Family Night Called Off After Two Drives, Packers Looking Ahead to Browns

Last night’s highly anticipated annual scrimmage at Lambeau Field did not go quite as expected. After two drives which featured the starting offense and the number two defense, the game was called off for weather reasons. Severe weather never struck throughout the night and many fans were left disappointed with the abridged version of such an enjoyable night.

There were some fireworks that the fans were able to enjoy. Undrafted rookie Brandian Ross jumped an Aaron Rodgers pass to James Jones and returned it for a touchdown. Randall Cobb has been a stand out during practices, and last night he connected with Rodgers for a 40 yard gain.

With the Family Night scrimmage an essential bust, the coaches have turned their attention to this weekend’s first preseason match up against the Browns, which I will preview further in the week.

What Should Be Mike McCarthy’s Top Priority During the Pre-season?

 

We are eight days away from the Packers first preseason game of the summer. The game will be held in Cleveland, and we are likely to see lots of former Packers running back, Brandon Jackson. Most fans accept the preseason as a rather meaningless games with meaningless outcomes. This is just not true. The preseason may not be essential to eight year veterans, but to the rookies and middle of the road players, the preseason is the opportunity to prove yourself on the football field, this season especially. The lockout kept rookies from being able to work with their coaches and many of their fellow teammates, making these four preseason games dress rehearsals for the regular season.

For the Packers, the preseason will be used to settle position battles and finalize the depth chart, but if the Packers are hoping for a Super Bowl year there is something more important that Mike McCarthy should do with these preseason games.

Players who were on the injured reserved list last season, specifically Jermichael Finley, Brad Jones, and Ryan Grant, have spent a lot of time away from competitive football. Most coaches use the strategy for resting regular season starters during the preseason, to avoid injury. However, if a football player is not allowed the opportunity to reacquaint himself with the speed and demand of a competitive game properly, he might not be prepared for a competitive game and could be hurt then.

If Mike McCarthy wants players like Finley, Grant, and Jones to be at their best when it really matters, he must give them lots of reps when the scoreboard is meaningless. The rookies can wait their turn, they will have a hard time adjusting to the speed of the NFL anyway. Give these returning players a chance to go back to their pre-injury form. Both Finley and Grant will be needed throughout the season to perform at a high level if the Packers are going to be able to compete against a tougher NFC.