The preseason has technically hit its 3rd week, with all teams outside the Giants and Bills playing only their 2nd game. When the Green Bay Packers squared off against the St Louis Rams, it was some extra excitement as it was the preseason debuts of both the Rams starting QB Sam Bradford, as well as the Green Bay Packers starting QB, and former MVP, Aaron Rodgers. The Packers won the game 21-7, but this was about the return of Bradford and the debut of Rodgers, arguably the best QB in the league, and he did not disappoint.
All-everything quarterback Aaron Rodgers was as sharp as can be, going 11-13 for 128 yards and one touchdown to Randall Cobb. He also showed off that his legs still work with a 14 yard rush. Rodgers talked about how he felt the offense looked, saying, “It was good. I think we got the tempo up, went down the field, scored and came back down, had a good drive, put some more points on the board. The tempo was good, the efficiency was pretty good, and we stayed healthy for the most part.”
Rodgers did have one complaint and it was about the numerous penalties in the game. There were 22 penalties called in the game for a total of 171 yards. “It’s way over the top. It’s too much. The game’s too choppy if they’re going to call it like that. It’s tough, I don’t know how they can continue to ref it that way. It makes you – after a play, especially a big play – you’re always looking back seeing if there’s a penalty out there. Hopefully it’s preseason and they’re working their kinks out as well”, said Rodgers.
Bradford on the other hand is coming off a torn ACL from last year 7 games into the season against the Carolina Panthers. He is entering his 5th year with the Rams, a very important year, as he has been seen as a bit of a disappointment through his Rams career. With two years remaining on his contract, Bradford must show that he is still the franchise-type QB that the Rams thought he was when they took him with the #1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.
Bradford started slow with only check-downs and missing a wide open Kenny Britt on a 30 yard bomb on the 1st drive, but he rebounded on the 2nd drive, which included a very nice 41 yard pass to Brian Quick. Bradford then found his TE, Lance Kendricks for an 11 yard TD. He finished the game 9-12 for 101 yards and 1 touchdown. Bradford said he felt good out there and felt great to be back out there. He felt the missed throw to Britt was because of rust, but he was happy they came back and responded on the next drive so well.
One bad note that came from this game. Rams RB Isiah Pead was forced from the game with what is now known to be a torn ACL. He will be forced to miss the rest of the season, as confirmed by Rams head coach Jeff Fisher. When Pead returns in 2015, he will be on the final year of his rookie deal that he signed fro the 2012 NFL draft. He’s been mostly used on special teams as a kickoff returner. He has 17 career rushes for 75 yards and 14 receptions for 94 yards.
Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will hope to continue this momentum next week, on Friday, as they will play their 1st home preseason game against the Oakland Raiders while Bradford and the St Louis Rams will have their 1st road game of the preseason as they travel to Cleveland to face the Browns. The 3rd game is widely considered the “Dress Rehearsal” game for most teams, so it will be the game that gives the best indication of the regular season, so it’s just going to get better, enjoy the games.
