“Our special teams in a number of areas was about as good as we've played in our time there in Green Bay, and Randall is a big part of that,” McCarthy said at the Scouting Combine on Friday. “I hope he’s not playing next year. That’s really the responsibility of the rest of the skill players in the locker room. He’s someone who spent a lot of time this time last year developing packages for him, as far as putting him in the backfield and so forth. I prefer not to play him on special teams. We’ll let time answer that.”

Cobb played 635 snaps last season on offense and another 138 on special teams for a total of 773 over 15 games. The game he missed, in the Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, was a result of an ankle sprain he suffered on a kick return the previous week. Cobb has three touchdown returns in two seasons on special teams, but he will enter 2013 as arguably the Packers' top offensive playmaker. That status almost requires a transition on special teams.

It isn't like Cobb was all-world and irreplaceable as a returner last year. If he was the best returner in the NFL or something then maybe it could be considered "playing scared" but he hasn't really been all that special on returns outside of a couple here and there. Not to mention kick/punt returns are such a small aspect of the game. It's not worth the risk for what he brings to offense.

Originally Posted by: steveishere 

You see it as "playing scared." I see it as just managing risks. Special teams are for the bottom of the roster guys, not arguably the number 1 offensive weapon. Honestly, I'd almost be OK with no chances ever taken on special teams so long as they don't turn the ball over. I know that's a bit extreme, but I'd prefer starting at the 20 yard line every drive than turn the ball over and never even give the offense a chance. Currently, the Packers receiving group is still formidable, but without Jennings they don't have the same depth as last season.

Originally Posted by: doddpower 

And as we've seen with D. Hester, trying to do too much with a player can often limit them to some extent at what they originally did best.

Originally Posted by: doddpower 

Seems like common sense to me with Gregg most likely gone.

Originally Posted by: PackerTraxx