Packers Cautious With Early Praise
The comments during training camp and preseason will continue to tell us more about the tone that this year's Packers team has.
By jasonperone
This time last year, the Green Bay Packers were gearing up for another shot at a Super Bowl and coming off of a season in which they should have just been to one. There was all the reason in the world to believe the team would be prime competitors in the NFC. The 2014 offense rolled to some big numbers and the Packers were returning most of those starters from that season. Along came the preseason games and down went receiver Jordy Nelson. Suddenly, the team had to find ways to try and mitigate Nelson's loss.
As much as they would have liked to replace that production and as optimistic as they wanted to be, I doubt that the Packers realistically expected that to happen. The best they could hope for was for their younger players to step up and improve from the year prior. The prime candidate was Davante Adams. As his rookie season of 2014 progressed, Adams etched out a bigger role within the offense. He had a great performance in a big game against the New England Patriots towards the end of the season and he had a brilliant catch and run for a score against the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. The arrow was definitely pointing up and Adams didn't disappoint during training camp and the preseason. Head coach Mike McCarthy went on record as touting Adams as one of the preseason MVP's. Add that statement to the already-sky-high expectations (including myself) for Adams and there was little doubt that he would certainly help in the wake of Nelson's loss.
In looking at Adams' stats, most of his numbers increased despite missing three games, however, the eye test tells us that it wasn't a great season for #17. He was targeted 27 more times and had 12 more catches than the year prior, but he managed less than 40 yards more. His touchdown total fell from three to one. It appeared that Adams was out of sync with Aaron Rodgers and had several drops. The early-season ankle injury Adams suffered likely didn't help and it may have bothered him more than we know last year. In the wild card playoff game, Adams came to life a bit with four catches and a touchdown but was forced out with what was reportedly a MCL sprain. Adams missed the following week's game in Arizona against the Cardinals, an overtime loss to end the Packers' season.
Fast forward to this year and already, Rodgers is being much more cautious in his assessment of the younger players. He went so far as to say he won't be crowning any of his teammates as an early-season MVP. Rodgers did compliment receiver Jeff Janis and his performance in the playoff game in Arizona, which was significant after Rodgers seemed more than reluctant to praise Janis most of last season. Sure, we expect the head coach and quarterback to be optimistic about individual players but the vibe is already more muted this time around. And that's probably a good thing.
It can be argued that perhaps the expectations that were placed on Adams by the team, fans and himself coupled with his injury probably took a mental toll. Adams was visibly frustrated during the season and his play looked to suffer. It's hard to predict if there will be a hangover this season but Adams has already acknowledged the belief that his coaches and teammates have in him, especially Rodgers. Adams has said he aims to validate that optimism about him.
In looking back to the end of that playoff loss to the Cardinals, we have another example of how we have to remember that many of these players still have a lot to learn. Rookie cornerback Damarious Randall had been having an above-average season and was a big contributor on defense. On the second-to-last play from scrimmage, it was Randall who failed to stay with Cards receiver Larry Fitzgerald as he ran underneath the defense and was all alone on the other side of the field. 75 some odd yards later, the Cardinals were knocking on the door of another playoff win against the Packers. Like Adams last year, Randall would seem to be on of those players primed to have a big second season. That's the hope, but after watching Adams, it's fair to be cautiously optimistic. Many will be listening closely for the updates and analysis on Randall when camp opens and as the preseason wears on.
It's all on paper at this point and so many things can happen and change along the way, but these Packers appear to have learned to temper their expectations of the team, or at least are saying as much publicly. Another playoff loss and none closer to a championship opportunity are always disappointing but perhaps this year's team is more focused on doing it versus talking about it. The coverage and comments during training camp and preseason will continue to tell us more about the tone that this year's Packers team has. Another year wiser and with a little luck, they'll aim to have more to show at the end of this year compared to the last few.
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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (26)
NickPerry
June 03, 2016 at 06:41 am
The expectations placed on Adams were unfair from the start. They asked a 2nd year WR to come in a replace and produce like Jordy Nelson who took until his 4th season (2011) to really put up great numbers. Nelson also was playing on one the best offenses under McCarthy in 2011 with Jennings, Jones, Finley, and Coob who was a rookie.
Aaron Rodgers wasn't AR last season either. How many Wide Open Receivers did he miss last season? Not only miss but miss badly? Never mind they STILL didn't have a TE and their Running Game took a huge step back. The O-Line had guys playing who were on the PS the week before and they were supposed to play like we're been accumstomed too? Parise or not there's several players who need to step it up. The parise will come when The Packers are in the SB.
Remember this? 2016 will have a cover too. Same idea, new faces.
http://www.sicovers.com/Product.aspx?pid=2482
Rossonero
June 03, 2016 at 10:16 am
You nailed it. Everything that could've gone wrong last year did go wrong. This season will be different.
DrealynWilliams
June 03, 2016 at 12:37 pm
I agree @Nick
Grandfathered
June 03, 2016 at 10:13 pm
I made it a point to watch Adams when I was at the Carolina game last year. He really had a difficult time getting off the line of scrimmage in press coverage, and it seemed like he made too many "juke" moves before getting up the field. Rogers did not have time to wait because that Luke Kuechley (sp?) was having a field day. By the end of the season, scouts were reporting that Adams was just an average receiver. My expectations are lower for Adams this year.
NickPerry
June 04, 2016 at 05:42 am
Lots of young WR have a hard time getting off press when they're young, they just aren't strong enough yet. McCarthy also doesn't actually do much to help. How many times do you see Packers WR in a bunch formation or something like that. Hey you might be right, Adams won't amount to much compared to other TT picks at the position, but I'm not about to completely give up on him either. People have have come up with nicknames or suggest he "Should" be the one who's cut after TC. I say lets see how he performs this year before we label him a bust like many, or are ready cut him tomorrow like others.
I watch Adams and I see a better version of James Jones. How many damn passes did Jones drop early on? The Combine and Pro Day numbers are actually really close except Adams had a much better vertical (39 to 34) and Jones was much stronger (22 reps to 14 reps on bench).
NickPerry
June 04, 2016 at 05:43 am
Double Post.....
PaulRosik
June 04, 2016 at 11:13 pm
No one was expecting Adams to replace Nelson. But we did expect him to produce and look like an NFL receiver. He didn't do that in 2015.
Handsback
June 03, 2016 at 08:12 am
For 6 games the Packers were contenders and then they became pretenders for the rest of the season.
During the playoffs, they started off in Washington as a team that seemed confused with their identity and wound up remembering who they were and why they were playing the game. At AZ, the Packers were pushing around a team that had kicked them in the teeth a few weeks earlier but couldn't slam the door for the win.
Why was last season so odd? I think Nick Perry has it right; Rodgers just wasn't the player that he had been. Injuries to him, lack of running game, WRs that weren't winning one-on-one, or Oline struggling with their blocks......you pick it because I don't know.
If I had to place a bet, I would say lack of preparation and identity that was supposed to filter down from the coaches through the team leaders to the players. They seemed confused and slow in games (even the ones they won) which would tell me that they were inexperienced in either the offense or the plays called. The later point would be very odd since the team has a lot of experience. So maybe the Packers were so hurt that they were indeed trying to become an offense that the players didn't recognize anymore and didn't have the confidence they could win against the league's best.
So here is what I see now, if injuries hit the WRs again...they will be better prepared since they had to depend on Janis/Abby and they performed at a high enough level to compete and added a field stretching TE. The Packers added pressure on the coaches to make sure adequate RB replacements will be ready for game day and decent depth has been added to the OLine.
The D did pretty good last year, but the DBs will get better and the OLBs/ILBs have more depth in case of injuries.
So in conclusion....they will be a better team and if Mr. Rodgers reclaims his neighborhood they could be wearing the crown of World Champs again!
Thegreatreynoldo
June 03, 2016 at 08:14 am
I have no expectations regarding Adams (yeah, I didn't like the pick and expressed early reservations about him), but he does have untapped talent. I think Monty and Abby can contribute, and expect Nelson and Cobb to return to form. Cook should help both in terms of actual production and in terms of the new threat posed. I think the WRs will be fine, and the pressure on Adams should be reduced.
I have expectations for Randall, who had a nice rookie year but was better early than late. I have bigger expectations for Rollins, who improved steadily over the coarse of the season. I don't know what to make of Gunter taking snaps at slot CB, despite the spin GB put on the move. If Whitt truly thinks Gunter can play slot, who am I to suggest differently? I just wonder if what Whitt said is congruent with his actual thought. We are a trifle thin at CB after the starters.
NickPerry
June 04, 2016 at 05:51 am
I'm right there with you on Rollins TGR. The Packers are in good shape at CB, just not as deep but Rollins might be the best of the bunch before long. I don't subscribe to PFF but I remember someone posting somethings about Rollins being ranked pretty high in sone categories. One thing he does do is tackle.
NickPerry
June 04, 2016 at 05:52 am
Double..AGAIN...ERRR
dobber
June 03, 2016 at 09:16 am
The reason to be cautious with early praise is because we really don't know what this team is going to look like this season. They came out of the gate strong last season, and even at the end of that 6-0 start there were chinks in the armor. Then they were exposed, whether due to injuries or poor play or poor preparation, as a team that was lacking in several facets of its play.
There was some encouraging play in the post-season, although I think the Washington game had a lot to do with the level of the opponent (a team that needs to play from ahead and lacked the defense to really compete in the playoffs).
The question is: was 2015 nothing more than a pyramid of events that drove this team into the frustrating play we observed (that resulted in a 4-6 record after the bye) or was it a sign of what this team truly is now? I don't know. I truly want to believe that it really was a confluence of circumstances and that this team will blow the doors off of the opposition again in 2016, but I'm iffy on the defense (players lost for various reasons vs. replacements that are more unknown) which carried this team for stretches in 2015.
I'm optimistic that ARod's cleanout will fix some of his issues and that adding Nelson, Montgomery, and Cook will help the receivers. The biggest issue in my book is OL health...moreso than ARod or receivers.
Let's not lose sight of the 2014 Brewers who ran out to that big lead in the NL Central by the AS break only to suffer a monumental collapse at the end (pay attention, Cubbies!). Management thought that they were still contenders and only made minor tweaks, but it turned out that the Brewers of the last 10 weeks were the real Brewers and they went into the crapper altogether.
I think the Packer track record over the last several seasons points toward the real Packers as being the better team and the shiftless, lackluster, post-bye Packers from 2015 were more of the aberration. Management clearly believes that's true. I hope they're right. But I don't blame them for keeping a lower profile and perpetuating more of a "prove-it" mentality team-wide. This team is entering a mini rebuild the way it is.
Since'61
June 03, 2016 at 09:16 am
I'm looking at 2016 a little differently. On the offense we have an experienced OL with 3 starters whom are playing for contracts. If they remain healthy we should get a high level of play from that group, plus our depth behind the starters should be improved. With the return of Jordy Nelson our WRs have plenty of experience. If Davante Adams does not improve this season we have enough depth to replace him if everyone is healthy. We have our #1 RB playing for a contract and Starks is back if Lacy goes MIA again. At TE we have a legit threat backed up by RR. Our QB if healthy is a 2 time MVP and one of the best and most accurate throwers of the football ever. The defense is another matter. We need either Pennel or Clark to step up at NT. At ILB we need a young player to step up, either Ryan or Martinez and in the secondary we need Randall and Rollins to take the next step and we need our young players to add depth in the secondary. Our defense is much more dependent on inexperienced players than our offense, assuming all are healthy. The young OLs and WRs can develop this season while on defense our young DLs and ILBs need to be ready to go. Any injuries will only compound the issue of playing inexperienced players for the defense. It's not an ideal situation but it is the reality of the salary cap NFL era. Thanks, Since '61
KenEllis
June 03, 2016 at 09:22 am
Seem to recall MM & ARod speaking highly of Jarret Boykin before the 2014 season (where he basically disappeared) and some other rumblings about Richard Rodgers making that off-discussed 2nd year leap before last offseason as well.
When you make predictions that turn out to look wildly optimistic, at best, it only makes sense to stop making them.
RCPackerFan
June 03, 2016 at 10:30 am
'and some other rumblings about Richard Rodgers making that off-discussed 2nd year leap before last offseason as well.'
Richard Rodgers did make a year 2 leap.
His first year, he started 5 games, had 20 receptions for 225 yards and 2 TD's. In his 2nd year he started 12 games had 58 catches for 510 yards and 8 TD's.
dobber
June 03, 2016 at 10:40 am
"Richard Rodgers did make a year 2 leap."
....it was after he ran about 60 yards downfield. It turned out to be a game-winning TD.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 03, 2016 at 07:09 pm
I know the stats show an increase for RR. Problem is he really did not get any better: his blocking was still terrible, his route running is still bad. His jump in stats is solely due to playing more snaps and getting more opportunities by default rather than because he earned the snaps and/or opportunities (see any number of posts bemoaning the loss of our #1, injuries to our #2, #3, #4 WRs).
Grandfathered
June 03, 2016 at 10:19 pm
I am curious about Perillo. He was first off the bench and made a few receptions before his injury. He was kept as a restricted rights free agent. Maybe he has more to offer.
Rossonero
June 03, 2016 at 10:23 am
What the Packers need in 2016 is health.
Aside from the incredible Super Bowl run of 2010 with 15 guys on IR, the only two years where the team had health on their side were 2011 and 2014. Its no surprise that these also were seasons where the Packers took the regular season by storm, but ultimately fell short in the playoffs.
So while health is not a perfect indicator of success, it certainly would help after this team has seemingly been snake bitten with injuries.
Samson
June 03, 2016 at 09:34 pm
Funny how every fan thinks "his team" is snake bitten with injuries. -- How can you possibly gauge which team in the NFL is most affected by injuries? -- The truth is simple -- you can't.
NickPerry
June 04, 2016 at 06:18 am
Ummm..It's called "Games Lost by Starters". EVERY TEAM has 25 starters , 11 on Offense, 11 on Defense, plus 3 on ST (K,P, LS). For example, the Packers O-Line starting 5 last season had 10 games missed. Nelson had 16, Shields had 4 (Hopefully you have the idea by now). When you add them ALL UP you have the number of "Games Lost by Starters".
So you see Samson there IS a way and that's one. Another is called the IR List. I mean you don't think the Indy Colts were affected by losing Andrew Luck for most of the season?
dobber
June 03, 2016 at 12:28 pm
Figures....
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15929018/jared-cook-rest-green-bay-pac...
DrealynWilliams
June 03, 2016 at 12:40 pm
*fights the air*
Samson
June 03, 2016 at 09:32 pm
Be realistic. -- There's no reason to believe that WR won't be an issue in 2016. -- The Pack's best WR is coming off a major injury and just turned 31 years old. After that you have RC and mostly unproven NFL candidates. --- Be prepared for AR to piss & moan again all season about his targets.
PaulRosik
June 04, 2016 at 11:34 pm
This sounds like the optimism for 2015 all over again. I was part of that optimism. The entire starting lineup was back from the year before and there seemed no reason Rodgers should not be producing 2011 like numbers in 2015. Yes, Nelson went down but a good team should overcome that. In 2010 the offense lost a back to back 1200 yard season back in the first game and won the super bowl. In 1996 the team lost the WR who had 1500 yards the previous season early in the season, the number 2 receiver broke his arm a little later and both tight ends spent games on the shelf. And that offense was number one in the league. So losing one player should not have caused the level of futility the 2015 Packer offense experienced. Whether it was championship game hangover, coaching changes, play calling differences, line problems, injuries or all of the above the offense looked totally toothless for much of 2015. There is a lot to be proven in 2016.
PETER MAIZ
June 06, 2016 at 03:13 am
The Packers were 23 in total offense. I'm optimistic because of the infusion of Cook. We'll see how he works out once healthy. And then there is the mystery of Eddie Lacy and whether he is emotionally and mentally ready to produce or not.
Davante Adams will have to show he's got the wherewithal to move forward and not drop a high percentage of balls thrown his way.
McCarthy will have to show he has all the cogs moving in the right direction. As far as I can tell, this is the year McCarthy has to prove the Packers are the Packers. After all, he does have one of the best and most creative QB's in the league. Frankly, having the 23'rd round offense in football doesn't cut the mustard and is not indicative of winning the SB. Can McCarthy fix the offense is the big question.