All I'm looking for is assignment-sure play. THAT is what preseason is about. Looked fine to me, especially since they've only been practicing together for such a short time. Actually, I've been really surprised at how decent most teams are looking at this point in the game.

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Since I think a Super Bowl winner should have the benefit of some doubt, I have decided to withhold any and all complaints about the OL until at least the saints game is in the books.*

*Provided Rodgers is not hurt beforehand.

(of course this is a easy resolution to make since I didn't see the first pre-season game. [aiee] )

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Yeah, from what I've seen and heard, there was no difference in the quality of play around the league compared to one year ago. That's what I expected, but a lot of people seemed to think there would be a big dropoff in quality.

CaliforniaCheez makes a good point about Dom Capers in the preseason. I had actually forgotten about that, because in Capers' first year the defense went all-out with the blitzes in the preseason. But last year they played very conservatively, which is probably typical for Capers. He just wanted to try everything out that first year.

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There were some miscues, but I didn’t see anything upfront that worries me. The running game is going to be strong this season. James Starks looks amazing and Ryan Grant is still a viable option. Plus, Aaron Rodgers will make the offensive line's pass protection look better than it is. Frankly, the first team offense looked great on their second drive. The three and out doesn't bother me.

I didn't see anything from the LG position that stood out. I thought T.J. Lang probably played a little better, but this was Sherrod's first game as a pro and they were moving him back and forth. I continue to believe the Packers will start their best five, which Sherrod is from a physical standpoint. Can he handle the mental part of the game, especially with the amount the Packers are throwing at the rookies in such a short time?

Defensively, they didn't pressure Colt McCoy because they don't pressure in the preseason. Jake Delhomme carved up the Packers last year in the preseason. How'd that work out? The Packers scheme pressure and they didn't scheme for the Browns. Can you connect the dots?

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Dom doesn't pull out the tricks in the preseason so it makes it harder on the Packers players. Which then makes it easier to evaluate who's better and who's going to step it up when things get rough.

Make it simple for the offense to figure out what you're doing so you get their all mental which makes it harder on your players and see who's up for the challenge. Same works the opposite way in the season. Make it hard to figure out you might confuse the offense which them confused they're not 100% sure what to do and therefor they don't get it all correct which makes it easier for the players.

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Yep.. of course the defense is vanilla.. it is preseason, but that doesn't mean guys should not be winning individual battles and standing up the blockers. No dots need connecting.

All I am saying, again it is early, that I think we are behind at the point of attack at this point comparatively looking at the competition, again most notably beyond the first string.

Preseason games, especially early games, are mostly about guys standing out and earning a spot on the team past the starters.. getting put in situations so the coaching staffs can evaluate. As noted many times.. been that way since the start of time.

But the still doesn't change the on both sides of the ball we struggled more than we didn't.. and it is early and correctable.. nothing to fret about but just the same we have work to do in a competitive nature.

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I believe the defensive line held their own in holding down the rush. I saw a few times where Neal and Raji were splitting double teams and either meeting the RB at the line or making them have to go around, allowing the LBs to make a play. I liked seeing Raji over the guard and Neal might just be that fit to replace Jenkins.

Offensive line. Bulaga, Sitton, and Wells seemed to do just fine and I might just watch the game again to see if there is anything minor. However, the RT backup, Marshall Newhouse was eaten alive. He looked very slow against the speed rusher and was caught leaning forward a lot on a block. If a choice had to be made at this moment for left guard, I would think it is TJ Lang. Sherrod is just too green and lacks a lot of fundamentals to be starting over a player that has the experience and the tools to start (Lang). I do like some of Sherrod's play but he has a lot to learn and I'd prefer he does that by watching and listening to Clifton about the left tackle position.

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I... lets see.. hell no. lol.

Your triangle of authority built it.. and well you have to deal with it. Curious.. how did they look sans McKinnie?

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The Vikings are going to have to run double tight ends the whole year, just to get people blocked.

We cry about our O-line quite a bit, but I'm not trading ours for the Lions, Vikings, or Bears o-lines.

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I think Starks looked REALLY good. And the new guy, Randal Cobb was pretty good too.
The defense, well, they looked bad. As far as coverage goes, they were not real good.
But then it was the first real contact, and i'm not worried yet. If they play that way when the real games start, then i would worry.
They have to look at alot of guys, which in a normal season they would have had a handle on who was coming along well and who was not. The coaches have to make their choices based on a few practices and a few "fake" games.
I think in that respect, the Packers will be ahead of alot of teams, as they have the main guys still here.

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