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GREEN BAY (0-1) at SAN FRANCISCO (0-1)
Saturday, Aug. 16 - Candlestick Park - 8 p.m. CDT



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PACKERS HEAD WEST TO TAKE ON NINERS
-Green Bay makes its first road trip of 2008, traveling across the country to take on the San Francisco 49ers in the second preseason game.

-It will be a short week for the Green and Gold after opening up the preseason slate on Monday night against the Bengals with a 20-17 loss. Players return to the practice field Wednesday and Thursday before departing west Friday afternoon.

-Like any preseason game, there were a number of things to highlight Monday night, and of course plenty to correct. The Packers' starting units on offense and defense got into a nice rhythm, mounting a 10-0 lead after the first quarter.

-Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, making his first preseason start in front of a national audience, led the first-unit offense on two scoring drives, including a highlight touchdown connection with wide receiver James Jones.

-Also, the first-unit defense seemed to gain some momentum. It forced three consecutive three-and-outs for Carson Palmer and company.

-The main goal this week in Green Bay will be to heal many of the Packers core players. Seven projected starters were held out of action Monday night, while a number of other key backups were held out.

-Head Coach Mike McCarthy would prefer to play his first units a bit longer Saturday night, but health will be the determining factor.

-San Francisco enters its first home game of the preseason with a bit more rest, having traveled across the Bay last Friday to take on the Oakland Raiders, where it suffered an 18-6 defeat.

THE DOPE ON THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT:
Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers:
All-time regular season: 28-25-1
All-time, in San Francisco: 11-16-1
All-time, postseason: 4-1-0
All-time, preseason: 1-2-0
Streaks: Packers have won six straight and 11 of the last 12
Last meeting, regular season: Dec. 10, 2006, Monster Park; Packers won, 30-19
Last meeting, preseason: Sept. 13, 1975, at Lambeau Field; 49ers won, 24-3

Speaking of dope...

Hawk is out with a chest injury. This week has been the first time he's ever missed any practice time.

Channel 18 locally in Milwaukee (in HD).

Mike McCarthy said that people that didn't suit up on Thursday won't play, so here is your injury report:

WR Brett Swain (quad contusion), RB Ryan Grant (hamstring), S Charlie Peprah (hamstring), LB A.J. Hawk (chest), LB Desmond Bishop (Achilles), OT Orrin Thompson (ankle), DT Ryan Pickett (hamstring), TE Tory Humphrey (Achilles), WR Greg Jennings (knee), DT Justin Harrell (back) and DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) were out.

Ruvell Martin will be a game time decision.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Alex Smith (That is, if Alex is starting instead of J.T. O'Sullivan)

Hopefully another solid outing for Aaron Rodgers.

Looks like another game where Rodgers will be bouncing the ball off the hands of studs like Chris Francies. McCarthy should at least give Nelson more snaps with the 1st team offense.

If the drops do come Rodgers will probably take more of the blame than the previous game which was seen around the country.

This game will be HD? On DirectTV? I didn't even know 18 was in HD....I haven't watched that channel since the days of the Bowling Game and afterschool cartoons.

Bernman wrote:Looks like another game where Rodgers will be bouncing the ball off the hands of studs like Chris Francies. McCarthy should at least give Nelson more snaps with the 1st team offense.

If the drops do come Rodgers will probably take more of the blame than the previous game which was seen around the country.

Who will start at receiver? Won't Driver/Jones play a decent amount?

Is Nelson working in the slot?

I haven't really been paying attention.

I would like to see Rodgers play alot tonight, back in Cali.

paulpressey25 wrote:This game will be HD? On DirectTV? I didn't even know 18 was in HD....I haven't watched that channel since the days of the Bowling Game and afterschool cartoons.

I have DirecTV as well and couldn't find any HD listings, just channel 18 in SD. MD if you are around you should let us know.

This isn't the national game on CBS, so no HD up here for me.

WTF is up with the crappy camera angel?

Wow @ the blitz with 2 defensive lineman. Is Sanders still the defensive coordinator?

Defense looking good, offense looking kinda sloppy.

That was as easy of a catch as you can get. WTF Donald Lee.

What the hell is up with the (lack of) hands on this team?

These receivers have GOT to start catching these wide open passes. It should be 7-0 right now, not just 3-0. Unacceptable David Lee.

mbucks22 wrote:These receivers have GOT to start catching these wide open passes. It should be 7-0 right now, not just 3-0. Unacceptable David Lee.

Hell, if Driver keeps running instead of taking to the air it's 14-0.

Yeah, that was a great throw by Rodgers and Driver really didn't need to make that dive.

At least the defense has remained stellar.

Our offense looks pathetic against a bad defense.

I don't care if it's preseason, if we lose to the 49ers

Rodgers is going to have to learn how to throw the ball away when it isn't there. Brett had the same problem for years.

DrugBust wrote:Rodgers is going to have to learn how to throw the ball away when it isn't there. Brett had the same problem for years.

I agree, but the offensive line has been terrible too.