The third preseason game is the usual dress rehearsal for regular season with the starters playing into the third quarter. For the Packers they couldn’t have planned it any better. Two home games to get your feet wet and look good then a trip to the defending NFC Champions to see how good you really are. The Cardinals haven’t gotten a lot of respect despite winning the NFC but I’m in the camp that this is a good team and the Packers will indeed get a good test tomorrow night.
First and foremost I want to see the Packers’ offense continue to move the ball at will with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. With the weapons the Packers have on offense nobody should really shut them down, but game situations may limit their opportunities and the offense needs to prove they can get the job done when the chips are down. Friday night that could just mean they have to keep pace with the high-powered Cardinals which would in a regular season game give them a good chance to win the game. Myself, I would like to see the defense shut down the Cards, which would be a huge confidence builder after playing two cream-puffs the first two weeks of the preseason.
I also can’t wait to see Tyrell Sutton play with the No. 1 unit after lighting things up in the first two games while playing with the scrubs. If Sutton does it again he pretty much insures himself a roster spot and in my mind the backup running back spot over Brandon Jackson. I have not been impressed by Jackson since the end of his rookie year mainly because just when he starts looking good he gets hurt. If Jackson was available to spell Ryan Grant last year just a little bit it would have helped Grant get his legs under him. A hurt Grant was still better than a healthy Jackson to start last season which doesn’t say much about Jackson. Kregg Lumpkin and Deshawn Wynn’s decline the last two weeks means Jackson will around another year, but I hope Sutton proves tomorrow he is number two.
The Packers offensive line is now set so we need to see cohesiveness from that unit in their first extended period of playing together. I thought the five best lineman would have included Scott Wells, but I guess Josh Sitton forced the issue with his play at right guard which made Jason Spitz stay in the lineup at center. It’s too bad Wells can’t play right tackle. Tomorrow I think if there is a weak link it will be Barbre, I can’t see Spitz giving up his job unless Sitton falls on his face and Spitz has to move to guard again. I sure hope that doesn’t happen. When was the last time the Packers had a solid cohesive offensive line.? It’s been a while it seems.
The obvious thing to watch is how the Packers new defense handles the Cardinals’ offense, I doubt very seriously the Packers number one defense goes another game without giving up any points, it would be nice, but I can’t see it happening. I wish the defense had Clay Matthews and Nick Barnett back this week as this is the last time the starters really play much, but both look like they will be ready for the regular season, but only Barnett will be starting. Matthews should get plenty of playing time next week at least.
I should be around for a game time blog tomorrow. It’s preseason so I’ll try to stay in control.