Losing Raji sucks but let's keep it in perspective.  We're not talking about an all pro player here.  While I believe he was playing out of position, how did Raji do last year?  I think we are pretty damn lucky to have a guy like Pennel on the roster that looks to be ready to step right in.  

Someone might have to fact check this. But IIRC, last year in the pre-season against the Rams. AR faked a handoff to Lacy out of the shotgun and went quick hit over the middle to Finley over the middle for a big gain. 20 plus yards.

Last night on 3rd and 4 on the opening drive AR went to RR on a similar quick hit over the middle and RR turned into a 30 yard play. Rodgers and Rodgers saw the D alignment. Rodgers found the soft spot and swung his head around fast knowing his QB was going to him.

Love seeing AR expecting Dick Rodgers knowing his route and doing things by the book.

ReFo: Raiders @ Packers, Preseason Week 3

Sam Monson | August 23, 2014

 

T.J. Lang, RG, +4.3

Breakdown: Josh Sitton is the household name (as much as guards are ever household names) among the guards in Green Bay but it was Lang who played like the All-Pro in this game, thoroughly outperforming his teammate and setting the standard for the Packers on the line.

 

Signature Play: With 8:39 left in the first quarter, Lang had been beating DT Pat Sims all day, and here was a perfect example, controlling the big man, exploiting his width and driving him away from the point of attack with ease.

 

Mike Pennel, NT, +0.6

Breakdown: With B.J. Raji down for the year with a torn biceps injury, the undrafted rookie suddenly has a shot to make something of himself in a hurry in Green Bay, and he certainly flashed the ability to be a force on the nose in this game, even if it wasn’t consistent dominance.

 

Signature Play: At the 3:25 mark in the third quarter on a run moving to the right, Pennel crushed a double team, blowing veteran C Kevin Boothe into the running lane and made the stop himself. This is the kind of play the Packers need in the absence of Raji. continue