Living in Minnesota for the summer, I had the unfortunate task of following the Packers first preseason game via NFL.com rather than the luxury of my 32" HDTV at home.
Needless to say, I was stuck on the couch watching Sage Rosenfels carve up the Rams rather than Matt Flynn reassert himself as the backup quarterback and a defense that has some unanswered questions due to offseason injuries.
I had trouble gathering the whole story by drive charts and a play-by-play recap but after scouring articles on the Packers website, I feel I have a little better knowledge of the Pack's up and down preseason opener.
Yet, if there is one point I cannot stress enough to Packers fans: relax, it's the preseason. If Aaron Rodgers gets injured, then I give you permission to worry.
The Lions went 4-0 in the preseason in 2008 in their infamous 0-16 season, so preseason glory or failure doesn't equate to success in the regular season.
Digressions aside, the Packers preseason opener provided some sloppy defense, subpar special teams, and another reason Aaron Rodgers has solidified himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
The Packers allowed a quick first drive touchdown to a Jake Delhomme-led Browns offense, and then fell into a 14-0 hole after the Browns capitalized on Ryan Grant's first carry of the season, a fumble on the first snap. Then, the No. 1 offense came to life behind Aaron Rodgers.
Grant left the game after his third carry from a blow to the head, allowing Aaron Rodgers to utilize the Packers high-octane passing attack. Rodgers went 12-13 for 159 yards and a 25-yard touchdown to Greg Jennings. Rodgers completed his first 10 passes and also reestablished his favorite target from the end of last season--Jermichael Finley. Rodgers' first two passes went to Finley for 30 yards.
Rodgers found Jennings again in the second drive for a 34-yard gain, and a Brandon Jackson run broke up a string of 9 straight pass plays. Fullback John Kuhn pounded it in for a 14-14 game.
The Packers hardly wanted a shootout with the Browns, not considered an offensive juggernaut by any means, but unfortunately, their defensive wasn't up to speed.
Seneca Wallace led the Browns ona 63-yard touchdown drive to help the Browns regain a 21-14 lead with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Benjamin Watson.
The Pack tied the game on the opening possession of the third quarter behind backup Matt Flynn, who was helped by a 22-yard connection with James Jones and a pass interference call on a pass into the end zone intended for Jordy Nelson.
Kregg Lumpkin tied it up with his 1-yard touchdown rush.
Flynn took some big hits in the game (sacked once), but overall felt comfortable in his first action this season.
The Packers took a brief lead in the fourth quarter with No. 3 quarterback Graham Harrell in the game, and rookie running back Quinn Porter's six carries for 22 yards. Crosby kicked a 33-yard field goal to end the drive for a 24-21 advantage.
Then, Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson stole the show.
Dawson kicked a 58-yarder to tie the game and a 46-yarder to win it as time ran out as the Pack fell to the Browns 27-24.
I do feel positive from what I have read, that the Packers punting competition is developing into what the Packers hoped. Let's just hope better punting can improve the special teams as the Packers ranked near the bottom in numerous special teams categories last season including net punting average.
While the first-team offense flourished behind Aaron Rodgers (barring the Ryan Grant fumble), the first-team defense did not look as strong. The Packers definitely have some questions to answer in the secondary with starting safety Atari Bigby and Al Harris out. However, the Packers have to be excited about the experience rookie Morgan Burnett is getting filling in for Bigby as well as learning from a Pro Bowler in Nick Collins.
The Packers are also getting plenty of playing time for Brandon Underwood and undrafted rookie Sam Shields. They both struggled at times but have shown flashes of what they could develop into in the future.
The Packers next preseason game is Saturday in Seattle.
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