Preseason #1: Browns at Packers, 08/14, 7:00 PM Local TV

[LUKE23]

Start it off with this:

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/100567684.html

* Coach Mike McCarthy said the target as of now is for the starters to play about 20 snaps against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday night.
* He said he'll flip a coin on which punter holds. "I just want one holder per game. Now, whether we go every other punt or every two punts, we’ll determine that in the next day or so. I want to make it as 50-50 as I possibly can."
* WR Donald Driver (calf) missed his fifth-straight practice and will see the doctor on Friday. He is unlikely to play.
* CB Charles Woodson will play.
* McCarthy said he does not expect S Will Blackmon (knee), LB Alex Joseph (quad), OLB Clay Matthews (hamstring), LB Nick Barnett (knee) and G/C Jason Spitz (calf) to play against the Browns.
* Blackmon hasn't practiced in a week, but McCarthy isn't concerned. "The doctors have been telling me the same thing that I have been repeating right here every day. They think his knee, it’s not ready for training camp-type schedule. We try to keep him on one-a-days. I know he wants to go. I know Will is frustrated. He wants to get out here and go, but Dr. McKenzie thinks he is going to be fine once he gets through this period."
* Blackmon said "Mike's giving me the time off, so I need to take it. I had a serious injury, probably more serious than I let on. But this is normal soreness. I expect to be fine after this period is over."

Go Pack!

[battier31]

So it is on CBS then? It's not showing up on my guide (DirecTV) on any local channels which is odd since I've watched every pre-season game for years now.

[MadCityBucky]

Finally some football

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

No injuries please.

[MickeyDavis]

This is a local state broadcast only. And I've edited the title. Some markets may show it on the CBS . In Milwaukee it's the NBC affiliate, Channel 4, carrying the game.

And the usual reminder, posting of any links to the game or anyone posting emails asking for links will receive an immediate permanent ban.

[DelaneyRudd]

OK! So interwebs it is. I have a really good feeling about my next 12 sport months. I expect my NFL,College Football and NBA teams to all really explode onto the scene.

[MetroDrugUnit]

Haven't been this excited for a Preseason game probably ever. I was in HS when we went to the Spuerbowls in the mid 90's and well with the Brewers having an almost unwatchable year I can't wait for the NFL season to start.

[chuckleslove]

Haven't been this excited for a Preseason game probably ever. I was in HS when we went to the Spuerbowls in the mid 90's and well with the Brewers having an almost unwatchable year I can't wait for the NFL season to start.

Yep, I've been so hyped for the NBA and NFL seasons to win, it was my freshman year of high school that the Packers won the Super Bowl and I haven't felt this confident about a team going into the season since that year after we won the Super Bowl. Sure every year I thought we had a legit shot at making a deep run in the playoffs but this year just feels special for some reason.

[Captain Erv]

After how we played in the preseason last year and how we played the first 8 games of the regular season, I'm trying to temper expectations a little bit.

[MetroDrugUnit]

After how we played in the preseason last year and how we played the first 8 games of the regular season, I'm trying to temper expectations a little bit.

My season expectations are in check. It's my desire to watch a viable sports product that isn't

[MickeyDavis]

Have to be on an even keel no matter what happens. As Erv said above we looked very good in the preseason last year and limped to 4-4. I know this team has talent and I'm not really concerened how we look as long as we have no major injuries.

[MadCityBucky]

That last preseason definitely showed me not to get too excited from a presesaon showing, remember how good that offensive line looked?

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

This is why the NFL is so great. Even a team as good as ours is a Rodgers injury away from being out of the playoffs. Then again, an average team can get hot and make a huge run in the playoffs. You never know for sure what will happen and everyone thinks they got a shot.

[trwi7]

it was my freshman year of high school that the Packers won the Super Bowl

I was 9 when the Packers won the Super Bowl. MD turned 40 right after the Packers won the Super Bowl and pp25 became a grandpa two years before the Packers first Super Bowl win.

[Captain Erv]

Preview: Packers vs. Browns

Teams: Green Bay Packers (0-0) vs. Cleveland Browns (0-0) in the annual Upper Midwest Shrine exhibition game.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Lambeau Field

Broadcasts: TV - Channel 4. Radio - AM-620.

Injury report: Packers - S Atari Bigby (ankle), CB Will Blackmon (knee), CB Al Harris (knee), RB James Starks (hamstring), OL Jason Spitz (calf) and LB Clay Matthews (hamstring) are out. LB Nick Barnett (knee), LB Cyril Obiozor (calf) and LB Alex Joseph (thigh) probably won't play. OL T.J. Lang is questionable. Browns - RB Montario Hardesty (knee), DT Shaun Rogers (leg), P Dave Zastudil (knee) and LB D'Qwell Jackson (chest) are out. LB David Veikune (undisclosed), OT Tony Pashos (shoulder), LB David Bowens (knee) and OG Floyd Womack (leg) are questionable.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

NO BIG SHOW: Fans will have to be content with watching Browns coach Eric Mangini greet various Packers coaches and players in pregame warm-ups because team president Mike Holmgren won't be present. Holmgren did not make the trip because he recently had surgery on his foot and has been told not to put weight on it. This is Holmgren's first year as president, and he is only beginning to put his stamp on the team.

SAFETIES FIRST: A pair of rookie safeties will be using their exhibition opener to show that the NFL isn't too big for them. On the Packers' side, Morgan Burnett, a third-round pick (No. 71 overall), will start on the strong side and probably play a lot. On the Browns' side, a lot will be expected of T.J. Ward, a second-round pick (No. 38 overall). He and first-round cornerback Joe Haden are being counted on to upgrade the secondary.

QUARTERBACK PLAY: Aaron Rodgers will play a series or two and then give way to Matt Flynn, who will finish out the half and start the second. Coach Mike McCarthy did not say if Graham Harrell would play. The Browns will start Jake Delhomme and let him play a quarter. Seneca Wallace will relieve him for a quarter, and rookie Colt McCoy is expected to get some time in the second half along with Brett Ratliff.

DOUBLE DUTY: Linebacker Spencer Havner may wind up playing on both sides of the ball. He'll definitely play in the middle on defense with Barnett and Joseph out. Given the lack of depth at the position, he could be in for awhile. There are four other tight ends in camp, so Havner doesn't have to play on offense, but he'll probably push for time because that's where he's competing for a job.

ROUND ONE: This will be the first official game in which Tim Masthay and Chris Bryan will punt against one another. McCarthy said he might rotate them each punt or every two punts. The two have waged a very close competition in camp and the coaches are eager to see how they perform in a live situation. Both were solid in the intrasquad scrimmage last week.

Tom Silverstein

[BigSmooth_31]

it was my freshman year of high school that the Packers won the Super Bowl

I was 9 when the Packers won the Super Bowl. MD turned 40 right after the Packers won the Super Bowl and pp25 became a grandpa two years before the Packers first Super Bowl win.

It was my birthday... I turned 11 the day they won it all

The Bears also won their last superbowl the same day I was born. Which means they will have to get rid of me before they win another one.

[MickeyDavis]

I'll be watching the punting matchup. I'm not sure if we are going with Flynn for sure as the holder or if the punter is going to do it. If it's the punter then we better pick one soon.

Anxious to see Shields in live action.

Otherwise, I hate preseason games.

[Captain Erv]

I'll be at the game. Likely slightly inebriated. Hopefully I'll get a better recap when I sober up Sunday.

[Ayt]

I'm looking at Raji, Baluga, all our nickel/dimebacks, and Chillar at OLB. We need Raji and Chillar specifically to bring the pain, IMO.

I really expect Harris to be ready by the beginning of the year, so it comes down to Lee or Underwood (or possibly Shields as a long shot) for the dime spot. I want to see all those young CBs out there.

I'll also definitely have my eye on Burnett (as will all of us, I expect). I'm also interested in who is returning kicks and how they look. Jordy can do that job, IMO, but who knows what the coaches will decide. Our ST overall need to be much better. Hopefully one of these punters pan out in real game action.

[trwi7]

I'm hoping the Australian dude wins the punting job. We need more Aussies on this board imo.