The preseason is off and running as the Green Bay Packers won 23-10 in their first dress rehearsal of the year.
The rest of camp will tell the story as to were the Packers' strengths and weaknesses initially emerge.
Here's a look at what was good, bad, and downright ugly from Green Bay's preseason opener.
The Good: Starting With a Bang
The starting offense found its way onto the field for the preseason opener for the second consecutive season. It was a rare sight under Matt LaFluer, as starters rarely, if ever played during the preseason when Aaron Rodgers was the starting quarterback.
That changed last year when Jordan Love was installed as the team’s starter.
The entire team was essentially brand new, which led LaFleur to change his philosophy.
They started, and then were able to exit after just three plays.
Clearly, the goal for any starting offense is to put points on the board will getting out of there healthy.
The Packers were able to do both.
Facing a 3 rd and 5 deep in Cleveland territory, Love saw a matchup that had him licking his chops.
Dontayvion Wicks was matched up with a safety in single coverage.
A simple slot fade helped Wicks leave the Browns’ defender in the dust. Love threw deep.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Wicks scored a 65-yard touchdown and the Packers’ starters were done for the day. It’s possible they’re done for the rest of the preseason as well.
LaFleur said it was unlikely the starters would play in Denver, but they’d re-evaluate for the third preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bad: Linebacker Injuries
Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper were brought in this offseason as part of an overhaul to the linebacker position.
The Packers are switching to a 4-3 base front, requiring more linebackers in their base setting than what they had since switching to a 3-4 base front when Dom Capers took the defensive coordinator job in 2009.
Cooper was the 45 th overall pick, and Hopper was drafted in the third round.
Both players have different skillsets, but were likely looked at as part of the solution when the team released De’Vondre Campbell.
Both players have flashed in training camp, but weren’t able to carry anything over to the game.
Cooper has struggled with a groin injury that has kept him out for more than a week.
Hopper had a big family night last Saturday, but injured his ankle later in the week and was unable to play in Saturday’s game.
Both players need reps. They’re likely going to play as rookies. That’s just the nature of the business.
Missing out on some potential reps, albeit in a preseason setting, is a minor setback.
The Ugly: Short Yardage Run Game
Green Bay’s second running back AJ Dillon took the field for his one series looking to get off to a better start than the one he had a year ago.
Sean Clifford heped get the offense into a situation where they had a 2 nd and 1.
The Packers would not convert. Two carries from AJ Dillon were stuffed.
Dillo ended the day with 2 yards rushing on four carries.
The short yardage situations will have to be much better than it was on Saturday, but that situation was ugly.
Related: Studs and Duds from Packers 23-10 Win over Cleveland Browns
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