The fourth and final preseason game is usually a very lackluster affair for the fans. It is bottom of the roster guys trying to make the push from 75 players to the final 53. Let's start by looking at some of the critical position battles the team is facing.
It was another quality game for Scott Tolzien. During Aaron Rodgers' injury last year, Tolzien was the starter until they re-signed Flynn and Flynn took the quarterback duties away. Tolzien is definitely the better arm, while Flynn knows the Mike McCarthy system much better. Many people think the Packers could easily keep 3 quarterbacks on their roster, and it is easy to see why with their respective performances on Thursday.
The touchdowns scored by those receivers is quite interesting though. Many of the players that could be cut this weekend might have just scored. Myles White had the most receiving yards with 36 and caught 4 of the 5 targets headed his way. He will probably have to contribute on special teams, but easily could be a player to make the team. However, he did lose the only fumble of the game too, so it is tough to really know. Both healthy wide receivers drafted by the Packers scored touchdowns, Davante Adams is looking like the fourth man onto the field, while Jeff Janis is considerably more raw, but definitely a beast athletically. The Packers will probably keep 6 receivers in Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Jarrett Boykin, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, and Myles White. The other receiving touchdown was to running back Ladarius Perkins.
The defensive side of the ball showed some things as well. Everyone was keeping a close eye on Green Bay Packers rookies Carl Bradford from Arizona State and Khyri Thornton from Southern Miss. Bradford did a much better job in the game, recording the most tackles with 7, and actually making some plays on the field. Thornton, though, could easily be a third round bust, possibly not even making the team. The undrafted costless agents showed their skills as well. Jayrone Elliott and Adrian Hubbard both recorded sacks on the evening. Elliott has put a lot of pressure on Mike McCarthy to keep him on the team. While the Packers have gone 3-1 in the preseason, Elliott has recorded sacks in each of the last three games. Also, do not forget, Jarrett Bush had an interception in this game off of Tyler Bray.
These upcoming cuts will be incredibly difficult for the Packers and no one should be surprised to see some of these current Packers end up on the 53 man roster of any other teams. Some of them might be able to go through to the practice squad and that is just a risk trying to put some of them directly onto it. Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy do have a pretty good history doing this, but it is difficult to remember the last time the defense had this much depth. Just another thing to be thankful for before the season opener next week in Seattle, which every Packer fan has been waiting almost two years for revenge. Hopefully, the Packers will start this season off right with a win on the road. It definitely will not come easily and the Packers will need everyone ready to contribute.