Pack93z
  • Pack93z
  • Select Member Topic Starter
14 years ago
Says it better than I can.. albeit I am not a heavy wildcat guy..... enjoy.

This is what I was hoping for out of the pick from Dion Lewis that never came for the Packers... same type of guy to press the edges of the defense. Change of pace guy.


Why Cobb gives the Packers options on offense 

For those of you who read my blog often, you know that I think in terms of Xs and Os when it comes to the game. Thats why I started the "Inside the Playbook" series here at the NFP and watch the game from the perspective of an NFL meeting roomup on the chalkboard.

And now that we are past the draft, giving our opinion and trying to project how players fit in certain schemes, one prospect we need to talk about is new Packers WR Randall Cobb. Because, he is a real weapon. Lets look at four ways Mike McCarthy can use the dynamic talent from Kentucky this season.


1. Inside the numbers: The first thing you do with a talent like Cobb. Get him matched up inside vs. a Nickel CB or even a FS that rolls down from the middle of the field working against Cover 1. Think of how the Packers use their empty formations and align Cobb as the No. 3 WR. Routes you can run? Inside breaking schemes: slant, underneath crosser, dig, skinny post, etc. Plus, don't forget what he can do vs. 2-Man and Cover 2where you can get him matched up vs. a Mike Backer (think Brian Urlacher in Chicago). Bottom line: put the rookie in a position to produce. And you have options to do that with Cobb. [img_r]http://www.lex18.com/images/news/randall_cobb4.jpg[/img_r]

2. Get creative: Think of it this way: Green Bay now has a new tool to plug into their playbook. Similar to what Todd Haley has down in Kansas City with Dexter McCluster. Align Cobb in the backfield, in bunch sets, stack looks and use pre-snap motion. Green Bay will bring Tank personnel (1 WR, 2 TE, 2 RB) onto the field to get downhill in the run game. Thats understandable, but why not use Cobb in some one-back sets, let him press the edge of the defense in the outside zone or crack toss? And, more importantly, get it all on tape. Thats the key. Because when defensive coordinators see this guy aligned all over the field, it puts stress on their own game plan as well as forcing them to dedicate practice time to one player.

3. The wildcat: I know, I know. The wildcat is a gadget offense. I will say that all day long, but not when you have a player taking the snap that is accustomed to handling the football, reading blocks and being patient in the run game. We saw that with Cobb at Kentucky and dont forget one key point: he can throw the football. Talked to a NFL DB coach this past season about the wildcat and he told me the reason it has become ineffective is the lack of a passing threat out of the formation. I would align the rookie in the wildcat in crucial situations (3rd and short, inside the five-yard line, etc.), and put the ball in his hands. He is an athletenow let him be one for you on Sundays. No different than the schemes that can be designed for Tim Tebow in Denver.

4. The return game: Sounds too easy to bring up the idea of Cobb returning both punts and kickoffs, but again, we are talking about field position. Think of Chicago when Devin Hester is back on punts. An opportunity to flip the field or even put points on the board. And that is with an offense that struggles to move the football routinely. Not in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, James Starks, etc. Give this offense a short field to work with? That is a nightmare for opposing defenses. Cobb will force special teams units to tackle and if he can find a seam it will result in points for the Packers. Scary thought.

The main point here? Cobb can be a playmaker on Sundays. Take advantage of it, just like we saw when he was aligned all over the field at Kentucky. Check it out


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
longtimefan
14 years ago
Not the wildcat but the wild COBB
porky88
14 years ago

4. The return game: Sounds too easy to bring up the idea of Cobb returning both punts and kickoffs, but again, we are talking about field position. Think of Chicago when Devin Hester is back on punts. An opportunity to flip the field or even put points on the board. And that is with an offense that struggles to move the football routinely. Not in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, James Starks, etc. Give this offense a short field to work with? That is a nightmare for opposing defenses. Cobb will force special teams units to tackle and if he can find a seam it will result in points for the Packers. Scary thought.



This is where Cobb makes an impact the most. I agree with lining him up in the slot. He can play all over and he's a great run after the catch WR, so he fits Mike McCarthy's offense. I get that, but his impact is going to be on special teams. This team lacks a return specialist and next to Patrick Peterson, many felt Cobb was the next best return man in this draft.
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
14 years ago
Let's say that Cobb more than excels in the return game. In a year if Jones is gone and Donald retires would you want to see him take on a larger role as a receiver and risk a drop off in returns la Hester or would it be acceptable to give him more responsibility?

Of course this is more than a year away and I am not factoring any new players being added to the team.
UserPostedImage
go.pack.go.
14 years ago

Let's say that Cobb more than excels in the return game. In a year if Jones is gone and Donald retires would you want to see him take on a larger role as a receiver and risk a drop off in returns la Hester or would it be acceptable to give him more responsibility?

Of course this is more than a year away and I am not factoring any new players being added to the team.

"wpr" wrote:



Desean Jackson is a big part of the Eagles' offense. He still returns punts on a regular basis. I'm not sure if he does kick offs or not.
UserPostedImage
beast
14 years ago
1) Packers have a history of putting their best/veteran WRs on the inside when they use 3 or more WR sets. So I think Jennings and Driver will be the guys on the inside.

2) I agree with some of this but not all. Bunch sets, stack looks and use pre-snap motion sure why not... but use him as a RB? ... why not just use Grant, Starks and Green as RBs? ... Starks and Green can catch...

Also the Packers have been trying to get a WR screen game going for a year or two... Cobb could help with that. Though part of the problem with the WR screens have been the sets up... I mean they throw it to Nelson and had Driver block for him... which I think should of been the other way around since Nelson is the best blocking WR they had IMO...

3) The Wildcat hasn't worked in the NFL other than with a power runner who can throw (it didn't even work for Vick)... even if Cobb can throw... is he powerful enough runner to make the Wildcat work? ... I'm not sure but I'm thinking no.

Also if Rodgers is healthy why do we want others to throw it?

4) Of course he should help in the return game.
UserPostedImage
zombieslayer
14 years ago

Let's say that Cobb more than excels in the return game. In a year if Jones is gone and Donald retires would you want to see him take on a larger role as a receiver and risk a drop off in returns la Hester or would it be acceptable to give him more responsibility?

Of course this is more than a year away and I am not factoring any new players being added to the team.

"wpr" wrote:



Ted will draft another WR (or 2) next year.

I said he'd draft at least one this year and possibly two. I was actually thinking he'd draft 2 but was surprised he drafted 2 TEs instead.

To answer your question more directly, if he excels at the WR position and Driver retires and Jones is gone, we'll probably look for a CB/returner WR/returner in next year's draft and pull him from returning.
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
14 years ago
Zombie you are cheating. I was speaking from the prospective of not knowing what Uncle Teddy does next year. If for no other reason than to say that he normally does not draft solely on the basis of returns.
UserPostedImage
vikesrule
14 years ago
Randall Cobb wears Percy Harvin pajamas....although he had to get the "little guys" size. :icon_smile:

Actually, it should be interesting to see how/if he develops.
macbob
14 years ago

Randall Cobb wears Percy Harvin pajamas....although he had to get the "little guys" size. :icon_smile:

Actually, it should be interesting to see how/if he develops.

"vikesrule" wrote:



I'll be very, very happy if he continues to receive Percy Harvin comparisons...
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