August 9, 2012, San Diego, CA: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) calls an audible in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jody Gomez-US PRESSWIRE

Turnovers, Injuries, dropped passes, a poor running game and just general inconsistency plagued the Packers in their preseason opener against the San Diego Chargers Thursday night on national television.

It’s not an uncommon scene and certainly not something that should concern Packers fans too much. There is never much one can take away from that first game of the year – other than the fact that, thankfully, it doesn’t count.

But there are some things for certain – the Packers have to get healthy and they have to show vast improvement in consistency next time out.

When Nick Perry opened the game with a sack on Philip Rivers, Packers fans cheered. But when the flag came out for unsportsmanlike conduct because of his post-sack enthusiasm, Packers Nation could only grow. I guess it was the harbinger of the the night.

The Packers gave up a 23-yard touchdown to Antonio Gates after fumbling the ball away on their first drive of the night. Another fumble on the ensuing kickoff only spelled out what type of night it would be. Though the defense held its own throughout the game and Graham Harrell finally led the Packers to a score just before halftime and another touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter, it wasn’t enough.

Aug 9, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop (55) is tended to by members of the Packers

But Donald Driver said patience is required, especially at this time of year. “That was the whole thing,” Driver said. “You have to get the rust off, and then you start playing ball. You see exactly what he can do. Right before half, he drives the ball right down there and scores. That was big for us. He has the confidence that he can play on this level, and he’s proven it.”

To his credit, Harrell didn’t get down. He kept working and the coaching staff showed their confidence and stuck with him.

“That’s kind of the attitude and mentality I try to bring in every day,” Harrell said. He who finished 15 of 27 passing for 135 yards and a TD. His passer rating was 81.6. “Whatever just happened, whether it was great or whether it was really bad, let’s play the next one and see what happens.”

The game ended after the Chargers had scored a late touchdown to give them a 21-13 lead. Rookie B.J. Coleman was then thrust into the lineup to lead the Packers on a last ditch attempt to try to score. On the last play of the game, Coleman completed a pass to rookie RB Marc Tyler who was stripped of the ball by former Packer Ricky Elmore.

It was a fitting end to a game where inconsistence ruled the day.

Aug 9, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) yells out defensive calls before the snap against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Positives that came out of the game? Randall Cobb, Tim Masthay, D.J. Smith, Davon House, Tramon Williams, and even Harrell once he got his legs under him. One could also include the play of Tyler, but his fumble to end the game put a damper on that.

Negatives: Injuries to House and Desmond Bishop. Bishop’s could be serious and would be an extreme blow to the Packers middle defense. House is to have X-rays to see the extent of the damage.

The Packers have a week of practice ahead of them where one hopes the coaching staff stresses ball security. They are in action again Thursday, Aug. 16, when they host the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field.

Charlie Peprah had two huge interceptions today against the Chargers. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Whew!

That’s what all Packers fans are saying after watching Green Bay hold off a major fourth quarter charge by the San Diego Chargers … holding on to a 45-38 win after leading by 21 points at the start of the fourth quarter.

A four-touchdown, 21-26, 247 yard performance by Aaron Rodgers was nearly overshadowed by the Chargers’ fourth quarter comeback led by Philip Rivers who threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns, while completing 24-46. However, it was Rivers’ three picks, two that were returned for touchdowns, that was the difference.

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The following is our Q&A:

Q. Philip Rivers has not played as well this year as in past years. Some say he might be hiding an injury. What do you feel is his issue?

A. If there were a Rivers injury, it would have happened in the second game of the season when he was hit from a New England Patriots player. The play resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty and you could see that Rivers was shaken after the hit.

Most likely Rivers’ issue is from him pressing and not getting enough work in with his top two receivers. If you check the injury report every week, at least one of his receivers is missing practice. Rivers has always been a gambler, but his accuracy has been a little off with his players and those are resulting in his interceptions. He should be getting his act together soon though.

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