Preseason Packers vs. Titans: Previews

[TOPHAT]

For the final preseason game, a preview of things to watch & final roster battles, especially players to watch:

1. Favre. He plays 2 or 3 opening series, how is the chemistry between him and the young receivers, especially Jennings and Jones?
2. WRs. Who stands out? How well do they run their routes and block for effective production? Does Clowney do enough to make the roster?
3. TEs. How well do Franks and Lee do? Will either Alcorn and Harris make a statement to make the roster?
4. Offensive Line. Will they improve opening up running lanes? How well does backup Coston play? How does Barbre look?
5. RBs. Rookie RB Wynn gets a good look, as a long shot roster position?
6. Rookie FB White. Does he show enough to be a backup fullback making Miree expendable? How does Rookie FB Hall do in his new starting role?
7. Rookie DT Harrell. He gets a heavy workout tonight.
8. DLs. Hunter & Birdine. Two guys are battling for roster spot.
9. DT Jolly. Can he win a starting position?
10. LBs. Besides rookie star LB Bishop, the Packers look to see whether LB White or Rory Johnson or Tim Goodwell will step up?
11. DBs. Bush & Blackmon. Will they justify having secured roster spots? Dendy, Walker, & Williams. Will one of them distinctly emerges for the remaining DB spot?
12. Safeties. How well does S Bigby play to sew up starting safety job? Can Peprah or Culver emerge to secure the final safety position?
13. Special teams. How well is the coverage and the blocking? Who wins in the kicker job, Rayner or Crosby?
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http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports//index.php?ntid=207700

Preview: Packers vs. Titans

Who: The Green Bay Packers (2-1) vs. the Tennessee Titans (2-1) in the final preseason game for both teams. When, where: 7 p.m. Thursday, LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. TV: WKOW (Ch. 27), with Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon in the booth and Jessie Garcia reporting from the sidelines. The game will re-air on NFL Network at 7 p.m. Sunday. Radio: WIBA (1310 AM, 101.5 FM), with Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren.

Packers' injury report: Not expected to play are RB Brandon Jackson (concussion); WR Donald Driver (foot); RG Jason Spitz (calf); LB Spencer Havner (back); S Aaron Rouse (hamstring); LB Abdul Hodge (knee tendinitis); DEs Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (bruised knee) and Mike Montgomery (knee); WR-KR Shaun Bodiford (knee); RB Vernand Morency (knee); G Tony Palmer (hamstring); and RT Tony Moll (stinger).

Five things to watch:

Safety dance

McCarthy said he intends to sit out veteran safety Marquand Manuel, a 16-game starter last season, so he can get a longer look at youngsters Charlie Peprah and Tyrone Culver. That's not good news for Manuel, but it's reassurance that Atari Bigby simply must avoid major gaffes to hold onto the starting gig next to Nick Collins.

Chemistry 104

Quarterback Brett Favre has talked all camp long about trying to get comfortable with the young skill-position players around him, and this is his fourth and final chance before the games start to count. With Driver out, rookie James Jones, who drew Favre's ire twice in last week's loss to Jacksonville, will start opposite Greg Jennings. While it'll only be two or three series, Favre thinks every snap he takes with Jones and the other young'uns is valuable.

Wynn-er, Wynn-er, chicken dinner

With Morency and Jackson out, this is DeShawn Wynn's big night. While Noah Herron is set to start at halfback, Wynn will get the bulk of the carries after missing most of camp with a stomach virus and quadriceps strain. The rookie seventh-round pick clearly has talent, but whether he'll ever show it at the NFL level is debatable. We'll find out something about him — good or bad.

Last licks, kicks

Incumbent Dave Rayner and rookie sixth-round pick Mason Crosby are still too close to call in the big kicking race, although the rook will get the first shot on any kicks. It's clear that the team has two NFL-quality guys to choose from. Should one of them miss a kick tonight, it'd make the decision easier. If they both remain perfect, it'll be a tough call for GM Ted Thompson.

Taking the night off

In addition to Manuel, starting cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson also will not play tonight, McCarthy said. That means plenty of work for the young corners competing for backup spots — Jarrett Bush, Patrick Dendy, Will Blackmon, Tramon Williams and Frank Walker. Bush can nail down the No. 3 job.
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http://www.sportsnetwork.com

NFL Preseason Preview - Green Bay (2-1) At Tennessee (2-1)

A pair of teams vying to polish off winning preseason records will meet in the Music City on Thursday night, when the Tennessee Titans play host to the Green Bay Packers in the final warm-up for both squads. The host Titans come off their strongest performance of the preseason to date, a 28-17 takedown of the Buffalo Bills last Friday night. In the win, Tennessee quarterback and reigning NFL Rookie of the Year Vince Young posted his finest performance of the preseason to date, completing 13-of-19 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Young is unlikely to see much time on Thursday, in keeping with preseason tradition, meaning backups Kerry Collins and Tim Rattay should receive a majority of the snaps.

Green Bay will be seeking to rebound after falling to Jacksonville (21-13) last week in its first loss of the preseason. Quarterback Brett Favre looked sharp in defeat, however, completing 14-of-20 passes for 130 yards in a losing effort. Running back Brandon Jackson, who is expected to serve as the Pack's No. 1 running back as a rookie, added a one- yard touchdown run in the triumph...suffering a concussion. Favre, Jackson, and the team's other starters are expected to play no more than two or three series against the Titans. With Vernand Morency (knee) not yet ready to return to the field, most of Green Bay's rushing on Thursday will likely be performed by rookie DeShawn Wynn and fellow backup Noah Herron.

op: op:

 

[TOPHAT]

Last Chance to Impress: Key Players

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/207713

Last Chance to Impress


The final preseason game is, by virtue of its let's-get-this-over-with vibe, the least compelling of the NFL exhibition season. But while most teams set simple goals for the finale — like, not getting anyone important hurt, or having the charter flight home leave on time — the Green Bay Packers enter Thursday night's final exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field with considerably more at stake. "We have a lot of questions that need to be answered," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. On Friday morning, general manager Ted Thompson and McCarthy will review the film of this game and decide who stays and who goes in the hours leading up to the final cutdown at 3 p.m. Saturday. Unlike perennial playoff teams, who have very little roster turnover, there's plenty of jockeying for position in the final spots on the Packers' depth chart.

The players with the most at stake, of course, are the ones with the most to lose: Their jobs. While starting quarterback Brett Favre will play two to three series in another attempt to get on the same wavelength with his young receiving corps, it's not as if his employment future — or that of receivers Greg Jennings or James Jones, for that matter — hinges on how he plays. No, it's the guys on the fringes of the 53-man roster — the Paul Thompsons, the DeShawn Wynns, the Zac Alcorns, the Charlie Peprahs of the football world — who need to play well Thursday night.

Paul Thompson

Despite the release of incumbent No. 3 quarterback Ingle Martin on the first roster reduction, Thompson's job behind Favre and backup Aaron Rodgers is hardly secure. Should he stumble the way he did during practice this week, when he threw multiple interceptions each day, the Packers could decide to go with just Favre and Rodgers on the 53-man roster and put Thompson on the practice squad. They could also bring back Martin for the 53-man roster or practice squad, as McCarthy intimated during the week. "They say I might (play) a full half or so, maybe more. That's the perfect situation," said Thompson, who threw two interceptions in the Aug. 18 preseason game against Seattle. "I'm looking forward to taking advantage of it and proving to my coaches and teammates that I belong here."

Zac Alcorn

Neither Alcorn nor rookie seventh-round pick Clark Harris has seized the No. 3 tight end job behind Bubba Franks and Donald Lee, and it's possible the Packers' third tight end will be someone who's released by another team on the final cutdown Saturday. Alcorn can prevent that with a strong showing. After playing in six games last year, he has shown good hands but has been inconsistent with his blocking. An infection in both of his big toes, coupled with a blister problem on the bottom of each of his feet, slowed him midway through camp, but he has come on of late and needs a strong performance tonight to earn a roster berth.

DeShawn Wynn

Having missed most of camp — first with a stomach virus, then with a pulled quadriceps — the rookie seventh-round pick put himself in the most difficult possible position to make the final roster. Then, fellow rookie Brandon Jackson, who started the first three exhibition games, suffered a concussion during Sunday's practice and won't play as a result. Enter Wynn, who'll make his debut after fill-in starter Noah Herron and should get 10 to 12 carries to prove his worth.

Dave Rayner/Mason Crosby

The kicking battle has been the most interesting — and the tightest — in camp, with neither player having given the Packers' brass a clear reason to pick one over the other. Both are perfect in games, Rayner leads the NFL in kickoff distance, and their accuracy in practice was impressive. Crosby made 98 of 115 (85.2 percent) while Rayner made 91 of 114 (79.8 percent). Crosby has a compact stroke and terrific leg strength, and being a draft pick doesn't hurt his cause. He also may have more long-term potential than Rayner. Rayner, meanwhile, has the experience of two NFL seasons — one as Indianapolis' kickoff specialist in 2005 and one as the Packers' do-everything kicker last year. He's kicked in game-winning situations and inclement weather in the NFL, so he knows what he's up against in December at Lambeau Field.

Frank Walker

It's not Walker's fault that he's the only unrestricted free agent the Packers signed in the offseason, but the veteran corner understands his status as the only addition means more scrutiny. Problem is, he might not make the team because of all the young corners who have come on during camp. Jarrett Bush gave them a better one, and he can lock up the No. 3 cornerback job with a strong performance tonight. Will Blackmon has already won the return job and will be a backup corner as well, and last year's third corner, Patrick Dendy, is likely to make the team as well. That could leave Walker as the odd man out.

Charlie Peprah/Tyrone Culver

The Packers figure to keep four safeties — perhaps five if one more is needed on special teams coverage units — and the team seems to be looking for a reason to cut ties with veteran Marquand Manuel, who isn't slated to play tonight. Peprah and Culver can give the team that reason by playing well tonight. Three safety spots are set — starter Nick Collins, presumed starter Atari Bigby and injured rookie third-round pick Aaron Rouse are in. Peprah, Culver, Manuel and Alvin Nnabuife are battling for that fourth spot, and Peprah and Culver appear to be neck-and-neck at this point. Both will play early in the game with a chance to make one final impression.

 

[TOPHAT]

JSOnline Preview

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=654707

Preview: Green Bay Packers vs. Tennessee Titans

Injury report: Packers - RB Vernand Morency (knee), WR Donald Driver (foot), OG Tony Palmer (hamstring), OT Tony Moll (stinger), WR Shaun Bodiford (knee), DE Michael Montgomery (knee), RB Brandon Jackson (concussion), LB Abdul Hodge (knees), LB Spencer Havner (back), OG Jason Spitz (calf), DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) and S Aaron Rouse (hamstring) are out. Titans - DT Rien Long (knee) is out; RB Chris Henry (hamstring) is doubtful; DE Antwan Odom (hip), CB Nick Harper (groin) and TE Ben Troupe (foot) are questionable.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH:

FIRST THINGS FIRST: The Titans plan to play their starters into the third quarter, making them one of the few teams in the NFL to put any importance on the final exhibition game. Coach Jeff Fisher doesn't like the idea of having his starters go a full two weeks without playing a game. The Packers, by comparison, will play their starters a series or two and then use the game to evaluate younger players fighting for roster spots.

AUDITION TIME: The Titans recently signed free agent defensive tackle Corey Simon to a minimum-wage deal, hoping to firm up the middle of their defense. Nevertheless, they'll be keeping an eye on a well-stocked Packers defensive line for potential help. GM Ted Thompson is reluctant to part with any of his defensive tackles, but he might listen to an offer from his close friend, Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt.

VINCE TIME: You have to see quarterback Vince Young to believe he's that good. The Packers will get a first-hand view. Young is coming off a terrific performance against Buffalo in which he completed 13 of 19 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown and ran for a 2-yard touchdown. It was his best showing this summer after being held out of the opener for not staying at the team hotel the night before the game and playing poorly against New England. Young will present a big challenge for the Packers' defensive line, which likes to aggressively attack the quarterback. Young can get out of the pocket and either throw on the run or scramble for big gains.

TAKE IT AND RUN: Two young backs with questionable pasts will be trying to make believers out of their respective teams. The Packers will get their first look at rookie DeShawn Wynn, who was taken in the seventh round because of his reputation for being lazy. A strong performance could vault Wynn into a prominent position come opening day. On the Titans' side, LenDale White, is close to winning a battle with Chris Brown for the starting job. White looked like a bust last year when he let his weight balloon, but he got his act together and has been slightly better than Brown.

CORNER MATTERS: The Packers won't play cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson so that Jarrett Bush, Will Blackmon, Patrick Dendy, Frank Walker and Tramon Williams will get opportunities to play against the big boys. They're not the only youngsters auditioning for jobs. Titans first-round pick Michael Griffin will get a chance to show he's worthy of being a starter. It will set up a pretty good matchup between the 6-foot, 202-pound Griffin and rookie receiver James Jones, the Packers' leading receiver with 16 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

 

[Packnic]

jeff fisher would play his starts for 3 quarters on the final preseason game...

that guy is, to put it simply... a ginormous ******.

 

[Obi1]

I think Favre will play as long as it takes for him and the receivers to click... it may take a quarter or two.

As to Jackson, I think the Packers pull him early. Seeing as how short the Packers are at that position, and the fact that they can not afford injury to Jackson.

Once the trend of the game has been established, they play the players on the bubble...

 

[TOPHAT]

Packersnews.com Preview

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com...20070830/PKR01/708300472/1057/PKR&located=RSS

5 things to watch in tonight's game

1. The Packers have only one unsettled starting job, at safety opposite Nick Collins, and Atari Bigby can wrap up that with a sound performance tonight. He started last week against Jacksonville and remained in the role in practice this week, so it's his to lose. The Packers are sitting his competition, veteran Marquand Manuel, presumably so Manuel won't get hurt in case they want to cut him if they're satisfied with Bigby. That will give backups Charlie Peprah and Tyrone Culver extensive playing time to show they can fill in during the regular season if injuries occur.

2. First-round draft pick Justin Harrell has had a quiet training camp at defensive tackle. He's a big man who's been a strong anchor in the middle, but he hasn't made many plays. The Packers gave him more snaps in training camp than any other defensive tackle to help get him into football shape. He missed most of his senior year in college with a torn biceps tendon. But they also thought they wore him down and hurt his performance in camp. They backed off on his workload this week, so he should be as fresh and sharp as he's been in training camp. If the regular season started tonight, he probably wouldn't suit up for the 45-man roster. He'll get extensive playing time tonight to show whether he's ready to move up the depth chart.


3. With rookie Brandon Jackson (concussion) and Vernand Morency (knee) in shaky health for the start of the season, the Packers are desperate to find a running back with more running talent than the dependable Noah Herron, who is the No. 3 back. The best shot for that on their roster is seventh-round pick DeShawn Wynn, a career underachiever and injury-prone player at Florida. Wynn missed the first three preseason games because of a quadriceps injury, so this is his last stand. Coach Mike McCarthy will give him as many carries as he can handle to see if he's worth a spot on the roster.


4. The camp-long kicking battle is coming down to the last week. The best guess is sixth-round draft pick Mason Crosby has a slight edge over Dave Rayner, but tonight will factor in. McCarthy said he might even concede a third-down play if he's in long field-goal range to give Rayner or Crosby a shot at a tough kick in a game setting. Crosby had a 52-yarder against Pittsburgh, so Rayner presumably will get the next shot at a long attempt. Both clearly are NFL-caliber kickers and auditioning for other teams, as well. The Packers are looking to trade one before final cuts Saturday.


5. More than anything, the Packers' goal for this game is to come out without any injuries of note. The starters will play a couple of series at most, so that's when the most critical damage could occur, though several key backups will play extensively.

 

[TOPHAT]

Scout Insider Preview

http://packers.scout.com/2/673632.html

Packers at Titans: Five things to watch

The Green Bay Packers wrap up their preseason schedule Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field in Nashville, meaning it will be the final chance for many backups to win a roster spot. In what is the most meaningless game of an otherwise meaningless exhibition season, the Green Bay Packers’ preseason finale Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans will be big for a number of players, mainly reserves but also a few starters. The Packers will have to reduce their roster by 20-some players by Saturday afternoon, and a handful of those players have a chance of earning a roster spot with a good performance at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.

“There are questions at the offensive line. The tight end group, there's a question there. The receiver group, there are a couple guys there I want to look at,” said McCarthy. “Fullback, running back, you could go through the roster. Two quarterbacks, three quarterbacks, what are you going to do there? Defensive line, we have so much depth there. How many guys can we keep? The corner group, those are all very healthy problems, corner, safety and even the linebackers, too. There is a guy at every position that needs to step up in a big way.”

As the backups are battling it out, here are five things to watch as the Packers play the Titans:

1. Packers rushing attack: Vernand Morency (knee) is not expected to play, and Brandon Jackson may not play after sustaining a slight concussion in practice on Sunday. Without either of those two in the lineup, it will be difficult to gauge the progress of the rushing attack, which has averaged 3.5 yards per attempt this preseason. Noah Herron will start at running back with rookie Korey Hall making his fourth straight start at fullback. The Packers will be looking closely at rookie DeShawn Wynn and free agent Corey White, who may play both running back and fullback. Wynn, who has missed a number of practices with a quadriceps injury, will be playing in his first preseason game, and it may be his only shot at making the team. Brandon Miree will play behind Hall. Miree also missed the early part of training camp due to a neck stinger injury and has fallen behind Hall on the depth chart. Miree will need a good performance as a blocker and catching the ball out of the backfield to make the team.

2. Can Atari Bigby continue to play like a starter? Bigby appears to be on the verge of replacing veteran Marquand Manuel in the lineup. First, though, he will have to show against the Titans that he can continue to be an explosive playmaker and communicate well with his teammates on the field. If he does, there is a good chance that Manuel will be released depending how well backup safeties Tyrone Culver, Charlie Peprah and Alvin Nnabuife play. Either one of those three could win the fourth safety spot, which would make Manuel the odd man out. Nick Collins, Bigby, and third-round pick Aaron Rouse are locks to make the team.

3. Zac Alcorn or Clark Harris? With a good game, one of these two tight end can win a roster spot behind Donald Lee and Bubba Franks. If neither of them play well, they could both be released by Saturday. Both have had their ups and downs in practices and preseason games. Alcorn has the slight edge because of his experience in the offense, and he is a better blocker. But Harris was selected by Green Bay in the seventh round of the recent NFL draft. If Harris does not make the team, the Packers probably will place him on the practice squad.

4. Nickel cornerback battle: The Packers have the pleasant problem of choosing among a handful of quality cornerbacks to play behind Al Harris and Charles Woodson in the team’s passing defenses. Will Blackmon and Jarrett Bush are locks to make the team with the final opening up for grabs between Patrick Dendy, Frank Walker and Tramon Williams. Dendy is the favorite in this race, but Walker could pass him up with a good game against the Titans. Williams is the darkhorse in the battle, but appears that he is headed toward the practice squad.

5. Dave Rayner vs. Mason Crosby: Another pleasant problem. In what has been the most intense kicking battle in team history, the Packers will have to decide on which kicker to keep for the regular season. Crosby has a slight edge on Rayner going into this game. If the rookie sixth round pick makes all of his attempts, look for him to win the job. Rayner could come out ahead of Crosby, but only if Crosby struggles badly against the Titans.

 

[Packnic]

no way obi1... Favre wont play past 3 series no matter what. cant risk a stupid preseason injury.

and brandon jackson ... i dont think he will even play a down... if he does it wont be many.

 

[porky88]

This game is so meaningless that the Pack could win or lose by 40 and I wouldn't care less. Basically the scrubs are fighting for roster spots in this game.

 

[IronMan]

Good stuff Tophat. My main concern is that everyone gets through the game with no injuries. ray:

 

[DoddPower]

I'm excited that the Titans are going to be playing their starter's a lot against our 2nd and 3rd stringers. What a great opportunity for them!!

 

[warhawk]

This sets up as great fodder for the TT haters who will be out in force tommorrow since Jeff has decided to keep his starters in that long.

This actually sets up perfectly for MM who would want to see these young guys in there against #1's as much as possible. It gives a much better indication of where they stand than if they were playing against third stringers.

But if we get beat by three TD's or whatever some moran will come in here and call for TT's head. Watch.

 

[TOPHAT]

Railbird Preview

http://www.railbirdcentral.com/2007/08/five-things-to-watch-tonight_30.html

Five things to watch tonight

This is the exhibition finale for the Green Bay Packers tonight. It's the last tune up as the team prepares for the regular season, and, more importantly, it's the last chance for some players to make the team. So what to watch for ...?

Watch new players in the starting lineup - Several starters are being given the night off either due to injury or just to save them from injury. In the spotlight will be their replacements. Watch rookie receiver James Jones as a starter to see if he can continue his impressive beginning to the season. Noah Herron steps in as the starting halfback. Can he do more than just be a third down back? And neither Al Harris nor Charles Woodson will play at cornerback tonight. That means plenty of reps for likely starters Jarrett Bush and Patrick Dendy, but also for Frank Walker, Will Blackmon and Tramon Williams as well.

Watch players on the bubble - The Packers are looking for a third tight end with Zac Alcorn and Clark Harris duking it out. Beyond Desmond Bishop, the Packers are also looking for their backup linebackers. Will Tracy White or Rory Johnson or Tim Goodwell step up? And a pair of undrafted rookies along the defensive line look to state their case in Daniel Muir and Larry Birdine.

Watch Brett Favre - While many starters are getting the night off, Favre isn't. But he's only going to play two or three series, though. The main reason that he's playing is to get in sync with his young receivers before the regular season begins probably. You'll have to watch early, but Favre most likely will be throwing those first couple possessions. Jones, Jennings, and Ruvell Martin will be the recipients.

Watch the fullbacks - Rookie Korey Hall looks like he's the starter at fullback. No one could have imagined that the sixth round draft choice and converted linebacker would be protecting Brett Favre this early in his career. He still has to prove he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Brandon Miree is fighting for his roster life. Expect him to get a lot of playing time as he tries to stay healthy and be effective at the same time. And Corey White has to show he can be versatile and play fullback as well as halfback in order to unseat Miree from his job. Even DeShawn Wynn might have to be an emergency fullback if he makes the roster.

Watch the specialists - Kickoffs are nearly as important as field goal kicking. See if Mason Crosby can send the ball as deep as Dave Rayner on kickoffs. And watch the return specialists once Will Blackmon hits the bench. If either David Clowney or Tramon Williams busts a long return, it will make it that much harder to cut them.

 

[TOPHAT]

http://www.mytvisonfire.com/packersnation/?p=2332

Packers vs Titans Game Preview: Things & Players to watch

The starters. This is the last chance for the starters to get the kinks worked out before the season starts. While the starters will play probably 3 series at the most, you won’t get to see much of them but you should be able to see if they have improved since last week. Hopefully Brett Favre has developed more chemistry with his young receivers and hopefully the offensive line can open some holes for the running game.

Our backups vs their starters. If you haven’t heard supposedly the Titans are going to play their starters for three quarters while we are only going to play ours for 2-3 series. (I think this is stupid by the Titans since it is supposed to rain and they are putting their starters at a big risk for getting injured.) This gives the Titans a huge advantage in the game. I would be shocked if the Packers win this game. If they do the Titans better be in panic mode since if our backups can beat their starters they are going to be terrible this season. While I am not expecting a win (neither should any other Packer fan) I am hoping the backups can hold their own and not get blown out.

The backup RBs. Since Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson won’t be playing tonight we will get a good opportunity to look at backup RBs. Noah Herron is going to get the start. Herron is going to have to play hard or there is a slim chance he could be cut. After Noah Herron we will finally get to see what Deshawn Wynn has. He has missed every preseason game so far because of illness and injury. If he can show the potential to be a good RB (which he does have) he probably will earn a spot on the team. If not he will be cut. Finally Corey White will get the last carries. White is going to have to show something this week at both FB (finally will get some time at) and RB. If he shows potential I could see the Packers cutting Brandon Miree (Korey Hall has already been named the starter) and keeping Corey White as a RB/FB hybrid.

Paul Thompson. This is Paul Thompson’s last chance to make the team. At this point I believe he will have to have a great game and show potential to be even better in order to make the team. He was been dreadful in both practice and preseason games lately. He shows flashes of potential but they are between interception after interception. If he doesn’t show anything he will be cut and we will probably only keep 2 QBs on the roster.

David Clowney. If he doesn’t show anything this week I think he will be cut as well. I hope he shows something because I think he has the potential to be a great downfield threat. He hasn’t really made any big plays yet though. If he doesn’t make the team I hope we can sneak him on the practice squad because I believe with some time to develop he could be an above average WR.

Zac Alcorn and Clark Harris. Will either of these two show anything? Neither has really done anything worthy of making the team. If neither step up tonight I believe we will cut both of them and bring someone else in. If one of them could step up they probably would guarantee that final TE spot but how they have been playing so far neither of them will make the team.

Justin Harrell. Harrell will finally be getting an extended look during game time situations. Hopefully he can show the potential to be great and that he was deserving of our first rounder. At this point I don’t think he will contribute much this year. I think the main reason is because he is still getting into NFL shape after missing all of last season. Hopefully he can rebound and have a great second season.

Larry Birdine and Jason Hunter. One of these two players will make the team most likely because Michael Montgomery will miss the entire season. The job will probably go to whoever plays better in the game since at this point they are both even.

The backup linebackers. At this point Nick Barnett, AJ Hawk, Brady Poppinga, Desmond Bishop (after last week’s performance), and Abdul Hodge (probably will be put on IR) will make the team. The Packers will keep at least one more and probably two more. Will any of our backups be able to step up. At this point I believe Spencer Havner and Rory Johnson will make the team but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers picked someone off the waiver wire after the next set of cuts.

Tramon Williams, Patrick Dendy, Frank Walker. These three CBs are fighting for the last spot on the team. Each one has their own positive. Tramon Williams is the youngest and has the most potential. Patrick Dendy is familiar with the system and was our #3 last season. Frank Walker was our only free agent signing and he shows flashes of being a great CB. Whoever steps up the most will probably get the last spot.

Tyrone Culver and Charlie Peprah. At this point these two safeties are fighting to try and make the roster and make Marquand Manuel expendable. If one of them step up I am guessing they will make the team and Marquand Manuel will be cut. So far neither has shown much though. Hopefully one of them step up so we can cut Manuel.

Dave Rayner vs Mason Crosby. It’s the final showdown in the kicking battle. Who will win the job? At this point I would think Crosby is going to win because he is younger, and has been more accurate. If he has a bad game though Rayner does have the chance to make the team. There have also been trade reports surrounding the kickers and one might be traded. If we can’t work out a trade we might actually keep two kickers on the roster until we do find a trade.