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.

Rookie D.J. Smith (51), played well near the end of 2011 when he was forced into action because of injuries to the Packers' linebackers. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

This four-part series concludes by showing the correlation between the Packers’ 2011 draft and their strategy for long-term team-building.

The 6th Rounders
Caleb Schlauderaff, OL, Utah
D.J. Smith, LB, Appalachian State
Ricky Elmore, LB, Arizona

This is what Ted Thompson loves: Hoarding late-round picks and taking as many players as possible, hoping that at least one becomes a starter. In the 2011 6th round, Thompson had one bust, one break-even and one big hit.

Ricky Elmore, projected as an OLB, was a complete bust in training camp. His college teammate, Brooks Reed, selected in the second round, and who had fewer sacks in college than Elmore, was a key cog in the Texans’ defense.

Schlauderaff couldn’t beat out Ray Dominguez, an undrafted free agent and was shipped to the Jets in exchange for most likely a 6th round pick this year. Thompson made sure this mistake wasn’t compounded by getting equal compensation for the light-weight guard.

Smith was the surprise of the draft. He stepped in and started when the Packers had both inside linebackers go down. He even played well enough that some people unhappy with A.J. Hawk’s play (and contract numbers) suggest that Smith could be a starter as soon as this season. In the least, Smith offers solid play from a backup and if he does become a starter, this pick will look like one of Thompson’s best in years.

The 7th Rounders
Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina
Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State

-between these two, Thompson selected Lawrence Taylor (we wish)

With Taylor, Thomspon finally found a guy who has a passion for special teams – a trait sorely lacking on the 2011 Packers. Taylor brought attitude and feisty play to a squad that previously tried to not be embarrassed on special teams plays. Taylor contributed in small ways on offense. His long-term value is special teams.

A long-term project, Guy spent 2011 on the Packers’ practice squad. He will face a lot of competition to make the 2012 roster.