The offensive duel between the Eagles and Packers, provided starting players are indeed started, looks to be one of the better matchups this preseason.Both teams are trying out some new personnel at important positions. The Eagles, with quarterback Sam Bradford and tailback tandem DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. The Packers, suddenly, with a new starting receiver after they lost Jordy Nelson for the year to a knee injury.
Though quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still unsure who that man will be. Current candidates include rookie Ty Montgomery and second-year man Jeff Janis. The former took first-team snaps in practice recently and the latter has drawn criticism for inconsistency from his own coaches.
For now, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are both promoted to first and second, respectively. Tight ends Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers are also in the running for increased use in the passing game, as is tailback Eddie Lacy. But they're not Jordy.
"Jordy's an incredible receiver," he said. "He got a lot of targets, the most targets [for the team] last year. That's because he was open the most."
Nelson was targeted 149 times all told, for a team-best 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The practice Rodgers seems to need with potential replacements doesn't seem to be in the works for Saturday's game at Lambeau Field. Starters rarely endure much, if any, of the third exhibition game, and Rodgers himself called the preseason "meaningless" after the team's second game, in Pittsburgh.
Ahead of Saturday's game, the Packers signal caller likes where he sees the progress of the team regardless of who is out there.
"We're right where we need to be," he said. "We've had some productive drives when we've been out there. I'm happy where we're at. We have some guys banged up right now, so not sure what the playing time will be, but whatever Mike decides, I'm confident we'll be ready when the season starts.
No comments:
Post a Comment