The Packers blew this game at the end as the Browns scored two field goals in the last 1:27 to win the game.  But, it’s just the pre-season and most of the guys on the field then are going to be cut anyway.  Aaron Rodgers looked razor sharp in his time on the field last night as he completed 12 of 13 passes for 159 yards with 1 TD pass.  Matt Flynn followed him into the game and he completed 9 of 15 passes for 69 yards with 1 INT.  He also carried the ball 1 time for 10 yards.  Graham Harrell finished up the game by completing 3 of 7 passes for 13 yards.  Kregg Lumpkin led the way on the ground for the Packers last night with 11 carries for 42 yards (3.8 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Quinn Porter pitched in with 38 yards on 9 carries (4.2 ypc) last night.  Greg Jennings (3 rec, 68 yards, TD),  James Jones (3 rec, 46 yards) and Donald Driver (3 rec, 19 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Packers last night.  The Packers finished up with 106 yards rushing (3.7 ypc) and 234 passing yards last night.

The defense was so-so for the Packers last night as they got burned quite a few times in the passing game.  CB Brandon Underwood (6 tackles, 2 passes defensed) and LB Spencer Havner (5 tackles) led the way on D for the Packers.  The Browns finished up with 85 yards rushing (3.9 ypc) and 211 passing yards last night.

The Packers have a couple of capable kickoff return men in 25-year old WR Jordy Nelson and 25-year old CB Will Blackmon.  Nelson played in 13 games for the Packers last season and he returned 25 kickoffs for 635 yards (25.4 avg).  He has now played in 29 games in his two years with the Packers and he has returned 36 kickoffs for 843 yards (23.4 avg).  Nelson is a big guy at 6′3″, 215 pounds so he has power to go along with his speed.  This is a good way for the Packers to get Nelson onto the field as he is currently the #4 WR on the team.

25-year old CB Will Blackmon is also a solid return man.  He played in 3 games for the Packers last season and he returned 10 kickoffs for 233 yards (23.3 avg).  Blackmon has now played in 32 games in his four years in the NFL and he has returned 66 kickoffs for 1,393 yards (21.1 avg). 

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE PACKERS KICKOFF RETURNERS in 2010:  C+

The Packers have placed 25-year old cornerback Josh Bell on the Injured Reserve List ending his season with a foot injury.  Bell played in 4 games for the Packers last season in which he had 5 tackles.  He has played in 13 games in his two years in the NFL and he has 39 tackles and he has defensed 4 passes.  This is not much of a blow to the Packers as Bell was going to have a hard time making the team.

Aaron Rodgers took a beating early last season before the offensive line came together in the second half of the year.  34-year old LT Chad Clifton is getting a little long in tooth but he’s still a good pass blocker when healthy.  LG will either be manned by Jason Spitz or Daryn Colledge in 2010.  My money is on Spitz to win the job as he’s a better all-around guard than Colledge is.  Scott Wells really played well at center after Jason Spitz got injured last season and it looks like he will be the starting center in 2010.  RG Josh Sitton is the run blocking demon of his group as he’s a nasty man when he steps between the white lines.  33-year old Mark Tauscher will be the RT for the Packers this year.  Tauscher doesn’t excel at anything but he’s at least solid at everything.  T.J. Lang and first round pick Bryan Bulaga give the Packers quality depth behind the starters for 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE PACKERS O-LINE in 2010:  B

46-year old head coach Mike McCarthy is rising to the top of the NFL as a head coach.  He led the Packers to a 11-5 (68.8%) record during the regular season but they then fell 51-45 in OT against the Cardinals in the playoffs.  McCarthy now has a 38-26 (59.4%) record in his four years as the head coach of the Packers during the regular season and he’s 1-2 (33.3%) in the post season.  McCarthy is a tough guy and a strong leader for the Packers so I expect them to be good for a while.