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Rodgers hits it big, but Packers fall in preseason finale (with photos)

Dennis Punzel  —  8/29/2008 11:09 am

GREEN BAY -- Green Bay Packers fans came into the preseason wondering if they could live with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback. Now they're wondering if they could live without him.

Rodgers capped off what has been an impressive preseason with a one-play, five-second performance that was the highlight of the Packers' 23-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans Thursday night. That play was a 68-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings on the first play of the game.

Rodgers and the rest of the Packers' first unit left the game after that, and many of the 69,744 fans at Lambeau Field probably wished they had left also.

Coach Mike McCarthy had intended to use his starters for one series, but he wasn't thinkng just one play.

"I thought about putting them back out there, but our No. 1 priority for the first group was to come out of the game healthy," said McCarthy. "We feld like our body of work to this point was enough information to answer the questions we have. This game for us, particularly, was about the evaluation of a number of our younger players."

McCarthy didn't need to see any more of Rodgers to be comfortable with him as they head into the regular season opener a week from Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. Rodgers finished the preseason completing 37 of 54 passes (68.5 percent) for 436 yards and three touchdowns, with just one interception.

In the process he helped ease some of the angst that had gripped Packerland in the wake of the messy Brett Favre departure.

"I think Aaron's ready to play," said McCarthy. "I felt that before the preseason started. I think he's done all the things needed to prepare himself for this opportunity. I think he's had a very productive preseason. He's ready to go, so I have no concerns about Aaron Rodgers."

Although he wouldn't say it, McCarthy would have to have some concerns about what would happen if something happened to Rodgers.

Rookies Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn have struggled through much of the preseason and that continued through much of the game Thursday, especially in the first half when the Titans played their starters against the Packers' backups.

Brohm, the second-round draft pick from Louisville and the presumptive No. 2 quarterback completed 7 of  12 passes for 52 yards. Flynn, the seventh round pick from LSU, completed 8 of 13 attempts for 77 yards and two touchdowns, including one on the last play of the game as the Packers came within a two-point conversion of forcing the game into overtime.

But the second half near-heroics couldn't erase the first half futility against real NFL players.

McCarthy was evasive about whether the pecking order among the rookies had changed.

"I think both our young quarterbacks were in some tough spots, particularly early in the game -- probably the whole first half," said McCarthy. "Frankly, I liked the way they went about their business. They kept battling. They did some good things. I thought Matt made some big plays down at the end. But once again, it's information that you're using to develop the quarterbacks, and we'll continue to do that.

"It takes time to develop young quarterbacks and that's where we are. I'm excited about their future, but we've got work to do."

Is there a chance the Packers might be looking to bring in a veteran to back up Rodgers and allow the rookies to develop at a more relaxed pace?

"Those are all options," McCarthy conceded. "There is a lot more information than tonight's game that will determine the answer to your question. I'm in charge in coaching the players that are here. These particular quarterbacks, I'm excited about it. Once again they need time to develop. And we are developing them and they are doing a good job and will continue to get better. So, I'm comfortable with our three quarterbacks."

Flynn, for one, isn't going to worry about anybody new coming in.

"Who knows what's going to happen," he said. "I just have to focus on myself. I can't control what they do and the decisions they make. All I can control is how I perform, execute and prepare.

"You have to look at it as I'm still a rookie. I went through one preseason, got some experience under my belt, got some game time and live action. I feel good about it. I've just got to keep making strides and getting better."

Memorable moments
 
Don't try to tell Brett Swain or Jake Allen that the final preseason football game is meaningless. For the rookie wannabe wide receivers, Thursday night could end up being the highlight of their NFL career.

Swain, a seventh-round draft choice from San Diego State, and Allen, a free agent from Division 3 Mississippi College, each caught a second half touchdown pass from Flynn as the Packers rallied to nearly force overtime.

So even if they never make it to the regular season, no one will be able to take away the memory of their night on the NFL stage.

"It's a great experience for me, being part of the NFL," said Allen, one of the longest of long shots to make the Packers roster. "I came into this game saying I wasn't going to leave with any regrets and that's the way I feel about it now. I'm truly satisfied, even if the decision is not made in my favor. Me, coming from D3, playing in front of these Packer fans ... it's crazy."

Swain, who also is being looked at as a punt returner, caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Flynn in the third quarter. He finished the night with 3 catches for 18 yards.

"It was definitely a big game for me," said Swain. "I've talked with a lot of the vets and they said, when you  get the opportunity, go out there, have fun and let it all out. I really took that to heart. I gave it everything I had tonight. It's a game, but it's also a business now. They're looking for performance. I just hope I showed them enough."

On the sidelines

Even before they pulled their starters, the Packers were playing short-handed. Scratched from the game for various reasons: cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris; safeties Atari Bigby and Charlie Peprah; linebacker A.J. Hawk; defensive tackle Ryan Pickett; defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila; center Scott Wells' guard Josh Sitton; and wide receiver James Jones.

Dennis Punzel  —  8/29/2008 11:09 am