Packers: 4 players to watch in season opener vs. Saints

Josh Myers

Much like his predecessor Corey Linsley, rookie Josh Myers will start right away. Replacing an All-Pro is no easy task, but the Packers will expect the second-round pick to make a fast start.

Aaron Rodgers makes a lot of adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Up against a strong Saints defense, Myers will need to be ready to adjust at speed.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, that’s an area Myers had trouble with in the joint practices with the New York Jets, with Demovsky noting that he “struggled with the speed and uncertainty that came with facing an unfamiliar defense”. Rodgers later said that the Packers “need him to play more like a veteran and not like a rookie”.

That’s easier said than done, and Myers can be forgiven for not being at an All-Pro level like Linsley was last season. For the most part, reports from his performances at training camp have been highly encouraging. He won the starting job and it never seemed to be in much doubt.

However, performing well on the practice field is one thing. Going up against a strong Saints defensive line in the regular-season opener is another. Rodgers is going to expect high-quality play from the Packers’ new starting center. It’s now up to the second-round pick to make a fast start to his career just like Linsley did in Seattle back in 2014.