"Chips Report" From Packers Preseason Week 1 Loss vs. Cardinals

In a 17-0 loss in the preseason opener, none of the Packers quarterbacks looked good, and cornerback Davon House had a poor game on the defensive side of the ball.

Our weekly "Chips Report" will always include two blue chippers (outstanding, exceptional play), two red chippers (good, though maybe not great) and two cow chips (dud performances). From the annual intra-squad scrimmage Saturday night at Lambeau Field...

Blue Chips

  • David Bakhtiari––The rookie left tackle couldn't have acquitted himself any better in the absence of starter Bryan Bulaga who has been lost for the season to a torn ACL. The first thing that jumps out about Bakhtiari is is athleticism. In one game, he proved to be able to hold his own on an island out at left tackle, which is rather amazing for any first-year player, let alone a mid-round draft choice. He also looked surprisingly well in the run game, particularly in his ability to get to the second level.
  • Tyrone Walker––The undrafted rookie out of Illinois State took advantage of a wide receiving corps missing its stars in Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, not to mention injured seventh round draft choices Charles Johnson and Kevin Dorsey. Walker was a security blanket for quarterback Graham Harrell and led the team in receiving with five receptions for 41 yards. There's no doubt that he's making a push for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Red Chips

  • Offensive starters that played one series––Consider that the offense marched 86 yards on the first drive of the game and gained only 132 yards the entire rest of the game. The early performance was due in large part to players like Aaron Rodgers, James Jones, Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang and Evan Dietrich-Smith that exited after just one series. Add in players like Nelson, Cobb and Eddie Lacy to the mix, and there's should be little reason for worry that the No. 1 offense will be able to put up yards and points in bunches.
  • Defensive starters that played two(ish) series––The Packers defense prevented the Cardinals offense from scoring on the first two drives of the game and allowed only 44 yards. With the exception of Davon House, they generally played well and shut down the run almost entirely. Players like Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett and Morgan Burnett all looked solid in forcing two early punts by the Cardinals. The defense will be crossing their fingers that Datone Jones' sprained ankle is not severe, but even C.J. Wilson looked good in stuffing the run in Jones' place.

Cow Chips

  • The backup quarterbacks––Graham Harrell was responsible for two turnovers, the first on a telegraphed interception to Patrick Peterson. By the time he exited, Harrell completed 12 of 19 passes, but only for 76 yards, an average of 4.0 yards per attempt. Vince Young showed a little mobility but only connected on one of three passes. And B.J. Colman completed only two of seven passes for 15 yards. None of the three looked competent, perhaps only reinforcing the idea that the team could be in trouble if anything were to happen to Rodgers.
  • Davon House––House didn't look comfortable in coming back from last season's shoulder injury. After allowing a completion to the Cardinals' Michael Floyd on the first play from scrimmage, House later bounced Larry Fitzgerald following a short completion on the second drive of the game, showing no interest in making a physical tackle. On the third drive of the game, House was responsible for coverage on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Andrew Roberts, getting beat deep. The secondary really appeared to miss Tramon Williams and Casey Hayward to injury.

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (37)

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CDog's picture

August 09, 2013 at 10:46 pm

While I know House didn't play the best, I honestly think this was a game of nerves. I think he will settle down and become more technical. Even on the touchdown pass, it wasn't like he left the receiver wide open, Carson threw a beautiful pass in the right spot. But hopefully he steps up because I'm not comfortable with any other person as the 4th string CB at this point (Maybe Smith once he gets more reps).

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Evan's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:25 pm

He did have pretty good position/coverage I think, yeah.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:29 pm

Yes he did. Sometimes the QB just makes a good throw.

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Lars's picture

August 10, 2013 at 11:15 am

C'mon stop the excuses. House was awful and deserved the cow chip. If Williams had played like that (soft AND terrible in coverage) people would be calling for his scalp.

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mu's picture

August 09, 2013 at 10:50 pm

The good news is, it sounds like Mason Crosby had a good game!

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BrianD's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:07 pm

0% FG percentage
0 pts.

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Mark in the montain's picture

August 10, 2013 at 05:43 am

100% lack of total muffs though. Mason is toast, maybe tomorrow but not last night.

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mu's picture

August 10, 2013 at 01:18 pm

I see you can detect sarcasm about as well as he hits FGs...

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RC Packer Fan's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:14 pm

He definitely didn't lose any ground in the kicking battle.

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Fish . Crane's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:24 pm

he did get a day older

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CHRIS K's picture

August 09, 2013 at 10:52 pm

Brian, we have a desperate need for a backup QB who is worth a da*n, not too mention a Newhouse scares me sometimes with how slowly he gets off the line sometimes. I really don't know Barclay's ceiling...
Interior line depth is pretty worrisome as well.
Why did Davon House look SO bad??? I didn't see him last preseason as I was still stationed in Japan but I read great things of his performances till injuring the shoulder..
Other than the occasional flash from Mulumba and Tyrone Walkers night poo poo.
P.S. I think the team wants tdump Jarrett Bush after seeing all the other corners play before him.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:19 pm

I really don't think Harrell has a strong enough arm. That really jumped out to me tonight. His passes to the WR at the line just don't have enough zip. The DB is on the WR basically as he catches the ball.

He can make a lot of throws, but not enough. He also looks like he is afraid to let the ball go at times.

I can see why they brought in Vince Young. really can. I just wish they would have brought him in, in the offseason to give him a better shot.

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PadLevel's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:30 pm

Harrell's play was at the same abysmal level last year, in the preseason, and they did nothing about it. I just don't understand what the Packers are thinking here. Are they expecting VY to win the backup job in less than a month? If not, are they going to carry 3 QBs on the 53-man roster? This last ditch move to get VY smacks of desperation, a realization that the Harrell project has failed miserably.

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Evan's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:41 pm

Maybe they can pick up whichever Cardinal's QB doesn't make the cut.

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Mark in the montain's picture

August 10, 2013 at 05:49 am

Maybe we should cut the coach that has protected Harrel for the last three years too. The Packers aren't going anywhere with thei gass bag McCarthy. Whatever capacity he once had to manage a game seems totally gone now.

This looks like a transition year to me. I hope I'm wrong.

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Idiot Fan's picture

August 10, 2013 at 08:37 am

Ha, good one. That was a joke, right?

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Lars's picture

August 10, 2013 at 11:17 am

Well, I agree with you on the transition year part. Too many rookies and youngsters learning the ropes and again way too many injuries.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:27 pm

I'm not sure where you would put him in the chips, but I thought Sam Barrington looked pretty decent.

I liked what I saw from Franklin. He seemed to make something out of nothing on more then one occasion. I'm looking forward to watching him moving forward. He didn't necessarily make any wow plays but I think he did a lot of little things that were good.
Also he seemed to field the punts and kicks pretty good.

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BrianD's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:51 pm

Franklin looked good on his screen. After he NEARLY dropped the ball, Johnathan made good use of his blockers to pick up some much needed yards. I didn't see enough of his running ability to make a judgment on him, though he did display more patience and shiftiness than Alex Green.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

August 09, 2013 at 11:57 pm

The one play that is in my head is where he sidestepped a guy in the backfield to gain 3 yards or so. He did show me the ability to make guys miss on a couple of his plays.

He didn't have much running room. I really would like to see him with the number 1 offensive line, to see what he can do with some running room.

Like I said he didn't flash, but he did do the little things and did make something out of nothing.

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Fudding's picture

August 10, 2013 at 12:08 am

People are overrating on Harrell. If he looked that bad playing with starters, that would be one thing, but he was playing with 2nd and 3rd string WRs and OL. His 1st pick was due to the WR getting knocked off the route. DJ Williams and Boykins each dropped 3rd down passes. It wasn't encouraging, but you can't write him off from the 1st preseason game.

Flynn always looked crappy playing with the backups, and did fine when with the starters.

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Barutan Seijin's picture

August 10, 2013 at 02:01 am

I've heard the "the 2nd & 3rd team" excuse about any number of crap qbs. People were saying it about Brian Brohm!

Funny that playing with the 2nd teamers didn't stop Rodgers.

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Barutan Seijin's picture

August 10, 2013 at 02:05 am

We know what happened when Harrell played with the first team offense: he fell over.

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Steve's picture

August 10, 2013 at 10:24 am

That's the way I see it too. We are a young team. Giving these players time on the field secures our "next man up" success.

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al's picture

August 10, 2013 at 12:33 am

im waiting for the 3rd preseason game that will be your bench mark game and you can wright that down !!!!!!!!

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hayward4president's picture

August 10, 2013 at 01:10 am

I thought Perry looked very quick off the edge.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

August 10, 2013 at 02:49 am

God dammit.

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hayward4president's picture

August 10, 2013 at 10:20 am

Why so serious?

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GBP092748's picture

August 10, 2013 at 02:52 am

This has to feel like a semi fail to MM... no force in the running game and not a single test for the 3 point guys... some good over all but not nearly enough...

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Mel's picture

August 10, 2013 at 08:53 am

Look who they had as the starter... Should have let franklin get reps with the starters you know what garbage you have with starks give the kid a chance... Next week we better see circle button (Lacey) with the starter!!

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The TKstinator's picture

August 10, 2013 at 08:35 am

Still grading the film.

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Jethro.Magee's picture

August 10, 2013 at 09:36 am

Why is Newhouse even on the field, there are at least 2 times every game where he's going to totally whiff and give his defender a free shot at the QB. Liked the rookie at LT, he held up well. Fire Newhouse and FIRE CAMPEN ! The fact that we haven't had a 100 yd rusher on 43 straight games is ludicrous. The fact the we've given up the most sacks over the last 3 yrs when we have a mobile QB is even more ludicrous than the fact we haven't had a 100 yd rusher in almost 3 seasons.
SUMMARY
We don't know how to pass block, we don't know how to run block, FIRE CAMPEN !!!!

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Johnblood27's picture

August 11, 2013 at 09:59 am

All of this above x1000!!!

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4thand1's picture

August 10, 2013 at 09:43 am

OK, typical preseason overreaction by a lot of fans. It happens every year. They have to look at 90 players and 43 will not be back except for the practice squad.

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Steve's picture

August 10, 2013 at 10:32 am

Wow am I disappointed. Not because of last nights game, because I have to wait so long to watch them play again.

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Lars's picture

August 10, 2013 at 11:19 am

After last nights egg I would think you wouldn't be so anxious to watch the futility.

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BobBrews's picture

August 10, 2013 at 12:49 pm

Harrell doesn't have IT! The IT factor that BF and AR have. The ability to make something from nothing and a perennial chip on the shoulder. To be honest I think we should dump Harrell and Coleman. Keep VY and take the chance that he will learn enough to be decent enough to get through the year. I never like Young because of the ego and immaturity problems. But he does have IT. The ability to run, throw and take a chance.

After 16 years of BF I am used to winning or losing by the QB's actions. If Arod goes down than the season will be lost but the chances of VY being competent are better than a wish-washy game manager like Harrell.

We are overreacting we always do. The Pack is resilient enough recover swagger and move the chains. But we do worry about life without Aaron.

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