Calm down or Believe the hype? Green Bay Packers edition
By adamczech
We're at the point in the Green Bay Packers preseason where certain players are starting to generate hype, or prove or disprove that the hype they received during the offseason was justified or overblown. Let's take a look at a handful of these players and see if they've lived up to their hype thus far.
If a player has yet to meet the hype, I'll give a final verdict of "calm down." If he is meeting the hype, the final verdict will be "Believe the hype."
Keep this in mind: It's early. Way too early to make final judgements. A player labeled as a "calm down" shouldn't be written off as a lost cause. A player labeled as "Believe the hype" shouldn't be immediately enshrined in Canton. There is plenty of time for "calm down" players to make a major leap upward, and plenty of time for "belive the hype" players to get knocked down a few pegs.
Davante Adams
Ever since Aaron Rodgers bragged up Adams during minicamp, people have assumed Adams will automatically ascend to being the next good-to-great Packers wide receiver taken after the first round of the draft. Well, Adams has been kind of quiet in training camp and he didn't exactly light it up in the exhibition opener. I need to see more before I put a down payment on a seat on the Adams bandwagon. Final verdict: Calm down.
Ty Montgomery
When Ted Thompson takes a wide receiver in the second or third round, everyone assumes that receiver will turn into a stud. That was the chatter after Montgomery was selected, and I was fully prepared to be a contrarian and not be impressed. Well, Montgomery has converted me. The kid looks bigger than your typical slot receiver/kick returner type and I liked what I saw on Thursday. Final verdict: Believe the hype.
Offensive line
The Packers had one of the best offensive lines in football last season. After the Packers beat the Patriots in November, I said if the line continued playing like it was, the Packers would win the Super Bowl. Well, the line held up its end of the bargain, but the football Gods had other ideas in Seattle. Now that Bryan Bulaga is re-signed and the full line is back again, people are saying that this year's version of the offensive line might surpass last season's. David Bakhtiari struggled on Thursday, but he was probably as bored as all of us were watching the opening exhibition contest. If the Packers offensive line stays healthy, and that's a big if, I do believe it will once again be one of the best units in the NFL, possibly better than last season. Final verdict: Believe the hype.
Packers short yardage/red zone woes
The first-team offense bogged down against New England in short-yardage and red-zone situation on Thursday. Sound familiar? To longtime Packers beat reporter Bob McGinn it did, who compared the team's struggles in the exhibition opener to its failings in the NFC title game. Yes, comparing at conference championship game to the exhibition opener is silly, but short-yardage and red-zone issues are nothing new for the Packers under Rodgers and Mike McCarthy. That said, it's far too early to label this Packers team as another that will struggle to pick up short-yardage first downs or touchdowns in the red zone instead of field goals. It's a new season. Narratives from seasons past usually give way to new narratives that nobody was anticipating. The Packers will have their struggles in certain areas of the game. I'm not yet convinced it will be in short yardage. Final verdict: Calm down.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix can't tackle
Clinton-Dix sure looked silly on New England's long touchdown run on Thursday night. Clinton-Dix also had his lackluster tackling moments last season. But I'm not so sure Clinton-Dix's issues are with tackling. He seems to be daydreaming on certain occasions, like on the two-point conversion in the NFC title game and being totally out of position on the Thursday night touchdown run. And even if Clinton-Dix did need to improve his tackling, how is he going to do it? The Packers don't tackle in training camp and practices are never full speed. I'm not overly worried about Clinton-Dix's tackling. I am a bit concerned about his attention span at certain times. Final verdict: Undecided.
Ladarius Gunter
Every season the Packers have at least one undrafted free agent who makes people wonder why he didn't get drafted. This season, Gunter looks to be that guy. Reports from practice had Gunter making plays and flashing just about every day. He also had an interception on Thursday. Gunter is garnering plenty of hype for an undrafted rookie, but he's earning it with his day-to-day performance. Therefore, we have no choice but to believe in this kid. Final verdict: Believe the hype.
Comments (22)
SterlingSharpe
August 16, 2015 at 06:57 am
4 Weeks Fellas!
28 Days til Chicago.
Are you ready for this History-Making season?
http://www.packersmagazine.com/undefeated.html
croatpackfan
August 16, 2015 at 09:23 am
It will be nice... But for me Big L is the goal, does not matter with what record...
Thegreatreynoldo
August 16, 2015 at 07:53 am
Nice article. I would amend the verdict on the offensive line to believe the hype as long as none of the starters get injured, at least if it is a tackle. I am starting to like out back up OGs. I agree with the other verdicts.
jeremyjjbrown
August 16, 2015 at 01:09 pm
"Ha Ha Clinton-Dix can't tackle" I thought HaHa had a great opportunity to become a better player by working on his glaring weakness in the off season. I guess that never got further than my thought.
HaHa--
Cwoodson21
August 16, 2015 at 09:23 am
Ha Ha's tackling problems and lack of awareness are starting to really concern me. This should not be accepted from someone expected to be one of the standouts in our secondary.
NewNikeShoes
August 16, 2015 at 04:03 pm
He's aware, he's always in position, but he has mental lapses which cause him to not finish tackles. He's gotta get his head in the game, as he's his worst enemy.
Plus, Nick Collins didn't get it together till his 3rd-4th year.
copkrbkr
August 16, 2015 at 10:22 am
Good to see a fresh approach on some issues that need to be addressed. Be looking for more.
4thand1
August 16, 2015 at 10:44 am
I've watched a lot of 1st quarter pre season games, and you see a lot of starters playing so so or worse. Adams took a hard shot on his 1st catch and hung on. As far as the red zone, 2 plays cost them scores. A linsley missed block, and a drop by Adams. Adams has shown in real games he can take over when teams concentrate on Cobb and Nelson, he's a stud. HaHa has 1 season under his belt...................ONE, F.O. ben. O-line, MM says its the best he's seen, I'll take his word. Montgomery,steal of the draft, nuff said. Gunter, lets hope he's not another So'oto, if not, biggest steal maybe ever since Sherman.
GOPACKGO
John Galt III
August 16, 2015 at 06:34 pm
I still think if you line up Janis opposite Jordy Nelson then you will take up two corners and two safeties or the other team will regret it. That is not the case with
Adams.
I am not a "Janis is the best since slice bread" type, but when he is in the game he keeps scoring touchdowns and making other CB's look like they don't have the 5th gear to keep up with him.
I hear his practices are so-so, but I will take the guy who gives me production in a game and Janis does this.
He will make the roster again this year. The Packers don't want to lose him.
I hope the coaches use him. Once a player starts producing the coaches play that person. All he needs is a chance. I just hope he gets a chance.
AZPack
August 16, 2015 at 07:11 pm
I don't think any other team would bother putting a safety over the top w/ Janis. All the CB really needs to know is that he is only a threat deep, so the CB doesn't fall for other routes. You have to earn a Safety over the top and Janis hasn't done a thing to earn that recognition from teams. When/if he starts beating every CB deep, because they also have to respect other parts of his route tree he might. He just hasn't done anything in the NFL to date, so no team w/ put a Safety on top of him.
He'll certainly make the roster, but he's got to refine his entire game and route tree to get the kind of respect you're talking about from a Defense.
DrealynWilliams
August 16, 2015 at 07:32 pm
Right on @Dan
hybridauth_Facebook_100002574551585
August 16, 2015 at 08:23 pm
Ok so Janis isnt quite ready to be Jordy Nelson, thats apparent. Hell it even took Jordy Nelson 4 years before he became the guy we see now. How about we give him some time to develop his game eh?
In the meantime you have a guy that can open up the defense by running the go route, the slant, the slant and go(slugo), the post or corner route,a crossing route and some stop or hook routes.
Instead of asking him to do everything well right away, why not play to his strengths and use him where you can.
Oppy
August 16, 2015 at 10:25 pm
His only strength at this point is running faster than anyone else in a straight line.
Janis reportedly has not picked up the playbook like the Packers had hoped he would going into year two. He struggled last season, and has not made up much ground this season, either.
Beyond that, his route running is still sub-par.
I do expect the Packers keep him on the 53 and active because his value on ST is there- his speed and jump on the ball really does make him a threat to block kicks and punts- and the Packers would love to see him develop into a competent NFL WR.. But at this point, nobody should be falling in love with Janis' preseason touchdowns. You can't make a career on go routes in this league, and Rodgers demands his receivers know the playbook inside out, as well as run sharp, crisp routes. Janis doesn't have either of those things under his belt yet.
AZPack
August 16, 2015 at 10:48 pm
Of course they will give him time to develop and I certainly don't expect him to be refined at this point considering his football background. He is Jordylike and I've been saying even last year when his hype was otherworldly that he'll take a full 3yrs to show his true ability on the field.
I thought it was exceedingly clear I was speaking of his drawing a Safety over the top.
Oppy
August 18, 2015 at 05:08 pm
Dan,
I thought it was clear I replied to Clay Zombo's post, not to yours :)
Sorry for the confusion.
AZPack
August 18, 2015 at 05:38 pm
No worries Oppy.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 16, 2015 at 08:32 pm
I thought we'd get more comments. Let me expand:
OT Rotherham - Inc. Need a Back up Tackle
OG Walker: Believe: PS is made - now 53?
OT Vujnovich: No Change - cut
OT Fabians E. Encouraged more eval
OG Taylor: Positive better in practice on bubble
OL Tretter: No Change only BU OC so on 53
OT Kowalski: Inc.
OL Barclay: Negative - Not 100% yet? more eval
TE Perillo: Positive blocking? 53 if Q suspended
Backman: Negative lots of drops can't block PS
Henry: Encouraged - 53 until suspension ends
WR Adams: Don't Believe No Change Same player
Janis: Encouraged Hands/Routes? 5/6th WR
White: Positive - in the running for 53 6th WR
Pinkard: Positive - Not on 53 maybe PS?
Abby: Inc. Needs to play
3rd RB: Neal/Harris/Crockett Positive Which 1?
Ripkowski: Encouraged by STs more eval
3rd QB: Hundley 53, Blanchard ? both Positive
Datone Jones: Positive: Potential = on 53
Thornton: Negative cut or PS on potential
Pennel: Believe - probably makes the 53
Gaston: Positive still just intriguing more eval
Boyd: No change - bubble after suspensions
Ringo: Encouraged PS after suspensions
Hooks: Meh - some flashes
Bradford: Negative - in danger more eval
Palmer: Not believing yet
Francis: Meh
Thomas: Meh
Ryan: Quite encouraging On the 53 by draft #
Dantzler: Negative - have heard literally nothing
Hubbard: Encouraged but don't believe yet
Elliott: Believe - 4/5th OLB right now
Mulumba: Believe - 4/5th OLB right now
Vaughters: Positive - uphill climb - PS? more eval
Rasco: Positive but uphill climb more eval
Rollins: Believe - can contribute right away
Randall: Believe - can contribute right away
Gunter: Almost believe - probably makes 53
Goodson: No change - in danger
Gloverwright: No change - back to PS or cut
Sebetic: Meh - PS or cut
Richardson On 53 by $ and STs. Can't cover anyone
Banjo: No change - bubble #'s work against him
Fanor: Negative- cut- 1 sports writer loves him
These turned out to be in most cases pretty conservative. I posted this link at the end of a thread yesterday. Nice article I thought by a former college player and HC at La-Crosse.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/dougherty/2...
WKUPackFan
August 17, 2015 at 08:50 am
Excellent analysis TGR! A couple of questions:
1) I had understood Vujnovich was improving on the PS last year. Didn't watch him closely Thursday; and
2) White needs to catch the ball. He's awfully small, how does he look in practice?
P.S. Keep pulling for Mitchell Henry. We need a Hilltopper on the Packers, plus he's from the thriving metropolis that is Elizabethtown, KY
Thegreatreynoldo
August 17, 2015 at 09:07 am
I read an article by a sportswriter claiming that Vujnovich was getting better, but I don't remember any tweets by guys watching practice. What I base my analysis on regarding him is the link below. Vujnovich is 29th out of 31 in one on one blocking drills.
White catches everything in practice, from what I read.
Pulling for a TE who can block and not be awful at receiving. It is difficult to find a lot of analysis on blocking. I posted an article by Doughtery and Banalzyck (sp?) a former player and HC at UW-LaCrosse, which noted that Quarless failed to block the DE on one of the failed goal line plays against NE. They suggested that Q was playing because Rodgers can't block. Don't know if that logically follows.
http://espn.go.com/blog/green-bay-packers/post/_/id/22060/why-the-1-on-1...
WKUPackFan
August 17, 2015 at 11:54 am
Thanks for the link, those are some bad numbers for V, we must have seen the same previous article.
Jay Dee
August 18, 2015 at 10:11 am
The Packers Hype is the real Deal !..where the problem lies is with a few so called Journalists who dare say "Clinton Dix Can't Tackle "which of Course is a falsehood or rather a Lie..
Look at the Facts...as verified by the NFL Official Stats from last season...Clinton Dix ended the Regular Season as 2nd Leader on the in Tackles ..I believe in excess of 90 Tackles when Playoffs Games includes I believe he had in excess of 104 tackles.
Can Clinton Dix improve his Tackling ..sure he can and with his work ethic history , most Definitely will improve his Tackling Stats..
While We're being truthful here..let's get one incorrect Premise this article..Clinton Dix did not actually miss on a Tackle which lead to a Touch down.....Clinton Dix was clearly on his way to running down the Player Jonas Grey...watch the Game Video....even a half blind man can clearly see " that Clinton Dix Was Side Swiped by 300 lb Shaq Mason...and fell to the ground..he was so close to Jonas he reached but Jonas was too for away....that wasn't a missed Tackle....He'd he not been sideswiped by Shaq he would have Tackled Jonas Gray .. ..
If the Pro Football Writers Assoc selected him to the All Rookie Team he's not too Shabby ....Many believe that had the Packers won the playoff game vs Seattle, Dix. most likely would been given the Games MVP..
In summation the Packer Hype is Real and Clinton Dix and by the end of this Season the facts will confirm that Clinton Dix be one the top 10 Safeties in the NFL....Dix is not perfect but he's already darn good Safety...I would guess one of the Top 25 Safeties in the NFL after one Season...
The Jury is already out of the deliberating room on Clinton Dix...the Verdict is ..the Kids the Guaranteed Real Deal with & future pro bowler
Thegreatreynoldo
August 18, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Sorry, Jay Dee and Ted, I don't agree. Hawk led GB in tackles for years, but that doesn't make him a good tackler. I like Clinton Dix, but he does take bad angles a bit too often, and he drops his head and fails to use proper form. He has good range so he is making tackles, and the above criticisms are correctable. I do expect Clinton Dix to improve from mediocre FS last year to a good to very good FS. The talent is there.