Green Bay Packers 2012: Was the first exhibition game a cause for concern?

Going into this new season everyone is looking for improvement defensively. The Packers drafted six players on that side of the ball and we as fans want to see improvement immediately. First round draft pick LB Nick Perry looked very good. Too bad the good news ends right there. Second rounder’s DL Jerel Worthy and CB Casey Hayward did not do anything of note. I came into this game hoping to see CB Devon House show that he can be a starter and I think he did before hurting his shoulder. The Defense overall still made way too many mistakes and missed a lot of tackles. Maybe they only need to become average. If they improve and the Special Teams and Offense stays the same the team will be better but...

With LT Herb Taylor trying to protect Aaron Rodger's blind side, and James Starks fumbling the ball, the Offense could not get anywhere. With Special Teams fumbles as well that first quarter was not at all what we were looking for. It is obvious that we can't assume anything and every season is different. Based on starters vs. starters both teams looked bad but the San Diego Chargers were the better team.
There were some good things that happened during the remainder of the game but nothing good enough to mention in this dull 21-13 loss.

The injuries to LB Desmond Bishop (knee and hamstring) and cornerback Davon House (shoulder) trump anything else that happened Thursday night. The main thing in any pre-season game is coming away healthy. The Packers sure don't want to lose last season’s leading tackler and a potential starter at cornerback. This game already has me wanting to see the real thing, the regular season opener on Sunday, September 9 vs. the 49ers. Wow, Mike McCarthy has a lot to get done in one month!

Packer Nation wants to believe that as Super Bowl champions from 2010 and the best regular season Packer team ever going 15-1 in 2011: Our Packers are a lock to win the NFC North again and advance to the Super Bowl. We would like to think that it is obvious that Green Bay has the best team in football. Surely it was a bit of bad timing combined with the Giants getting hot and a little lucky that derailed this train last January but what if what happened in the playoffs, during the season at Kansas City, and again at San Diego in this pre-season opener is no longer the exception but become the rule?

As a Packer fan you don’t allow yourself to think that way but with friends that are fans of other teams, reality hits me in the face and I cannot ignore it. This season’s journey to our rightful spot in the Super Bowl might not be that easy. I think this Defense will be better in 2012 but I don't know if the Special Teams is going to be good again or take a step back. I wonder if the Offense can be even better than last year without a good running game. I am thinking no because of the uncertainty of the Offensive Line. Therefore, I hope to see Ted Thompson sign Cedric Benson.

What do you think? Was Week 1 of the pre-season meaningless or cause for concern?