Quick Start For Packers

Preseason football means different things to different teams. But if you are an NFC North team this year, strong consistent showings from your first string units are very important this year. Last year, the Vikings, Bears and Packers were all very inconsistent on offense and defense the entire year. I think all three head coaches want to see their starters put together some solid play in the first half of preseason games this year and build some confidence going into the season.

There is no doubt that Packers are doing this. So far, the offense and defense have both looked unstoppable in the first two games of the 2009 exhibition season. The Packer starting offense has put up 35 points in six possessions against Buffalo and Cleveland. Aaron Rodgers has completed 75 percent of his passes and is showing his year of experience as compared to his lack of experience a year ago at this time. Ryan Grant looks sharp. Driver and Jennings look like they will continue to be a Top 5 1-2 punch in the NFL. And look out for Jeremichael Finley at the tight end position. This guy was a disaster last year but has come to camp as a different person this year. He is running routes precisely and doesn’t drop anything thrown to his vicinity.

Defensively, the 3-4 defense is making an impact. With the potential of nine different guys rushing the quarterback on any play and all sorts of different looks, the Packers are confusing its competition. This combined with a new knack for stripping the ball is causing turnovers at an alarming rate for the other team on the field. The starting unit is yet to give up a point and has only allowed a handful of first downs in its first two games.

It doesn’t surprise me. I think this was the plan all along for the Packers organization when they let Brett Favre go. They knew that there was going to be a down year when Brett left. But they were hoping with the young talent coming up that once Aaron Rodgers had a year under his belt, that this team would become good quickly. And now it’s happening.

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