Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New resources
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
Members
Current visitors
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Preseason Packers vs. Titans: Previews
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="TOPHAT" data-source="post: 163909" data-attributes="member: 781"><p><strong>Last Chance to Impress: Key Players</strong></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/207713" target="_blank">http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/207713</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Last Chance to Impress</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>Paul Thompson</strong></p><p></p><p>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."</p><p></p><p><strong>Zac Alcorn</strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>DeShawn Wynn</strong></p><p></p><p>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. </p><p></p><p><strong>Dave Rayner/Mason Crosby</strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>Frank Walker</strong></p><p></p><p>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. </p><p></p><p><strong>Charlie Peprah/Tyrone Culver</strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TOPHAT, post: 163909, member: 781"] [b]Last Chance to Impress: Key Players[/b] [url]http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/207713[/url] [b]Last Chance to Impress[/b] 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. [b]Paul Thompson[/b] 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." [b]Zac Alcorn[/b] 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. [b]DeShawn Wynn[/b] 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. [b]Dave Rayner/Mason Crosby[/b] 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. [b]Frank Walker[/b] 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. [b]Charlie Peprah/Tyrone Culver[/b] 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. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Members online
rmontro
Latest posts
R
Most hated teams outside of the division
Latest: rmontro
12 minutes ago
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
2024 Packer UDFA Tracker....
Latest: Pokerbrat2000
31 minutes ago
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
P
Assessing the Draft Class (2024)
Latest: Packer Fan in SD
Today at 8:54 PM
Draft Talk
NFC North Draft Review
Latest: Thirteen Below
Today at 8:01 PM
Draft Talk
2024 2nd Rd pick #58 Javon Bullard S
Latest: Thirteen Below
Today at 7:16 PM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Preseason Packers vs. Titans: Previews
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top