After getting trounced by the Philadelphia Eagles 39-26 in preseason game #3 the Green Bay Packers walked back to the locker room icing their injuries and counting their blessings.

Packer Nation walked away from the game not knowing what to think, given the Green Bay Packers recent rash of injuries, coupled with inconsistencies and sloppy play, especially by the 1st team defense and special teams.

For example, Packers fans were full of beans at the start of the game, but their bliss subsided as they watched the Eagles march down the field and score a TD with relative ease on the very first drive.

In another example, Packers fans clapped with joy when Rajon Neal had a nice kick return and a second later were hissing naughty words when it was called back on a Chris Banjo penalty.

The Eagles and their hurry up no-huddle offense looked like it drank Reliant Recovery Water before the game, while Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and the Green Bay Packers 1st team defense played like they were sucking water from a garden hose coming straight out of the Fox River.

The Packers “D” was torched by Eagles starting quarterback Sam Bradford. He was 10 for 10 in passing attempts because he had all day in the pocket, and not once had to test his surgically repaired knee—leaving Packers fans wondering if applying pressure on the quarterback is going to be an issue again this season.

Then, just when Packers fans thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse this preseason, it did.

At first it didn’t seem like a big deal, but as soon as Randall Cobb popped up cradling his right arm after landing hard on the turf there was instant concern on the part of Packer Nation. A short time later Packers fans became downright petrified when the injury was described as a shoulder injury.

However, a day later there would be a collective sigh of Cheesehead relief when they learned that Cobb’s injury was just a “minor shoulder sprain” and he would neither be out for a long period of time or for the rest of the season.

Yet for Packers fans the feeling of despair didn’t end there.

Bryan Bulaga sustained an ankle sprain and Micah Hyde was carted off the field with neck spasms during the exhibition game. Key players getting hurt during a preseason game leaves all stakeholders with a nervous feeling.

The first half was so stomach-churning that some Packers fans started eating Rolaids and Tums like salted peanuts and pretzels. The second half of the game though, would be a different story.

Green Bay Packers fans were feeling nothing but elation for Brent Hundley after the game. After a somewhat shaky 1st quarter start he finally found his rhythm, looking confident and poised, even when on the scramble. That disposition would continue throughout the game until he was relieved by Matt Blanchard.

Packer Nation would be the first to admit that Jeff Janis is no Jordy Nelson—even though they do kind of look alike. On the upside, he does make Packers fans feel like there’s at least a tad bit of hope after watching him catch a TD pass on Saturday night. Janis has height, speed and vertical jumping ability. Now, he just needs to run his pass routes with more consistency.

WR Ty Montgomery continues to impress Packer Nation. He made some great catches in the game and showed everyone that he has a firm grip and soft hands. In other words, whether Aaron Rodgers is throwing him a cannonball or a cotton ball Montgomery will catch it. He has also proved himself in the kickoff return game.

TE Kennard Backman finally made Packers fans smile on Saturday night. He scored a touchdown and also made a nice reception to keep his chances of making the 53 man roster alive. Now that his club cast has been removed he might have a better chance to shine.

Yet, as soon as you think the sun will shine on Packer Land, old things like penalties and special team’s gaffs pop up on the horizon. These mental issues make Packers fans downright dizzy.

Finally, late in the 4th quarter with 5:35 left to play #50 LG Vince Kowalski showed why he should be a consideration. While pass blocking for Blanchard he looked like a “Rock’em Sock’em Robot,” hitting an Eagles DT so hard the “D” linemen went backwards by nearly two yards.

Despite some of the current blues that Packers fans may be feeling, there is hope. It is still the preseason.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only NFL team to go an entire regular season undefeated and win a Super Bowl were 3 and 3 during their preseason—and they accomplished this feat with their back-up quarterback at the helm most of the season.

So I’m not here to tell you to R-E-L-A-X or to stay C-A-L-M. I get it.

What I am trying to say to Packer Nation is to sit back, be cool and take a few deep breaths.

If that trick doesn’t work, crack open a bottle of Reliant Recovery Water. I heard the other day it does wonders and, who knows, maybe it can cure those Green Bay Packers preseason blues and hangovers.

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Todd Stelzel, a loyal Packers fan since 1966, is a contributing writer with PackersTalk.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ToddStelzel for more Packer news.

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