3 Standouts from Packers' Loss to Broncos

The Green Bay Packers took the field against the Denver Broncos after what was, by all accounts, a poor performance in Friday’s joint practice.

Matt LaFleur called that performance a wake-up call.

Despite the poor showing, LaFleur’s plan did not change. Jordan Love did not play. A majority of the starters did not play.

A preseason game was treated the way that they had been in the recent past when Aaron Rodgers was the quarterback.

The game was used as an opportunity to evaluate the young players. 31 players did not play in Denver, and it was a majority of who you would expect.

The Broncos played their starters, and it looked like starters against backups for the better part of a quarter and a half.

Whether tonight’s result causes the Packers to change their plans for next week’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens remains to be seen.

For tonight at least, Sean Clifford started. Michael Pratt took over for the final drive of the second quarter and finished the game that the Packers fell behind 20-0, and lost to drop to 1-1 this preseason.

Here are our standouts from Sunday's game.

1.) AJ Dillon

Dillon’s absence from the game was noticeable. In a game where the Packers were resting guys, there were only a few players fighting for a roster spot who were also sitting.

Dillon had a tough week last week against the Cleveland Browns with four carries only resulting in two yards.

Dillon’s performance drew the ire of the fanbase and got to him at some point. Dillon spoke about some of the criticism facing him after Tuesday’s practice.

"I can imagine somebody there's nowhere you're gonna go there in those certain situations,” Dillon said to Fox 11’s Cody Krupp.

“But in all honesty. If you don't live inside my house, your opinion to me is so secondary that I couldn't be bothered with it."

Dillon’s absence from the lineup indicates the Packers view him as a core player to the roster. In addition, none of Dillon’s theoretical replacements did much with their extended opportunities.

That stands out, as it should put any conversation about the Packers letting Dillon go to rest.

2.) Andre Dillard

Dillard is in the midst of two separate battles. The first of which is the swing tackle battle, which was between him, Caleb Jones, and Kadeem Telfort. Dillard is trying to win the job against those two. In addition, he’s trying to stay on the roster, and perhaps the NFL as a whole.

That’s a scary proposition for any player when he’s fighting for his NFL life, but that is the position Dillard is in.

With Rasheed Walker on the bench, Dillard started at left tackle. Anyone who started tonight got a good opportunity to be pitted against Denver’s starters.

Dillard acquitted himself well as the left tackle, a position he is much more familiar and comfortable with.

It was tough sledding for Green Bay’s second offense against Denver’s defensive starters.

It’s tough to say who is leading the race to be the team’s swing tackle, but if a bet had to be placed right now, the smart money is on the veteran, Dillard.

3.) Malik Heath

In a half where the Packers struggled to get anything going, Heath was one of the few bright spots.

His blocking in the run game is usually superb, but in order to make the back half of the receiver room, he may need to make more plays in the passing game than he traditionally has.

Grant DuBose is charging hard for a roster spot, and improved his blocking in the run game last week.

DuBose is a more gifted player in the passing game, which could give the coaches and front office an interesting choice.

Do they keep a player used to being a role player, or roll with the upside in the passing game?

Heath can help make some of that decision for himself by making more plays in the passing game. He caught three of his four targets in the first half for 22 yards.

Meanwhile, DuBose had a tough drop. No one play is going to decide a roster battle, but anything that can help is a positive as the player fights to keep his spot on the roster.

Heath is likely going to need a big performance in next week’s preseason finale to give him the best chance at tine final roster spot.

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