Green Bay Packers: Ten Things We Learned in the 2011 Preseason

The Packers are now finished with all four of their preseason games, and like every preseason, we've learned something a little new about the team.

Not much has changed with the way the team has played from how it played last season, and hopefully by kickoff, Coach Mike McCarthy will be able to fix up enough of the teams problems to face the New Orleans Saints.

Here are a few things that went nice, and some of the things that are clearly still a work in progress.

Aaron Rodgers Is Already in Midseason Form

Rodgers has played in the preseason much like he always has.

Since becoming the starter, Rodgers has thrown 1766 yards, 19 touchdowns, one interception, and hit 73% of his targets for a passer rating of 131.7.

This is the typical way Rodgers has played. Great in the preseason, a little slow in the first half of the season, but then begins to play extremely well after that.

In 2009, he threw five interceptions in the first eight games of the season, but from that point to the playoffs, he only threw three more.

In 2010, it's a similar story. Rodgers threw nine interceptions in the first half of the season, but from that point to the Super Bowl, he only threw four more, two of which weren't even his fault.

Rodgers may already be playing in midseason form, but don't hold your breath. He's more than likely going to make a few mistakes in the first half of the season. But all we have to do is be patient, because like in 2009 and 2010, it's only be a matter of time before he starts to really click. 

Green Bay's Backup Quarterbacks Are Getting Better

Matt Flynn was already rumored to be a quarterback with starting caliber potential, and the preseason has only helped him in that.

But don't eliminate the possibility of Green Bay trading him.

Graham Harrell has been taking more snaps, and while it may be his only highlight, Harrell did lead the team to a come from behind victory in Indianapolis.

While it would be great to keep a back-up quarterback like Flynn, the chances of keeping him seem very low. The league is quarterback hungry, so not only does Flynn know he could cash in on somewhere; he could easily gain a starting job as well.

And besides, why would Ted Thompson want to resign him if he thinks he's got another capable backup quarterback in Graham Harrell?

Trading Flynn might be what's best, but all things considered, he'll probably remain with the Packers this year. Thompson isn't big on making trades, so expect to see the Packers with three legit quarterbacks this year.

So'oto May Be a Diamond in the Rough

Of all rookies to enter camp this year, drafted and undrafted alike, Vic So'oto is the man that easily stands out from all of them.

And with the departure of Cullen Jenkins, he may have come just in time too.

So'oto has two and a half sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Almost all of his plays came against their opponent’s starters. Can you believe this guy went undrafted?

If this guy turns out to be as good as he looks, that means Green Bay will have So'oto, Erik Walden, Mike Neal, B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews as their best pass rushers.

We may be as effective at getting quarterbacks as ever, after all.

This wouldn't be the first time that an undrafted free agent almost made an immediate impact. Sam Shields anyone?

A Huge Battle Wages on Between Green Bay's Young Wide Receivers

Only five players, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson and rookie Randall Cobb, are guaranteed a roster spot at the wide receiver position. But there are so many other young wide receivers fighting for a roster spot that Thompson will simply have to make more room for at least one more.

Chastin West, Kerry Taylor and Tori Gurley have all impressed in the preseason, but there's going to be a painful cut here nonetheless.

Chastin West has the most yards with 153, including a 97 yard touchdown against the Cardinals, and a 20 yard touchdown against the Colts that was withdrawn because of a holding penalty by Chad Clifton.

Not only was Gurley consistent throughout the preseason (9 catches for 81 yards), he's made his impact on special teams felt. He's blocked five punts in practice, according to ESPN.com, and nearly made a blocked punt against the Colts.

Kerry Taylor never impressed in the passing game, but he did catch a touchdown pass against the Cardinals.

Between the three, I would keep Gurley. Yes, I know West looks like he's the real deal and I know how much potential he looks like he could have. But if there's one area Green Bay doesn't need any more help in, it's in the passing game.  

Gurley on the other hand looks like he could really impress on special teams, and that's something that the Packers can't get enough of right now. I pray that if West goes on the practice squad, he'll stay there, but I admit with how good he's looked in the preseason, that could be very unlikely.

A Huge Battle Wages on Between Green Bay's Young Tight Ends

As if having to decide between three young receivers wasn't enough, there is just as much of a battle for roster spot in Green Bay's tight end position.

As of now, the only player that really has his spot locked up is Jermichael Finley. For everyone else, the next spot in line is up for grabs.

Andrew Quarless hasn't made big leaps from last year, and while McCarthy is a man loyal to his draft picks, don't be surprised to see him take another player he thinks will have more potential.

D.J. Williams is a below average blocker, and hasn't been a huge presence in the passing game either, although most will tell you that that is the result of some terribly thrown passes, not his inability to get open.

Tom Crabtree is still the best blocker, but he's nearly invisible in the passing game. His only play in the preseason so far was a touchdown catch against the Chiefs, but I feel it's not nearly enough to impress the coaches.

Ryan Taylor only has three receptions for 24 yards; however, they were the most clutch catches of the entire preseason. On a 4th down pass, Graham Harrell slung it to Taylor for the touchdown, and then caught the two pointer on the ensuing play.

The Packers then won the game with a 50 yard field goal by Mason Crosby.

There Is Stability in the Run Game

Coming back from his season ending injury, Ryan Grant looked as though he had lost his burst that made him the premiere back in Green Bay from 08-09.

One game against the Chiefs was all it took to prove that he's still got plenty left to give. On Green Bay's first play from scrimmage, Grant ran for a 23 yard gain, and ran it with speed. 

Grant has 18 carries for 83 yards (4.6 yard average) in the preseason, including a performance against the Chiefs where he ran the ball four times for 31 yards (7.7 yards a carry).

James Starks has the potential to take the starting job, but Grant has made it clear that he won't make it easy for him. 

The return of Grant, the emergence of Starks, the arrival of rookie Alex Green and the folk-hero John Kuhn make, what looks like on paper, a complete run game.

Though this group seemed to lack some power in the preseason, there can be no doubt that as the season goes on, they will establish chemistry and balance. We won't be repeating last season's disastrous lack of ability to run the football.

The Pass Protection Is Still a Work in Progress

At this point, I believe Green Bay's greatest concern is pass protection.

The Packers have allowed 16 sacks this preseason, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers taking seven of them. But it may just be a fluke.

This isn't one player's, or even a few players’ fault. It's the whole line's fault. 

We know that we have some good linemen, especially in Josh Sitton and Bryan Bulaga. But even these two have let up a few times. 

If even good players are letting the quarterback get sacked, then it's probably just an issue of rust from a lengthy offseason. In time, the line can re-establish itself.

Run Blocking

Pass protection aside, have you noticed how much better the run blocking has gotten?

Bulaga and Sitton have made an excellent run blocking duo in the preseason, as shown by Jersey Al's blog

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Tim Masthay Is Not a One Season Wonder

Punter Tim Masthay is the most unsung hero on the Packers in my opinion. 

Facing the Chicago Bears twice before going to the Super Bowl, the Packers obviously were thinking about how they could move around Devin Hester, who burned them in week three.

Fortunately, Masthay came to the rescue and kept Hester in check in both games. That's something that even the game's best Punters' have failed to do, including Jon Ryan.

Tony Korheiser of Pardon the Interruption said that "Green Bay ought to make a statue of the guy." I couldn't agree more Tony.

Masthay has looked just as good as ever so far, and why should we expect any different when the season starts?

The Mental Mistakes Still Linger

When Green Bay lost to Chicago in week three of last season, and made a record 18 penalties in one game, it was clear that something had to be done.

Green Bay not only fixed the problem, but they managed to become one of the most disciplined teams in the NFL by season's end.

But a lengthy offseason seems to have gotten the Packers back into their old habits.

The Packers are currently tied at six for most penalties in the NFL, however they only rank 19 overall in yards taken away by penalties.

I'm sure McCarthy doesn't want to repeat what happened last season in Chicago, so he's more than likely going to address the problem. But this isn't the way to start.  

The Packers Have Managed to Avoid the Injury Bug

Last season, the Packers watched as 16 players were sent to Injured Reserve.  

So far, they've managed to avoid anything of the like, with the worst injuries only being to Mike Neal (Knee sprain), Randall Cobb (Knee bruise), Clay Matthews (hamstring), and Frank Zombo (Scapula).

Zombo is the only player that is out for the NFL kickoff, while Neal and Cobb are about 50-50.

There should be no doubt that a lengthy offseason of no workouts, or OTA's or anything of the like have allowed the Packers to rest and heal their bodies, and so far, it's definitely showing.

At this pace, the Packers will definitely avoid another injury plagued year.