I agree with those who advise caution about making firm conclusions based upon preseason games, particularly the first one. I just re-watched the first half of the game and here are some of my observations: I was very happy to see Perry’s progress – he is very strong and as he gets more experience rushing the passer from OLB I think he’ll be a great compliment to Clay. The LOLB spot should be the stronger OLB as he has to battle TEs more and the ROLB spot should be occupied by the better pass rusher. IMO Matthews will not only be helped by Perry’s presence opposite him and a better push from the DL but also by going back to the ROLB spot. Perry also did OK on a couple of drops into coverage. Davon House impressed the hell out of me! One-on-one coverage and decisive tackling – he looked VERY good to me – really hope the injury isn’t serious. Yes it was just the first preseason game but if he's healthy, he looks like the answer at CB opposite Williams. Although I expected it, Cobb looked like he took a step forward as a receiver. Merling surprised me by getting some push and I wasn’t as disappointed in Worthy’s play as some – he got a push at times and was double-teamed at times. Yes he did get too high at times but that can be fixed and he also got a push. Walden looked pretty good too and I thought Anthony Levine outplayed MD Jennings and McMillian but again it’s the first preseason game. Levine showed some catch-up speed too although the goal of course is not to have to catch up. (Actually on the play I’m talking about, the receiver he caught wasn’t his responsibility.)
On the negative side, Starks needs to get serious about his profession. Physical errors are one thing, but repeated mental errors are inexcusable. Going back to the 2010 season of course he didn’t play until late in that season because of injury but as I remember it his appearance on the field was delayed by a week or so because of his practice habits and/or mental mistakes. I’d caution fellow Packers fans about getting to high on RBs like Tyler. Again, as I remember it on more than one occasion the leading rusher in the preseason didn’t make the team. The signing of Benson makes it less likely a UDFA RB will make the squad. Herb Taylor caused me to flashback to Allen Barbre and that’s not good. He often looked awkward, unbalanced, and confused. Datko positioned himself well on running plays but I didn’t see him drive his man out of a play. And he didn’t look good in pass protection either IMO. Again it’s just the first preseason game and it was Datko’s first pretend NFL game. And Taylor has been out of the league so long it was his first in a long time.
And here’s an entirely premature and unfair observation: BJ Coleman is more talented than Graham Harrell. Of course Harrell is going to be the backup, I’m just saying from the extremely small sample we saw, they need to be careful not to lose Coleman to another team if they plan to get him to the practice squad.
