NELSON NEEDS ONLY AN OPPORTUNITY
Posted January 9th 2010 at 12:34 am by admin
[img_r]http://packerupdate.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/s_photo8.jpg[/img_r]Its easy to criticize GM Ted Thompsons first pick in the 2008 draft. After all, Jordy Nelson has caught only 55 passes in two seasons as the teams third or fourth wide receiver. Meanwhile, two of the prospects selected after Nelson Ravens halfback Ray Rice and Eagles receiver/returner DeSean Jackson will play in the Pro Bowl at the end of the month. Its awfully easy to second-guess now, but remember, there were plenty of questions surrounding Jackson and Rice back then, said a former scout. Heck, even their own teams werent completely sold on their pro potential. Baltimore took quarterback Joe Flacco with its first pick that April and Philadelphia preferred defensive tackle Trevor Laws. The knock on both players was a lack of size, added the scout. It may seem silly now, but it was a legitimate concern at the time.
Size certainly isnt an issue with Nelson. At 6-3 220, hes one of the biggest receivers in the NFC. And while the former Kansas State star may never make it to a Pro Bowl, he has the potential to be a very good player. All he needs is an opportunity, opined the scout. Hes stuck behind Greg Jennings and Donald Driver in Green Bay, but he could start for at least a dozen teams in the league. He runs good routes, he catches pretty much everything and hes a better athlete than people think. Put him on the Bears and he probably wouldve had 60 or 70 receptions this season. Would I trade Nelson for either Rice or Jackson? Of course I would, but its not like the Packers are hurting for backs or receivers. Very true. Last Sunday, Green Bay became the first team in history to have a 4,000 yard passer, a 1,200 yard rusher and two 1,000 yard receivers in back-to-back seasons.
Why did Thompson draft a receiver any receiver when he already had Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones? Three simply arent enough in that offense, said the scout. [Coach] Mike McCarthy likes to get as many playmakers on the field as possible, and remember, Ruvell Martin was the No. 4 guy during the 07 season. The Packers wanted an upgrade, and thats exactly what they got in Nelson. He caught 33 passes for 366 yards as a rookie. Of course, that was before Jermichael Finleys emergence as one of the leagues most exciting young players. While hes technically a tight end, for all intents and purposes, hes a wide receiver, said the scout. McCarthy loves to create mismatches by splitting him out wide. Its worked extremely well, but its left a much more limited role for Nelson this season. Considering the team went 11-5 and made the playoffs, its hard to imagine anyone caring even those fans who still pine for Jackson and Rice.