Datone Jones Sprains Ankle: Tests are pending, but an injury to a first round pick in the first preseason game is a huge blow. Jones was pulled at the slightest hint of injury—later reported as a sprained ankle—and didn't even emerge from the locker room after half-time. It brings to mind a certain first-round defensive lineman named BJ Raji, who also sprained his ankle in his first preseason and missed the majority of the year as a result. Ted Thompson has to be pleading with those aforementioned football gods right now.
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| DL Johnny Jolly. Photo credit: totalpackers.com |
days, but it was encouraging enough to see the big man making his presence felt on the line.
Bakhtiari Shines: With left tackle Bryan Bulaga out for the season already, it was up to rookie David Bakhtiari to show fans why coaches have been so thrilled with the newbie. Bakhtiari blended in, and faded into obscurity. That is to say, that's exactly what an offensive linemen should do— become an invisible wall. His footwork and technique never in doubt, Bakhtiari displayed the strength side of his game, holding up quite well against an opposing team's starting d-line.
RB Stable Full of Horses: The team erred on the side of caution, sitting RB Eddie Lacy due to a slight hamstring pull. As expected, DuJuan Harris also sat. Johnathan Franklin and Alex Green split the majority of the early snaps. Between the two, it seems the team has a back for every occasion. Alex Green showed encouraging shimmy on the line, cutting like a guy who is no longer favoring a troublesome knee. While Johnathan Franklin struggled to power through the middle of the pack, he was supremely slippery on the outside and in space, darting to and fro like a point guard moving toward the hoop. He showed that he could be most valuable as a screen player, and possibly also as an option at kick returner, if WR Jeremy Ross continues his muffing ways.
No Contest For Kickers: The team would have liked to have a few shots at the uprights to continue their kicking competition. Instead, Mason Crosby and Giorgio Tavecchio were merely spectators. The sole trip to field goal range ended in a turnover on downs at the goal line, as coach McCarthy decided to opt for some fourth-and-goal rehearsal early in the first quarter, and the team never saw another opportunity.
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| Left to right: Vince Young, Aaron Rodgers Photo credit: packersnews.com |
Backup Bonanza: For only knowing about 12 plays, new arm Vince Young sure seemed poised and out to prove his worth. His series fell flat, but he appeared more in control than the timid Graham Harrell or overzealous BJ Coleman. That's not to say the latter two didn't have their moments, but the battle at backup quarterback still appears to be a game of pick your poison. The word 'yuck' comes to mind...
I know every team has injuries, and that most championship teams have to overcome some type of adversity. But it seems like the majority of our injured players have had their injuries once or twice before. Even though we were extremely banged up durring our 2010 Super Bowl campaign, can we honestly expect those same results with the consistancy of our injury totals? -Hubert from Green Bay-
ReplyDeleteYou can't expect any results in the NFL. The injuries are concerning, and it does seem like GB is unfairly bitten by that bug compared to other teams, but all you can do is have the next guy just as ready as the first. The 2010 SB champ Packers were wrought with injuries but prevailed because they had depth that was prepared to start, and that bought into the message and the system. Last year's 49ers defense, by contrast, went the whole season virtually injury free and dominated on that side of the ball until losing a key starter or two to injury, subsequently sapping their mojo almost completely. You want to see your starters out there ("available" as McCarthy says), but injuries are an equalizer that every roster must face. Regarding repeat injuries, I'll say this: Ted Thompson has had a history of taking fliers on draftees with injuries in their pasts. It's a high risk high reward proposition, and you could argue that it has not gone as well as TT would have hoped. I think this year TT has tweaked that philosophy a bit this year, and would readily admit as much.
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