Green Bay Packers
Safety Battle:
The Packers have had major questions at safety for several years now. Morgan Burnett looked like a solution but kept being moved around and his flaws were exposed, in part because the safety across from him was a gaping hole. Green Bay tried out multiple draft picks but found nothing, but things may finally be changing.
Last year cornerback Micah Hyde impressed in his rookie season, stepping up when injuries hit and being used more as a utility defensive back. More of his snaps came at center, but the coaching staff saw enough to move him to safety this season. Instantly, Hyde firmly took over the position and proved he was worthy of a starting job. He was originally supposed to fight it out with first-round pick Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix to see whom starts alongside Burnett. Now it could be Clinton-Dix and Burnett going at it for the other starting job.
Burnett missed the first preseason game with an oblique injury, opening the door for Clinton-Dix to make the start. It was a solid debut for the rookie safety, he read some run plays well and made a nice pass break up in coverage, but he was also trucked by Dexter McCluster and slow to react twice to Taylor Thompson. Now Burnett is healthy and will start on Saturday, but this is still an open competition that Clinton-Dix can win.
Davon House versus Casey Hayward:
While the safety battle is still up in the air, the Packers are ready to go with their two outside cornerbacks. Sam Shields and Tramon Williams were up and down last season, but should be more consistent with improved play at safety. The battle for the third cornerback spot remains open, with Hayward and House fighting for the spot in training camp.
Hayward had a Defensive Rookie of the Year-caliber season in 2012—he stood out as an excellent slot cornerback who quarterbacks stopped throwing towards after his six interceptions. He missed a lot of time last season with a severe hamstring injury, but is now 100 percent and continues to make plays in training camp. He is the better talent of the two, but House has been in Green Bay longer and has made improvements of his own.
HC Mike McCarthy has praised House repeatedly for having an outstanding training camp. He is finally taking a real step forward as he enters his fourth season, presenting the Packers with a very nice problem to have. House doesn't have great experience working in the slot but his remarkable jump has certainly helped him earn playing time. The next three preseason games will provide a great opportunity for both players, but Hayward should likely win in the end.
Turnover Battle:
While the Packers did a nice job getting sacks last year, they didn't generate nearly as much pressure as DC Dom Capers was hoping for. The lack of pressure certainly contributed to the team ranking 18th in turnovers (24) and 15th in interceptions (16). The lack of interceptions was alarming enough, but even worse considering not one of their safeties had one.
Of course the safety battle will be key, but what Green Bay needs more is just turnovers generated by the secondary. Shields has the ability to be a turnover machine but struggled in coverage last season, the team was also without Hayward who led the team with six interceptions in 2012. Now that everyone is healthy and they've added Clinton-Dix, the Packers need to win the turnover battle more frequently. More turnovers gives more possessions to Aaron Rodgers and that would make this team so much better.
St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford's Return:
Almost everything is in place for the Rams to take a big step forward in 2014—St. Louis has built an outstanding defense, a reliable offensive line and running game, now they just need smart, consistent play at quarterback. Bradford has battled injuries throughout his career, but showed real signs of improvement on the field last season.
That was until he tore his ACL and was lost for the season, leaving the Rams to rely on Kellen Clemens as their starter. Bradford has returned and the biggest thing for him is the addition of Greg Robinson to the offensive line. Robinson was a standout left tackle at Auburn, but now will move inside to guard. If Bradford can stay healthy and just be efficient with the football, the Rams will be happy.
Rams Pass Rush versus Packers Offensive Line:
St. Louis has put together an outstanding front four—Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald and Chris Long make a phenomenal core. Now they take on a Packers' offensive line that has some questions at left tackle and an inexperienced player at center.
Quinn will go to town against David Bakhtiari, the Packers' left tackle last season who will struggles against Quinn's speed. A fun battle to watch early could be Donald versus All-Pro guard Josh Sitton. It will provide an excellent opportunity for the rookie defensive tackle to test himself against one of the best offensive linemen in the game. This will be a fun battle to watch throughout the game.
Strong Second Half:
The Rams narrowly lost last week to the New Orleans Saints in large part because they only scored once in the second half. While the second half of the first preseason game is always when backups and late-round draftees are in the game, you still want to see your team finish.
St. Louis will have an opportunity Saturday night to come out strong in the second half, especially with more of their role players and key backups remaining in the game. We also saw the Packers struggle last week in the final quarter as the defense gave up a late lead, while Matt Flynn struggled.
There should be plenty of opportunities for players like Michael Sam, E.J. Gaines and Lamarcus Joyner to get extra reps and shine. While Shaun Hill will have the backup job locked down, Garrett Gilbert will hope to improve upon his six for 11 night versus New Orleans.