Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - MiniCamp Musings
The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.
By JerseyAl
It was a helluva busy week for me, so those polluted Packers thoughts didn't have much of a chance to find their way into my head. As a result, I'm going to lean heavy on tweets from today's mini-camp to come up with some topics for your discussion. Here goes.
Quay is OK - It didn't take long for the Packers to replace Kris Barnes at ILB with their shiny new 1st round draft pick.
First-team nickel defense:
DT Kenny Clark
DT Jarran Reed
OLB Preston Smith
ILB De’Vondre Campbell
ILB Quay Walker
OLB Rashan Gary
CB Eric Stokes
S Adrian Amos
S Darnell Savage
Slot Rasul Douglas
CB Jaire Alexander— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) June 7, 2022
Watch Winfree - I've mentioned him here before. I felt like Rodgers showed more trust in him in his limited snaps than he did in the more-seasoned Malik Taylor. Winfree is my sleeper WR to watch this camp.
Nice 90-second drill for Jordan Love, who finishes it with 27 seconds left on a perfect 31-yard TD on a fade down the left side to Juwann Winfree against Jaire Alexander. Great adjustment on the catch for Winfree. That was impressive.
Love was 6-6 for 65 yards on the drive.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 7, 2022
Amari doing work - I was really happy to hear this - I didn't think Amari looked as quick and nimble as he did in college.
#Packers WR Amari Rodgers says he spent the offseason getting his body right, losing 6 lbs & 4% body fat. pic.twitter.com/Lo62FlatOQ
— Nicole Menner (@NicoleMenner) June 7, 2022
Motivated Sammy - This was the thing I liked most about the Watkins signing. Expect him to have a career year IF (a big if) he can stay on the field.
Aaron Rodgers on signing Sammy Watkins: “I was 100% on board with that. I think it’s important you get guys who have a lot to play for, and I think Sammy has the opportunity to continue & travel down a new path in his career … I love the disposition. I really enjoy the person.” pic.twitter.com/fAX0UWXFIm
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 7, 2022
Setting the bar for the rookie WRs.
Aaron Rodgers on #Packers new WR group: “I like production over potential. There’s some production, and a lot of potential. So we need to temper expectations, and heighten accountability.”
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 7, 2022
And what do we suppose was going on here?
No context #AaronRodgers at #Packers mini camp... pic.twitter.com/RUDDblzddT
— Cody Krupp (@CodyWKrupp) June 7, 2022
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther. Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (18)
Johnblood27
June 08, 2022 at 06:42 am
Good Morning Al
You say potato, I say poh-tah-toe... you say Winfree, I say LOVE!!!
Im glad that AR favors production and accountability, now lets see him walk the walk in the playoffs...
Hope your time settles down and your busy-ness leads to success.
pantz_bURp
June 08, 2022 at 07:07 am
We just need a Lizard in the house!
One handers...go, go, gooo... 🦎
dobber
June 08, 2022 at 07:53 am
When he sees the starting WRs were Watkins and Watson, he should know he's squandering an opportunity.
pantz_bURp
June 08, 2022 at 09:38 am
Wat(s) you say? 😀
Leatherhead
June 08, 2022 at 05:27 pm
That would be one way of looking at it. Another would be that he truly believes he's worth X, and the Packers aren't committing to that since they really have the leverage in this, as Lazard is a RFA.
My way of looking at it would be that Lazard should show up and seize control of the position and set the standard for these rookies and new guys and be the leader, and the team would reward you with a new deal that fits with your view of your value. That's Win/Win.
I predict this will be settled, Lazard will play for us and he'll play well, and this will all be water under the bridge in a short while.
dobber
June 09, 2022 at 09:55 am
"My way of looking at it would be that Lazard should show up and seize control of the position and set the standard for these rookies and new guys and be the leader"
I think this is the ideal, yes. He's got no power except to sign or not sign his tender. At some point it reverts to a far reduced deal and the Packers still own his rights...so unless he gets beat out, he's playing in GB in 2022. The Packers really don't have much motivation to extend him early...a long-term deal is unlikely to reduce his cap hit in 2022 by a meaningful amount, AND they've got 3 rookies they want to see play.
At this stage, he's an experienced guy who knows his role and knows the offense. His not being in OTAs or minicamp isn't troubling with regard to his performance in September, but his longer term outlook in terms of contract and money benefits from his playing ahead of Watson (or even Watkins) as much as possible. He has the opportunity to secure a very lucrative, long-term contract with a strong showing in 2022--that takes a hit if he lets a rookie win his snaps.
croatpackfan
June 08, 2022 at 07:36 am
I'm glad that some "young" & unproven guys shows progression this preseason. I mean, Winfree & Love were both in on that pass. And, no joke, it happened against Jaire. Which is not easy task to complete...
I hope asking for "accountability" will and should be for all...
RCPackerFan
June 08, 2022 at 07:49 am
Quay is OK -
It didn't take long at all for the inevitable to happen. Quay is going to be a major part of our defense.
Watch Winfree -
Winfree is a guy who i said before is a guy to keep an eye on. The hard part with Winfree is there are a lot of spots almost locked up ahead of him. But nothing is guaranteed either. Which is why Winfree is definitely a guy to keep an eye on.
Amari doing work -
One of the reasons why rookies sometimes struggle is because they go and put on or take off a bunch of weight for the underwear Olympics. But by doing so they get at weight that they aren't comfortable playing with. Sounds like Amari slimmed down. I think Rodgers is going to take a big step forward this year.
Motivated Sammy -
I agree about Watkins. i think he has a really good year if he stays on the field. One way to help him stay on the field is to have a good rotation of players. Allowing him to play less will hopefully keep him on the field more. When he is on the field I think Rodgers will be looking his way a lot.
Setting the bar for the rookie WRs.
I do think Rodgers is going to like the rookie WR's. But he also says what he says for a reason. He needs them to continue to improve and be ready when called upon.
And what do we suppose was going on here?
Do we want to know what is going on there?
dobber
June 09, 2022 at 10:11 am
"Quay is OK -
It didn't take long at all for the inevitable to happen. Quay is going to be a major part of our defense."
Imagine what it would be like around here if he WASN'T running ahead of Barnes early on. People would be calling him Oren Burks 2.0.
"Amari doing work -
.... I think Rodgers is going to take a big step forward this year."
There were two things that bothered me about AmRod (besides the fact that I didn't think he was all that to be begin with). 1. He didn't look dynamic an any phase of the game. Maybe that's a function of weight...maybe not. And 2. he looked unsettlingly timid too much of the time...as if the game was both too fast and too big for him. That could change, too, but the fact that LaF never really did much to take advantage of what AmRod was supposedly good at (RAC, playing in space) and build up his confidence was also troubling.
"Motivated Sammy -
I agree about Watkins. i think he has a really good year if he stays on the field. "
I think so, too, but my suspicion is that the physical way the Packers use their WR--and Watkins' rep for being a run blocker--will wear hard on him this season. I'd love to see him play a full season. I think 70 catches and 15+ ypc are a real possibility if he does , but his track record and the blocking role he's going to need to fill will make that difficult.
Leatherhead
June 09, 2022 at 10:21 am
We bring our offensive skill position rookies around slowly. Love, Dillon, DeGuara, Amari.....I predict he'll be part of our Big 3 at WR this year.
Quay Walker:
Once Upon A Time, I watched our team give up a 4th and 26 completion that helped cost us a playoff win. I started paying attention...close attention....to who we had on the field, especially on 3rd or 4th down when our opponent pretty much has to pass. And I never really felt that we could put 11 quality defenders on the field on something like 3rd and 7.
Now, I think we can, and clearly Walker is going to be one of those 11 guys. We've always had to put guys like Bhawoh Jue or Kingsley Keke on the field in the past.....not anymore. We've got 13 pretty good defenders right now and if injuries don't hit us too hard, we're going to be fine on defense.
Since'61
June 08, 2022 at 08:14 am
Good to read that Amari Rodgers shed some weight. That could be a factor why he looked slow last season.
I'm guessing Lazard wants a longer term deal. I don't think that he has any leverage to attempt to get a better deal from another team.
Al this is the time not to be very polluted. It's the offseason. You'll have it worked out by Week 1. Stay safe. Thanks, Since '61
Leatherhead
June 09, 2022 at 11:35 am
If I understand correctly, the offer he is NOT signing is $4 million/year. I'm going to try to put myself in his shoes:
He's 26. He's been a starter for us for three straight years, but he just watched MVS get a $10 million/year contract. Without him in the locker room, you've got a bunch of rookies, practice squad guys, a guy who has caught 4 passes (Amari) a former top pick who has had a "disappointing" career, (Watkins), and an old vet who plays sparingly, who's an old friend of the QB, who is basically playing for free. (Cobb).
Did I mention cheap? Watkins is playing for something like $350K. Amari and the rookies are on rookie contracts. The Packer front office could offer a two year deal for $12 million, which would basically set Lazard up for the rest of his life, or maybe even three for $20.
From the Packers perspective, if Watkins or Watson or Doubs or Amari are really players, or if a TE emerges who we want to throw to a lot, then Lazard isn't a guy we'd need past this year. Why tie up future money in a guy who'd be 28-29 and not really necessary?
Ultimately, Lazard is going to sign and play because his only real leverage is to not play and not make $4 million. The Win/Win scenario for me is that he plays real well and the two parties come to an agreement over a longer term deal.
Roadrunner23
June 08, 2022 at 08:35 am
Quay - I didn’t like the pick at #22 but understand it now.
I am Very very very excited about the Defense!
Winfrey - I watched his interview the other day, he is talking like a pro, knows the Offense and seems confident and apparently is going to make a run at some real playing time this year! I am excited to see the progress he has made!
Amari - I was really excited when they drafted him, but he seemed to lose his confidence last season.
I believe he is going to be a contributor in many ways this season. He’s a good kid and seems focused and confident, let’s hope the lightbulb goes on this year for him.
Watkins - Sammy is a pro, Rodgers likes him a lot, he plucks the ball really well and is a willing blocker.
I think they will rotate him a bunch to try and keep him healthy.
This could be a great under the radar signing that could lessen the sting of Adams leaving.
Prediction: Adams will be watching the Packers from his big beautiful house in Vegas as the Packers hoist the Lombardi.
Dragon5
June 08, 2022 at 09:47 am
Adams & Waller are in their enemy year...one of this year's top storylines to see how this manifests within the Raiders O...injury to both? hurt Carr, enter Kap? Given the Raiders are, on paper, in the toughest division in football, in year 1 of a HC's new system, and have lost their ST coach, they face a daunting climb; would not be unrealistic to fail to qualify for the playoffs.
NickPerry
June 08, 2022 at 10:07 am
I'm glad Quay Walker was with the starters. This kid and Wyatt have me really excited about the possibilities of the Packers defense. I see a defense with the starting 11 on the field who can defend 11 personnel just as well as 22 personnel. IMO I think we'll see Quay Walker used on several different blitz packages this year, much like the Cowboys used Parson. I also think we'll see a bunch of A Gap blitz's for him too. It's going to be fun!
Amari Rodgers...This kid is going to catch 50 balls for 700 yards and 6 TD's this year. MLF is going to be devising ways to get the ball in his hands more and more as the season progresses.
Watkins...I think this was an excellent signing and one that will pay dividends as long as he's on the field which could be 1 week or 18 weeks. I guess we'll wait and see.
dobber
June 09, 2022 at 10:21 am
"IMO I think we'll see Quay Walker used on several different blitz packages this year, much like the Cowboys used Parson."
Walker has some chops as an interior blitzer. Couple that with his ability to stay on the field on passing downs and (hopefully) not be a liability and he's got a chance to add a lot of versatility and to do a lot of really nice things for the Packers.
Dallas used Parsons all over the place, including with his hand on the ground as a DE/edge. Over time, he's going to take a real beating wrestling with long, 320-lb OTs. Walker might be able to be an off-ball OLB in the same vein as Kyler Fackrell, but I hope the Packers resist the urge to have him (or Campbell) take that same kind of pounding.
Lphill
June 08, 2022 at 10:43 am
probably the first time the Packers Defense had so many 1 st round picks.
Packers0808
June 08, 2022 at 06:02 pm
If Lazard keeps up his game of holding other WR's just may pass him up and he could become enticing trade bait to a team who needs a WR!