Packers vs. Steelers: Game Balls & Lame Calls

Handing out game balls to top performers and lame calls to not-so-top performers in Sunday's preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers

The Green Bay Packers returned to Pittsburgh, the hometown of head coach Mike McCarthy, to face the Steelers in preseason game two.  The Steelers won the game, which is ratehr irrelevant this time of year, but the Packers did suffer some other losses that they'll have to deal with moving forward.  Receiver Jordy Nelson left the game early in the first quarter after suffering a knee injury that some are reporting as a torn ACL.  McCarthy wouldn't confirm the nature of the injury after the game and said they'll know more when they get back to Green Bay and run more tests.  It's not impossible that the Packers get some better news, but how often does a torn ACL get reported and tests reveal a less-significant injury?  It sounds like the Packers will need to plan their 2015 campaign without #87 in the mix.

Among others who suffered dings in this game were guard T.J. Lang and quarterback Scott Tolzien, who are both being evaluated for a concussion.  Rookie defensive back Damarious Randall was carted off the field in the second half but appeared to return, so that situation doesn't appear to be as concerning.  Aaron Rodgers had a large ice pack on his right wrist follwing a sack early in the game.  Rodgers later ditched the ice pack and initial reports are that he would have been able to stay in the game and it doesn't appear to be a long-term issue.

It's tough to see teams losing key players in preseason when the games don't count, but it's football.  It's a physical sport and these athletes are required to put a lot of strain on their bodies to perform at the highest level.  Injuries happen and they're a part of the game.  It's certainly not the first time the Packers have dealt with the loss of a significant contributor.  McCarthy has seen plenty of that in his recent tenure as head coach and the Packers have some how been able to sustain their success.  Keep it tuned right here at CheeseheadTV.com for the latest news and updates on Nelson, Lang and Tolzien.

With that, let's get into the game balls and lame calls.

Game Balls

Eddie Lacy

Lacy only had 30 yards on six carries, but he continues to put together a nice preseason and looks to be ready for the regular season.  After Packers fans began questioning the Packers offense and their ability to punch it in after entering the red zone, Lacy scampered in for a touchdown inside the five-yard line to quiet those murmurs.  If Nelson is truly lost for the season or a long portion of it, Lacy becomes at least a bit more important.  The Green Bay offense will always center around the pass and Rodgers, but Lacy's early contributions will make life a bit easier for Rodgers & Co. as they try to adjust and allow others to step up in the passing game.  Lacy should keep defenses honest, which is enough for Rodgers to do work.  If healthy all season long, we should see another 1,000 yards from #27.

Scott Tolzien

11 completions in 19 attempts with a touchdown.  Not a bad afternoon for "Scoots".  Hopefully he avoided a concussion and didn't suffer any serious ill effects.  Tolzien has made great strides within the Packers offense over the past two seasons and has firmly entrenched himself as the backup to Rodgers.  What I like most about Tolzien is that he's making quicker decisions and giving his receivers chances.  He appears comfortable in the offense, although he did not appear as comfortable in the pocket.  Tolzien was sacked twice on Sunday.  Right now, health is about the only concern I have with Tolzien and what he brings to the roster.

Damarious Randall

Randall wasted little time in his first game action, high-pointing a deeper pass for an interception.  The Packers are hoping that Randall can stay healthy and be a contributor on defense and today's showing certainly didn't hurt.  The interception was the type of play Randall was known for at Arizona State.  Always around the ball and causing chaos for opposing receivers.  He did leave the game, but appeared to return and there doesn't appear to be any concern about his health at this point.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Quietly led the team in tackles with six and continues to become a staple on an improving defense.  

LaDarius Gunter

A team-high three passes defended, including a deep ball down the sideline that goes for a score if he doesn't swat it away.  How does he not make the 53?

Lame Calls

Don Barclay at left tackle

Let's not get hasty and write Barclay off completely.  He was out of position at left tackle and most of us already knew that.  The Packers tried to exude confidence in Barclay with their supportive comments leading up to Sunday's game, but it didn't take long for him to justify the apprehension at his protecting Rodgers' blind side.  Barclay is just not a good pass blocker and never will be.  He was beaten badly on the blitz by Steelers linebacker James Harrison that led to a sack and safety.  Rodgers suffered a wrist injury on the play and so while we can say it's not concerning that Barclay had a bad day, it is when it affects the health of the team's only chance at glory this year.

Still, Barclay should be kept for depth on the line's interior and isn't a complete waste of a roster spot.  Remember he's also still coming back off of ACL surgery last year and is trying to get himself back to comfortable out there.

Alonzo Harris

After a nice touchdown run in preseason game one, Harris took a major step backwards against the Steelers with two drops.  The first was on a screen that would have gone for long yardage.  For a guy who was still on the outside looking in, this was the most inopportune time for him to have a terrible showing.  With Lacy, James Starks and Rajion Neal already looking strong to be the Packers' running backs in 2015, Harris has likely played himself right out of that competition.  He now faces a mountain to climb to get back into the conversation, if he survives the week.

Tim Masthay

Every punter has an off day.  I'm probably (and a bit unfairly) targeting Masthay here because he's had his reported struggles in training camp already.  Undrafted rookie Condy Mandell was brought in to compete with Masthay and was cut over a week ago, securing Masthay's spot and job for the 2015 season.  Masthay hasn't been awful, but he did have a pretty bad shank on Sunday.  He also booted one into the end zone away from his coverage.  To his credit, he did pin one inside the 20 yard line, but he needs to improve on his performance this summer and also from last season.  The field position game is key to a team's success.

Preseason games

This one is in here for discussion purposes only.  I'm not 100% sold on the idea of ditching these warm up games, but I'm sure many of you have your opinions on it.  It's easy to say the NFL should get rid of it when you lose a top player to injury, but you're also then taking away a valuable way for the coaching staff and team to evaluate talent.  There's no way to simulate real football and teams already exercise a lot of caution when it comes to keeping their top players off the field.  Nelson's injury on Sunday wasn't the result of a collision or tough tackle.  It happened as he was pivoting to run after the catch, something he has done hundreds of times before.

Still, is it time to change the preasaon format?

 

 

 

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (53)

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croatpackfan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 08:17 am

Nice review Jasone. I would put only one player in category Game balls: Mike Pennel. He made main job for Rollins INT. He rushed defenser into the QB armpit and almost sack the QB. Because he had his hands up QB had to release ball in high parabola, which make interception possible. Beside that play Mike was disrupting Steelers O-line all the time, very often redirecting their running game to the sides...

Regarding Masthay... He is in deep trouble. I'm not the guy who will say just cut him, but real competition must exist, because with what he showed in last week and this week games definitely is not good, it is not even average. It was bad, bad, ugly...

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Mario Willis's picture

August 24, 2015 at 08:35 am

Gunter may not have the pedigree of Damarious Randall but that MAN can play some FOOTBALL!

I say that to say this...

Evaluation of talent is important but 4 preseason games is excessive. The NFL is MILKING the fans out of their HARD EARNED MONEY for a subpar product.
Add two games to the regular season and CUT THE B/S. If you can't get players ready to play in 2 games then 2 more won't help.

I understand that football is about timing and competition helps you to see how well a player can handle the SPEED of the NFL game but at the same time MEANINGLESS games lend themselves to FOLLY.

Enough is ENOUGH! The Players don't want to play that many games and from the LOOK of the attendance at PITTSBURG the fans don't want to shill out the EXTRA money. The NFL has a choke hold on any minor league system so accept the penalties for your avarice and lets get to the season.

#JordyStrong

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Evan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 08:43 am

"Add two games to the regular season..."

Nope.

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badaxed's picture

August 24, 2015 at 08:48 am

On the flip side, players want more money and want to practise less and play less. How are the owners going to pay these players if they cannot maintain a revenue stream. I agree 4 preseason games are too much two . Make the season 18 games and have two byes during the season instead of one to give the players a rest. have only two preseason games. If you need to evaluate talent play your draft choices and free agents in those two preseason games and sit your vested veterans until the regular season.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 24, 2015 at 12:28 pm

That's the issue. The players want full value on their contracts they signed to play x number of games. The players and union want basically a 20% increase in pay based on work performed. 2 less games for the same amount of money. Their union won't allow the contracts to be lowered to compensate for fewer games.

Both sides will have to give a little, but the players have to take less if they are going to do less and generate less income.

Simple business.

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Turophile's picture

August 24, 2015 at 02:11 pm

Two less preseason games and two more regular season games is likely the way the NFL will go eventually. There is more money in doing it that way. A 16 game regular season is a pretty short season (compared to many sports), though the game does put lot of stress on bodies.

One thing that would change as a consequence is less game time to evaluate rookies and year two guys. It might also mean a less polished product overall in early games, with starters also just a little more worn down, come playoff time.

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Evan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 02:38 pm

Two fewer preseason games. Stick to 16 game schedule. Create a real developmental league (a la MLB minor leagues) whose season runs concurrently with the NFL season. All players go to NFL training camp together and then at cut down, players can either outright released or designated for assignment. Off-season roster size would probably have to be increased. Players can be promoted and demoted throughout the season.

That would solve the player development issue (and give each team a pool of talent already familiar with their own system to call upon in the event on injuries) and - I'm no accountant - but I assume that would cover the revenue issue for owners since the revenue created by a, I dunno, 10-game minor league season would at least partially make up for the loss from the elimination of 2 preseason games. Of course the d-league would cost money to set up and run. But, whatever, the NFL and NFL owners are drowning in money.

I would totally pay to see Matt Blanchard lead the Appleton Red Foxes against the St. Paul Bison.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 02:38 pm

'Create a real developmental league (a la MLB minor leagues) whose season runs concurrently with the NFL season'

YES!!! I have been wanting this for a long time. I have been really wanting this since NFL Europe has been gone.

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PortlandMark's picture

August 24, 2015 at 02:57 pm

Why play the starters at all in preseason football? There are guys on the bubble trying to make the team. They should schedule a couple of games for those guys to play to play in and leave the starters at home.

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Evan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 03:04 pm

I do think even veteran starters probably need some real-game reps to get ready for the season. It's less about evaluating the talent of Rodgers and Cobb than it is about them just getting up to game speed, getting in sync, etc..

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 24, 2015 at 03:29 pm

Cutting 2 preseason games and adding 2 regular season games will only increase the injuries to the 53 guys on the roster, probably significantly. It would probably increase revenue eventually since TV rights would be more valuable.

There already is a NFL minor league. I call it the SEC (and other big time conferences).

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Evan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 03:58 pm

Ha. College football isn't the same thing as a true, NFL-affiliated developmental league.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 24, 2015 at 11:26 pm

NFL Europe was created as a developmental league. It didn't last. USFL while not a developmental league, didn't last.

If you create a developmental league it has to make money and not be completely subsidized by the NFL. With the amount of football we get on a weekly basis already, do you really think fans in small satellite cities will turn out in enough numbers to support itself? Much less be able to get some TV ratings to make it worthwhile to have them on TV?

I'm guessing not. The NFL isn't going to create a developmental league and throw good money after bad for years, possibly a decade or more waiting and hoping it starts to turn a profit.

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Evan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 07:58 am

NFL Europe was in...Europe. Not really the same thing.

And, yea, the USFL was a competitor. Not the same thing. The XFL and Arena League also aren't the same thing.

I very much think people in small satellite cities will turn out to see real, NFL-affiliated football. There are, what, over 100 various MiLB teams throughout the country? And communities love them. You ever been to a Minor League baseball game? They're great. They give fans a chance to see the next big star. And MiLB teams play 150+ game seasons - I'm talking like 10-12 games. I really don't see why it wouldn't work.

How many training camp stars fail to make the 53 and are never given another shot? There are, what, 15 NFL quarterbacks who are actually good? Just think if some of these guys were actually given time to develop. How many reps is Brett Hundley going to get as the 3rd string QB? Or Matt Blanchard on the practice squad? An NFL Minor Leagues would give those players more time to develop and the overall product would benefit from it.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 25, 2015 at 10:51 am

That's fine. Your opinion. I'm guessing not. I guess it'll come down to what the NFL thinks. If they think it'll support itself they'll make it happen. Like I said. I'm guessing they won't, showing they don't believe it'll support itself.

Its not about whether some players would benefit from it. They would. The question is whether it can make enough money to support itself.

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Evan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 12:22 pm

Of course it's just my opinion, but why don't you think fans would support it and make it profitable (or at least self-sustaining)? You really haven't given any reasons.

Hundreds of minor league MLB teams play tens of thousands of games every year and they seem to be doing alright. And the NFL is far more popular than MLB.

In fact, I believe every other major American sport has a dedicated developmental league. What makes the NFL so different?

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 12:58 pm

i completely agree with you Evan. I have had the same thought for a long time.

Also, this wouldn't only be a development league for players and teams, but also for coaches, and refs.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 25, 2015 at 05:44 pm

Over saturation w football. You have games on Thurs Sun and Mon just for the NFL. Throw in college on Sat.

Where would they play? A HS or college field? Now your talking about renting and those facilites dont want thier fields ruined. Even if they do the NFL isn't going to put players on poor and overused fields and then have to pay for surgeries and rehab for them.

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Evan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 07:09 pm

Over saturation with football?? Really? That's my absolute last concern. America is kind of football obsessed.

But, again, what makes the NFL so different? Every other league makes it work. Sure, there are football games on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays. But there are hockey, baseball and basketball games every single day of the week during their respective seasons. I don't see any over saturation issues with those sports.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 25, 2015 at 11:24 pm

I love football as much as anyone. But no way I'm spending my hard earned money on an inferior product (backups and scrubs most of which will never make it in the NFL) when I can see the real thing.

Where are they going to play? Are they going to build stadiums in these smaller satellite cities? I don't think the NFL is going to foot the bill for stadiums for these teams. So again your back to paying rent to play on someones field and run into poor field conditions.

How are you going to come up w/ enough players? Your looking at at least 40 man rosters. And if you combine teams you run into issues w/ teaching which teams playbook/schemes.

Baseball, basketball and hockey are pretty easy to transition from team to team quickly. Football isn't nearly as easy, w/ the different language, size of playbooks, different schemes requiring different skill sets.

And that's not even mentioning that college football is basically already the NFL developmental league. As long as that's the case the NFL won't have a reason to start a minor league.

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Evan's picture

August 26, 2015 at 07:02 am

"Football isn't nearly as easy, w/ the different language, size of playbooks, different schemes requiring different skill sets."

You're making my point for me. Having a pool of young players already versed in your team's playbook, schemes and language would be a huge asset for teams.

And finding enough willing players would not be an issue - that I am 100% sure of. Each team right now has around 40 extra players on their roster as is. Add Arena League, semi-pro leagues around the country, CFL, free agents...players will be lining up.

As for where they would play...I have no idea. But that's putting the cart before the horse.

And, again, college is not remotely the same thing.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 26, 2015 at 09:19 am

No. Not making your point. That's my point. Are you going to combine teams then? Cuz there certainly aren't enough players to stock rosters for all 32 teams. You think there will be enough players willing to kill there bodies for a MUCH lower wage than the NFL minimum? There aren't enough that would warrant a roster spot even if they are willing for all 32 teams.

An NFL developmental league is extremely unlikely. And you haven't addressed the issue of fields, venues playing surface. There already is a developmental league, its called college. And it does quite well weeding out those who have a chance at the NFL.

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Evan's picture

August 26, 2015 at 11:44 am

Well, you raised the point, but it clearly supports my case. The complexity and uniqueness of each NFL team's schemes makes a real NFL/team-affiliated developmental league more logical - not less.

But I'm just repeating myself now. I've made my case.

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Since'61's picture

August 24, 2015 at 04:04 pm

Reynoldo - the talk up to date has been that if the regular season goes to 18 games the roster will be increased from about 53 players to 60.
Need less to say the owners don't want to pay more salaries and at least some of the players would prefer not to share their part of the revenue with more players, potentially lowering their salaries. I expect that this will be a big issue during the next CBA negotiations. Either way the current 4 pre-season games and 16 regular season will continue until then. Thanks, Since '61

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 25, 2015 at 07:08 pm

I don't see how expanding the roster to 60 helps much. The extra regular season games will still count, and if the games are meaningful (team is in the playoff hunt). the coaches will still play their best players the same amount of snaps. I mean, it is not like MM is going to think, geez, we need to win this game to advance to the playoffs, but I've got 60 guys on the bench - let's have Goodson replace Shields for the second half and Hundley for Rodgers. I suggest that there would simply be 14 inactives instead of 7.

Reducing the regular season from 16 to 14, or 12, or 10, etc., games would be safer. Reducing the preseason from 4 to 3 or 2 or 1 would be safer. Reducing the total number of practices and/or the total number of padded practices would be safer.

I don't know the magic numbers. I would suggest that the regular season has to be long enough so that anomalies (just a bad day or bad weather) get shaken out and the best teams rise to the top while minimizing injuries. I would take into consideration a statistical analysis showing when injuries spike - if it showed that games 15 and 16 had a statistically significant increase in injuries (presumably due to fatigue or worse playing conditions) then I think a good case for shortening the season could be made. I would suggest that preseason practices and games have to provide enough reps to shake the rust off veterans and evaluate young talent. The argument that one can't evaluate young talent unless they play against good veteran starters makes sense to me, otherwise they could just watch the college tape or watch these guys play in Evan's developmental league. Since I am not a coach, I don't know really have a decent opinion as to how many games, practices, padded practices and preseason games are optimal.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 04:27 am

What do you think. If they will cut to the 2 preseason games, we would still lose Jordy (it was Packers 2nd preseason game!). Or you think that it is more acceptable when you lose player because of the injury in 2nd season game?

That injury, how it happen, and what it takes shows that it might happen while practicing. And, if that injury had to happen, I'm glad it happened now. Of course that I would chose no injury, but it happened. Now Packers have enough time to reorganize offense and adapt to the personal they have...

I'm not for signing vets, because they can not replace Jordy. They do not know Packers play book. All rookies are more familiar with Packers playbook and Packers QB than any vet who will be add to the roster...

There is no vet for plug and play. This is real life, not game on PC where you can buy someone's experience and knowledge, also physical gifts...

I think we all have to calm down. It is pitty that Jordy is injured, it will make Packers path to the win all this season harder, but Packers are stable organization who can overcome that injury. Hell, Packers were playing w/o Aaron for 2 months and still won NFC North. At the moment our Injury list contains just one player - Jordy - remember 2010, we had 15+ players on the IR and won SB...

Common guys... I'm so sad that that happened to Jordy, but there is no help. Move forward. We have nice team to watch and cheer for. Jordy is and will be the part of that team, no matter he is on IR...

There is another article with similar thoughts:
http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2015/8/24/9200723/dont-panic-packers-o...

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Evan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 07:15 am

"Or you think that it is more acceptable when you lose player because of the injury in 2nd season game?"

At least the game would have meant something. Very cold comfort, but it's something.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 08:19 am

Good, you have game plan counting you have Jordy... Now, 3rd throw in the 1st series and Jordy is out. How that means something and how that influence whole team for that game...
Also, in every team's sport you have preseason games. They have meaning. Meaning of those games is to: a) evaluate young players; b) make fine tuning of the team for the season... Otherwise, you are making fine tuning of the team through September games and then you have fans who cries loud that team is not prepared!
Also, when injury, like Jordy's happens, it is obvious that this is not produce of the game, but of whatever other reasons are. So that injury might happen while practicing. Jordy was untouched when that happened. Now you can prepare different path. Now you know you can not count on one of the best offensive player on the team... In season you have to adjust fast and probably not very successful....
It must be much better to lose player in the season game

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Evan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 08:41 am

Okay, I didn't really followmost of that...but, yea, I'm not arguing to eliminate the pre-season or that Jordy's injury couldn't have happened at any other time...I was just responding to a very specific question you asked.

Yes, if Jordy's injury had happened on the 3rd throw of the 2nd game of the regular season, I would feel better about it.

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dobber's picture

August 24, 2015 at 08:48 am

"Among others who suffered dings in this game were guard T.J. Lang and quarterback Scott Tolzien, who are both being evaluated for a concussion."

Ummm...were they sharing it? ;)

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Evan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 08:53 am

ha...TJ gets it Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tolzien gets it Tuesday/Thursday. Jared Abbrederis gets it every weekend.

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egbertsouse's picture

August 24, 2015 at 09:27 am

We need 4 preseason games so the billionaire owners can maintain their revenue streams in the most valuable sports league in the world which makes more and more profit every year?

C'mon man!!!

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 24, 2015 at 09:52 am

Imagine if this happened on the Bears field.

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Since'61's picture

August 24, 2015 at 10:02 am

I have been advocating for a reduction down to 2 pre-season games for a long time. Scrimages can also be used to evaluate players with a lot less contact and risk of injury. As we know the owners won't go for it unless they an get an 18 game schedule which the NFLPA is against. We'll have to wait for the next CBA to see how this plays out. Having said that Jordy's injury could have happened during a regular practice or regular season game. It was a non-contact injury. Maybe we will catch a break and find out that it is not as serious as originally reported. One step at a time. Thanks, Since '61

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dobber's picture

August 24, 2015 at 10:28 am

"Having said that Jordy's injury could have happened during a regular practice or regular season game."

At least by happening now, rather than during a regular season game, there are more players to look at and there's an opportunity to shape the roster and adjust player roles knowing he's out that wouldn't be there in September or October.

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Since'61's picture

August 24, 2015 at 11:03 am

Dobber - excellent point as usual. Thanks, Since '61

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Koostyroosty's picture

August 24, 2015 at 11:21 am

great point. Additionally, if it is season ending for Jordy, he most likely will be back for the entire regular season next year.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 12:32 pm

Even if they don't bring in anyone from the outside, they can at the very least groom the players they have to play a bigger role. And they will get those players more experience a lot faster.

For example, Janis and Montgomery. Both of those players now will see the field a lot more and will get a lot more experience playing then they would have other wise.

What we need to see from them, is improvements each week and playing their best at the end of the season.

About the only good part about injuries early is it still gives teams time to work it out.

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EdsLaces's picture

August 24, 2015 at 10:38 am

I am going to see the Foo Fighters tomorrow and should be so cheerful. But all I can think about is Jordy and I'm so pissed haha.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 10:56 am

A couple of positives from the game.
The rookie CB's are very good, and I'm happy with them. Gunter could be our starting CB opposite of Shields. Great to see Randall play and he did really good in his first game back. And although Rollins struggled, I think its a bit of a good thing for him. He needs to have some mistakes to learn from.

Ripkowski is a beast on special teams. They will be keeping 2 FB's this year.

Negatives:
Outside of Nelson's injury, my biggest negative thing from the game, is how inconsistent Masthay has become.

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Idiot Fan's picture

August 24, 2015 at 12:46 pm

"Gunter could be our starting CB opposite of Shields."

I think I need to see Gunter going against the other team's 1s (receivers and QBs) in order to say that. Hayward has been going against the other team's starters, and (as far as I can tell) is doing pretty well. But I am impressed with Gunter so far.

Side note - with all the excessive flags in last year's preseason, does anyone else feel like the refs are letting a lot of things go this preseason? There were a couple times that Gunter got a little grabby that totally would have been called last year.

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porupack's picture

August 25, 2015 at 12:04 am

Yes, I thought exactly the same thing several times. Not sure if that was just the crew. They were also conservative on Challenge Flags and didn't reverse 2 fairly obvious mistake calls according to fans and announcers.

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Bearmeat's picture

August 24, 2015 at 11:10 am

I'd be fine adding 2 games to the regular season and taking those 2 away from the preseason IF the players got much more money from it. Preferably in the form of contract guarantees. But, as the owners will never agree to give a higher percentage of money to the players, this will never happen.

Man... greedy SOBs

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 24, 2015 at 04:38 pm

I wonder if you have thought out the probable consequences of guaranteed contracts. Even if you have given thought to it, it would not be surprising if there were unforeseen consequences. Your suggestion would be a major change, and one that fans of the NFL's smallest market should consider with extreme caution. My own thought is that as long as there is a Salary Cap, your suggestion would simply redistribute the same money to players differently.

The greedy owners bit is vastly overblown as well. The return on investment from an average NFL franchise is not a good one. An NFL franchise is a plaything for very wealthy folks, who only make money when they sell. We know that GB had the 9th highest local revenue. If you added $50 million per year in additional costs to the packers, there would be little or no profit at all. Indeed, if GB couldn't sell worthless stock and get hundreds of millions from taxpayers to renovate Lambeau, it would have gone out of business, if not already, then soon. Brown County voters only approved the sales tax 53%-47% during the Brett Favre era - I have to wonder whether it would have been approved during the Dan Devine years. There is a reason the front office is so keen on developing the land around Lambeau - it's because they know that GB's finances could become precarious in an uncertain future.

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PaulRosik's picture

August 24, 2015 at 09:04 pm

Exactly. No one owns an NFL team to make money off it. Well, other than Jerry Jones maybe. The rest are in it for the prestige and notoriety of being an owner. Compared to other industries, NFL players get a high percentage of the total gross distributed to them. This is certainly due to a very active union that has been working hard for them for decades. If only Walmart or Mcdonald's workers could get the same percentage distributed to them for their work the world would be a much better place but that's too political for this board so never mind. If contracts became guaranteed there would be many more 1 and 2 year contracts and only the handful of stars would get long term deals.

it has become almost commonplace for stadium deals to be publically financed and I am conflicted on this. The NFL makes billions of dollars and it seems weird that they need assistance to keep football profitable in such a rabid fan base as Green Bay. And many others feel this way also. Green Bay may get more people in the stadium to watch Brett Favre make a speech and definitely get more in there to watch a practice with fireworks at the end than any other team in the league gets to preseason games. But even these rabid fans had to be cajoled to pass the stadium deal.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

August 24, 2015 at 04:22 pm

Just a reminder that this game's start time had been rescheduled to one in the middle of August.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 04:29 am

Poor millionaires...

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porupack's picture

August 25, 2015 at 12:14 am

Leave the pre-season alone, and stop pampering professional athletes. They have an obligation to prepare themselves physically, and don't have other jobs to distract them from doing so. They are paid handsomely to perform a sport. I worked on a farm 15 hours baling hay, running behind tractor in 90+ temperatures, and sometimes think farming in my day prepared a guy to be physically durable and more tolerant of adverse stress than elite athletes in elite training centers, who work on isolated muscle groups. We worked our butts, and I'll bet Dez Bryant wouldn't last 4 hours on my farm in August. So now I'm rock climber, and put my body through enormous stress at age 55, and still work Mon-Fri. So, I say, stop pampering a pampered group. They can/should dial it back in preseason, but don't eliminate it. Coaches can play less of their pampered elites if they're worried about them. Who cares if fans pay money or not to attend preseason. Its their prerogative.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 04:29 am

Well said...

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Evan's picture

August 25, 2015 at 07:06 am

"Leave the pre-season alone..."

"They can/should dial it back in preseason, but don't eliminate it."

So, which one is it?

And for the record, it really sounds like you agree with the vast majority of people. I don't really see anyone saying it should be eliminated entirely.

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porupack's picture

August 25, 2015 at 12:34 pm

Play the 4 games, and instruct players to just play moderate. Make the catch, get a little more, but don't try to shake, juke and expose yourself. That is what I think a dial-back would be. But the 4 games are important for game planning. Without it, we would have a decreased quality product for the initial part of the season, plus the likelihood of even more injuries b/c players wouldn't dial it back and yet, not be in mid-season condition.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 27, 2015 at 07:53 pm

I'm just now watching the game.

Remember that play against the Patriots where Corey Linsley got put on his ass? I knew we'd see that defensive look again and we'd capitalize off of it. That was our first 2-point conversion against the Steelers. Easy money!

Gunter is the truth. It's crazy how much teams put into 40-times. Can he really fight for much playing time? I think it's likely. I mean, when has he looked like a liability?

Our Dime packages will be our strength this season.

Jay Elliot should be considered when deciding this year's LOLB. Can pass rusher for damn sure and he also stands out against the run.

I told y'all 2 FBs wouldn't be an issue. Kuhn is still a master in his role and the rookie is showing out on Kick Returns.

Why is #51 on the field???

HHCD HAS to correct this tackling issue. He's so close to making brilliant plays.

Ty Montgomery looks like he's half-ass'n on Special Teams.

We might be able to overcome Jordy Nelson's injury ,but we damn sure can't overcome a left tackle injury.

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