Four things to watch for in the Hall of Fame Game – WISN Milwaukee
For the first time since 2003, the Packers will kick off the 2016 NFL season at the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Green Bay will face the Indianapolis Colts with coverage beginning on WISN 12 at 7 p.m.
The Packers have spent the last few weeks installing their playbook and preparing for the first of five preseason games, but don’t expect to see Aaron Rodgers and many of the top Packers stars on Sunday night. With the extended preseason schedule and the fear of injury, Mike McCarthy has made it known that he plans to rest many of his top players against the Colts. Backup quarterback Brett Hundley has been hobbled by an ankle injury, so it may be the Joe Callahan and Marquise Williams show behind center. They won’t be the only rookies to be thrown into the fire right away.
In honor of Brett Favre being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, here are “Four” things to watch on Sunday night in Canton.
1) The Battle of the wide receivers
It’s no surprise the wide receiver position will be the most watched position on Sunday night and throughout the preseason. It is unlikely we will see Jordy Nelson in game action at all until the regular season, especially after his “hiccup” injury that occurred in his non-surgically repaired knee this offseason. Ty Montgomery also remains out after offseason foot surgery and doesn’t appear to be in pads anytime in the next few weeks. Head coach Mike McCarthy alluded to only keeping “five or six” receivers, so Sunday’s game will shine a spotlight on the likes of Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis, Jeff Janis, and fifth-round draft pick Trevor Davis. Assuming that Nelson and Montgomery are back by week 1, the Packers WR competition is seven deep including Randall Cobb. Adams needs to prove he can be a reliable third or fourth receiver, Janis needs to show he has the ability to be an explosive playmaker, Abbrederis must avoid mistakes and show he can perform in the slot, and similar to Janis, Davis needs to show off his athleticism and ability to stretch the field. One of them could be left off the 53-man roster and Sunday is the first chance to show what they can offer.
2) Kenny Clark first impressions
The Packers filled one of their biggest needs on defense by drafting DT Kenny Clark in the 1st round of the NFL Draft in April. Clark is expected to play right away and will have a lot of pressure to fill the void left by BJ Raji this offseason. Fortunately for Clark, he has been mentored by fellow lineman Mike Daniels, who is not only one of the most talented players on the team, but also one of the the most vocal Packers in the locker room. I don’t expect Clark to play a ton on Sunday, but he needs time to get used to the speed of the game.
3) Blake Martinez’s chance to prove he’s a starter
There may not be another 4th round draft pick in the entire NFL with more pressure to perform right away than linebacker Blake Martinez. Talking to him in the locker room, Martinez understands the magnitude of the moment and he doesn’t appear to be intimidated about playing right away for the Packers. With Sam Barrington still out, Martinez is competing with the likes of Jake Ryan, Joe Thomas and Carl Bradford for the starting inside linebacker spot. Martinez is coming off a four-year career at Stanford and appears to have impressed coaches with his maturity.
4) Special Teams
There will be several position battles in special teams, which often helps some of those players lower down in their position’s depth charts make the 53-man roster. The obvious battle will be at the punter position between Tim Masthay and Peter Mortell. Masthay has an obvious edge in experience and has out-punted Mortell thus far in camp, but Mortell has the hometown-hero edge having grown up in the Green Bay area and even used to deliver stats to the media members at Lambeau Field (much appreciated I may add). I am also intrigued to see who will be returning punts and kicks for the Packers. One advantage for Trevor Davis making the 53-man roster is his ability to return punts, but he will be competing with fellow receivers Randall Cobb and Davante Adams as well as defensive back Micah Hyde.
Overall, after the season-ending injury to Jordy Nelson last summer, there will be an obvious hesitation for Mike McCarthy to play his veteran stars over the next few weeks. With a total of five preseason games, we are going to learn quickly what these draft picks and undrafted free agents have to offer.