Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • Athlon Sports

    Studs and Duds from Packers' Preseason Finale against Baltimore

    By Jacob Westendorf,

    2024-08-24

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0A6UPK_0v98gMwJ00

    The preseason is over. The next time the Green Bay Packers lace up their cleats, it will be a game of consequence against the Philadelphia Eagles.

    The final preseason game certainly resembled what you would imagine the final exhibition game usually looks like.

    Jordan Love headlined a list of 38 players that were inactive.

    There were still jobs at stake, specifically at backup quarterback and kicker.

    If today's game was a deciding factor, then both of those jobs were won decisively.

    Here's our guys that were studs, and others that were not as good during Saturday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HGM3C_0v98gMwJ00
    Emanuel Wilson signals first down

    Jeff Hanisch - USA Today

    Studs

    Emanuel Wilson

    Once upon a time, the Packers had a quarterback named Matt Hasselbeck that they referred to as “Mr. August” due to his stellar performance in the preseason.

    Wilson may not end up having the same career as Hasselbeck, but it has been tough not to notice him each of the past two years during the preseason.

    He did not win the preseason rushing title this season but looks like an improved version of himself.

    The balance, patience, and explosiveness were all on display during Wilson’s work as the primary workhorse in Green Bay’s backfield.

    Wilson converted a 3 rd -and-1 when he had a 20-yard catch and run to put the Packers in scoring range.

    That drive would be capped off by a touchdown pass from Michael Pratt to Bo Melton.

    With injuries to Marshawn Lloyd and AJ Dillon, Wilson is likely a lock to make the roster.

    Malik Heath

    In the race to be the last receiver on the back of the roster, Bo Melton and Malik Heath both made their case.

    Melton caught a touchdown in the first half from Michael Pratt.

    In the second half, Sean Clifford found Heath for a touchdown of his own.

    Heath was a big factor in the first half as well, catching three passes.

    Heath earned the nickname of goon from Matt LaFleur. He may not have the upside of Grant DuBose, but Heath's strong finish to camp may give him the nod over DuBose.

    Arron Mosby

    Sometimes, it only takes one play to make the list. That's especially true when the play you make changes the entire game.

    With the Packers leading 13-7 in the second quarter, Arron Mosby made his mark on the game. Mosby ran around the offensive line untouched, and stripped reserve quarterback Devin Leary.

    The play resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Anthony Johnson Jr. and returned for a touchdown.

    Mosby didn't quit while he was ahead, he made a play on a pass from Devin Leary that resulted in an interception as well.

    Within two drives, Mosby had forced two turnovers.

    Mosby may not get a spot on the initial 53-man roster, but he has arguably outplayed fellow reserve defensive end Brenton Cox.  That could make for an interesting decision on cutdown day.

    Duds

    Sean Clifford

    It's been a tough go for Clifford for most of the exhibition season, and today was not much better.

    He was the starter with Jordan Love sitting out, and finished the first half 3-10 for 31 yards and a passer rating of 29.2.

    Those numbers would be better explained if Michael Pratt had not been significantly better during his cameo in the first half.

    Pratt's two series resulted in him going 6/8 for 67 yards and a touchdown pass to Bo Melton.

    The assumption has been that the Packers will keep three quarterbacks, leaning on Clifford's experience to be their backup as they try to develop Pratt.

    With the competition elsewhere on the roster, Clifford's spot could be in danger during cutdown day.

    Robert Rochell

    One of the old adages that floods NFL timelines around this time of year is that a player cannot make the club in the tub.

    Robert Rochell may have succumbed to that fate today as he was one of the 38 inactive players for the Packers. There was no injury that was reported prior to the game, so the question was whether he had already done enough to make the roster.

    As it turns out he was out with a hip injury.

    The severity is to be determined, but if there's any question about his status for the start of the regular season, Rochell could have lost his job today.

    Anders Carlson

    It's rare that a roster spot is actually won during the final preseason game, but that appeared to be what was happening with the Packers' kicking situation today.

    Matt LaFleur said early in camp that the kicking competition would go down to the wire.

    Well, the wire is here, and it looks like the Packers don't have a kicker they can trust on their roster.

    Greg Joseph wobbled late in camp, and Alex Hale was designated for Green Bay's extra roster spot as the NFL's International Pathway player.

    Carlson had his struggles in camp as well, and the Packers could look to bring in another kicker off the waiver wire.

    Today, however, Carlson was nails early on. He made a 54-yard field goal to start the day, and was true on both of his extra points as well.

    In what has become the norm for Carlson, however, inconsistency followed.

    Late in the fourth quarter, Carlson lined up for a chip shot 32-yard field goal.

    He missed the kick wide to the right.

    There was as much pressure as there can possibly be in a game in mid-August on the Packers' kicker.

    For today, he delivered, until he didn't.

    Brian Gutekunst might need to deliver a new kicker to Rich Bisaccia and Matt LaFleur.

    Related: Packers-Ravens: Jordan Love Sits as Packers Wrap Up Preseason Against the Ravens

    Expand All
    Comments / 7
    Add a Comment
    R
    08-25
    should not of cut Crosby. find another asap
    Daniel Reed
    08-25
    Where is everyone who yelled all year last year and all off season for Clifford to be put in instead of Love? Do you still think that is wise?
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News

    Comments / 0