Randall Cobb: 2015 Packers Player Report Card

Randall Cobb

  • Age: 25
  • Ht./Wt: 5'10", 192lbs
  • College: Kentucky
  • NFL Experience: 5 years

View stats and more     ->  {link to player's page on packers.com}

Expectations coming into the season:  Coming into the season, Cobb was expected to continue to be the dynamic slot receiver that he is. However, when Jordy Nelson was lost for the season

in August, he was thrust into a No. 1 role — which he clearly isn't suited for.

Player’s highlights/low-lights: Cobb put together his highlights during Weeks 2 and 3. He had eight grabs for 116 yards receiving in a home win against Seattle and and seven catches, 91 yards and three touchdowns in a home win against Kansas City. However, at Arizona in Week 16 he was only targeted three times and put up a pedestrian stat line of three catches for 15 yards. 

Level of Expectations met:  Let's be clear that Cobb was put into a tough situation. He wasn't brought to Green Bay to be a No. 1 receiver, he was brought to Green Bay to roam the slot and create in space. However, the Packers clearly learned that they cannot count on Cobb to be the bell cow receiver on a consistent basis if Nelson gets injured again. He showed promise, but the moment that teams started to body him at the line of scrimmage, he was helpless. 

Grade: C

Player’s contributions to team success:  Cobb started in 15 games this year, yet he finished the season one reception lower (80-79) than his 2012 season when he started only eight games. He had a hard time getting open since he was seeing the opposing team's best cover corner and getting paid plenty of attention. Let's not forget that he also dropped 14 passes. 

Grade: C-

Player’s contributions in the playoffs:  In the NFC Wildcard Game, he had receptions for 38 yards and touchdown in addition to five rushes for 24 yards in a win at Washington. Then his playoffs took a nasty turn. On a deep play at Arizona in the divisional playoff, he dove to make the catch, but instead of just making the grab — which was called back by penalty — he also started to cough up blood. He left the game after that one target thanks to a bruised lung. 

Grade: C

Intangibles/misc: He's a good leader, and is a great resource for young fast wideouts like Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis. He can play just about any skill position on the offensive side of the ball and isn't afraid to catch the ball over the middle. 

Grade: C+

 

Overall Grade:  C

 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (38)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Packer_Pete's picture

February 09, 2016 at 06:15 am

Sounds about right. But just as with R. Rodgers, isn't really completely used to his strengths... I think he could benefit from a true WR coach, which van Pelt clearly is not.
I do think that he will be much better next season, once Jordy is back, or at least one of the younger WRs develops into a bigger threat. And that won't be Adams...

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NickPerry's picture

February 09, 2016 at 06:41 am

Jordy took 4 years before he really looked like the Jordy we have now. His coming out was really SB 45. I'm not saying Adams will be anywhere near the player Nelson is, but I'd take a version of James Jones who can jump higher.

The fact the Packers haven't hired a WR coach is a little spooky. Either McCarthy's stubborness is shinning through, or he plains on using maybe Edgar Bennett again. You can't look at how that position performed this year and NOT change the coach can you????

Cobb isn't a a true #1 WR, but he's still a player when grouped with a true #1 like Nelson is leathel. If Adams, Abby, or Janis progresses and Thompson actually picked up a real TE, Cobb's majic on the field would come through. It's not hard to take out a 5'10" 190 pound WR who's more quick than fast when nobody else is showing they can win.

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dobber's picture

February 09, 2016 at 08:21 am

There are only a limited number of Antonio Browns out there: guys who really look like slot players on paper, but are almost impossible to deny the football. Cobb is no Antonio Brown.

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WKUPackFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 09:29 am

dobber, this is not a criticism of you as you do not engage in speculative opinions. However, with respect to Cobb:

I refuse to criticize scheme and play calling because we don't have access to the coaches' information. Nevertheless, if Cobb were used as Brown is I believe their production would similar. I further believe that Cobb is every bit as talented as Brown, perhaps more so. Perhaps Brown is as multi-talented, but Cobb's ability to work out of the backfield, as well as his QB experience, makes him at least Brown's equal.

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dobber's picture

February 09, 2016 at 10:10 am

I just think Brown's a unique talent, but I'm no professional evaluator. That said, let's hope the coaching staff puts Cobb to the test because, man, I'd love to see that kind of dynamic play and that kind of explosiveness back in this offense!

...and I can take criticism! Let 'er fly!

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WKUPackFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 12:06 pm

No problem dobber, thanks. There's enough unwarranted personal criticism around here, so I like to be clear.

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TarynsEyes's picture

February 09, 2016 at 10:17 am

Unless Cobb is used as a QB and not just as a easily detected ploy this assumed quality to make him even with Brown is moot. If you don't use it you lose it and therefore can't bargain with it.

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WKUPackFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 12:13 pm

It's not an assumed quality. I saw it during Cobb's Kentucky career. QBs usually (not always) have superior field vision as opposed to other players.

Many times we've seen Cobb be in the right place at the right time; be it a scramble play, punt or kick return. It's my opinion that his field awareness is superior to others. Perhaps Brown matches that.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 07:11 am

Cobb clearly had a rough year this year. Losing Nelson, getting hurt, playing injured and then receiving double teams on every down made for a long season for Cobb.

Getting Nelson and Montgomery back, along with improvements from Adams, Abbrederis, Janis will also give a boost to Cobb.
I expect to see a much better receiving core next year.
And that includes Cobb.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 09, 2016 at 09:23 am

"and then receiving double teams on every down"

I don't think he was double teamed that much. Especially not after Wade Philips showed the whole NFL now to beat the Packers scheme.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 09:56 am

Maybe not every down, but he was doubled a lot.

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NitschkeFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 10:12 am

We all hope so, but there is no reason to believe that Adams, Abbrederis, and Janis will "improve". Someone might but just as likely is one or two of them will NOT.
I think it is also a very big question mark whether or not Jordy will ever be the same again. Some players never regain their old form after major knee surgery. Speed, agility, durability may all be diminished.
We all HOPE Jordy is his old self, and the young guys "improve" but we should at least consider the significant possibility that some of these prayers will not be answered.

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Evan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 10:26 am

"I think it is also a very big question mark whether or not Jordy will ever be the same again. Some players never regain their old form after major knee surgery. Speed, agility, durability may all be diminished."

10-20 years ago, sure. But today, ACL injuries are very nearly routine. If he were to not regain full form, it would be noteworthy. Not the opposite.

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dobber's picture

February 09, 2016 at 08:24 am

The most troubling part of this is the number of drops...a huge problem for this WR corps this season. You need a guy who is making Cobb's money and playing Cobb's role to just catch the damn football...you know, when it hits you in the hands?

He came out of college as a hybrid WR/RB. Has the ability to be a game-changer, but not by himself. He needed to get paid to preserve weapons around ARod. What we learned this year, is that the Packers need to have a "Plan B" Jordy Nelson on the roster next year to make this thing go...is it Janis? Maybe. I'm not sold (and I watched him absolutely dominate at SVSU). I think the Packers use a day 2 pick on a WR, and we're all going to bitch about it.

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Since'61's picture

February 09, 2016 at 08:28 am

When our offense is healthy and functioning as it is designed to function Cobb is a huge factor and he has uncanny knack for getting open and making key plays to keep drives alive. During 2015 he was the only receiving threat the Packers had and opposing defenses knew it. His own injuries combined with the numerous injuries on offense and poor play by our WRs kept Cobb limited all season. Hopefully he fully recovers from his chest injury and returns to a healthy offense as the multi-faceted player we know him to be. Thanks, Since '61

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Razer's picture

February 09, 2016 at 09:16 am

Cobb's drops were the most troublesome for me. He reminded me of a young James Jones. Maybe the drops were a sign of trying to do too much, either way, they hurt an already struggling offense.

Next year will be better ... I hope.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 09, 2016 at 09:30 am

The 2011 NFL draft was absolutely loaded with talent.

The Packers took Derek Sherrod, Randall Cobb, Alex Green, Davon House, D. J. Williams, Caleb Schlauderaff, D. J. Smith, Ricky Elmore, and Lawrence Guy. Yuck!

Probably one of the worst drafts in Packers history. If it wasn't for Cobb the whole draft would be a complete waste.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 10:19 am

Correction. The top of the draft in 2011 was absolutely loaded. Where the Packers picked, it wasn't as good.

The next 10 picks after the Packers picked Sherrod with the 32nd pick.

1- Ras-I Dowling - DB - Patriots
2- Aaron Williams - DB - Bills
3- Andy Dalton - QB - Bengals
4- Colin Kaepernick - QB - 49ers
5- Jabaal Sheard - DE/OLB - Browns
6- Ryan Williams - RB - Cardinals
7- Akeem Ayers - LB - Titans
8- Bruce Carter - LB - Cowboys
9- Jarvis Jenkins - DT - Redskins
10- Brooks Reed- DE - Texans

A lot of people wanted Brooks Reed in that draft. While he would have been better then Sherrod, his career hasn't been anything impressive. 13.5 sacks in 5 years.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 09, 2016 at 11:01 am

Are you suggesting that getting one player out of a whole draft for a team that is almost completely relying on the draft to populate it's roster is even close to good enough? Especially for a supposed "Master of the Draft".

I don't think you are...

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 11:26 am

No, not even close.

What I'm saying is that where the Packers picked there wasn't the great players available to them as there was at the top of that draft.

This was not a good draft for the Packers. But go through the draft and where the Packers picked and see who was available to them. There wasn't a lot of great options at each pick.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 09, 2016 at 11:48 am

"there wasn't the great players" I think that is totally incorrect.

John Schneider got K. J. Wright in the 4th (2x All-Pro), Richard Sherman in the 5th (3x AllPro, 1x 2nd team All-Pro), Byron Maxwell in the 6th and Malcolm Smith in the 7th (SuperBowl MVP), from that draft alone.

Those guys are basically how Seattle won a Superbowl.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 12:37 pm

Yes there were players in each round to be found. But there wasn't as many as some are making it out to be.

Its easy to go back and look and find 1 or 2 players they should have taken. That happens in every draft. But the Packers weren't the only teams to pass on these players.
If teams knew how Richard Sherman was going to be, do you think he would last until the 5th round? No... Can't blame Thompson for passing on him when every other team did except for the Seahawks, in the 5th round.

This is the draft from the Davon House pick after...

In the 4th round Packers took Davon House. after him these were the next picks.
Kealoha Pilares, Johnny White, Robert Sands, Ricky Stanzi, Anthony Sherman, Buster Skrine, Marcus Cannon, Brandon Burton, Gabe Miller.

After those players the Packers picked DJ Williams, these were the following picks between their picks.
Karl Klug, Josh Thomas, Shiloh Keo, Jacquizz Rodgers, Dejon Gomes, Rod Isaac, Denarius Moore, Dion Lewis, Jason Pinkston, Ahmad Black, T.J. Yates, Jeremy Kerley, Richard Sherman, Niles Paul, Mark Legree, Douglas Hogue, Jermale Hines, Lee Smith, Nathan Enderle, Julian Vandervele, Chris Carter, Daniel Kilgore, Chykie Brown, Pernell McPhee, Lawrence Wilson, Ryan Whelan, Demarcus Love, Chris White, Mistral Raymond, Quan Sturdivant, Brandon Fusco, Byron Maxwell, Charles Clay, Byron Stingily, Dwayne Harris, Evan Royster, Aldrick Robinson

After those players they picked Caleb Schlauderaff, these were the following picks between their picks.
Tyrod Taylor, Richard Gordon, Ronald Johnson, Jordan Todman, David Carter, Greg Jones

After those players they picked D.J. Smith, these were the following picks between their picks.
Allen Bradford, Chris Rucker, Mike Mohamed, Colin Jones, Jason Kelce, Matt Bosher, Brian Rolle, Markell Carter, James Thomas, Keith Williams

After those players they picked Ricky Elmore these were the following picks between their picks.
Tyler Sash, Jerrell Powe, Ross Homan, Stephen Schilling, Jacquian Williams, Zach Williams, Virgil Green, Lazarius Levingston, Justin Rogers, Korey Lindsey, Greg McElroy, Johnny Culbreath, Andrew Jackson. Bruce Miller, Zach Clayton, Brandyn Thompson, Derek Newton, D'Aundre Reed, Mikail Baker, Maurice Hurt

After those players they picked Ryan Taylor, these were the following picks between their picks.
Malcolm Williams, Shaun Chapas, Da'Rel Scott, Anthony Gaitor, Shane Bannon, Markus White, Anthony Allen, Greg Romeus, Scotty McKnight, Jabara Williams, Jonathan Nelson, Cliff Matthews, Frank Kearse, Baron Batch

After those players they picked Lawrence Guy, these were the following picks.
Andrew Gachkar, Jimmy Wilson, Stephen Burton, Greg Lloyd, Daniel Hard, Michael Person, Stanley Havili, David Ausberry, Malcolm Smith, Nate Bussey, Lee Ziemba, Michael Jasper, Jay Finlay, Jeremy Beal, Eric Hagg, Demarco Sampson, Curtis Holcomb, Tommie Campbell, Bill Nagy, Chris Neild, Cheta Ozougwu

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 09, 2016 at 02:35 pm

"Its easy to go back and look and find 1 or 2 players they should have taken."

Except that is not what I did. I showed how a single team drafted 4 players that the Packers could have taken but passed on for a bunch of guys who are not even in the league.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 03:31 pm

'Except that is not what I did.'

Except, that's exactly what your doing. Going back and comparing the players they took to the players they could have taken.

At the time of the draft did you know Richard Sherman was going to be Richard Sherman? No, the Seahawks didn't know that he was going to be that good. No one did. Thats why he wasn't drafted until the 5th round.

If you want to compare look at all the teams that passed on Cobb in the 2nd round that took WR's.

Lions - Titus Young (out of football)
Ravens - Torrey Smith (on a different team)
Browns - Greg Little (basically out of football)

Also in the 1st round the Chiefs took Jon Baldwin who is also out of football.

While the Packers didn't have a good draft that year, they did take Cobb was a great pick when every other team passed on him at least 1 time.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 09, 2016 at 05:17 pm

What I did was point out a bunch great players that WERE available to the Packers on the second day of the draft after you said.

"What I'm saying is that where the Packers picked there wasn't the great players available to them"

And I only had to look at one team to find those guys. There are more if you want to go look at the other 30 teams to "cherry pick".

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 10, 2016 at 07:16 am

They were available, but no one knew they were going to be as good as they were. Again, if they knew they would have been drafted a lot earlier.

Richard Sherman was drafted 13 picks after the Packers took DJ Williams.
Bryan Maxwell was drafted 32 picks after.
During the draft all the 'experts' thought the Packers got a steal with Williams. Everyone then said it was a great pick.

I listed all the players that were picked after the Packers picked. If you want to go through and say who you think they should have drafted, its there. But remember at the time, you have to consider where these players were ranked.
Its much easier to go back and say they should have/could have taken this player or that player.
Look back to the year Tom Brady was drafted. He wasn't drafted until the 6th round. If anyone knew he was going to be what he ended up as, would he have lasted till the 6th round?

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barutanseijin's picture

February 09, 2016 at 11:12 pm

You can say "but other teams passed on guys like Sherman" but not if you're trying to make TT into some omniscient draft whiz. If you're goiing to say that, what you're really saying is that TT is just an average GM.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 10, 2016 at 07:22 am

There is a lot of luck in the draft. A lot of skill but a lot of luck.

Just a 2 years ago everyone thought that Jadeveon Clowney was the best player to come out in a long time. While he was the best prospect, how much has he actually done since he was drafted? He has been hurt and hasn't been able to play much.

Khalil Mack who was drafted 4 spots later has been far better player so far. Does that make Oakland's GM better then Houston's? No, it just means that Oakland's was more lucky then Houston's.

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dobber's picture

February 09, 2016 at 02:07 pm

Yes, and look at how many other teams also passed on those guys...

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 09, 2016 at 05:09 pm

not just other teams... Even the Seahawks did for several rounds.
Before taking KJ Wright, they took James Carpenter and John Moffitt.
They had another pick before Sherman and took Kris Durham.
Then before Maxwell they had another pick and took Mark LeGree.
And then before Malcolm Smith they took Lazarius Levington.

One could argue that Schneider got lucky, and couldn't also evaluate the talent he actually drafted properly, as he took other, much less talented players before taking each of the pro bowl level players... Drafting is not an exact science, and just because someone got lucky in later rounds doesn't mean they are necessarily better in evaluating talent than other GMs.

To me it's all cherry-picking. For all I can see, Ted built a roster which is a perennial playoff team, mainly through the draft. While some years were not as good, other years were very good with Ted's draft. Ron Wolf used to say that any draft that netted 3 starters was a good one. The 2011 Ted draft was not. But quite a few others were.
2015 has the potential for 3, and maybe even 5. Randall, Rollins, Montgomery, Ryan, Ripkowski
2014 already netted 3 and a few backups, Ha-Ha, R. Rodgers, Linsley, Adams, Abby, Goodson
2013 4 starters and a few key backups. Lacy, Bakh, Hyde, Barrington, Datone, Tretter, Boyd
2012 2 starters and a key backup Hayward, Daniels, Perry
2010 several starters and key backups Bulaga, Burnett, Neal, Quarless, Starks, CJ Wilson, Newhouse
2009 3 starters and a few backups Raji, CMIII, TJ Lang, Wynn, Underwood, Brad Jones
2008 3 starters and a few backups Jordy, Finley, Sitton, Giacomini, Flynn
2007 James Jones, Rouse, Barbre, Bishop, Crosby

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 09, 2016 at 05:12 pm

Schneider did get lucky, but it wasn't all luck. Just like Ted got unlucky when Sherrod broke his leg, but his bad luck does not explain getting one average player from ten draft picks in a very good draft class.

I would also argue that 2012 and 2013 where below average drafts. 2014 looks ok and 2015 might be very good but we don't really know yet.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 10, 2016 at 07:29 am

The draft is a lot of luck. really is. Takes a lot of skill but at the same time its a lot of luck.

Packers 2011 and 2012 drafts were bad. Probably the worst under Thompson.
Essentially out of the 2 drafts they have 2 players that can considered starters. Randall Cobb, and Mike Daniels. 2 more players that are starters/key role players, Nick Perry and Casey Hayward. Outside of that, nothing.

Packers 2013, 14 and 15 drafts have been very good.

2013 they got, Datone Jones, Eddie Lacy, David Bakhtiari, JC Tretter, Micah Hyde, Josh Boyd and Sam Barrington who are all key players for them.

2014 they got Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Davante Adams, Richard Rodgers, Corey Linsley, Jared Abbrederis, Demetri Goodson, Jeff Janis.

2015 they got Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Ty Montgomery, Jake Ryan, Brett Hundley, Aaron Ripkowski, Christian Ringo and Kennard Backman. To early to judge this draft class.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 10, 2016 at 01:05 pm

"Packers 2011 and 2012 drafts were bad."

I'm glad it is finally starting to sink in around here.

I would say those drafts where terrible, they drafted almost entirely bad football players when good ones were available. It's Ted job to know which players are good or bad, that's what being GM a is.

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Oppy's picture

February 09, 2016 at 05:49 pm

I STILL want Jabaal Sheard pass rushing in green and gold.

Unfortunately, he's seen FA come and go, no Packers nibble.. Oh well.

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Lphill's picture

February 09, 2016 at 01:26 pm

I don't think Cobb was healthy all season probably played when he shouldn't have because Jordy was out , Cobb is a gamer and a good teamate and good guy , I am glad he's a Packer.

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barutanseijin's picture

February 09, 2016 at 11:14 pm

I think part of the drops problem was poor ball placement on #12's part. His accuracy and mechanics were off this year.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 10, 2016 at 01:13 am

I would have given Cobb a higher overall grade of C+. My expectations were higher and thus I would have given Cobb a lower grade for expectations. We paid for a #1 best slot receiver in the NFL and did not get one. Might have been due to injuries. I would have given Cobb a higher grade for his actual contribution to the team though.

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Ima fubar's picture

February 11, 2016 at 05:48 pm

The guy goes out and gives it everything he has, I think having great expectations of him is just illusionary. Expect him to make plays and not make plays. He probably is a C player.

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