TEs Finding Stride in Passing Game Without Tonyan

The Green Bay Packers tight ends are finding their stride in the passing game just as the offense is beginning to surge.

In terms of replacing what Robert Tonyan added to this Green Bay Packers offense, well, that was going to be a tall task. Or, at the very least, it was going to take a group effort to mitigate his absence.
 
Tonyan was coming off a highly effective and efficient 2020 season in which he caught 52 of his 59 targets for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. Admittedly, 2021 began slowly for him, but he was heating up prior to his injury with seven receptions on nine targets for 112 yards and a touchdown against Washington and Arizona. 
 
In addition to what he can add as a pass-catcher, Tonyan helps Matt LaFleur achieve that 'illusion of complexity' that he has discussed in the past. Essentially this means running "like plays," or plays that begin similarly but end up differently, as well as running the same concepts from a variety of personnel. 
 
In order to effectively accomplish this, you need versatility, which Tonyan brought with his ability as a pass-catcher and a blocker, as well as being able to line up in-line, in the slot, and out wide. 
 
While this is a talented tight end room that Brian Gutekunst has constructed, from a pure skill-set standpoint, there isn't another tight end on the roster that can do what Tonyan does. Marcedes Lewis is known for his blocking abilities, while Josiah Deguara filled the H-back role and had just four career targets prior to the Arizona game.
 
So as should have been expected, it took some time for those two to carve out specific roles in the passing game. But as of late, both Deguara and Lewis have been able to affect the passing game positively, and it's not a coincidence that the offense is surging in recent weeks either. 
 
Over the last four games, Deguara has been targeted 14 times, hauling in 10 of them for receptions while totaling 110 yards and a touchdown. According to PFF, Deguara's role in the slot has also expanded as well, with 38 of his 72 total slot snaps this season coming in just the last three weeks. 
 
We've also seen Big Dog much more active in the passing game as well. He has caught nine of his 10 targets over the last three games for 95 yards, and he's picked up quite a big of YAC along the way--which has been incredibly fun to watch. 
 
In fact, during that span, Lewis ranks ninth among all tight ends in YAC and seventh in YAC per reception. It's also worth noting that Deguara ranks 13th and sixth in those respective categories during that same span.
 
We've even seen Tyler Davis get in on the action as well, catching a 22-yard pass down the seam -- only the second catch of his career -- against Baltimore as Aaron Rodgers was facing pressure from a corner blitz. The fact that Rodgers hung in there to deliver that pass to Davis shows that there is some level of trust between the two. 
 
“Those guys have done a great job,” LaFleur said via SI. “Nathaniel Hackett and the rest of our offensive staff have done a really nice job of trying to incorporate those guys more into the passing game, whether it’s with some of our play-actions or keepers that we’ve been doing. Aaron’s done a great job of going out there and executing, and it comes down to our O-line and backs just providing the time for him to be able to progress through his reads.” 
 
As is always the case, there is more than one reason behind the offense's late-season surge, but at about the time the tight ends started making noise in the passing game was about the same time Rodgers and this offense really began to click. Which again, I don't see that as a coincidence. 
 
In a recent article from Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated, he laid out just how effective Rodgers and the offense have been over their last four games. 
 
During that span, Rodgers is third in completion rate and first in touchdowns, passer rating, passing yards, and yards per attempt. He also hasn't thrown an interception. As a whole, the offense ranks first in total points, total yards, and they're the only team to score 30+ points in four consecutive games.
 
The tight ends play a very important role in this LaFleur offense, not only for their blocking abilities but as pass-catchers and helping this unit achieve that illusion of complexity to keep opposing defenses guessing. It took a little bit of time, but this group has found its groove, and the coaching staff is weaving them into the game plan with more regularity and creating pass-catching opportunities for them as well. 
 
At the end of the day, this offense will always go through Aaron Jones and Davante Adams first, but for this unit to be at their best -- like they were in 2020 -- the tight ends will also have to be effective in the passing game. 

 

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__________________________

Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl. 
 

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9 points
 

Comments (4)

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

December 24, 2021 at 11:24 am

Big Dog has always had good hands and was a legitimate pass catching threat earlier in his career. It has been fun to see him resume that part of his career and particularly to watch him gain YAC!

I have high hopes for Deguara as he seems to be taking his "second year leap" and displaying a much better understanding of the pro game. AR has been throwing to spots with Deguara and trusting Deguara to be there. That is a huge leap for AR and indicative of the amount of work Deguara has put in developing his craft. Hope it continues tomorrow.......

Go Pack Go and Seasons Greeting to All!

9 points
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Bearmeat's picture

December 24, 2021 at 12:23 pm

I was always high on Deguara - going back to the draft. He does so many things pretty well that I just got this feeling he'd grow into a good player when his time came. It's his time. Same with Dillon. I was shocked they paid Jones after drafting Dillon. But I love the dual threat.

Man, our GM is a bad ass.

6 points
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relleum61's picture

December 24, 2021 at 12:36 pm

Dillon is a hammer and I thought that MLF would have used him more against the Bucs in the NFC finals after he bullied that D in a couple of plays on one of the TD drives. Glad Dillon is getting used this year as that hammer. Deguara could be the stiletto we need as a chain mover. He is just a good football player!

1 points
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Gman1976's picture

December 24, 2021 at 12:57 pm

We have been blessed with having productive TEs that past couple of years. Big Dog is like fine wine and seems to be getting better and more productive as he gets older. I would love to seem him back next year. It appears that Deguara is just coming into his own. He is a smart player and does a very good job as a jack of all trades. He seems a little slow, but that may be due to his recovery from that terrible injury he had. I suspect that he will be even better next year. Davis may be another find as he reportedly did well blocking in the last game and showing some speed when he had his catch. Hopefully, Big Bob will recover from his terrible injury and join us again next year. Gute has done a good job in finding these gems and Rodgers seems to be able to connect with most anyone we put on the field. GPG!!!

3 points
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