10 Takeaways From Packers - Bengals

Finally we got to watch some real football on Friday night and catch a glimpse of what this team could be like this season. I know it was just preseason but what a fun game it was to watch and enjoy a new look for this Green Bay Packers team. While most people will be dissecting every one of Jordan Love’s 10 passes and either proclaiming him masterful in running the offense or terrible for missing a wide open Musgrave on the third down pass. From my vantage point Love did exactly what I expected a talented first year QB to do and be like much of his first season. Love is going to be a little inconsistent this preseason and probably most of the year. Expecting that I wanted to just enjoy watching the game and record things that stuck out to me (in the moment) during the live broadcast. Here are my top ten quick takes from the Packers versus Bengals:

1. Carrington Valentine:

Wow! Any fan that follows the Packers in the offseason has heard about this kid but what a debut breaking up passes, an interception, and that tackle behind the line of scrimmage. Just love the play style and moxy of the player.

2. Wyatt and Nixon:

Did we get a glimpse of just how disruptive Wyatt can be and how Joe Barry may want to use Nixon. Putting Nixon near the line of scrimmage plays right into the aggressive style and fearlessness of Keisean. And if Wyatt can penetrate and disrupt for an entire game the Packer defense should be much improved.

3. Lafleur Offense:

A lot has been said about the youth of the offense but the chess pieces that coach has to work with is going to be fun to watch. How he is going to use the tight ends, running backs, perhaps fullback, and Jayden Reed also. This offense looked more like LaFleur in his first year than the stagnant looks of Rodgers the last two seasons.

4. Rookie pass catchers:

How bout that Reed catch at the 30 yard line on Clifford’s first series? And how fun are these rookie tight ends going to be? It seems like an eternity since the Packers have been able to threaten the middle of the field with big and fast tight ends. I also liked how LaFleur moved Musgrave around and tried to get him the ball in space.

5. Safety play:

The biggest question on this defense for me was how the safety battle is going to play out and I still have questions. There seemed to be miscommunication with Owens who started at one of the spots and he did not look impressive to me, I actually thought Tarvarius Moore the former 49er was the only safety that caught my eye during the game.

6. LVN:

The Packer first round pick had a couple of pressures but for the most part did not stand out to me. It is important that Wyatt during his first year struggled to acclimate to the NFL. I predict the same will be true for LVN but he sure looks impressive and I love that he is getting a lot of playing time in the preseason.

7. Malik Heath and Sean Clifford:

The undrafted WR and Penn State QB who most packer fans were surprised was drafted in the fifth round did not disappoint. Yeah Clifford had the pick six, but man was he fun to watch and the blocking and route running of Heath definitely caught my attention.

8. Emanuel Wilson:

What a preseason moment for the division 2 kid who lost his father 14 years ago to the day. That stutter step and cut back for the touchdown was a thing of beauty. With more plays like that he might just have a chance at running back 3 for the Packers. Whatever happens, what a moment for him and his family.

9. Anders Carlson:

After Family night most Packer fans felt the inconsistency of Anders had been rectified until those two extra point misses last night. Do the Packers have Crosby on speed dial yet?

10. Cox and Johnson Jr:

Many fans had probably tuned out towards the end of the game but I was encouraged by the play of OLB Cox and Safety Anthony Johnson Jr at the end of the game. You can never have too many pass rushers and the Packer safety's future is very much in doubt so I will continue to watch these two players.

I cannot remember having this much fun watching preseason in the last 3 years so I for one will continue to watch not only to see Jordan Love’s development but just to sit back and watch the games for what they are: Young players getting their shot at an NFL career.