Saturday, August 22, 2009

Pack vs. Bills halftime observations: 24-0

As was the case with the first preseason game, the Packers looked incredibly sharp in the first half of tonight's game versus the Bills. On both sides of the ball. They played with the same up-tempo feel and physicality as was the case last week. The starting units looked good. Aaron Rodgers threw for 2 touchdowns. He was 8 of 9 for almost 100 yards. Ryan Grant rushed well, and also garnered a TD rushing. The defense matched the entire number of turnovers last week in tonight's first half: 4, resulting in 17 points. The Bills never had an offensive play on the Packers' side of the field the entire half.

First round draft pick B. J. Raji made his first game appearance and made his presence known. Used at defensive end in sets with Ryan Pickett and/or Johnny Jolly, as well as at nose tackle, Raji was on occasion driving linemen into the backfield and helping disrupt plays. Once again, linebacker Desmond Bishop was also making an impact.

The only downside was safety Nick Collins walking to the locker room about midway through the 2nd quarter with one of the trainers. The early report was that he was going for X-rays on his ribs.

The other negative, not so much for the team as for a player, was the play of 3rd string QB Brian Brohm. Brohm came in in relief of Rodgers in the 2nd quarter. The coaches obviously wanted to give him the opportunity to play with some of the starting weapons or their immediate backups. As TV commentator and former MVP quarterback Rich Gannon said, Brohm just doesn't seem to be playing with much confidence. He had a few good passes, but at times just seemed confused. He also overthrew a receiver leading to the Pack's only turnover. That totals 3 INTs for Brohm in his play so far this preseason. There has been some media discussion that Brohm could be on the chopping block somewhere along the way if he doesn't raise his level of performance.

This is a good team, fans. A very good team. And it is deep at many positions. The staff will have some hard decisions to make come cut time. But in the meantime, we get to look at some new, young players trying to make the squad.

So, without further ado...let's return to the start of the 2nd half.

Go Pack Go!!!