Jclombardi reviews final Chiefs preseason game.

Summary: Thursday evening, in the final exhibition game, the Packers offense, without QB Rodgers and many starters who didn’t suit up for the final preseason game,  struggled getting only one touchdown as the Packers fell to the Chiefs 17-13.  Chiefs QBs Cassel and Croyle each led touchdown drives leading the Chiefs past the Packers. 

Headlines: Chiefs 17, Packers 13.  Several starters sit, offense struggles in loss. McCarthy on roster cuts: Its the worst time of year.  Notebook: Flynn Replaces Rodgers.  Notebook: Shields gets longer look with Woodson out.  Backups get the call in lackluster preseason finale. Last chance for Packers’ bubble players. Trade talk centers on Spitz. Insider: Starters didnt miss much. Packers hardly bother in last exhibition game.     

Quick Hits:

1. First few plays Frank Zombo got sucked into the play too much-let up his containment responsibility 

2. Lang allows a sack in the 1st quarter from the LT spot. Thank goodness Clifton and Bulaga are ahead of him. Also beaten badly from RT in the second quarter. He has not looked good. 

3. 3 guys around Bowe in the endzone on a TD pass from Cassell. Still not getting any comfort in the non-starters back there. 

4. Lumpkin had a terrible first half, but a much better second half. Curious if its enough to make the cut. 

5. Dare I say Jarrett Bush had a decent game?  He definitely stated his case for a roster spot with an interception and flying all over the field. But if he is our Nickel back against the Eagles we are in trouble [actually Bush missed several open field tackles].

TP Blogger:

1. Bush continued to play ahead of Pat Lee at cornerback and for the first time in history, actually looked like a decent NFL cornerback. Bush intercepted a pass in the first quarter and had solid coverage on Dwayne Bowe on a deep ball, which is an area he usually fails in. 

2. Flynn looks like a real NFL quarterback. Not only did he look poised in the pocket, but he delivered balls accurately, often into tight coverage, and was impressive in making his reads. The only complaint about Flynn is he didn’t throw a touchdown and he could have done better in the red zone, but his receivers could have done better, too.

 3. Poppinga looked like crap. Granted, he was playing with scrubs and didn’t get much help, but he gets blocked out of running plays or overpursues far too often. If Poppinga has to be anything more than a situational pass rusher, the Packers are in trouble.

4. Lang started at left tackle for Clifton. Bulaga was also out. Lang’s performance can probably be described as shaky, at best.

5.  Masthay has won the punting job. He hit a long of 51 yards on Thursday while Bryan’s long was only 37.  Also, Masthaykicked off and it seems he could fill that duty more than adequately once the regular season begins.

Jclombardi previews Chiefs game and headlines.

Basics: Packers (2-1) vs. Chiefs (0-3)  at 7 p.m. Thursday at New Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Injury report: Packers–LB Matthews (hamstring), LB Jones (shoulder), DE Jenkins (calf), S Blackmon (knee), LB Bishop (hamstring), CB Underwood (shoulder) and OL  Barbre (back) are not expected to play.

Things to Watch

1. Impact rookies–rookies S Burnett, OL Bulaga, DE Neal, OL Newhouse, CB Shields, and TE Quarless need to play extensively to get experience preparing for the real NFL season.

2. Nickel & Dime–rookie CB Shields gets a long look at the No. 1 nickel spot and dime spot with CB Harris out.  How will CB Lee play?

3. Priority is Big 5 O–Packers need to establish specific routine series lined up with Driver, Jennings, Jones, Nelson and Finley in multiple formations to get repetitive successes.  We will have shootout scenarios in a very tough schedule.

4. Running game–How many carries will RB Grant, RB Jackson, and RB Lumpkin get and how will they fare?  Will HB Kuhn get many carries?

5. Special teams–as we get closer to the regular season, Slocum must see how well the new  and old personnel can consistently do being in the no. 1 units.

6. OLB help–Despite leading the team in tackles (15) and sacks (two), Zombo still has some work to do. He’ll probably get the start in place of Jones.  He will get some rushes vs. Chiefs LT Albert who was one of the leaders in sacks allowed last year. Zombo needs to have a strong performance.   How about OLB Obiozor? 

7. Punting competition–Does heavily favored P Masthay win the job with booming punts and good hang time?

8. Return game–KR/PR Chery gets his chance to make the roster.  It’s as simple as having a big game on special teams. His first punt return in the NFL was a 75-yard touchdown, and his second was a nimble running fair catch in traffic. Chery had some trouble fielding the ball in practice, but if he stays fumble-free and gets some yards, he’ll be in the discussion for the 53.

9. Defensive Frontline: DL Harrell, Toribio, Wynn, Wilson and Talley are probably fighting for two spots. Toribio and Harrell are probably fighting for one spot; meanwhile, Wynn and Talley for the other spot.

10. Offensive FrontLine: Sitton, Clifton, Tauscher, Wells and Colledge are the starters. Bulaga is No. 6. Versatile Lang appears next in line followed by the Newhouse-Giacomini survivor and the survivor of the interior backup battle among Dietrich-Smith, McDonald and Spitz.

Headlines: Preview: Packers vs. Chiefs. Five things to watch against the Chiefs. Notebook: Babies, Backs, Facial Hair.  Williams ready to get started. With Bigby injured, Packers face difficulty at safety. Packers may deal backup tackle.

Jclombardi reviews roster moves & camp headlines.

Roster Moves:  Packers place Starks, Harris & Bigby on PUP, Porter to IR. Harris, Bigby on PUP to  Packers Reach 75 Limit.  Packers CB Harris to start season on PUP list, miss first 6 games. In no surprise moves to get to the required 75 roster players, the Packers put S Bigby, CB Harris, and RB Starks on the PUP reserve list meaning they will miss at least the first six weeks of regular season. Meanwhile, they put RB Porter on injured reserve. The final season roster must be cut to 53 by 5 p.m. Saturday. Analysis:  ”The Packers’ decision to not add either a free agent or a draft pick in the offseason at cornerback looks downright puzzling right now.  Packers may make some sort of deal for CB and/or S, like they did with Martin. Rookie CB Shields was a lock to make the roster meaning the cuts make it so that RB Lumpkin and CB/S Bush have just about locked up spots.”

Camp Headlines & Highlights: Tuesday’s practice: The Roundup. Packers relatively healthy aside from a few notable injuries.  No. 1 offense and defense will play one series of Thursday night’s game at the Chiefs.  Highlights from today’s practice included a finger tip grab in the endzone by TE Quarless and a S Martin tipped interception off of QB Harrell.  Looking back at camp–34 players missed at least one practice in camp because of injuries.  The offensive side had few injuries except for OT Clifton.  The defensive side of the ball has some injuries, especially to the linebackers.  However, LBs Matthews and Jones will be ready for the season opener.  CB Harris and S Bigby missed the entire preseason.  KR/PR/S Blackmon struggled to come back from a severe surgery.  DE Jenkins is still recovering from an injury.  Positives: with injuries, rookies S Burnett, CB Shields, LB Zombo, DE Neal, OT Bulaga, & WR/KR/PR Chery got preseason game experiences to hopefully help them make immediate impacts when the real season begins; the punting will be vastly improved with probable pick P Masthay; the offense looked super especially Rodgers & Finley. Finale: TT had an outstanding draft knowing his current veteran players, but OLB and CB depth are still issues.  Injury report–Out: P  Bryan (birth of child), S Bigby (ankle), S Blackmon (knee), CB Harris (knee), CB Underwood (shoulder), RB Porter (knee), RB Starks (hamstring), LB Matthews (hamstring), LB Bishop (hamstring), OT Clifton (knee), DE  Jenkins (calf), OL Barbre (back). LB Jones returned to practice today. Horror-of-it-all: Yes, fans, it looks like DE Harrell will be given another year try along with CB/S Bush.

More Super bowl hype–QB Rodgers is on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The NFL Preview issue set to be released shows #12 behind C Wells.  The magazine features an article by Peter King that predicts the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Packers in Super Bowl XLV.

Jclombardi reviews headlines & camp reports.

Headlines: Packers’ Jones says shoulder not a problem.  Notebook: D-Line Needs Harrell.  Packers give Chery a chance to return kicks, punts.  Barnett rests up for regular season. Notebook: TE/FB needs trimming. Chery earns longer look on punt returns.  Insider: QB Harrell shows potential.  Defensive line depth unclear beyond first tier. Monday extra point: Colledge is best when the heat is on. 

Camp Reports: Monday camp report. Doughertys training camp review. 

Camp Highlights: Practice in shells not pads.  WR Chery will be KR/PR.  LB Jones wearing harness.  Crosby hit 6-of-8 field goals missing from 45 and 53 yards.  CB Underwood still be evaluated for shoulder injury. 

Injury report Out on Monday: safeties Bigby (ankle) and Blackmon (knee), cornerbacks Harris (knee) and Underwood (shoulder), running backs Porter (knee) and Starks (hamstring), linebackers Matthews (hamstring), Bishop (hamstring) and Jones, DE Jenkins (calves), OT Clifton and G/T Barbre (back).  Clifton took part in the jog-through then watched the rest with a bag of ice taped to his right knee. First-round pick Bulaga or second-year player  Lang will start Thursday’s game. 

Schedule: Tuesday, the final public practice at 10:15 a.m. in shells.  

First roster cuts: Tuesday, they are due at 3 p.m. CST as roster must be cut from 79 to 75 players.

Jclombardi previews roster & talks about OLB depth.

Final Roster Version 1.0:

We preview the possible final roster at the beginning of the 2010 NFL season:

Quarterback: Rodgers, Flynn.  Bubble: Harrell. Commentary: as the Packers face tough decisions on this roster, Harrell may be headed to the taxi squad.

Running back: Grant, Jackson, Lumpkin.  Bubble: Porter, Starks. Commentary: we see Lumpkin on final roster and maybe Porter on IR and Starks on PUP.

Fullback: Kuhn, Johnson.  Bubble: Hall.  Commentary: we see Kuhn and Johnson to be solid, but Hall will stay if he has solid special teams worth. 

Wide receiver: Jennings, Driver, Jones, Nelson. Bubble: Swain, West, Chery. Commentary: the 5th spot is the big question.

Tight end: Finley, Havner, Quarless.  Bubble: Lee, Crabtree.  Commentary: How many TEs will the Packers carry? 

Offensive line: T Clifton, G Colledge, C Wells, G Sitton, T Tauscher, T/G Bulaga, T/G Lang, Spitz, T/G Newhouse, C/G Dietrich-Smith.  Bubble: G Nick McDonald, T Chris Campbell.  Commentary:  Dietrich-Smith is too good for taxi squad & Spitz is a good backup having trade value.

Defensive line:  DE  Jenkins, NT  Raji, DE/NT Pickett, DE Neal.  Bubble: DE Harrell, DE Wynn, DE Wilson, NT Toribio, DE Talley.  Commentary: after the first four, the rest look very average making this call to be a tough one. Of course, TT may keep “near bust” Harrell around for another year.

Linebacker: OLB Matthews, ILB Barnett, ILB Hawk, OLB Jones, ILB/OLB Chillar, OLB Poppinga, ILB Bishop, OLB Zombo.  Bubble: OLB Obiozor, ILB/OLB Francois. Commentary: OLB Zombo looks like a good one with continued improvement, but they may need to trade for a solid backup.

Cornerback: CB Woodson, CB Williams, CB Harris, CB  Shields, CB Underwood. Bubble: Lee, Bush.  Commentary: Harris may start the season on PUP list. Shields looks like a raw good CB with continued improvement. Lee appears to have fallen behind Underwood who has a questionable shoulder injury.

Safety: Collins, Burnett, Bigby, Blackmon.  Bubble: Martin, Peprah. Commentary: Bigby should start the season on the PUP list.  While Blackmon is still recovering from a knee injury, he is too valuable as a KR/PR/S.

Specialists: K Crosby, LS Goode, P Masthay.  Bubble: P Bryan.   Commentary: Masthay is the frontrunner to be punter.

Taxi squad: Harrell; Levine; Obiozor;  Clark; Williams; Campbell.

Commentary: OLB thin.  Recently, we reviewed an outstanding Packer Update analysis about our OLB situation [adapted]–Poppinga and Chillar are options behind starters Matthews and Jones.  You’d be hard-pressed to find a weaker collection of backups in the  league. Zombo is a marginal athlete whose lack of lower body strength and explosiveness will be exposed against quality opposition.  He will be a No. 4 or 5 outside linebacker like Poppinga. Poppinga holds his own vs. the run, but he’ll be stymied as a pass rusher and he’ll be abused in coverage.  

We agree wondering how we can get an adequate backup beyond developing rookie Zombo and average backup Poppinga.  We are fortunate with the rapid progress of our rookies and our free agents where Burnett will start and  Neal will have a large role among draft picks and immediate impacts from pool of undrafted players [including Zombo and Shields]. 

Jclombardi reviews Packers camp reports & headlines (updated).

Practice schedule:  1. Sun., Aug., 29–10:45 a.m. in full pads. 2. Mon., Aug. 30–10:45 a.m. in full pads. 3. Tue., Aug., 31–10:15 a.m. in helmets. 4. Wed., Sept. 1–No practice. 5. Thu., Sept. 2–Preseason game: Packers at Chiefs, 7 p.m.

Other Key Preseason Dates: 1. Aug. 31–Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players. 2. Sept. 4–Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players.

Camp Reports: CB Shields has shot at nickel job.  Colledge to start at LG.  Masthay continues push for punting job. Sunday practice roundup.

Headlines: Colledge to start at left guard.   Packers face decision on Harris.  Masthay appears to have a leg up in punting battle.  Packers’ Tim Masthay continues strong push for punting job.  Zombo could bail out Packers.  Notebook: Guard Officially Goes To Colledge.  Notebook: Promise On Special Teams.  Red-hot Rodgers shows MVP potential. Packers’ hard-working Philbin not flashy.  Vandermause column: Defense makes noise against Colts.  Packers’ QB Rodgers as reliable as always.

Jclombardi’s Packers headlines & grades bloggers’ reviews.

Headlines: Packers’ QB Rodgers as reliable as always. Packers have tons of tight end talent. Blitz is having hard time getting through Packers’ line.  It all starts up front. Notebook: Matthews expects to return to practice next week. No rush to decide between punters Masthay, Bryan. Players delighted to have day off after big win.  Shields: Ive got to do more to make team.

Commentary:  On this day of international headlines, we present the grades about Packers’ bloggers reviews with their  good, bad, & ugly analysis about the Colts game: 

Jclombardi reviews Packers preseason win against Colts.

Summary: While the Packers’ starting defense struggled early against QB Manning and the Colts, the special teams had two touchdowns to lift the team and the Rodgers’ offense machine led the way to the 59-24 preseason victory.  The Packers improved to 2-1 heading into the final preseason finale at  the Chiefs.

Highlights: Rodgers, offense dazzle in blowout against Colts.  Notebook: Special teams score key plays on Colts.  Notebook: LG Goes To Colledge.  Zombo turning heads with big plays. Masthay, Burnett, Zombo, Shields solid.  Packers’ victory does have dark side.  Post game notes: Colts-Packers.  Insider: Masthay gains edge with magnificent punt. Packers Recover To Clobber Colts.  Packers exhibit firepower.

Big game changing play:  Packers trailed 17-14 with 3:34 remaining in the second quarter when an offensive drive stalled at the Green Bay 47-yard line. P Masthay hit a 45-yard punt to the Indianapolis 8-yard line, where PR James misjudged the flight of the ball. James over-ran the punt and muffed the return off his shoulder pads. The ball checked into the end zone where HB Hall recovered it for a touchdown.

Injury report: CB Underwood (shoulder), LB Bishop (hamstring), DE Wynn (concussion), and RB Porter (knee sprain).

Quotes: 

Coach McCarthy: “I thought the offense was productive, but the contrast of our identity as a football team is taking the football away, which I felt we did a very good job of tonight.  But we didn’t do a very good job of taking care of the ball. We had the ball on the ground too many times.”

DC Capers–“Two plays and they go right down the field, and you’re playing against Manning, you know that that can get out of control in a hurry.  I thought the guys kept their poise and showed a little presence to come back, and I thought we did some good things after that.  I certainly didn’t like the way we started but I like the way we bounced back.”

Game Analysis:

1. Special teams improved–hit and miss with two bad returns; yet, they had two touchdowns including the big punt fumble recovery for a touchdown in the first half that turned the game around leading to the blowout.  In the second half, KR Chery had a 75 punt return for a touchdown.

2. Rodgers offense stellar–matching Manning’s early firepower, with solid protection, QB Rodgers offense stayed with the Colts while special teams and big plays turned the game around for a victory.  Rodgers completed 21 of 29 passes for 195 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Colts.  Rodgers preseason stats are an outstanding 41 of 53 passes for 470 yards, 6 touchdowns, and zero interceptions with almost a perfect passer rating of 154.

3. Defense shaky early–they gave up 17 early first half points against Manning.  Early, Capers zone coverage was ineffective with the entire coverage corps getting burnt.  As a bright spot, excluding  the 48 yard run by RB Addai on the first Colts drive, the 1st team run defense was solid. Another bright spot was an improved rush with some pressure.  NT Raji looked solid.  LB Zombo got a big play sack against Manning with the forced fumble returned for nearly a touchdown.

4. Nickle cornerback job–no clear winner.  CB Underwood played two series, CB Lee played one series, and CB Shields finished out the first half with the No. 1 defense.  Shields had an impressive quick-reaction interception in the 4th quarter.  CBs Underwood and Lee did little to solve the question about who will be the team’s nickel back on opening day, adding even more concern in the secondary given the troubles starter CB Williams had against all-pro WR Wayne.

5. Rookies performances strong–Rookies S Burnett, LB Zombo and CB Shields solidified themselves as legitimate impact players for the final roster with strong performances.  All rookies S Burnett, CB Shields, TE Quarless, LB Zombo, DE Neal, and OT Newhouse had good games with some big plays.  Rookie S Burnett made two big plays showing good instincts and great range early in the game for nearly one interception and getting a great read interception to pick off Manning.  Free agent rookie OLB Zombo finished with a team-high nine tackles (including five solo stops), big play sack, and forced fumble.  DE Neal is a force, but he needs to improve on his techniques beyond power rushing.  CB Shields looked good in special teams, struggled in coverage, and got an interception.  TE Quarless looked solid with a touchdown catch.

6. Running game fine, but fumbles concern–RB Grant had 8 carries for 36 yards and RB Jackson had 7 carries for 14 yards.  RB Lumpkin had 9 carries for 26 yards, 1-yard TD run to cap 90-yard drive in the fourth quarter, and  22-yard catch-and-run on a screen pass on that drive giving him 48 scrimmage yards. Yet, RB Grant fumbled for the second straight game.  RB Jackson had a huge fumble in the red zone on a big hit too, after the big play interception by rookie S Burnett set up the offense deep in Colts territory.  Troubling issue.

7.  Punting competition–P Masthay edged ahead with his huge only 53 yard punt with 5 second hang time that was mishandled for a Packers touchdown.  P Bryan averaged only 38.5 yards on his two low punts. 

Jclombardi previews Colts game and headlines.

Basics: Packers (1-1) vs. Colts (0-2)  tonight at 7 p.m. (Thursday) at Lambeau Field, Green Bay on prime time ESPN.

Injury report: Packers–S Bigby (ankle), CB Harris (knee) and RB Starks (hamstring) are on PUP list.  LB Matthews (hamstring) is out. RB Lumpkin (hamstring) and RB Porter (ankle) are doubtful. LB Jones (shoulder), OL Barbre (back) and DE Jenkins (calf) are questionable.  LB Hawk (ankle) and LB Joseph (quadriceps) are probable. 

Things to Watch

1. Maturing rookies–How improved will rookies S Burnett, OL Bulaga, DE Neal, OL Newhouse, CB Shields, and TE Quarless play in their third preseason game?

2. Nickel & Dime–Underwood, Lee, and Shields compete for the No. 3 cornerback job and dime spots with CB Harris is injured.  Colts QB Manning is a good test to distinguish among them for the spots.

3. Priority is Big 5 O–Packers must get routine series lined up with Driver, Jennings, Jones, Nelson and Finley in multiple formations to get repetitive successes.  We will have shootout scenarios in a very tough schedule.

4. Running game–How many carries will RB Grant Get?  How will RB Jackson Fare?  Will HB Kuhn get many carries?

5. Pass Protection–good test for the offensive line and backups including the veteran tackles against an elite team.  They go against two top rushing DEs to see how they will measure up getting ready for the new 2010 season.

6. Special teams–as we get closer to the regular season, Slocum must see how the new personnel, Shields and Underwood, do being in the no. 1 units tonight.

7. Defense–after two shaky games, the No. 1 defense must show improvement.  This game is a good test for the defense’s abilities.  How much can rookie DE Neal help?  Will NT Raji provide an inside rush?  The defense will play at least a half with some starting players out, we shall see how they stand against elite QB Manning.

8. OLB Help–Packers will see how rookie OLB Zombo can perform tonight. If Jones (shoulder) is held out, Zombo probably will start at right OLB.  Even if Jones plays, the Packers plan to play Zombo extensively to see if he can help pass rush.

Headlines: Young Burnett just needs to do the job. Preview: Colts at Packers. Video: Five things to watch against Colts.   Packers-Colts Preview: Things to Watch. Lee maintains team spirit. Packers’ defensive line finds its Jolly-less form. Vandermause: Training camp evolves to keep players healthy.

Jclombardi reviews camp reports & headlines.