If you haven’t heard, the sky is falling. The Packers are done. Matt LaFleur is overrated, Jordan Love is a bum, and the defense is a sieve. The team looks incredibly unprepared and sloppy, which is par for the course and a big reason this same team went 11-6 last…wait, 11-6? Can’t be. The roster is trash and the coaching is subpar.
If the above seems insane to you, welcome to Packers social media Saturday night. Was it ideal? Of course not. But history tells us that the results of preseason games mean next to nothing. What does matter are individual performances, and despite the result there were more positives than what you might see on the surface.
So who and what should fans be watching for in preseason game two?
Packers Left Tackle Battle
While there were rough spots, both Jordan Morgan and 2nd round pick Anthony Belton both showed flashes against the Jets strong defensive line. While Belton is certainly a tantalizing prospect, Morgan is the player fans should be focused on.
With Rasheed Walker out due to injury, Morgan will never have a better chance this season to take the number one left tackle spot. I think it’s what Green Bay wants as well. I do not think they have any interest in paying Walker, who is a serviceable player, top end tackle money. Which is what they’d likely have to do given the free agent market for the position.
If Morgan can take the job and not give it back, the Packers not only upgrade the position, but do it at much cheaper deal. This frees the team up to let Walker go in free agency next year and grab a comp pick, or even trade him before the season begins. I doubt they trade him, but Morgan gives them that option if he steps up.
Matthew Golden, WR1?
Matt LaFleur hates talking about this, but the fact remains that the team could greatly benefit from one of it’s young wide receivers to step up and be the guy that Jordan Love can count on.
Asking a rookie to be that guy may be a tall order, but the Packers might not have a choice:
Golden has impressed in camp – particularly in his ability to not drop passes. If he continues to have sure hands, and his speed is as advertised, he may quickly become the main focus of Green Bay’s passing attack.
Lukas Van Ness Breakout Season?
Green Bay needs more from it’s pass rush. It’s why they brought in a new defensive line coach. But the team didn’t do anything in free agency, and didn’t address it in the draft until round 4. That’s because the team clearly believes it has the pieces on the roster already.
Rashan Gary is the marquee name, but Van Ness has been making waves in practices so far:
The Colts have a solid offensive line, so it would be great to see Van Ness get out there and make an impact. If the pass rush can just get a little more consistent then the team has a great shot and being a top ten defense this year.
Packers Fans – Keep Perspective
It is the preseason. All that matters is getting through it with minimal injuries. Game planning is minimal, and LaFleur isn’t calling the offense. So instead of worrying about the results, focus on a player or two and see if they flash, you’ll be a whole lot happier that way.
