Scouting the Packers ahead of Steelers’ second preseason game
The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers both opened up the 2018 NFL preseason with wins; the Packers handing the Tennessee Titans a loss (31-17) while the Steelers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles (31-14). On Thursday night, the Packers will host the Steelers in what should be an interesting exhibition game that moves both teams closer to determining their final 53-man rosters. In this scouting report, we’ll look at what stood out in Green Bay’s first preseason game and provide analysis on what to look for when they face Pittsburgh.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy appears to feel confident that two-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers could play against the Steelers, but he isn’t finalizing those plans just yet. Rodgers, who told reporters on Monday that he is ready to play. The last time he did so at home was on Sept. 28, 2017, and he has taken limited snaps preseason reps over the past two seasons. After missing significant parts of last season due to injury, McCarthy said, “Our practice structure and what we’ve been able to accomplish in practice is a bit different. Obviously, at the forefront of your decision…being smart with Aaron.” McCarthy doesn’t want to rush Rodgers back into the lineup and he wants to make sure he allows DeShone Kizer, Brett Hundley, and Tim Boyle, who combined for 372 passing yards in their first preseason match, plenty of reps as well.
One thing that will factor heavily into how much, if any, time Rodgers spends on the field is the health and status of offensive tackles David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga. Byron Bell was disappointing at the tackle spot against the Titans, dominated multiple times by speed rushes on the outside making him a potential move to guard if he wants to compete. That means that Jason Spriggs and Kyle Murphy are likely to be called on to make a bigger impact and Spriggs has yet to stand out during camp. Without Dillon Day, the Packers only have one true, natural tackle in Corey Linsley. Should he get injured, Green Bay will have issues along their entire line.
And insecurity along the line is likely to lead McCarthy and the Packers to limit Rodgers’ snaps until Bulaga and Bakhtiari return. Bulaga suffered a torn ACL in 2017 and started camp on the PUP list. Bakhtiari, who suffered a sprained ankle early in camp, is on pace to potentially start against the Steelers as of early reports from camp this week.
Despite scoring 31 points, Packers fans watched Hundley and Kizer fight pressure nearly every play against the Titans. Hundley was dumped once for a sack and stripped of the football by rookie Harold Landry who blew past Murphy. Gemil President manhandled Bell and recorded a quarterback hit on Hundley who lost the ball (in the air) and was intercepted. Kizer suffered two sacks on the very first drive of the third quarter. That isn’t the kind of protection that garners much confidence.
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Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the Packers’ fifth-round pick in 2018, and in the win over the Titans, he completed five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown that shut the door on Tennessee. He showed good skills in creating vertical separation and his top play was a 51-yard bomb from Kizer. He later caught a contested 15-yard touchdown pass from Boyle.
GOING DEEP! @deshonekizer hits @MVS__11 for 51 yards! #TENvsGB #GoPackGo https://t.co/ZQj9B5D8G2
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 10, 2018
Lacking a receiver that can take the top off the defense, Valdes-Scantling showed he could potentially be that player if he continues to improve, especially in finishing plays, and gains a rapport with Rodgers early. Fellow rookie receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (sixth-round, 2018) has found the most success working in the slot and center of the field, but his length and ability to work in traffic will be tested. And fourth-round pick J’Mon Moore struggled in the preseason opener despite consistently creating separation only to be unable to make the catch.
A camp darling, Jake Kumerow may be a longshot to make the final roster, but in the first preseason game, he recorded three catches for 76 yards; one of those three receptions was a 52-yard touchdown.
Cornerback Quinten Rollins was at the other end of the spectrum and is looking for a rebound game against the Steelers. Against the Titans, the former second-rounder had Nick Williams blow by him for a 38-yard gain on Tennessee’s opening drive and then suffered a 12-yard loss when he fumbled (and recovered) a punt. Rollins is competing for a spot on the roster where Josh Jackson, Jaire Alexander, Tramon Williams, Davon House, Josh Hawkins, Quintin Rollins, Demetri Goodson, Herb Waters, Donatello Brown, Kevin King and Lenzi Pipkins are all trying to make their mark in the defensive backfield and solidify a spot on the final roster.
Alexander may get his first playing time against the Steelers after a groin injury sidelined him for last week’s preseason opener. “He’s eager, very coachable,” said House of the rookie. “We feed off of him. The energy he brings to the locker room, to the field when he makes plays, it’s always positive.”
In a Packers defense that is still working towards rounding out its identity in 2018, young linebacker Ahmad Thomas had a good first outing. Thomas was in for injured Jake Ryan (ACL- on IR). A converted safety, Thomas earned high praise from McCarthy. “He definitely has the coverage ability, particularly at that WILL (weakside) spot, that we’re looking for. I’d really like to see what he does on special teams, too, but he’s off to a very good start.”
Thomas will get help from Oren Burks who showed excellent speed against the Titans and will play alongside Blake Martinez at the middle linebacker position. Martinez is the run-stuffer and Burks has shown that he’s got an edge in pass coverage and converging speed as the play develops.
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