Packers: First impressions from preseason victory over Titans

First impressions from the Green Bay Packers’ preseason opener.

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Tennessee Titans by a score of 31-17 in their first preseason game on Thursday night.

Here are my instant impressions from the game:

• Josh Jackson played pretty well in coverage. He had solid coverage on the night overall, save for a ticky-tack holding penalty. Additionally, he made the tackle on the opening kickoff.
• Quinten Rollins faces an uphill battle to make this team. He’s not big enough to play in the box, and not athletic enough to cover receivers. His lack of speed showed on the Titans’ 38-yard completion on third down on their first possession.
• Davante Adams is so, so good. Before, during, and after the catch point.
• Montravius Adams flashed several times with his interior speed.
• Oren Burks doesn’t appear to be a significant downgrade from Jake Ryan. He’ll make mistakes, but hopefully that will be made up for by his superior speed and athleticism.
• Who will return punts? Quinten Rollins took the responsibility tonight, but as stated above, he’s not a lock to make the team. Neither is 2017 returner Trevor Davis. Perhaps Randall Cobb, Jaire Alexander, or another young player will get the opportunity.
• Jamaal Williams has a reputation as a power back, but he should also be recognized as a good receiver. He’s typically able to both secure the catch and make something happen once he does.
• The receiver position presents a huge quandary. J’Mon Moore is the highest draft pick and best route runner, Marquez Valdes-Scanting has the most physical upside, Equanimeous St. Brown is the most consistent, and Jake Kumerow is the oldest and currently the best. It was very frustrating how Moore and Valdes-Scantling couldn’t consistently catch the football. It seems that the team will need to retain at least six, if not seven of the receivers.
• Except for Jackson, nobody really stood out at corner. Demetri Goodson received a perplexingly high number of snaps for a player that the Packers are familiar with.
• Byron Bell was very disappointing at tackle, getting dominated by speed rushes multiple times. At this point, he appears to only be viable as a guard and may not even make the team. Murphy and Spriggs were hardly better. The Packers need Bakhtiari and Bulaga back as soon as possible.
• There wasn’t too much encouraging play from the likes of Kyler Fackrell or Vince Biegel. Reggie Gilbert, though, impacted a couple plays. Kendall Donnerson also flashed.
• Mason Crosby doesn’t seem to be in danger of losing his kickoff responsibilities to JK Scott.
• There was a point on the Titans’ first drive in the red zone where the Packers’ defense appeared to be struggling to communicate the play call and get on the same page. Hopefully, this is a staple of the Capers era rather than Pettine’s.
• Joel Boaugnon showed nothing special, but still has the potential to crack the 53-man roster in Aaron Jones‘ absence.
• At quarterback, I think Kizer showed enough to currently rank as the top backup. He has so much more potential than Hundley or Boyle, and the Packers paid a hefty price to land him.

The Packers next play on Thursday, August 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.