Edgar Bennett Deserves More Praise
Aaron Rodgers isn't the only one making Jarrett Boykin and Myles White look like solid NFL wide receivers.
When wide receivers Randall Cobb and James Jones went down, followed by tight end Jermichael Finley, the Packers passing offense appeared in shambles.
Who would Aaron Rodgers throw to? Would the Packers have to completely switch gears and become a rushing dominate team?
But the Packers came out against the Browns and the Vikings and didn’t stop passing. Rodgers and his receivers appeared, in both games, to not skip a beat.
Much credit was given to Ted Thompson and his ability to find talent that can step up. Rodgers also received much praise. CheeseheadTV contributor, Andrew Garda tweeted:
Not to take away from Randall Cobb and James Jones but we saw last night that as long as you have #12, your Wrs are replaceable.
— Andrew Garda (@Andrew_Garda) October 28, 2013
Rodgers is playing lights out, some of the throws he completed Sunday night demonstrated precious and skill that is light years ahead of much of the rest of the NFL. With only 3 players on the current roster having played a regular season game with a different NFL team, Thompson deserves much credit for finding the right players.
But one key component to the receiving consistency has been over looked, wide receivers coach, Edgar Bennett.
Bennett, a former Packers running back, has been with the Packers staff since 2001 when he headed the player development program. He officially joined the coaching staff as running backs coach in 2005. He moved to wide receivers coach after the 2010 season.
The Packers receiving corps have been a vastly talented group. Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb, are all big name players. Coaching a group of players who come in with a high talent level often causes a coach to be overlooked.
But now Bennett has a group of lesser known names. Jarrett Boykin, Myles White and Chris Harper.
Jarrett Boykin went undrafted out of college. One scout said that Boykin had inconsistent hands and was neither creative nor elusive after the catch. He ran a slower 4.71 40 yard dash at the combine. The Jacksonville Jaguars cut Boykin after a three day minicamp. Jarrett Boykin didn’t appear to have a bright NFL future ahead of him.
Myles White played college ball with three different teams. After being suspended by Michigan State his freshmen year, White spent time with community college Northwest Mississippi State before moving on to Louisiana Tech. White was not invited to the combine and was undrafted and signed to the Packers practice squad after training camp.
In the game against the Ravens, after Cobb and Jones left the game, Boykin struggled to fit into the offense. He was targeted 6 times and had 1 catch. But when it was clear that Jones and Cobb would be out for a period of time, Boykin stepped up. In the Browns game, he was targeted 10 times with 8 receptions and on Sunday night he was targeted 6 times with 5 receptions.
Both Boykin and White have been crucial to the Packers passing offense in the previous two games, accounting for 43% of the total receiving yards. Over the last two games, the Packers wide receiving corps have been targeted 39 times and caught 31 of those throws.
The receiving trio of Boykin, White and Nelson is a group not used to working together. Boykin and White spent the majority of training camp and preseason catching passes from backup quarterbacks. Yet the group appears to be staying cohesive. Neither Boykin nor White are making a viable case to replace Cobb or Jones as starters, but they are making what could be a difficult situation manageable.
Of course they have one of the best quarterbacks in the game throwing to them. But Edgar Bennett also must receive some credit for coaching these players up. Bennett coached Boykin from a player who couldn’t convince a team that only won 5 games that he was worth their time to a major contributor on the team. Bennett coached White up from a practice squad player to one that has played on 107 of 154 offensive snaps in the last two weeks.
Both Boykin and White deserve credit for their roles, as do Aaron Rodgers and Ted Thompson, but let’s not overlook Edgar Bennett.
Jayme Snowden is a feature writer at CheeseheadTV and a contributor to Today’s TMJ4. She also co-hosts CheeseheadRadio, part of the Packers Talk Radio Network at Packertalk.com. You can contact her via twitter at @jaymelee1 or email at [email protected].
Comments (62)
October 29, 2013 at 12:33 pm
that is way more than the 140 characters allowed in a tweet
October 29, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Obviously EB is a great coach and the players love him.
October 29, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Edgar is going to make a solid offensive coordinator one day, I'd bet. Great teacher and understands the big picture. Nice article, and I love hearing McCarthy give his staff the credit they're due in his press conferences. Just keep coaching 'em up.
October 29, 2013 at 01:17 pm
Edgar is a pillar of historical GB greatness! One of those now AND then guys! Love it! Pack 34 Bears 20
October 29, 2013 at 01:19 pm
Edgar is one of my favorites from the Holmgren era. Well liked and respected by his position group from what I understand. Emphasizes blocking, ball security and accountability. He has first team talent in Cobb, Nelson and JJ. As far as the others, I suppose they're assignment sure so far which is all you can ask for at this time. Boykins some how gets wide open even with his pedestrian speed. White-meh.
However, the WR receiver group can largely thank #12 for much of their success. You only need to look back at the Queens to see what it's like to have a pedestrian QB. Right Greg Jennings?
October 29, 2013 at 02:00 pm
I love just love the way these guys plug and play. You know there is a lot more to it but it works.
October 29, 2013 at 02:30 pm
Ugh, now Edgar Bennett's rivals are going to see this post and use it as motivation! Please Aaron or someone, take this down!
October 29, 2013 at 03:28 pm
No doubt Mike Groh reads cheeseheadtv daily. If not dozens of Bears fans are emailing him now.
October 29, 2013 at 05:48 pm
Josh McCown will be firing darts all day after he reads this piece.
October 29, 2013 at 06:20 pm
..and you'll be firing blanks on the couch after your wife reads your sexist remarks about women and babies popping out. Shame on you.
Longshanks
October 29, 2013 at 03:12 pm
As much as you have to admire EB getting Boykin ready, I think he did just as much for the "stars." James Jones had real problems with consistency as recently as two years ago. He was so consistent last year that the Packers were fine with letting Jennings walk. Randall Cobb was a project as a receiver. I know he's very smart and very talented, but he was a college QB. Now, maybe it's going too far to call him an elite receiver, but on some teams he would be the #1 receiver. Some credit has to go to EB. EB deserves every bit of praise that he gets.
October 29, 2013 at 04:02 pm
Not trying to take credit away from Edgar, but Cobb was very much a college WR. He had a total of 122 pass attempts in 3 yrs, only 20 after his freshman year, and over 1,000 yards receiving his last year at UK.
October 29, 2013 at 09:20 pm
Stop messing me up with facts! :-)
October 29, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Jamie probably just made up those numbers in some irrational fit of feminine acrimony designed to provide poster material to the opposing team.
October 29, 2013 at 04:37 pm
I don't think we would be doing justice just praising Edgar Bennett without praising some of the unsung heros behind the scenes that make it possible for guys like Edgar to do his job to the best of his ability. I think it's about time someone here (I'll do it I guess) praise the women in professional sports mainly the wives, mothers and girlfriends of pro athletes and coaches.
Just want to give them all a shout out. I think it's just too damn easy to praise coaches and players that fans and sports writers tend to forget to give a little credit to these incredible women that go thru the same highs and lows as their husbands.
I am sure if you were to ask Edgar or Mike McCarthy who is most responsible for their success they would say their wives no doubt.
These are the ones you don't see or read about doing the cooking, the cleaning, the taking care of the little kids, preparing their lunches, the shoulder to cry on privately after a bitter loss.
Yes, Edgar deserves credit for the wr's play but I for one am not going to exclude the women in sports that are just as instrumental to the big picture. I salute all of you!!
Longshanks
October 29, 2013 at 05:57 pm
Nice attempt at reconciliation, but you’re still a sexist pig. Either that, or you still think its 1952, which is not an excuse for being a sexist pig. Case in point:
“These are the ones you don’t see or read about doing the cooking, the cleaning, the taking care of the little kids, preparing their lunches, the shoulder to cry on privately after a bitter loss.”
Amazing my wife can do anything but serve my every need and pop babies out.
October 29, 2013 at 11:21 pm
Some wars can't be won. Don't be pickin such impossible battles.
Great story, Edgar is clearly a great coach.
October 30, 2013 at 01:27 am
Still behind great men are great women and vice versa and same sex couples too. We all need help out here ya know. None of us are islands
October 30, 2013 at 01:34 am
Absolutely agree Fish Crane!! Great point!! I was talking specifically about the Packers above so since they are all male players I was giving credit to women only. I am glad you enjoyed my article and didn't give me this sexist grief like others.
Longshanks
October 30, 2013 at 06:22 am
except for darrell revis, maybe.
October 29, 2013 at 04:57 pm
Good post, Jayme.
Longshanks, that was a waste of your time to write and a waste of mine to read.
October 29, 2013 at 05:57 pm
Nice attempt at reconciliation, but you're still a sexist pig. Either that, or you still think its 1952, which is not an excuse for being a sexist pig. Case in point:
"These are the ones you don’t see or read about doing the cooking, the cleaning, the taking care of the little kids, preparing their lunches, the shoulder to cry on privately after a bitter loss."
Amazing my wife can do anything but serve my every need and pop babies out.
October 29, 2013 at 06:17 pm
"Amazing my wife can do anything but serve my every need and pop babies out."
I think it's crystal clear who the real sexist pig is and his name is Point Packer. Oh my God, that was the worse thing I ever read here. Congrats!!
I simply try to write a nice post praising women behind the scenes that are involved in sports and you have the audacity to make it into a sexist argument. Grow up!!
Longshanks
October 29, 2013 at 07:03 pm
Do yourself a favor and look up "sarcasm" in the dictionary. Clearly it will help to expand your vocabulary.
October 29, 2013 at 07:13 pm
Nice try Mack!! Oh, I was just being sarcastic. No you weren't and now you are being called out for the sexist pig you are. Do me a favor and point your Packer at someone else. I am done with you. I am here to talk Packers football. Perhaps try a sexist pig website. I am sure those "sarcastic" comments will fit right in there.
I am in total disbelief that a single person here could take what I said about women and turn it into an argument. Again, shame on you and grow up!!
Longshanks
October 29, 2013 at 07:22 pm
Your attack on a CHTV blogger because of gender was one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read. That was until I read your lame effort toward reconciliation above.
You want to stick to football talk? Then don't attack an author because of his or her gender.
October 29, 2013 at 09:06 pm
Does this go to 11?
October 29, 2013 at 08:13 pm
I think the real question here is whether or not she should be made to smell the glove.
I think she should; but not over and over....
October 29, 2013 at 08:19 pm
I'm more of a Whitesnake fan.
October 29, 2013 at 08:25 pm
Yet another sexist remark towards women. Whitesnake? Ummm ok, keep digging your hole Point Packer.
Longshanks
October 29, 2013 at 09:22 pm
Whitesnake is a band.
October 29, 2013 at 07:33 pm
::face palm::
October 29, 2013 at 08:02 pm
This is embarrassing.
October 29, 2013 at 08:07 pm
Yes, it is embarrassing. Point Packer should be ashamed.
Longshanks
October 30, 2013 at 10:09 am
From "The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity" by Professor Carlo Cipolla:
"The third (and golden) basic law states...'A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person or to a group of persons while himself deriving no gain and possibly incurring losses.'"
Longshanks, this applies to you. Keep digging if you must, it is a free country after all. But know this: any victory you think you have won is a Pyrrhic one, and the other readers of this site are worse off for it. I suggest you take a long walk off a very short pier.
October 30, 2013 at 11:15 am
This law sounds more like Obamacare to me.
Longshanks
October 29, 2013 at 07:38 pm
I'll say it one more time. Point your Packer at some other guy. You can't hide from what you said above and trying to change direction won't work. I have your quote above memorized already.
If you want to talk football than talk football but don't attack me because I am not a sexist like you are. Sorry if you hated what I said about women above. That's how I feel and won't apologize for it.
Longshanks
October 29, 2013 at 07:54 pm
I'd respond, but I have to prepare dinner and clean up the house before my wife gets home from work.
October 29, 2013 at 09:07 pm
LOL!
October 29, 2013 at 09:23 pm
+1
October 29, 2013 at 07:56 pm
Edgar made one of the most awesome catches by a RB that I've ever seen. I saw it live at Lambeau against the cream sickle Bucs. It's was about thirty yards down the left sideline and EB made a flying full out horizontal stretch to haul it in. Everyone in the stadium that day was just blown away by that play.
October 29, 2013 at 11:01 pm
I was going to say the same thing, Ice, except I remember it from the comfort of my living room couch. Best catch by a running back I've ever seen.
And, Mr. Bennet could block, oh, yes, he could.
And he hated fumbling. I'm sure he still does.
I appreciate the article. Dude deserves some props.
He'll be a head coach someday, not just an OC.
October 29, 2013 at 08:02 pm
"Amazing my wife can do anything but serve my every need and pop babies out."
Point Packer Oct 29, 2013 6:57 p.m.
October 29, 2013 at 09:24 pm
Cow42, is that you?
October 29, 2013 at 09:54 pm
Don't insult Cow like that.
October 29, 2013 at 11:50 pm
No, I doubt he's Cow42. Cow didn't say stuff like that. Just some guy wanting to cause trouble. I don't understand the bitterness and the anger that some people have here. It doesn't make sense to me. There was no reason for Pointed Packer to attack me and jump on me the way he did. It hurt to be honest.
Longshanks
October 30, 2013 at 01:44 am
I made my point. Back to football.
October 30, 2013 at 01:48 am
Yes, you did make your point and I thank you for that.
“Amazing my wife can do anything but serve my every need and pop babies out.”
Point Packer Oct 29, 2013 6:57 p.m.
October 29, 2013 at 08:13 pm
Is this KGB and Fartman continuing their Yahoo escapades ?
October 29, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Hahahaha, What a country!
October 30, 2013 at 01:30 am
Cow come back
October 30, 2013 at 09:30 am
Dont speak of that name.
October 30, 2013 at 09:32 am
Can we please cut this crud out!? Were his comments sexist? Sure. Now please move on, lets talk about football. Im sure Jamie would agree
Jayme Snowden
October 30, 2013 at 11:19 am
Jamie is a guy, and a person who comments on posts. Jayme is me, the author and female. :)
I'd appreciate it if Longshanks would stop being a sexist troll and start respecting my work, but he's not. Other commenters feel the need to say something. Honestly disheartened to see the comments in total turn into this. I'll never understand trolls.
Jayme Snowden
October 30, 2013 at 11:20 am
I also love it when wordpress uses my married name to extra complicate things :)
October 30, 2013 at 01:04 pm
Lol i apologize for the name mix up
October 30, 2013 at 01:05 pm
And yes lol i noticed that to. I was hoping you didnt get divorced in between comments :P
October 30, 2013 at 11:42 am
Stop being a sexist troll? WTF? Jayme go read what I said again about how women behind the scenes play roles in sports that go unnoticed and unappreciated by fans. How is that sexist. I was trying to show you that I am not a sexist troll as you falsely accused me of last week. Good Lord. I thought you would appreciate my article for crying out loud. I thought all women would and it would be the end of it. Instead I have some morons hell bent on wanting to fight a war that doesn't exist why? Becuase I am not a sexist!! and they so desperately want me to be. I am just a human being with an opinion. Now please can we talk football Jayme?
Longshanks
October 30, 2013 at 11:13 am
Thank you Steven!! Some of these people are just obtuse. It amazes me.
Longshanks
October 30, 2013 at 05:32 pm
Well done Edgar.
October 30, 2013 at 05:36 pm
So who is coaching the running backs? I feel embarrassed to ask but I don't know.
Jayme Snowden
October 30, 2013 at 06:38 pm
Alex Van Pelt