Best player of preseason so far

[LL2]

Kampman looks due for an upgraded contract right about now. Jenkins looks to be next in line so far. Yes, I realize he just signed an extension.

With the way those two are playing you have to wonder if TT will have out extension to them as well, but do not expect it to be this year though.

My preseason pick would be Jenkins too, but JJ is looking awesome and easing my worries about the WR group.

[Joemailman]

I'll change the subject slightly and discuss the most significant play. In my opinion it occurred after Blackmon's great return (although that too was pretty significant) On 1st and goal from the 7 Jackson gained 6 yards setting up a 2nd and 1. Last year all too often in that situatioin the Packers would have gained a yard creating a situation where the Packers were in a likely passing situation. If the Packers can get decent yardage on 1st down in the red zone, their efficiency should be much better than last year.

[retailguy]

Jenkins has been awesome, and with Walter Jones out, is probably the reason Holmgren didn't start Hasselbeck. However, before we anoint Jenkins as Reggie II, let's keep in mind he hasn't faced a team's starting LT yet this pre-season. He definitely makes the Packer's run defense a lot better. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be a dominant pass rusher once he starts facing the outstanding LT's he will face.

Man. You really know how to deflate optimistic paranoia, don't you? Can't they bathe in the kool-aid for a while? Don't we get something besides the "idiot" award for going 4-0 in the preseason?

It ought to erase a mulligan somewhere, shouldn't it?

[retailguy]

I've been really watching Jenkins since **we**SHERMAN picked him up. I started really paying attention when he personally blocked 2 consecutive kicks. I believe one was an extra point and then an ensuing field goal. This is way before the move to DE and he was primarily a backup DT.

He is going to be a monster paired up with Kampman on the other side.

I fixed your quote for you Captain.... :P

[MadtownPacker]

I think Ferguson was the key player. Had he not continued to suck we have had to worry about another season of "will he or wont he" step up. Now that he is gone someone actually might have that breakout season we have been talking about for the longest time.

[retailguy]

I think Ferguson was the key player. Had he not continued to suck we have had to worry about another season of "will he or wont he" step up. Now that he is gone someone actually might have that breakout season we have been talking about for the longest time.

You are almost as sarcastic and twisted as I am.... Keep up the good work. :P

[Rastak]

Jenkins has been awesome, and with Walter Jones out, is probably the reason Holmgren didn't start Hasselbeck. However, before we anoint Jenkins as Reggie II, let's keep in mind he hasn't faced a team's starting LT yet this pre-season.

Marvel Smith is the Steelers starting LT. He got the first sack against Marvel Smith last week. Smith has been a starter for all 7 years he's been in the league:

http://www.nfl.com/players/marvelsmith/careerstats?id=SMI506340

They moved last year's starter at RT, Max Starks, to LT later, and Jenkins got a sack against him. Starks has been a starter for the Steelers the last two years.

http://www.nfl.com/players/maxstarks/careerstats?id=STA603966

The Seahawks LT last night, Tom Ashworth, is considered to be a solid backup that has gotten 36 starts the last 4 years:

http://www.nfl.com/players/tomashwor...s?id=ASH777848

Actually, Ashworth is the backup RT....not sure how much work he's had at LT...not really sure.

[red]

I think Ferguson was the key player. Had he not continued to suck we have had to worry about another season of "will he or wont he" step up. Now that he is gone someone actually might have that breakout season we have been talking about for the longest time.

great point

if only we had done that much sooner, AND replaced KGB like me and others had been screaming for, for years now

we're a whole new team after those changes

all we have to do is get rid of manuel, and we'll win another 3 or 4 super bowls

[Scott Campbell]

Jenkins has been awesome, and with Walter Jones out, is probably the reason Holmgren didn't start Hasselbeck. However, before we anoint Jenkins as Reggie II, let's keep in mind he hasn't faced a team's starting LT yet this pre-season. He definitely makes the Packer's run defense a lot better. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be a dominant pass rusher once he starts facing the outstanding LT's he will face.

Man. You really know how to deflate optimistic paranoia, don't you? Can't they bathe in the kool-aid for a while? Don't we get something besides the "idiot" award for going 4-0 in the preseason?

It ought to erase a mulligan somewhere, shouldn't it?

Yeah, the great Mike Sherman would have lost these games like a team is supposed to.

[retailguy]

Jenkins has been awesome, and with Walter Jones out, is probably the reason Holmgren didn't start Hasselbeck. However, before we anoint Jenkins as Reggie II, let's keep in mind he hasn't faced a team's starting LT yet this pre-season. He definitely makes the Packer's run defense a lot better. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be a dominant pass rusher once he starts facing the outstanding LT's he will face.

Man. You really know how to deflate optimistic paranoia, don't you? Can't they bathe in the kool-aid for a while? Don't we get something besides the "idiot" award for going 4-0 in the preseason?

It ought to erase a mulligan somewhere, shouldn't it?

Yeah, the great Mike Sherman would have lost these games like a team is supposed to.

Damn straight he would. Of course, he could always bank on winning the majority of the 16 games that mean something though, right? :P

[4and12to12and4]

I agree, Mr. Jenkins looks like a Probowler out there. What has surprised me about him is that he really has some good moves and his quickness is excellent. And strong as an ox also. It was so nice to see a QB only getting 3 seconds to make a decision, rather than two years ago, when they just stood there, going back and forth through their reads 6 times. I love also how our pressure comes from not just the outside, but we are collapsing the interior of the line. Two seconds after the snap, it looks like a mess out there, we've got guys 3 yards in the backfield creating havoc. And the beauty is that teams can't counter with draws and screens, because of our outstanding, speedy linebacking core. Damn, I'm excited about this year. We could really turn some heads. I love how this team is coming together.

I also love how MM is smart in letting Woodson stay out of practices and preseason games, because he knows he hates playing in them. That shows you that he is willing to know his players and do what it takes to keep them happy. I think Chuck would've had 12 inteceptions last year if he would've employed this strategy last year. Woodson hates to practice, and I couldn't care less, he busts his ass in game time, and that's all that matters. Plus, with his age factor, it's the smart thing to do.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Actually, Ashworth is the backup RT....not sure how much work he's had at LT...not really sure.

Not really. Ashworth has started at both tackle spots in his career. He might be listed at RT, but that's like saying Tony Moll is a RT because he's listed there on the Packers depth chart--when really he's a backup at RT and RG.

[Joemailman]

It's a minor point, but Ashworth is listed on Seattle's depth chart as the backup LT. At any rate, it wasn't my intention to diminish what Jenkins has done. Just pointing out that he will face a lot tougher LT's than he has so far, and we'll see how he does. I do know this. Having Jenkins ar RDE instead of KGB on running plays makes it a lot harder for teams to deal with A.J. Hawk.

[Rastak]

Actually, Ashworth is the backup RT....not sure how much work he's had at LT...not really sure.

Not really. Ashworth has started at both tackle spots in his career. He might be listed at RT, but that's like saying Tony Moll is a RT because he's listed there on the Packers depth chart--when really he's a backup at RT and RG.

Per Seattle beat writers he just started playing LT this offseason. I have no idea if he is good or not.

[RashanGary]

I'll change the subject slightly and discuss the most significant play. In my opinion it occurred after Blackmon's great return (although that too was pretty significant) On 1st and goal from the 7 Jackson gained 6 yards setting up a 2nd and 1. Last year all too often in that situatioin the Packers would have gained a yard creating a situation where the Packers were in a likely passing situation. If the Packers can get decent yardage on 1st down in the red zone, their efficiency should be much better than last year.

I agree. Being able to run the ball in the redzone when teams know it's coming is the most important thing for redzone production. They looked good running the ball in the redzone for the first time in two full years. If they can continue with that success, they'll have a much higher conversion rate and we'll win a bunch more games. They definilty took a step in the right direction. That was promising.