Green Bay Packers v. Lions: 7 Big Questions for Week 2 Matchup
By Paul Bretl
Can we see more Eric Stokes, please?
This was an article topic of mine earlier in the week. Rookie first-round pick Eric Stokes was on the field for only eight defensive snaps; however, after Kevin King’s performance, it’s time for more.
Related Story. Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes Needs More Playing Time. light
King allowed two completions, the first being on a comeback route where he was spun around and nowhere near. The other was a 55-yard pass for a touchdown that probably gave many fans flashbacks to the NFC Championship Game.
I go into much greater detail in the article, but to put it simply, we continue to see the same issues from King, and the coaching staff continues to put him in those same positions expecting different results–it’s just time for a change.
Stokes, like any rookie cornerback, is going to take his lumps, but I’d rather have him experience those now than at the end of the season. Also, he was a first-round pick after all, I know the Packers prefer to bring rookies along slowly, but when the current situation is not working out, let’s see what he can offer.
What will the Green Bay Packers OL configuration look like?
We learned on Thursday that Lucas Patrick is currently in concussion protocol after sustaining a concussion on the last play of the game for the Packers offense. At this time we don’t know whether he will be able to play or not, but if he can, then we will see the same starting five that we did last week–and to this unit’s credit, they held up fairly well against a stout New Orleans defensive front.
However, if Patrick can’t go, then as I wrote, there are two likely options for Green Bay. They can either have Jon Runyan Jr. take over at left guard, or Dennis Kelly can play right tackle, allowing Billy Turner to move to one of the guard positions.
Related Story. Packers: Lucas Patrick in Concussion Protocol Could Shake Up OL. light
Compared to last year, this offensive line was already looking quite different with Elgton Jenkins at left tackle and two rookies starting, but now, depending on Patrick’s status, it could look different once again as we move from Week 1 to Week 2.