Cory's Corner: Playing Jordan Love Gives Packers Options

Of course the Packers are going to use Jordan Love in some way, form or fashion. 

Green Bay offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett hinted on Friday that Love would be showcased somehow. 

"The coaches' world is always game by game," he said. "Every single thing that we look at, we are always looking to try and accomplish that win each week. That's the only thing that matters to us."

It makes sense from a coaching standpoint because it gives Packers' opponents something else that they have to prepare for. Instead of worrying about Aaron Rodgers dicing up the secondary and Aaron Jones feathering the front seven, now defenses have to at least think about when Love will enter the game. 

And if any of you think that Rodgers will make a big deal out of this, you're wrong. Love will be used very differently than Rodgers. There is zero argument that Rodgers is one of the best passers in the league right now. Rodgers still has that scampering ability, but the Packers will never call an option play with Rodgers, for fear of Rodgers getting creamed by the defensive end playing his edge assignment perfectly.

But Love would fit that role nicely. Not just because Love is young and quicker than Rodgers, but because it would offer a quick glimpse of the player the Packers traded up to get. Love is an unproven commodity — we don't know how he is going to handle exotic blitz packages that he's never seen, the unreal speed of the pro game and the importance of succeeding on third down.

"The future is something that might be in the back of our mind, but we always live in the moment," Hackett said. "That's usually how we're all judged. But at the same time, anything can happen at any moment within a game, that's what makes the game so much fun. So you've got to prepare everybody like they're a starter and they've got to go in there and play."

This is another reason why I like this: the NFL is a week to week league. The reason Bill Belichick has been so successful is because he treats each individual game differently. You cannot go into games thinking this is how we are going to do things for the entire season. Maybe a defense has a slow linebacker and you want to showcase your tight end, maybe your wide receiver should line up on a certain side of the field because that corner cannot cover him and maybe your backup quarterback has done a great job with the read option in practice and would punish a cheating safety with a deep pass.

This isn't a warning shot or a warning signal to Rodgers. I still think he's going to have great years ahead. What this is going to do is plant a seed for the future. Maybe Love plays well and completes four or five deep balls and proves that he can get around the edge with his legs. His value is going to skyrocket and the Packers will soon be getting phone calls about Love. 

The Packers want options and playing Love gives them that. 

 

 

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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 (41)

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

May 26, 2020 at 06:47 am

"Maybe Love plays well and completes four or five deep balls and proves that he can get around the edge with his legs. His value is going to skyrocket and the Packers will soon be getting phone calls about Love."

Hmmm...Or maybe that's when the Packers start getting calls about Aaron Rodgers.

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ricky's picture

May 26, 2020 at 10:28 am

Exactly. Think of Mahomes and Smith in KC. Also recall that Mitch Trubisky was considered the top QB in that draft by the experts based on his college stats. And seriously, would the Packers really consider trading Love for less than a first rounder that would exceed the value of the two picks they used to snag him?

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marpag1's picture

May 26, 2020 at 07:04 am

If Love's snap count rises above "insignificant" this year, then A) Aaron Rodgers got hurt again, or B) the Packers are morons.

Next.

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SwedeBayPacker's picture

May 26, 2020 at 07:25 am

I'm curious to see what Love can bring to the table, let's see what the kid can do and take some pressure off Rodgers. It's always good to keep the defense guessing either way.

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DrMixerGED's picture

May 28, 2020 at 07:16 am

Why the hell did this get so many downvotes?

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SwedeBayPacker's picture

June 05, 2020 at 11:49 am

One of life's mysteries

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Roadrunner23's picture

May 26, 2020 at 07:35 am

I don’t see any reason for the Packers to play love other than in the preseason or in mop up duty when the Packers are well ahead.

If you watch loves Utah State games he shows moments of brilliance followed by inexplicable throws to the wrong team. Loves running ability is not the best, he’s a straight line runner with very average speed and almost no wiggle. While he does move around in the pocket well he tends to hold the ball a bit too long and is prone at times to fumbles because his internal clock it’s about a second off What it should be.

Jordan love is an excellent young prospect, he throws a really pretty ball, and has the intangibles you look for in a franchise quarterback.
However love is about three years away from being a starter in the NFL in my opinion. There is absolutely no reason to put him out there cause issues with Aaron Rodgers whom we are paying a kings ransom to be Aaron Rodgers.

The packers are not the New Orleans Saints and Jordan love is not Taysom Hill. Bad idea!

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Leatherhead's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:08 am

Rodgers saw action as a rookie. I’d expect we’ll see Love this year.

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Leatherhead's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:09 am

Rodgers saw action as a rookie. I’d expect we’ll see Love this year.

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PeteK's picture

May 26, 2020 at 10:04 am

Absolutely, Hill runs a 4.40-40, Love 4.70. He is not an option QB especially in the pros. Mop up duty this season. He'll have have plenty of opportunities as the Pack weaves through another double digit win season.

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Lphill's picture

May 26, 2020 at 08:17 am

Even with a regular off season this year Cory , no way Love is ready to contribute , maybe after 1 full season but not this season. Sure you can look at his good film but dig for some bad film , he can look very raw. Look on YouTube film by Alex Rollins , Love has the tools but very inconsistent and misses reads on defense , I think he threw the most interceptions in 2019 .

6 points
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dobber's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:16 am

If Jordan Love is the #2, and I don't see the Packers carrying 3 QBs, then it's on the coaches to make 100% sure they have a cache of plays and adjustments that they know this kid can run effectively if he's called upon to play meaningful downs. Even if the Packers carry 3 QBs and Boyle is the #2, the coaches will still need to adjust the offense to match what he can do. It sure seemed that MM couldn't figure out how to pare down his playbook to give Hundley a chance, but until I see otherwise I'm going to give LaF the benefit of the doubt.

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Leatherhead's picture

May 26, 2020 at 11:40 am

With the expanded rosters, we’ll keep 3 QBs. I’m not sure Boylewill be one of them

It’s Love. He’s our #2. If Rodgers gets hurt, Love will be the guy.

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2020 at 02:33 pm

But rosters haven't expanded. They're still 53 players. This covers it pretty clearly in the section under elevation.

https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2020/5/5/21246410/understanding-the-nfls-...

I think the change in PS rules make it easier for you to keep Tim Boyle vs. someone you might be able to sneak onto the PS.

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Leatherhead's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:27 pm

I’m sorry, I was under the impression that gameday rosters were going to be expanded. Thanks for setting me straight.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 27, 2020 at 02:36 am

Ahem.

https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/it-is-still-a-53-man-roster-how-the-new-pr...

The first two sentences: "NFL teams still have a 53-man roster. It is not a de facto 55-man roster despite the new rule that gives teams the ability to promote up to two players from the practice squad for each game."

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TarynsEyes's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:17 am

" but dig for some bad film"

For most here, fans and writers alike and more often than not, it's all about the 'highlight' reel.

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murf7777's picture

May 26, 2020 at 01:16 pm

I’m on the “not” side. When trying to evaluate players I try to find game film and not their highlight reels. I would say if you look at anyone’s highlight film you come away impressed. With game film you see the bad with the good. Love has a lot of game film to review. Last year many on this site were very impressed with Sommers and stating he will play ILB. I argued the point and said to watch his game against Iowa State and his struggle to tackle Montgomery. He was a late round draft pick for a reason. I give little credence to highlight films for that reason

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Savage57's picture

May 26, 2020 at 08:17 am

Hopefully the Packers coaching staff use Love however they think he can best help the team.

Give him some snaps as a new look twist on the offense? Sure, why not? Keep him ensconced on the sidelines during his first year of development while AR carries the team? Sure, why not? Bring him in for a series or two in a blowout for some game experience and to see what they might have or don't have on their hands? Sure, why not?

They got this.

2 points
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stockholder's picture

May 26, 2020 at 12:33 pm

The only option Love gives the packers is getting rid of #12 and his salary. Sugar coating this, won't make this Team better. This will be #12s Farewell tour. I believe the Love excuses have just started in Green Bay. And while #12 gets the most from these Wrs. It will only take 1 or 2 dropped balls to know, Love was another Gutey mistake. Confidence is what every NFL QB must have. It's the difference in a team believing they can be victorious, or waiting for change. Change is what Love brings to Green Bay. The difference in Rodgers and Love will be like night and Day. The difference in a Qb who knows how to run the 2min. drill, and one just earning his salary. The difference in a Qb throwing a INT to end the game, or putting us in the playoffs. Love changed the window on every player here. While he develops, this team will go through growing pains. Pains that will get LeFleur fired first. Then will you stand by Gutey and Love? Hell No you won't!

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RCPackerFan's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:15 am

The best way for Love to make an impact this year is to push Rodgers to another level. Much like what Rodgers did to Favre, Love can do the same for Rodgers. He can push Rodgers to do better and refocus with more pressure behind him.

This is the first time in a long time that Rodgers has had someone behind him that could potentially take his job away from him in the future. That could potentially push him to another level. If so that is by far the best way Love can contribute to this team.

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TarynsEyes's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:30 am

"This is the first time in a long time that Rodgers has had someone behind him that could potentially take his job away from him in the future. That could potentially push him to another level. If so that is by far the best way Love can contribute to this team."

Love isn't and wasn't brought in to take Rodgers position through competition, Love was a move to get out of Rodgers contract by any means necessary.

The Rodgers extension in 18' was a Gute mistake and drafting Love to get out from it, even though at a cost, is a mistake.

The more snaps Love gets this season should be read as proof, to the speed in which the FO wants Rodgers gone. Like it or not.

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Coldworld's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:45 am

Personally, if the game is over, I’d be happy to see Rodgers off the field more. No sense in the risk. Like Favre, he may not like it, but it’s prudent.

If Love gets snaps with a healthy Rodgers and the game not clearly decided then that would be seismic as either Rodgers play would need to have elapsed or Love has turned out to be Superman. Both are extremely unlikely this year.

I do wonder if we need to draft a backup to Cory though. I get it’s quiet if not dead news time, but these Corner articles premises are making me wonder.

6 points
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dobber's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:59 am

You're my hero, CW!!

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Coldworld's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:44 am

Personally, if the game is over, I’d be happy to see Rodgers off the field more. No sense in the risk. Like Favre, he may not like it, but it’s prudent.

If Love gets snaps with a healthy Rodgers and the game not clearly decided then that would be seismic as either Rodgers play would need to have elapsed or Love has turned out to be Superman. Both are extremely unlikely this year.

I do wonder if we need to draft a backup to Corey though. I get it’s quiet if not dead news time, but these Corner articles premises are making me wonder.

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scullyitsme's picture

May 26, 2020 at 12:30 pm

This Rodgers contract thing is pretty silly. Is he even in the top 5 anymore? It’s all pretty relative. Every time a QB signs a contract it’s the end of the world, the team will be in cap hell stuff. But the reality is you need at least a good one to be competitive and have a chance, none of them are cheap. You want to talk about bad about contracts? Try Tannehill’s. 27 million. Rodgers is a steal at this point , even on the downside. I suggest you deal with it and stop complaining about it. It’s not going away.

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Tundraboy's picture

May 26, 2020 at 10:54 pm

Exactly. Tannehill etc At least our very, very expensive QB has won something and we know we always have a shot at another one. Rather pay someone who has done it than someone who appears he might one day.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 27, 2020 at 02:39 am

If Love pushes AR to a new level, that is good.
If Love eclipses AR, that is good, barring an AR regression.

-1 points
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marpag1's picture

May 26, 2020 at 02:51 pm

For most first round QBs, the team that drafted them will be happy if the player simply looks like he belongs and has potential to be a solid QB. You want Love to push one of the best QBs in history to another level? In his rookie year? Wowzers.

I think I might be happy with Love's rookie season if... he actually deserves his place on the roster, and isn't there just because he was a first round pick. Give me that in year 1. I could dream of more, but I'll take that.

Special Love sub packages to 'keep defenses guessing?' LOL. Uh... not so much. Every defensive coordinator in the league would love it (and probably laugh their asses off) if the Packers regularly pulled Rodgers for Love.

2 points
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TheVOR's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:56 am

If he doesn't see the field in 3-4 years, it will be a very good thing for GB. I have no expectations for this QB, and I don't want to see him in a football game that's not already a GB blowout..

6 points
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Handsback's picture

May 26, 2020 at 10:45 am

Love needs to learn how to be a NFL QB before any gadget type player. Why depress his learning curve in order to be like Hill or any other QB function that specializes on just a segment of his potential talent?
Forget shortcuts..make him the best QB possible.

5 points
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gkarl's picture

May 26, 2020 at 11:08 am

"The future is something that might be in the back of our minds, but we always live in the moment."

That tells you all you need to know about Love, Rogers, the coaches, the FO and playing time this year.

1 points
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Tabin's picture

May 26, 2020 at 12:34 pm

I watched as much film as I could from Utah State last month. Love has a great arm, not very accurate but nothing that can not be fixed. What worries me is how slow he is reading the defense at a college level. I don´t expect him to read the defense at NFL level at alll the 1st year, he is an interception machine. I know they say he didn´t have good WR, guess what other than Adams and sometimes Lazard Rogers didn´t have almost any help in that department. Most college QB have problems transitioning to the NFL not for the arm but for accuracy and specially the lack of ability to read NFL D fast enough and Love is no exception. Of course the ability to read the D can improve over the years but Love needs a lot of work in that department. If he plays this year don´t expect him to be better than Hundley or Kizer.

3 points
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Archie's picture

May 27, 2020 at 02:41 pm

I'd suggest you look at film from 2018.

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Lphill's picture

May 26, 2020 at 12:49 pm

In Loves bad film that you can find on YouTube I hate to say it but he looks very Trubisky like.

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TarynsEyes's picture

May 26, 2020 at 01:13 pm

Never hate to speak to what you see or believe as bad.

Let the denying 'optimist' perform the cover up.

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Bure9620's picture

May 26, 2020 at 03:47 pm

I could maybe see using Jordan Love with some read option looks sweeps with maybe 2 backs in the game. But not a ton. There will be some Love packages in the playbook.

0 points
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billybauer's picture

May 26, 2020 at 09:28 pm

glad Jordan love is part of this team!

-1 points
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Tundraboy's picture

May 26, 2020 at 10:35 pm

I really want him to do well, succeed actually ,but let's see if he can play with the big boys in the NFL first.

1 points
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Bure9620's picture

May 27, 2020 at 03:50 am

Let me just say I find the Jordan Love/Taysom Hill comps from many confusing and misguided. Let's be clear, Taysom is not going to be a starter in the NFL. If the Saints truly believed he was, he would not have been playing special teams, kick coverage, gunner and WR. Taysom Hill is a good gadget player, he provides a change of pace. An extra blocker when they want run him as a QB. Taysom Hill is 29 years old.......he had 3 knee injuries, a redshirt year, a medical redshirt year and 2 years abroad.....If he was going to be a starting QB, He would by now and a team would have given the Saints a lot for him if he were that guy....When Brees went down did they turn to Taysom Hill?? No, Payton turned to............Teddy Bridgewater

I would be floored if the Packers used Jordan Love in this fashion. I can potentially see the Packers having a package for Love. Likely a Read option package, maybe on the goaline?? Or they use Love as a decoy and ultimately run the ball on a jet sweep. But this would be very situational. I hate to say it, but the likelyhood is Rodgers is injured again running around and holding the ball for 8 or 9 seconds and Love is forced into action. Gute understood this as well, we cannot simply have a throw away year if Rodgers goes down again. Love is obviously the future but also a backup we can potentially win some games with.....

3 points
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Archie's picture

May 27, 2020 at 02:50 pm

No buyer's remorse on Love - we paid for him, he's an investment in the future. Let's hope we get a great ROI from him - down the road. Give him 2-3 years to get seasoning and to prove himself in preseason games. Let him progress the way that AR did. He is not Taysom Hill II.

0 points
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