Preseason Preview: Green Bay Packers at Tennessee

by Brandon on Sep 3, 2009 7:00 AM CDT in Analysis Comment 11 comments

by Mark Humphrey - AP

Wednesday was the travel day for the Green Bay Packers down to Nashville for the final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.

I haven't followed the Titans at all this preseason, but they lost their last game 23-17 against Cleveland. It sounds like they miss DT Albert Haynesworth, which is no surprise. Maybe they're not happy with their wide receivers if they think Matt Jones is the answer to any question, except "Name a 1st round bust of the Jaguars?"

As far as the Packers are concerned, here's what to watch for:

Don't blink! You might miss the 1st team offense. QB Aaron Rodgers was on the field for exactly one play in their 2008 preseason game against Tennessee, a 68 yard TD strike to WR Greg Jennings.
Can LB Nick Barnett and LB Clay Matthews prove they deserve to start? They've both been out the entire preseason, so this is their first, and only, opportunty to prove it.
15 players for a couple roster spots. The 53 man roster is pretty much set, although it's not clear who will go on I.R. yet. They have to trim the roster down from 75, while 5 or 6 guys will sign on the practice squad, and maybe a few players will go on I.R. So I'm guessing that leaves about 15 players looking at their outright release.
Some players, like CB Pat Lee, I haven't seen play at all this preseason, and I have no idea whether he'll be placed on I.R. (out for the season), the PUP list (back after six weeks), or to the 53 man roster. Injuries to CB Will Blackmon, S Aaron Rouse, and S Charlie Peprah have left the secondary thin. But it's given an opportunity to CB Brandon Underwood.
There will have to be some cuts to the offensive line too. Can an undrafted player like OL Dane Randolph beat out OL Jamon Meredith for a roster spot?
Someone has to go at linebacker too. LB Jeremy Thompson was great back in June, but his first action this preseason was last week at Arizona and he didn't have a big game. He might be playing for a job. Do they have room to keep 7th round pick LB Brad Jones, or is he a candidate for the practice squad?

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I'll be watching the Bears game tonight

because the Packers game won’t be shown on the NFL Network until 10:30 a.m. CT Friday. It will be nice to only have to do this one more time. I’ll just be listening to the radio or doing game center for the regular season.

"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth

by TkGoUWGB on Sep 3, 2009 8:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The final cuts are more interesting than the game, which will obviously have a lot of backups playing. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few guys on the PUP list, like Lee and Harrell.

Also the Pack will probably try to work a trade or two (Kuhn or Hall), and then try to sneak a few guys to the practice squad (Jones, Swain). Should be an interesting weekend

Side note: I got an e-mail from XM, saying that the NFL radio package is available for XM subscribers for two weeks. I went outside and checked, and I am getting the NFL games. Convenient because I am travelling out of state tonight.

by grant76 on Sep 3, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

From what I understand, you can only be PUP’d if you don’t participate an any training camp practices or pre-season games, so I don’t think you can PUP Lee or Harrell as they have already practiced in Training Camp..

Lee should be playing tonight and I look forward to seeing him. I think he’s better than Blackmon, Underwood, and the rest.

Godspeed...

by _William_ on Sep 3, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe somebody has clarification

I think there is an “active” PUP, which can be used before a player starts training camp (Barnett and Jones) and then there is the normal “reserve” PUP which is used before the first game and lasts through the first 6 games.

You are right about Lee starting tonight. Harrell would still be an option I guess. Blackmon, might be too. His injuries are weird.

by grant76 on Sep 3, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Documentation on this is really poor, but I found a link stating you have to be on the Active first in order to be placed on the Reserve. Who knows if that’s true. I do know that when Harrell was PUP’d last year, he wasn’t able to partake in any training camp practices.

Godspeed...

by _William_ on Sep 3, 2009 12:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Longshot

I don’t think Thompson (either one) is going anywhere soon.
Both Lee and Harrell would have to go on IR not PUP.
Longshot:
If Lee and Underwood play well and if Wynn and Sutton do well returning punts maybe and it’s a big MAYBE they trade Blackmon. Reasons—-if the other players step up he would be the 5th CB and he’s been hurt alot in his career, including now. Plus w/ his return ability he has more value on the market.

by BubbaOne on Sep 3, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope Thompson isn’t going anywhere, the staff has been really high on him all offseason. It sounds like he has great speed, and athleticism, and can rush the passer well. I think he will be the starter this year eventually, as MM said he thinks he will be one of the surprise players in the league this year.

I can’t wait to see how Barnett and Matthews look tonight. I also hope Raji sees more action, and hopefully a decent amount against the Titans starters. (if their starters are even playing..does anyone know?)

by packallday555 on Sep 3, 2009 2:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I seriously doubt...

…Thompson’s spot on the Packers is in jeopardy.

I also think Jones has done enough to earn a spot on the 53, especially considering his special teams experience.

And I’m thinking Tony Moll’s career with the Packers is winding down.

"stay (green and) gold"

by Green and Bold on Sep 3, 2009 2:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Online stream

Just wondering if anyone has found an online stream that they have used to watch some of the Packers preseason games this year. I found one last week, but I can’t remember what site it was at. I would love to watch the game, especially the beginning, so if anyone could share a stream with me it would be greatly appreciated!

by packallday555 on Sep 3, 2009 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs