The Green Bay Packers will play out the preseason string tonight when the Kansas City Chiefs come to town. This game will tell us next to nothing about the team as a whole because few, if any, starters will play. There’s still plenty on the line for a lot of guys though.
Namely, jobs.
Here’s who we’ll be paying extra special attention to this evening. These guys hold their destiny in their hands.
Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien — You know the story here. One of these guys will win the No. 2 quarterback job. Or maybe one will lose it. Either way, we’re going to figure out who Aaron Rodgers’ backup is and in a competition too close to call, this game will have more to say about that than anything.
Jeff Janis, Kevin Dorsey and Myles White — Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Jarrett Boykin and Davante Adams are the Packers top four receivers. Who is No. 5? And does someone stand out enough to make the Packers keep six receivers? We’re guessing Janis brings enough to the table to be No. 5, but Dorsey, White and even Alex Gillett have all shown flashes. They should all get plenty of opportunities to make an impression this evening.
Letroy Guion — This guy finally got on the practice field this week for the first time as a member of the Packers. After signing in the offseason, he stood around with a balky hamstring until Monday. We don’t expect Guion to play a lot in this game, but he should get some action. He’s the only other true nose tackle on the roster other than undrafted rookie Mike Pennel, now that B.J. Raji is lost for the season. Can Guion do anything? Who knows. Hopefully, we’ll have some idea after tonight.
Mike Pennel — We’ve already given Pennel a roster spot. He better not doing anything to fuck that up tonight.
Carl Bradford — This guy was a fourth-r0und pick and he’s done next to nothing of note. Of course, he’s spent the majority of camp at outside linebacker, a position where the Packers are loaded. Bradford briefly played inside linebacker this week. Not a lot of time to make a position switch. The question about Bradford, regardless of where he plays in this game, is if he’s able to show anything that says he deserves a roster spot.
Andy Mulumba — We haven’t heard much about Child Warrior Andy Mulumba this preseason. That likely means he’s on the roster bubble. But we like Child Warrior Andy Mulumba! High upside, that guy! Seriously, Mulumba probably has to do something in this game to lock down a roster spot. He’s still raw and developing and we’d hate to see him develop for another team.
Jayrone Elliott — Here’s another undrafted rookie we’ve handed a roster spot to. He needs to keep the momentum of the last two weeks — when he’s had four sacks and batted down a pass — going this week.
Jumal Rolle — The Packers are loaded at cornerback. They have five quality cornerbacks, four of whom could probably start for most teams in the league. Then there’s Jumal Rolle, who spent part of last season on the Packers practice squad. He’s had himself a nice camp. It’s going to be hard for the Packers to keep six cornerbacks. Rolle could make this decision an interesting one. A standout game tonight will make him awfully hard to cut.
Stoneburner is another guy that comes to mind.
Nick Perry, the guy has been shit since day one and its time to cut bait and let him go play with his balls in the dirt like he wants. Jayrone should be running with the twos right now with Neal.
Nick Perry and Mike Neal only played a single series. Obviously, they are your #2s.
Perry is being underrated. When healthy he has generated a very solid push. This preseason is no different where he has handled #2’s very well. The sack numbers may not be there but that doesn’t mean the pressure hasn’t(It in fact has along with stout run defense). There is absolutely ZERO% chance that he doesn’t make this roster easily and that has nothing to do with him being a #1 overall pick.
How did we pick both Khyri Thornton and Carl Bradford, two defensive busts right out of the gates. Does Ted have different scouts for defense than offense? Is Dom Capers in his ear? What is going on?
Also this is not all hindsight. Even as a layman who does not obsesses over mock drafts, I did not like the Thornton pick. No one did.
I agree it seems like a reach. But you can’t judge him based off his rookie season. Not very many rookie DL rip it up in year one.
Chris Banjo? He has far from assured himself a roster spot. You dont generally keep more than 4 safeties, and richardson has been better the entire preseason.
And Jeff Janis has pretty much locked himself up a spot. God the guy has wheels. Hopefully he can refine his route running. He does that, the packers offense becomes nearly impossible to defend.