The good news is this Rook group got some work in during the preseason. I would have liked our starting offensive line to have played together by the last preseason game and executed together either with Rodgers or Love for a quarter to get in sync. I expect our offense to misfire early in the first game and get it together by the half. We will see growing pains. We should concentrate on the run game first and get some nerves out of the way and build some confidence. Not sure how many games to sync. I'm still more worried about the secondary and not picking up a starting CB.....the most obvious weakness by far.

I have confidence that Packers coaches will prepare OL for the chalange. What public saw was basic O & D. We do not know what they did behind closed doors. I doubt that they were stayed with basic D or basic O. Also, I believe that final roster is not composed only based on preseason games, but mostly what players did behind closed doors.

I remember well extreme level of panic when Brian Bulaga went down to injury (as Packers primary LT) and only back up was 4th round guy. I also remember how many of you complaining on the TT choice of him, because he is at the best 6th rounder. Today that guy is Pro Bowl player and the best LT in NFL.

We do not need Meyers & Newman to play at Pro Bowl level. They have to be just very good and evetything will be OK.

Do not panic...

Intelligently written article. The points raised about the OL are really the only things potentially stopping the offense from explosive scoring besides numerous and significant injuries.

I look for the offense to score over 40 pts this game. Defense will do the job. Only worry for me is special teams. Getting a new punter may help.
Got tickets to the game yesterday online. Plenty left. My chance to see Aaron Rodgers once before he’s no longer a Packer. Hope to see some Cheeseheads there.

I wonder if the offense will scare the other teams with the threat of the pass only to gash them with the run. If the current strength of the line is run blocking and with the extra TE/H back lining up, then opposing teams will have to back off a bit in the pass rush/blitz because of runs and screens. I see the demise of the five seconds of pass blocking while Rodgers waits for his WR to get open.

This is the first I heard Newman won the start at RG. What you wrote makes me nervous. Everyone is out of their natural position. I believe it will demoralize this offense. Two Rookies together may just take the heat off Jenkins. But Rodgers can't be happy about this at all. On Paper; The stone Wall looks like a Dike with a Leak in it. No way will any veteran be stopped by a rookie. I just believe the packers are taking to much for granted.

Awesome and happy for Elgton Especially.. If the man can show he is a capable starting left tackle than he will become a very rich man and will most likely be perceived as the most versatile offensive lineman in the league by far .

Meyers is the key agreed he has the communication responsibilities and dealing with Rodgers good luck young man prove that grump chap ass Rodgers wrong .. Not a Rodgers hater just know he will demand perfection

Let's hope the starting line is able to get in sync with only practices (against our own mediocre defense) instead of working together in preseason games.
I'm skeptical about the practices being just as good, but could be way wrong.
With Linsley gone, we have a new signal caller at center in Myers (as a rookie) to call out blocking assignments. Bakh is out for maybe half the season, so Jenkins moves to left tackle from guard. We have another rookie at guard, and a new starter at the other guard. So just one starter from last season in the same position?
It seems like preseason game could have been a good way of getting these guys in rhythm. Those games would seem to have much less chaos and much less savagery than the regular season games.
Rodgers may do well to get the ball out especially quick until the line proves itself in protection on a regular basis.
I genuinely hope it all works out to the good of the Packers. If I'm right, then may it be without injury. Better yet, this is one of those times I'd be glad to be wrong.
If the Packers hum on offense and score several touchdowns on the 12th, we can laugh and laugh in good-natured ribbing and hearty camaraderie at my misguided concerns.

Worriers, worry. Coaches coach, and the rest of us enjoy what unfolds (unless it doesn't). That is how the football world spins around its axis.

Just got my tickets for Jacksonville so pumped......I think we have more Packers fans than Saints fans there...

Good assessment I agree with everything you said. So important everything starts with the line of scrimmage. I think people too often just shrug and think it’s a cliche…”the game is won and lost in the trenches “

only 1 returning starter at his position from wk 1 last year thats unheardof. imo great article siting the reasons for optimism balanced with resons for concerns. only time wil tell

Regarding rookies starting in the NFL - the example of D-Bak filling in for Bulaga worked out pretty well - don't forget TJ Lang started as a rookie and Josh Sitton would have been a rookie starter had not a knee injury late in TC felled him! The point being if you can play in the NFL you can play- draft position be darned and experience is only gained by doing! Although the positions are different remember 4 years ago when highly touted rookie Jason Spriggs arrived in GB and all preseason he looked overwhelmed and no amount of experience changed that! Newman has looked solid like a young TJ Lang and if he has a similar career we will be thrilled he was available in the 4th round! BTW this recent influx of talented young offensive linemen seem to have coincided with the hiring of Milt Hendrickson from the Ravens who was viewed as OL maven and if so this was another excellent hire by Gutekunst!

I feel the OL line will do a good job. Josh Meyers and Royce Newman earned the starting job for good reason. If run blocking is their strength then by all means give the ball to any of the 3 talented backs and good things will happen. Establish the run and the passing game will fall into place. They don't have to play at Pro Bowl status with the talent in the backfield and at the receiver position. I'm more worried about the ST play than the OL at this point in time. Hopefully Corey Bojorquez can adapt quickly to his new team.

I was worried last year, and they turned out to be one of the best.
Bak is a big loss right now, but Jenkins is filling his spot and I have faith in the coaches.
Just wish the real starters had more time together.
Let's hope that the veterans continue to do what they have and the young guys elevate their games.

The run game is going to be the foundation for this team, and it will open the passing to even greater heights.