DT so that someone inside can provide pressure, given teams pass so much on early downs.. I also read that Hunter is being tried some at DT for obvious passing downs. If he can provide some interior rush, a KGB/Hunter/Jenkins/Kampman foursome could get after the QB well in passing situations.

Thompson i'm sure will make the team, but my guess is he'll see plenty of being inactive this year unless injuries hit the defensive line. I have a hard time seeing how he'll see the field with KGB/Hunter/Kampman/Montgomery on the roster.

[aaprigs311]

What would be the point of cutting KGB? Aren't we $30mm under the cap? I can't see him dumping a popular guy and good edge rusher to save a few extra $$.

Agreed that Rouse is a playmaker.....

Because KGB is going to get beat out.....you have Kampman and Jenkins....Hunter and Montgomery have been having excellent camps and both were able to apply QB pressure today as well. You also have the Thompson kid drafted, who is a total hustle player right now but has alot of potential......you no longer need and over-paid 3rd down rusher who does not apply consistent pressure.

KGB really isn't that overpaid if you look at the market. Maybe at the time he was, but right now his contract really isn't that bad. It's not like we have cap problems either. Jenkins could end up sliding to the interior with all our injury problems at DT yet too. Hunter and Montgomery are decent options off the bench, but I'm not comfortable enough to have them get extended time.

[Mags FTW]

You guys are killing Brohm too much for that INT. The receiver came to a dead stop...didn't even try to catch the ball. I bet McCarthy mentions this in the presser.

From the Packer Blog:

Tory Humphrey, by the way, took the blame for Brian Brohm's interception. Humphrey should have been out on a pattern. Instead, he stayed in to block.

[MickeyDavis]

I think everyone should be pretty happy with the game last night. Rodgers was fine and given how many starters didn't play it was a solid effort. Gotta love how hard DD plays even in a meaningless game.

[BuckFan25226]

Well, I was very happy with what I saw last night. Everything has been covered. The Favrebots can't be too happy after last night. But they always have next week to root for Rodgers to fail.

[LUKE23]

If you don't think Rodgers played well, you didn't watch the game. The 3rd down throw to Driver was an absolutely perfect throw that DD dropped, and the INT was right on the WR's hands and bobbled. Even James Jones said he should have had the play action throw, even though it would have been a very tough catch.

At the very least, Rodgers is 11/15 for 150, 1 TD, no INT if WR's make normal plays, 12/15 for 200 yards, 2 TD, no INT if Jones makes one fabulous play.

His throws had zip and were on the WR's hands. He played very well.

[eagle13]

I agree IF healthy KGB will be on roster. Mont & Hunt hopefully are making a leap this year - but as of last season neither of those guys were anywhere close to being the pass rusher KGB is.
As others stated previuosly $ is no issue both for position or cap.

Like Rod's laid back CA style.

Backup MLB looks to be a dogfight.
As is 3rd RB.

Pack will be hard pressed to carry only 5 LBs. I still say 6 this year unless DTs don't heal.

IF he keeps up Rouse should pass Collins as starter but I do not think coaches will do it. However rouse could get in dime as S IF Collins can play slot. They have tried him there in practice.

So far I still see roster of 24 on O & 26 on D (+3 ST)

[bucks59]

I was impressed by Rodgeres for the most part. He played well, especially given he didn't have all of his offensive weapons. His throws were a little high but that wasn't too big of a problem during the game. The interception probably wasn't his fault but the TD was also not because of him. Though, while he played well, he was playing the Bengals Defense, one of the worst in the NFL. Still, he looked pretty good.

Hodge seemed to play really well for most of the games. He was all over the field.

I thought the punting game was terrible for the most part. Ryan did not seem to play well. The run defense also needs to improve, but thats a factor of injuries on the line.

[rilamann]

To echo some of you guys Rodgers did indeed play very solid I dont realy see how anyone could complain.

Ecspecially when you consider it was the first pre-season game of the year and Rodgers was under a ton of pressure.Just wait untill Rodgers is in prime form (by week 1) and starts to realy relax out there.

My only real fear with Rodgers is still his health,I think (not just based on yesterday) the Packers are going to have chance to make just as much noise as they did last year but if Rodgers goes down for any length of time we would be in real trouble.


One thing I took away from yesterday's game and I kinda suprized myself was how it seemed like a great breath of fresh air for me seeing a new QB out there making plays.

Dont get me wrong I was a huge Favre fan and I still respect and appreciate him but I thought seeing the Packers for the first without #4 would be kinda dpressing.

To my suprize I actually had the opposite feeling.

[Fort Minor]

Rodgers played well AND avoided injury.

I'm pleased.