"Chips Report" from Week 2 Packers Preseason Win vs. Rams

Defensive lineman Johnny Jolly made a big-time statement on Saturday evening in the Packers' 19-7 win over the Rams in Preseason Week 2.

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 second preseason game at the St. Louis Rams...

Blue Chips

  • Defensive lineman Johnny Jolly––Jolly had his hand in two turnovers for the Packers on Saturday night, and put himself firmly in the competition for a roster spot. The first turnover came when Jolly batted a third down pass by Kellen Clemens in the third quarter, which was picked off by Jarrett Bush. The second came as a result of Jolly dropping into coverage and picking off a Clemens pass in the end zone. It might be too strong of a word to say Jolly is a lock to make the team's 53-man roster, but he's really, really close.
  • Packers run defense––For a team that gave up huge rushing outings to Adrian Peterson and Colin Kaepernick, among others, last season, the Packers run defense has made huge strides. In the first half when the starting defense played a majority of the time, the Rams averaged merely 1.4 yards per carry. Even when taking the second half into account, the Rams only averaged 2.5 yards ypc the entire game. Kudos go to the Packers front seven for doing the dirty work that typically gets little recognition.

Red Chips

  • Jermichael Finley––Finley led the Packers with 78 receiving yards on four receptions, three of them converted into first downs. Averaging nearly 20 yards per catch, Finley clearly looked like the threat the Packers have been hoping he would be. Without Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb available to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Finley was a primary target for Rodgers and got the job done.
  • Eddie Lacy––Lacy looked to be over the hamstring injury that kept him out of the first preseason game and was very effective in his Packers debut. With 40 yards on eight carries, Lacy averaged 5.0 yards per rush on Saturday. The first-string offense included a heavy dose of Lacy in the running game and little of anyone else. And he did a good job keeping his legs churning and falling forward, in addition to grabbing one pass for 11 yards.

Cow Chips

  • James Starks––Starks carried the football three times for a total of four yards against the Rams, but the most glaring mistake was his fumble on a fourth quarter carry that went for negative-two yards before the fumble. Had it not been a defender stepping out of bounds before re-establishing himself in bounds, the Rams would have taken possession of the football. Considering Lacy has established himself as the starter and DuJuan Harris is working his way back from injury, Starks needs to step up his game.
  • Brandon Smith––The first faux pas made by Smith was a lack of awareness on the punt return team when a Rams punt hit his leg, counting as a muff and subsequently recovered by the Rams. There was sufficient time for Smith to get away, but he showed a lack of football instinct. Smith's second costly mistake came with just a minute left in the game when he was caught peeking in the backfield and gave up a 26-yard touchdown pass to Nick Johnson.

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 (15)

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jmac3444's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:14 pm

Smith got himself cut tonight and I would be shocked if Jolly doesn't make this team

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Lucky953's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:15 pm

The combo of Finley and Lacy is going to be very tough on defenses.
Great point on the run defense. They bossed.
Why are we even talking about Brandon Smith? What about DJ Williams, who I think has played himself nearly off the roster the past two games?
Micah Hyde looks like a helluva draft pick so far.
Johnny Jolly can still play in the NFL.

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Mojo's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:30 pm

Thought the cow-chip for Starks was a little harsh. No he shouldn't fumble, but he kept a play alive where there was no blocking and was sent horizontal fighting for yards against three guys.

Jolly just makes things happen. He's so wide no one can move him, and he does push the line back a bit. He didn't seem to be gassed even though he carries a lot of weight. I think he's on the 53. Run D has looked good for two games now.

Rodgers should be in the blue-chips. He's so smooth and intelligent we take him for granted. Nice game for Finley too.

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 18, 2013 at 07:10 am

There was nothing there when he bounced to the outside. If I remember right it was basically him on an island with three Rams players. If he had stuck his head in the hole it might have been a zero play, but he turned it into a negative play. He was more likely to have something bad happen (injury) on that play than something good.

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Lucky953's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:32 pm

The #5 receiver looks wide open to me.

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BrianD's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:35 pm

I didn't get the chance to watch this weeks game. Did anybody pay close attention to House and how he responded to "his worst game ever"?

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Evan's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:39 pm

From what I saw he played much better. Tight coverage throughout the night.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:42 pm

I agree Evan. I thought he looked much improved.
He seemed to play more physical also.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:40 pm

I don't really get the chips thing... To me Finley and Lacy both should have been in the Blue Chips.

I believe Jolly won a roster spot tonight. He looked good. I was skeptical of him being able to make the roster, but I believe he earned it tonight.

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Fish . Crane's picture

August 18, 2013 at 03:28 am

i like it better than good bad ugly-- two positive categories and one bad..vs. the opposite...never could figure out what the difference between bad and ugly is regarding football.

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al's picture

August 17, 2013 at 11:44 pm

j.j still got it hes on my team ...............

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ZeroTolerance's picture

August 18, 2013 at 12:28 am

Regarding the starting defensive front seven - Pickett, Raji, D. Jones, Matthews, Hawk, Perry, and B. Jones, six of these seven were NFL first round draft picks. Hard to imagine how TT build this.

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WisconsInExile's picture

August 18, 2013 at 12:35 am

Hmm...no discussion yet of Alex Green's performance?!

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Nononsense's picture

August 18, 2013 at 01:06 am

Blue Chips: Jolly, Hyde, Lacy, Finley

Red Chips: Rodgers, Francois, Boyd, Mulumba

Cow Chips: Brandon Smith, James Starks, DJ Williams,

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Barry's picture

August 18, 2013 at 09:51 am

Cow Chip

Slocum.......How many times do we have to lose punts received before our special teams coach tells our platers to get far awy from a noncaught punt. Last year one of our poorly coached punt return players stood aroun and watched the bal roll between his legs. Other teams are coached to try to block our uncoached players into the ball.

I bet our coach does not tell our players this little secret. Jon Madden would have fired the coach and cut the player the second time this happened. I commented last year and the year before about this.

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