Just like previous games, the Green Bay Packers used the fourth preseason game to
Green Bay Packers
get a long look at their backups, players trying to win a spot on the 53-man roster.
The result was a sloppy 30-8 loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
The Packers acknowledged after the game that Don Barclay has won the right tackle job, which was expected. Players that stood out, Chris Banjo and Micah Hyde on defense and Jeremy Ross on offense.
Now the Packers have to reduce their roster from 75 to 53 players by 5pm Saturday.
Aaron Rodgers didn’t play in last nights game and the rest of the starters on both sides of the ball, played just a series before giving way to the backups. That means Rodgers will head into the season opener at San Francisco on Sunday with five series in three games. But the Packers wanted to come out of this healthy and for the most part, they are.
AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on his teams health :10
Vince Young got most of the playing time in this contest at quarterback, but he did little to inspire anyone about his ability to be the Packers backup. Young finished 13 of 29 for 121 yards and a pair of fumbles. He played a total of 11 series in the game and finished with a quarterback rating of 61.0.
B.J. Coleman finished just 2 of 7 for 19 yards and didn’t play at all in the second half. He’s likely headed for another year of seasoning on the practice squad.
Jeremy Ross caught three passes for 50 yards and would appear to have won the 5th receivers spot and the punt return job.
AUDIO: Jeremy Ross says he’s improved from day 1 :16
Micah Hyde had a pair of sacks in four preseason games and appears to have done enough to make the team. Defensive lineman Johnny Jolly also picked up a sack last night, even further cementing his likely spot on the 53-man roster.
One thing is certain about this preseason. Mike McCarthy’s plan to get the backups plenty of playing time has left us all with the question of just how good this team is. Does anyone really know how the Packers will do this season?
Based on what I have seen, I think the Packers are in for a better year on defense. There’s more depth and quality at both defensive line and linebacker than a year ago. If the offense can maintain their numbers from a year ago, the Packers could be a better football team based on defensive improvement.
They want to run the ball more, but haven’t been able to do much in the preseason. Even with the addition of Eddie Lacy, the offensive line is too much of an unknown at this point
