Friday, August 31, 2012

Ending on a Good Note

For those of you able to watch Thursday night’s game on the NFL Network, it was quite enjoyable from an “it doesn’t count and we need to see how our back-ups play” standpoint. The Packers were in control for most of the game, and while the Chiefs were able to run the ball early, they were kept out of the end zone. Above, back-up QB Graham Harrell had a much better night than he did the last couple weeks. Still, if Aaron Rodgers goes down in the regular season, no one will sleep very good at night. 

RB Alex Green (#20) got himself a couple of touchdowns; one each, receiving and rushing.

Rodgers played only two series, and the first-string offense came up scoreless. 

Other starters, like LB Clay Matthews (#52) didn’t play very long, either. There were a lot of players to get on the field and evaluate before the team cuts down to 53 players by 8:00 p.m. Friday evening. 

It was a beautiful night for football in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

Some players on the bubble had a good night — like CB Sam Shields, who came up with a drive-stopping interception in the end zone.

Photos courtesy of the Green Bay Packers

• Packers-Chiefs game video highlights.

• Mike McCarthy: A number of fine performances 

• Graham Harrell: "It's fun to move the ball"

Sights and Sounds: Packers-Chiefs 

The newest issue of Sports Illustrated is the “NFL 2012” preview issue. We have not researched to see if this issue features “regional” covers or not, but our copy has Detroit’s Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson on the front.

What’s interesting is that SI’s NFL writer Peter King has this prediction for Super Bowl XLVII. 

There’s a little insert guide to NFL “Gameday” across the league, and it has nice things to say about the Lambeau Field experience.

Packers fans are featured in this ad. 

And look who’s on the magazine’s back cover for Verizon — the official communications partner of Packerville, U.S.A.

PACKERS ON THE FIELD:
• Packers 24, Chiefs 3: Easy money
Harrell stars in win over Chiefs
• Official Game Stats
• Official Box Score
• Official Scoring Summary
• Official Play-By-Play
• Bubble players make strong final pitches
• Packers-Chiefs post-game quotes
• Chiefs’ backups struggle in 24-3 loss to Packers
• Rodgers’ success goes back to junior college class
• Decisions, decisions: Cut to 53 looms
• Finley feels fine after limited preseason
• B.J. Raji should be O.K.

AROUND THE NFL:
• NFL asks U.S. judge to toss concussion lawsuits
• The healing of Dolphins coach Joe Philbin
• Fan falls to death at Reliant Stadium

SAVE THE DATE:
Important dates to remember (all times CDT):
Friday, Aug. 31 – Roster reduction to a maximum of 53 players by 8 p.m. (CDT)
Saturday, Sept. 1 – After 11 a.m. (CDT), clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players
Sunday, Sept. 9 – Regular-season opener vs. San Francisco 49ers, 3:25 p.m. (CDT)