6 Big things from the Packers preseason finale vs. Kansas City
By Paul Bretl
Do the Packers keep a sixth interior defensive lineman?
Jack Heflin has put together another steady preseason performance, which included two pressures and five tackles in the first two games. And when Heflin has flashed, he has really flashed, just as he did on Thursday in Kansas City.
In that one game, Heflin logged five tackles, including a fourth down stop in the backfield, along with a forced fumble.
Keeping Heflin, or even Chris Slayton, may seem like a no-brainer decision; however, I’m not sure how simple it is.
The Packers’ interior defensive line rotation is pretty well set, with the first five spots accounted for. Last year, Heflin was the sixth lineman but played fewer than 20 snaps on both special teams and defense. If the Packers are going to change how they use that sixth defender, well, that’s a different story. But if the playing time is going to remain similar, then I think that roster could be better utilized elsewhere.
Special teams remain a work in progress
I don’t think we expected the special teams unit to go from worst to first, even under Rich Bisaccia’s tutelage, but there are still way too many mistakes being made.
As Andy Herman would note, the punt return unit had very little success. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s punt return team averaged almost 20 yards per return. Green Bay averaged 14.0 yards per kick return, including a drop from Goodson, while the Chiefs averaged 31.0 yards.
The bright spots were Pat O’Donnell, who averaged over 56 yards per punt, as well as Jack Coco, who was again steady. Amari Rodgers also turned a kickoff with little opportunity into a decent gain.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t only this game where this unit struggled, but much of the preseason has been filled with blunders.
For a team that is going to be relying more heavily on their defense, the Packers’ special teams unit will need to be buttoned up to prevent too many short-field opportunities for opposing offenses.