Kansas City Chiefs visited Lambeau Field in Green Bay to face the Packers in the fourth and final week of the 2019 preseason. As expected, most starters were not active including Rodgers who did not participate in preseason this year. Being at Lambeau, they actually managed to play with a 100-yard field this time.
One primary focus of this game was the competition between Tim Boyle and DeShone Kizer for the QB2 spot to backup Rodgers this season. Going into this game, Boyle has mostly overshadowed Kizer the first three games this preseason. Kizer started the first two games of the preseason and this was Boyle’s second start.
Gutekunst spoke prior to the game on the two quarterbacks:
Obviously, Tim had a really good night [against Oakland]. He had an opportunity to run with a different group than he had before and he did a really nice job. I think it’s really close. I think both guys have done a good job. They’ve both progressed, they’ve both gotten better. Again, they’re young, improving quarterbacks and this will be another step Thursday night.
Given Rodgers’ age and recent history with injuries, it is a decision the team has to get right. With that said, Boyle had the start against the Chiefs, but statistically they were pretty close for the night. Kizer was picked off in the 2nd quarter by Chiefs S Jordan Lucas, but he was facing a lot of pressure on the play and there seemed to be a miscommuncation between him and his intended receiver, J’Mon Moore. This was Kizer’s 2nd INT for the preseason — keep in mind he had 22 INTs in 2017 with the Browns. Kizer seems to play really great except for when he plays really bad.
Not to be forgotten, Manny Wilkins made a highlight-reel-worthy hurdle over a defender in the 4th quarter. Doubt it will get him a spot on the roster, but there’s always practice squad.
ILB Ty Summers had a great night with a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown. A pick-six is not a bad way for a young player to prove their value to their team late in the preseason.
74-yard PICK SIX by @summerTYme42!#KCvsGB #GoPackGo https://t.co/YcUmzRatY5
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 30, 2019
His spot on the 53-man roster looks a bit more likely and his great performance comes after the news that ILB Oren Burks is recovering from a pectoral injury(although he may not be out for long based on recent reports). Summers was a 7th round draft pick for the Packers during the 2019 draft.
TE Jace Sternberger was out in the first half with an ankle injury, but it does not appear to be serious:
#Packers rookie TE Jace Sternberger said the ankle injury he suffered in the first half wasn't serious and he expected to be ready for the season opener vs. the #Bears. He was not cleared to return in the second half, however, but said he wanted to go back in.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) August 30, 2019
Boyle’s TD to TE Sternberger in the 2nd QTR following a recovered fumble by Marcus Jones:
A couple post-game comments from Matt LaFleur on the competition for LG position and a vague observation about his WRs:
"Elgton (Jenkins) will be suited up as an emergency fill in, but for the most part, we've done the necessary work…it's going to be a competition throughout the season, but right now Lane Taylor is the starter." – Matt LaFleur on the guard battle https://t.co/XhmNCCVlWY #Packers
— 620wtmj (@620wtmj) August 29, 2019
There was some reasonable speculation that rookie Elgton Jenkins would take the spot away, but LaFleur cleared that up.
The battle between Tra Carson and Dexter Williams raged on for a RB spot. Williams had 9 carries for 34 yards including a touchdown. Carson had 6 carries for 25 yards. Williams was the star of the night, but Carson still appears to be the favorite for the spot.
It’s worth noting that two of the touchdowns for the night were by TEs Sternberger and Evan Baylis. Expect to see a lot more action from TEs this season compared to the previous administration. Also worth noting is that Mason Crosby missed 1 of his 2 extra point attempts(went wide left on the XP following Summers’ defensive TD).
It’s now football season.
“Lol Andy…looks like you’re a happy meal and a chocolate shake away from a heart attack ” – Matt LeFleur
“Fuck off Matt, i just lost 70 lbs.” – Andy Ried
“Hey Andy I was doing some figuring and I realized that you and I have the same number of Super Bowl Titles as a head coach!”-Matt LaFleur
“Hey Matt if you do this long enough, pretty soon you’ll look like me.”
Good thing they stood with Taylor. I like Elgton-Jenkins, but come on, you don’t sit a decent starter with actual nfl experience, not for an untested rookie. His contract wasn’t that crazy, so it’s not like replacing him would save us a ton of cash (roughly 3M). You can buy more than three Taylors with one Billy Turner.
Back to Elgton-Jenkins, I bet he really pushes for a starting job next year.
My thoughts exactly. 100