Packers Veteran Receivers Full of Potential and Questions
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers will have a new group of wide receivers this year. With Davante Adams traded to the Raiders and Marquez Valdes-Scantling now with the Chiefs, GM Brian Gutekunst signed veteran free agent Sammy Watkins and then drafted three receivers in Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure.
We know quarterback Aaron Rodgers tends to take time to develop trust in your receivers and he indicated this week when he told reporters, “I like production over potential. We have some production. We have a lot of potential, so we need to temper expectations and heighten the accountability.”
The Packers do have a group of returning veterans at the receiver position. While that group has experience, there are questions surrounding each of the returning players on the roster. Here is a look at the veteran receivers on the Packers roster as we wrap up mandatory OTAs and what questions surround each player:
1. Allen Lazard
Lazard has come a long way since signing with the Packers late in the 2018 season. He set new career highs in catches (40), yards (513) and touchdown catches (eight) in 2021 and has improved each year since joining the Packers. He has great size and is one of the better blocking receivers in the NFL right now. He also runs precise routes and has earned Rodgers’ trust.
But Lazard has yet to sign his second-round tender offer and is the only player on the Packers 90-man roster not at mandatory OTAs as a result.
In addition, the former Iowa State star needs to show he can carry the responsibility of being the team’s number one receiver and that he can get the job done without Adams lining up on the other side of the ball and getting the bulk of the attention from opposing defenses.
Lazard did step up in the 2020 season in New Orleans when Adams was out of the lineup but doing it in one game and doing it for a season are two different things. Lazard needs to show he can step up and perform consistently under these circumstances.
2. Sammy Watkins
Watkins’ biggest issue is staying healthy. The former Clemson star played in every game during his rookie season in 2014 but hasn’t done so since.
He’s coming off a career low 27-catch, 394-yard season in 2021 that saw him grab only one touchdown pass in 13 games.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur indicated he feels Watkins hasn’t lost a step since 2017 when LaFleur was on the Rams coaching staff.
If Watkins can stay healthy, he could have a strong season with Rodgers throwing him the football but he needs to prove he can stay healthy.
3. Randall Cobb
Cobb is the Packers veteran slot receiver and a player Rodgers asked the team to reacquire last year before the start of training camp. He finished 2021 with 28 catches for 375 yards and five touchdowns in his return to Green Bay.
Cobb will turn 32 in August and he has not played in every game in a season since 2015. His biggest challenge will be staying healthy enough to be on the field. If he can do that, Cobb has been productive during his career, but he is past his athletic prime and it is not clear how much he can contribute over the course of a 17-game NFL season.
4. Amari Rodgers
Rodgers is coming off a disappointing rookie campaign that saw him catch just four passes for 45 yards all season. He also struggled as a punt returner and kick returner.
This year, Rodgers seems to be making the adjustment to the NFL and he came into OTAs a bit lighter and showing more of the quickness that made him so successful in college.
The Packers are hoping Rodgers can make a second-year leap and become a steady contributor to the offense this season.
5. Juwann Winfree
Winfree has been Mr. Training Camp and Mr. Preseason thus far in his three years with the Packers. This year he has again made a strong impression on the coaching staff and the media with his performance at OTAs.
It’s time for Winfree to prove he can get the job done once the games count. He’ll turn 26 when the season gets started and the potential he has showed has to be turned into production this year or he may not make the final roster.
6. Malik Taylor
Taylor has caught a total of seven passes in his two seasons with the Packers. His contributions on special teams and his strong training camps have earned him a roster spot the last two years but he has to show he can contribute to the offense to make the roster in this year’s crowded receiver room.
Each of these veterans has skills and experience but each of them also has questions that need to be addressed. If at least two of them come through with solid seasons, the Packers should have a productive receiving unit this year even without a star like Adams in the lineup.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
__________________________
Comments (78)
Leatherhead
June 09, 2022 at 12:22 pm
The Packers top four WRs last year were Adams, of course, who was targeted 169 times, ten per game. Then Lazard and MVS who were targeted 60 and 55 times. Then Cobb, targeted 39 times. If MVS hadn't missed several games, he'd have had more targets, and Cobb would have had fewer.
And that's it. No other WR was targeted more than twice per game. EQ got 17 targets, Amari got 8.
We line up 3 WRs about half the time, and of course, we need a 4th guy in case somebody gets hurt, or is winded, but the targets are going to those guys. The 5th WR is usually a special teams guy, and the 6th is inactive.
Lazard is one of the Big 3. We're hoping that Watkins can be another or we wouldn't have signed him. And that would leave Amari Rodgers and Christian Watson to be our #3 and #4 guys.
Cobb and Doubs will be our #5 and #6 guys. Toure will start the season on the practice squad.
Coldworld
June 09, 2022 at 12:39 pm
I think Doubs is likely the most impactful of the rookies as a classical receiver early on. Watson likely has plays designed to get him the ball.
The chances are one or more are not healthy. If a rookie missed a large portion of camp it may change the order (Watson) or who makes the team. Obviously, injury at cut downs would change things too.
jannesbjornson
June 09, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Maybe Rodgers is placed with the RBs as a wingback?
GregC
June 09, 2022 at 06:11 pm
Oh no, you just gave me an awful flashback to the Ty Montgomery era.
jannesbjornson
June 10, 2022 at 05:15 pm
My apologies.
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2022 at 01:25 pm
Agreed. Doubs is ahead of Watson now and could stay that way. Watson will most likely be used to run deep routes and possibly as a gadget guy. Doubs will have a better command of the full route tree and is lining up in the slot some the last couple days. I think Doubs could end up as the 3rd most productive WR this year.
Leatherhead
June 09, 2022 at 01:46 pm
Why is Doubs ahead of Watson now? Because he looked good in shorts and non-contact drills? I mean, the consensus opinion of the Packer personnel people, just a few weeks ago, was that Watson was a better bet than Doubs. And now, because he's "looked good", he just vaults ahead of Watson?
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2022 at 02:49 pm
It's pretty simple, Doubs is more pro ready. He had two 1000 yard seasons against a higher level of competition and has run a fuller route tree. It doesn't mean he has more upside, it means he has more upside right now.
https://twitter.com/AndyHermanNFL/status/1534586795136012295?t=MtCZO7Hs3...
WestCoastPackerBacker
June 09, 2022 at 04:35 pm
Predraft nonsense can be put in the trash at this point, and the players will determine who gets snaps. Read David Bahktiari's predraft profile. The pundits saw him moving to guard and he's arguably the top LT in the league when healthy. And the top two LT picks that year in the draft ended up being nowhere near his talent. MVS's draft profile indicated he should be stashed somewhere like a practice squad until he was ready to contribute, but he got just shy of 700 yards as a rookie WR. It's not even training camp and people are deciding depth charts. I just think that's ridiculous. They will practice with the ones or twos or not, and everybody will get a chance to see what they can contribute and how well they have grasped the offense. But saying Doubs is more ready based on what he did in college doesn't matter once they hit the field.
Coldworld
June 09, 2022 at 05:41 pm
If you watch film of what both did, I think it would be self explanatory as to which one is where in terms the gap they must bridge. That has zero to do with long term potential but is very relevant this fall. The scouting, Packers personnel comments and even Rodgers’ comments all seem to support the need for realism in expectations of the rookies and particularly Watson early.
Leatherhead
June 09, 2022 at 04:57 pm
So, simply, the more “pro ready” WR was drafted on Day 3? That makes very little sense. Not one team in the league….32 scouting and personnel departments….didn’t think he was worth drafting higher despite him being more pro ready than the guys who were taken earlier.
He’s had a couple of days where he’s looked good in shorts. He took a couple of reps with the first team since Lazard isn’t there.
Coldworld
June 09, 2022 at 05:44 pm
Watson equals upside. Ultra high ceiling. That’s what we invested in. It’s not a unique concept in football generally or for the Packers. Just look at Rodgers and Gary.
Leatherhead
June 10, 2022 at 11:40 am
Both of whom were first round picks, both of whom contributed little as rookies. And yet, he's a Day Three 'pro-ready' guy who's going to start ahead of veterans and first round picks.
I'm getting dizzy trying to follow the direction of this.
Coldworld, I love you man, but this is the way it is:
Lazard will be signed because he has no options. Watkins was specifically brought in to be a starter while our rookies developed. Amari Rodgers, and Cobb, will be our small slot guys. Cobb is not going to play a lot of snaps this year unless we take injuries, and will probably be inactive several games. So that leaves Watkins, Lazard, and Rodgers as the big 3. The two rookies, Watson and Doubs, will be brought along slowly, like Love, Dillon, and Deguara were.
My OPINION is that Watson and/or Doubs will play well enough, and do well enough in practice, that we'll want to get them on the field more. If Watkins gets injured, for example, I could easily see us lining up Doubs in his place, putting Lazard in at big slot, and having Watson play outside, or vice-versa. I do not think Cobb will play that much, and I don't think Watkins is part of our future unless he just goes out and dominates this year.
Coldworld
June 10, 2022 at 09:12 pm
To be candid, I’m just expressing what I see as valid possibilities based upon what I’ve seen, watched and heard. I’m not going to get too excited about predicting who will stay healthy, who should snd who will make the team and how they fit until the pads go on. Who will get hurt and for how long? How will LaFleur use individuals: there is much we don’t know about the planes for the post Adams offense and individuals within it? How will Lazard’s role change, what’s the plan for Amari Rodgers etc before we see how well they fit that vision in practice. Watson I’d just another piece in a much wider puzzle. Roll on camp and preseason. That will shake out both intentions and ability to live up to them.
Oppy
June 09, 2022 at 06:14 pm
Agree with Coldworld. This isn't exotic or unusual.
Being more "Pro Ready" doesn't mean being more talented or having a higher ceiling. It just means being further along at this point and time. THat's all.
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2022 at 07:57 pm
Ok you're right and I'm wrong. Where a guy gets drafted has everything to do with whether he's any good or not. Feel better?
croatpackfan
June 10, 2022 at 07:14 am
So, you are basically say that Alex Smith is better QB than AR?
Conclusion based on the position were player is drafted? Same to apply for David Bakhtiari. Or those are just exemptions.
What to say about Tom Brady. 6th rounder. He must be very bad, what to say else by your logic. Or some others players taken in the 1st round that was out of league after only one season? There is a lot of those players...
LLCHESTY
June 10, 2022 at 08:05 am
If you read the whole thread you'd realize that was sarcasm.
jannesbjornson
June 09, 2022 at 05:27 pm
Correct, just speculation after a week in shorts and t-shirts while learning a tenth of the Playbook. When September begins we will see a more clear picture.
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2022 at 03:51 pm
Not sure how you get Rodgers to number 3 when he's done absolutely nothing to show he deserves that. I think the starters will be Watkins and Doubs on the outside and Lazard in the slot, with Watson and either Rodgers or Cobb rotating in pretty heavily.
Leatherhead
June 09, 2022 at 04:53 pm
Yes, a Day 3 guy is going to start ahead of the vets. I understand.
Oppy
June 09, 2022 at 06:17 pm
Not sure how you bash putting someone who done absolutely nothing at #3, then in the next sentence, put a rookie who's literally never played so much as an NFL preseason game at #2.
lol, I'm just sayin', you gotta be consistent.
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2022 at 07:54 pm
I don't think Doubs is #2, I think he'll be the 3rd most productive WR this year assuming Watkins stays healthy. The clear #1 and #2 WRs are Lazard and Watkins. Doubs said Rodgers told him a few times "good route" on his 1st day of practicing with him. That's why I think he'll be #3. He's calling his WR coach at 11 at night to ask him questions, he has a better grasp of the route tree at this point in time than Watson does, he can play in the slot and outside and the QB already thinks he's running good routes. That's why I think he's #3.
Oppy
June 10, 2022 at 05:20 am
I reread your comment and see that I misunderstood where you projected Doubs, but nonetheless, projecting him anywhere isnt really any different than leatherhead projecting Amari at any position.
With that said, anything after two days of minicamp is just wild speculation.
Swisch
June 09, 2022 at 01:03 pm
My prediction for the top six wide receivers on the Packers for this season (in rough order starting with the best contributors):
(1) Allen Lazard
(2) Juwann Winfree
(3) Amari Rodgers
(4) Sammy Watkins
(5) Romeo Doubs
(6) Christian Watson
This list is not for the future, but for now.
I think all six of these guys could be valuable throughout the season, and I'm hoping three will be major factors in the offense.
Randall Cobb is one of my favorite Packers of all time, but I don't think he can cut it anymore. I'd gladly make him an assistant coach to keep him as part of the team.
Coldworld
June 09, 2022 at 01:23 pm
I don’t see Cobb going anywhere after Rodgers comments, absent injury, but I think he is why we may keep 7 if all are healthy. If Watkins stays healthy I think one could see him and Winfree swapping too.
I see Doubs and Watkins on the outside and Lazard as a staple inside with Rodgers/Winfree/Cobb taking the slot or 4th WR between them. Watson used for specific plays and as deep threat option alongside Doubs.
That’s my guess if all stay healthy and no one dramatically under or over performs. Toure and Taylor are the next up if injury happens.
Swisch
June 09, 2022 at 02:19 pm
I'm not giving up on Taylor and Toure, either.
It's an exciting crop of eight, although the concern is that none of them will become stars.
Perhaps the best scenario is that three or four of these guys become the quality of a WR2 -- in other words, without a superstar -- and that this means we spread the targets around.
Perhaps Watkins is one of those WR2s for a season or two, and then Watson steps up as one after that.
As I think is in keeping with your comments, Coldworld, Doubs may be more ready to step up sooner into a prominent role, although Watson could still contribute with some big plays right away.
***
Remembering our last Super Bowl (way back when, in 2010), we had four wide receivers who at that time in their careers could be considered WR2s: Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and Donald Driver.
To me, Jennings was perhaps a WR1, and with age Driver may have been slipping from his former heights as a WR1 to WR3. They were all at least close to being star performers, though.
Jennings was worthy of MVP in this Super Bowl victory, although I'm not arguing with Rodgers getting the award.
If only our QB had stayed manageable and coachable . . . or perhaps returns to a large extent to those days of innocence and team success.
***
The point is that this quartet of wide receivers made for a potent passing offense that resulted in a title, and which in the following season of 2011 became one of the best in NFL history running wild up and down the field.
In hindsight, the dazzle of this spectacular display seems to have blinded many (including me) to the Packers of that time being a little two pass-happy, and needing more balance with the running game to win in the more rugged playoffs.
This balance seems to be the formula for winning in the NFL today, with perhaps a little more run than pass as most desirable.
***
We'll see what our head coach -- as we hope a master of modern offense -- concocts on the chalkboard (nowadays simulated on a computer).
I would think Matt LaFleur would be giddy with excitement scheming for this season to outsmart all manner of defenses -- especially the more physical ones that have given us trouble in his brief tenure.
I'm rooting for him to assert himself in his vision of elevating the offense even higher, by the subtlety of making it more versatile.
jhtobias
June 09, 2022 at 01:45 pm
I just dont see winfree naking this roster. Really never understood the hype abour this man. Touri i think has a way better shot . More speed offers special teams where winfree has none , and is a draft pic.
I just dont understand winfree hype he is like ento or benkart people are enarmored by guys in june .
Coldworld
June 09, 2022 at 05:48 pm
It’s hard to know till tested in season, but Winfree has shown some skills two summers running that catch the eye. Can he stay healthy is a fair question, but if he does, he may well surprise. He’s got agility and quickness.
stockholder
June 09, 2022 at 01:59 pm
I'M GOING with 7 wrs. Toure isn't afraid to go over the middle. He's a excellent Route runner. He's a bigger Target in the Slot @ 6'3. And his speed is still fast enough to play outside @ 4.4. The more work he gets. The less he'll use his body to catch the ball. Keep the Wrs. Dump the extra \ TE.-
GreenBaySmacker
June 10, 2022 at 02:37 pm
I agree with you on Toure and that they'll keep 7 WRs. He is talented and versatile enough to play outside and in the slot. I believe he's good enough that if somehow he doesn't make the roster, he won't make it to the practice squad because another team will snatch him up quick.
Btw, I think he is more like 6'1" or 6'2" though. Still that's good size to go with his speed and route running ability.
Side note I could see Watson as the kick returner, and Toure or Doubs at punt returner. Leaning towards Toure at PR though thinking he will jump on that opportunity to shore up his roster spot. Could be the most exciting returners the Pack have had in a while.
Johnblood27
June 09, 2022 at 09:29 pm
yo Stock, I agree with dropping the 4th TE in favor of a 7th WR.
The new guys at WR need to learn and gain experience while the vets carry the load. They will all need snaps and AR needs to get used to spreading it around regardless of which number jersey a guy has on.
Big Dog, Deguara and Tonyan (or davis if Tonyan starts on PUP) is plenty for TE, the other guys can hang on the PS until needed. I do not see any reason to carry 4 or more TE, if they are all so one-dimensional that MLF needs 4 or 5 to implement his scheme It just makes the offense predictable based upon which TE is on the field. get better or get gone.
Coldworld
June 10, 2022 at 07:17 am
Deguara (and Dafney) are HBacks. If we continue to try and pretend they are true TEs we are not using the HBack concept and using them against type and strengths. Probably not a winning concept.
dobber
June 10, 2022 at 08:47 am
I think we cling too strongly to labels in general. Maybe for the sake of bookkeeping (and in terms of how tagging and slotting works) it makes sense, but it's more about roles: how do you plan to run your offense/defense, and what players (or kind of players) do you need to fit to make it work? Relative to other teams, the Packers play a lot of 2 TE sets, but only Lewis is a traditional in-line guy. Everyone else does something else...but we still call them TEs...because.
We worry about WRs, when what we really need to worry about is "pass-catchers". Do they have enough pass-catchers of high enough quality to run the offense at a high (or high enough) level? We fixate on WRs, but you need to include the "TE" and "RB" positions. I firmly believe that the RBs will be the focal point of the passing game...at least for a few weeks. When a RB or a TE splits out wide (think AJones motioning out of the backfield into wide set, or Tonyan lining up as a flanker), by definition he's no longer a RB or TE, he's a WR--a pass catcher. Labels again.
Which brings me back to the labeling thing: by way of how the Packers use their personnel, they tend to play more 2 "TE" sets than most teams. They're not going to leave themselves short-handed to fill important roles in the offense, whether it's the in-line Lewis role, the H-Back role, or the "move-TE" role (not to mention that TEs often are more valuable on STs than WRs). We've been told that Tonyan is on target to play right away, but we were told Bakhtiari was ahead in his rehab last year, too. So in the end, they keep four "TE"--and maybe 5 if Tonyan doesn't play right away but isn't very far off.
LLCHESTY
June 10, 2022 at 07:20 pm
"When a RB or a TE splits out wide (think AJones motioning out of the backfield into wide set, or Tonyan lining up as a flanker), by definition he's no longer a RB or TE, he's a WR--a pass catcher."
Except when it comes to contracts! Remember when Jimmy Graham got his undies in a bunch because he wanted to be labeled a WR under the franchise tag? I think that dispute got him shipped to Seattle.
Packers0808
June 09, 2022 at 02:01 pm
Boy I am really tired of reading the constant continuous rehash of the wide receiver group. There will still be one more vet WR brought in before all said and done. Watkins and Cobb are locks as well is Lazard if and when he signs!
Lphill
June 09, 2022 at 02:30 pm
there is plenty to like overall with the entire wide receivers group the coaching staff have to play a big part with deciding who lines up where.
Johnblood27
June 10, 2022 at 11:27 am
Exactly how will the coaching staff play a big part in determining which WR stays and lines up where?
By asking AR?
splitpea1
June 09, 2022 at 03:24 pm
A key is how fast these new receivers and rookies can absorb some of the "illusion of complexity" concepts, because I think we think we're going need a generous amount of them to keep this offense humming, especially at first. Rodgers seems to like Tyler Davis as well, and if he can have an impact catching the ball early on, it's going to be very helpful.
pantz_bURp
June 09, 2022 at 03:22 pm
RB Jones will have quite a few opportunities to catch the ball. He ain't a WR by title but will be used as one as much as he is asked to carry...at least, I see this strategy early on in the season.✌️👍💪
<mic drop>
Swisch
June 09, 2022 at 05:02 pm
Maybe, PB, Aaron Jones is a legitimate threat to take it to the endzone on any given play.
pantz_bURp
June 09, 2022 at 05:36 pm
Now, thatz what I'm talkin about King Swisch! 😁
LLCHESTY
June 09, 2022 at 04:20 pm
Lazard played 30% of his snaps in the slot last year and expect that to go up this year. I think Watkins is the X and Doubs and Lazard rotate playing Z and slot. With Watson it depends on if he gets used as a quick hitter/gadget guy or strictly on deep routes like MVS his 1st year. Cobb probably gets mostly used in 2nd and 3rd down passing situations. Who knows with Rodgers, maybe he comes in with Watson on package plays if he shows promise this preseason.
dobber
June 10, 2022 at 08:45 am
The Packers like to use any number of guys out of the slot, though. If Tonyan returns to the field quickly, that's likely to be a hit to Lazard's slot snaps.
GreenBaySmacker
June 09, 2022 at 05:31 pm
Barring any injuries and given Rodgers' comment, "production over potential". I feel like that means your starters week 1 most likely will be as follows:
WR#1-Watkins with his back-up being Doubs
WR#2-Lazard with his back-up being Watson
WR#3-Cobb with his back-up being Rodgers
WR#4-Toure or any of the other 3 back-ups
This way the younger guys are structured to learn specific roles in the offense behind a vet with all of them rotating at #4 without the pressure of producing as a starter.
With the way A.Rodg and Lafleur have been speaking of Watkins, I believe their plan is for him to be the guy who takes on the majority of the plays that were designed for Adams. Not that he will fill Adams' shoes but that he will be the guy who gets the most opportunity to attempt to do so at least in terms of the playbook. If he fails or gets injured then I believe Doubs will be next up.
Yes it's way too early but it's fun to predict. Speaking of "production over potential", I'd be totally fine if they traded Lazard and brought in Julio Jones on a prove it contract lol but that's wishful thinking for me.
Swisch
June 09, 2022 at 05:58 pm
Not that I necessarily agree with everything you wrote, Smacker, but a thumbs up for good discussion.
I've been a backer of at least considering the addition of Cole Beasley as a wily vet who is still productive and can make the tough catches to move the chains.
After all, we're going for the Super Bowl win, right?
Why wouldn't we snatch up Beasley?
GreenBaySmacker
June 09, 2022 at 06:20 pm
Thanks Swisch. Beasley would be a nice option that wouldn't cost much. I just feel like Rodgers wouldn't give his blessing to that because Beasley would pretty much be taking the slot role which is his best buds spot, Randall Cobb. He wouldn't even warm-up to a 3rd round pick in Amari Rodgers last season over Cobb.
pantz_bURp
June 09, 2022 at 05:46 pm
Sometimes I feel like I'm the #12 on this Cheese head forum. You guys need me! You couldn't function without me! (until you can 😁💪👍✌️👌)
I never asked to be THIS good looking and THIS intelligent! Heavy is the head that wears the crown, I suppose...
*I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred is cranking in the background....go, go, gooo
Coldworld
June 09, 2022 at 05:50 pm
I’ve always seen you as the harbinger of #2
pantz_bURp
June 09, 2022 at 05:52 pm
Cold, you running Hot now! 😁 🔥...
Coldworld
June 09, 2022 at 06:12 pm
Must be the curry.
pantz_bURp
June 09, 2022 at 06:24 pm
Curry Lambeau?
dobber
June 10, 2022 at 08:49 am
Sometimes a curry is a harbinger to the #2.
Johnblood27
June 10, 2022 at 11:29 am
forget the cookies, have a wet wipe...
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
June 09, 2022 at 09:48 pm
Totally unrelated to this article but it needs to be said. Rodgers is now dating some whackadoodle who goes by the name "Blu of Earth" and describes herself as a "witch." What is with this guy? Seriously?
dobber
June 10, 2022 at 08:50 am
I hope they're very happy together...and that he plays good football.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
June 10, 2022 at 08:56 am
Rodgers simply going thru a mid life crisis pre-40 years of age. Shailene was out there but Blu....
LOL!
Leatherhead
June 10, 2022 at 05:05 pm
If you've never had an intense relationship with an "odd" girl, that's too bad. It's a lot of fun, like falling out of an airplane and not knowing if your chute is going to open.
dobber
June 11, 2022 at 10:09 am
Sometimes it's a lot like hitting the ground when the chute doesn't open.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 13, 2022 at 02:34 am
Yup. I dated a woman who could "sense" emanations. I would normally find that disconcerting, but she was a tiny woman with big dark eyes. Perhaps strangely, I met her while ballroom dancing. Dancing a tango or even a Cha-Cha while she wore a little black cocktail dress made me forget all discretion. It took over six months for me to realize that I was in way over my head.
"Soul of a woman was created below."
Fubared
June 10, 2022 at 07:24 am
Maybe its me, I liked Lazard, but it sure looked like he put on some weight last year and lost a good step or two in speed and agility.
He always had someone hanging on his back and was rarely open.
He is no deep threat thats for sure. I assume he wants the big deal or at least three year contract to cement his future versus a one year show me deal.
Could it be he is afraid that what he would show is less then what he was two years ago.
My take is the packers also saw what I did and werent that impressed and want to see what this years version of Lazard is. No big deal if we lose him or he refuses to play IMO.
dobber
June 10, 2022 at 08:51 am
Every ImaPayne player post starts with "so and so added weight and lost a step."
Johnblood27
June 10, 2022 at 11:31 am
did you see the pot gut on Cousins at minny's mini camp?
payne musta... just sayin...
dobber
June 11, 2022 at 10:03 am
I start to wonder if instead of watching the Packers, he's watching my family's pickup games. I tell ya, Uncle Russ is struggling to get off the line these days...
Leatherhead
June 10, 2022 at 06:01 pm
I love the "no deep threat". stuff, too. I guess that was a mirage when he caught two long bombs against the Saints. This is a long-legged guy, and when he's in full stride, he's covering distance pretty quickly.
Leatherhead
June 10, 2022 at 05:09 pm
OK, Stop. "He was rarely open".
Seriously? You say stuff like this about the guy who LED THE LEAGUE in terms of a QBs rating when he threw to him If he's rarely open, how does that happen? And notice that I didn't even mention some highly visible instances where he was wide open and didn't get the ball thrown to him.
You can conjecture up any nonsense you want, but this is just a plain old lie.
GreenBaySmacker
June 10, 2022 at 02:34 pm
Can we all agree that Watson and the other rooks would benefit much more from learning from a veteran like Julio Jones, rather than Allen Lazard? Lol ijs.
Seriously though, I'm sure Jones, as far as "production" is concerned, is exactly the type of receiver the Packers and most Packers fans are hoping Watson and/or Doubs will become.
Let's look at other receivers' production playing as protégés under or beside him. Calvin Ridley put up superstar numbers and up until his personal problems was looking like the next Elite WR in the NFL. Then with the Titans, A.J. Brown turned into a top ten WR in the NFL. And in both instances Jones never made a fuss about those WRs stealing his thunder and actually seemed to embrace the decoy role.
Seems to me he's a great teammate and would be the best veteran to add if they decide to add one. Also, it would take the pressure off the rookies and turn it towards Jones to play like his former self and prove he's still elite. If he proves he can't stay healthy (same with Watkins and Cobb) then the young guys will get their chance to prove they can be productive.
Pressure all on the injury prone vets with "tempered expectations" for the young WRs. Problem solved.
Johnblood27
June 10, 2022 at 01:14 pm
paragraphs... problem solved...
GreenBaySmacker
June 10, 2022 at 01:21 pm
Why? Is this English class?
Johnblood27
June 10, 2022 at 01:36 pm
Just a note... if you want folks to actually read your comments and then respond and create a meaningful dialog then please make your comments readable.
Everyone makes some grammatical errors sometimes, everyone skips a little punctuation, my caps key is busted and I sometimes neglect to fix my prose. The internet certainly isn't a classroom.
That's all i am saying.
Class dismissed.
GreenBaySmacker
June 10, 2022 at 02:11 pm
I appreciate your input. I didn't realize it was hard to read that way. I'll get it corrected and keep that in mind for the future.
Johnblood27
June 10, 2022 at 06:11 pm
you da man!
GreenBaySmacker
June 11, 2022 at 08:00 pm
Nahh. The credit goes to the teacher
Johnblood27
June 12, 2022 at 08:11 am
Thanks for being a good sport all along.
Many are not, even here at the "perfect' CHTV!
There has even been some censorship going on here recently, so like our society here in the good ole US of A, home of the first amendment, you now must watch what you say lest you offend and become censored.
Have a great day!
GreenBaySmacker
June 12, 2022 at 12:35 pm
No problem at all. I actually appreciate constructive criticism and sometimes even a good debate. Especially in regards to the Packers. Long time fan here and will be for life.
Sucks we all have to be so careful about what we say. Though we all should have a certain level of respect for each other, people shouldn't be so sensitive either. CHTV is for the Packers and the fans of.
The world we live in is another argument but on here we should all just try to speak our minds and hearts respectfully out of love for our favorite football team.
Thanks to you also and have a great day too!
dobber
June 10, 2022 at 01:38 pm
"Then with the Titans, A.J. Brown turned into a top ten WR in the NFL."
I understand the desire to add another vet WR, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers do add a guy, yet--elite teams stockpile talent. If they do, though, it's likely because they've decided Watkins or Cobb can't help this team.
AJ Brown was a star for two seasons before Jones arrived in Tennessee for his injury-riddled season.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowAJ00.htm
Johnblood27
June 10, 2022 at 01:38 pm
Nice research and fact checking Dobbs.
Keep this kind of work up and you will work your way from wet wipes back to cookies and then, just maybe, peanut butter cookies!
GreenBaySmacker
June 10, 2022 at 02:26 pm
I wouldn't say he was a star but definitely had productive seasons. I really didn't know of his talent until last season. Not that me knowing who he is is what makes him a star lol I'm just saying that as a fact. I saw a couple games of theirs last season and he looked really good for sure. I still say Julio Jones is the FA to sign if they decide to do so.