Zero2Cool
15 years ago

As the lone rookie in the Packers' 2008 receiving corps, Jordy Nelson often had to make the food run during the afternoon break between practice and meetings, so his fellow receivers had something to eat during their daily card game.

Fortunately for Nelson and the Packers, his first season amounted to much more than being that gang's go-fer.

Nelson made the most significant on-field impact of the Packers' 2008 rookie class, and if a player's biggest jump as a professional is supposed to come between Year 1 and Year 2, then 2009 could be a whale of a season for the young wideout.

To hear Nelson tell it, 2008 was all about getting his bearings in the pro game. With James Jones in and out of the lineup with a knee injury, Nelson got more time as the team's No. 3 receiver than many expected, and that only accelerated his development.

"I was glad to get on the field, get that experience, that way my second year is not my first year still, so I feel good about that," Nelson said.

"I got a full grasp of the offense, and I feel real comfortable. I'm not thinking as much out there, I'm just out there hearing the play and playing football. That's a big step to get to, and when you're just out there relaxed and playing football, you play faster and you're able to make more plays."

Nelson made a big play right away, catching a 29-yard touchdown pass at Detroit in Week 2 for his first NFL reception, and he followed that up with back-to-back four-catch games in Weeks 3 and 4.

But it was around Week 6, at Seattle, when the coaching staff started to notice Nelson "playing fast." At that point, his comfort level was rising rapidly.

He had another four-catch day in the win over the Seahawks, and he went on to get seven more multi-reception games, giving him 10 in all and finishing with 33 catches for 366 yards and two scores.

Like the two receivers who preceded him as rookies in Green Bay - Greg Jennings in 2006 and Jones in 2007 - Nelson received compliments from the coaches on his route-running for a young player. He has established a strong foundation with that skill that bodes well for his future.

"I think it got better throughout the year," he said. "You learn some new routes obviously with a new offense and stuff, so it progressed. That's one thing I look forward to in the offseason is really fine-tuning all those, learning different ways to run them so you're not doing the same thing every time."

The continued work on the route-running will go hand-in-hand with the other parts of his game that need more seasoning.

"Just some fundamental things -- working on releases, getting off the jam, beating press coverage, maybe some separation at the top of the route -- little things like that I think he'll work hard at in the offseason," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "I have confidence he'll do that. And I think just another year in the system, maybe some more timing and anticipation with the quarterback, all those things will come with time."

As a 23-year-old catching passes from a 25-year-old quarterback, Nelson seemingly has plenty of time.

He feels he developed a good rapport with Aaron Rodgers in their first year together, which is significant because even though Rodgers was in his first year as the starter, he had been a backup for three years and had worked in training camp and practices for a collective eight-plus years with Donald Driver (three), Jennings (two), Jones (one) and Ruvell Martin (two-plus) heading into 2008.

"It's obviously night and day from the beginning," Nelson said of the communication with his quarterback. "That's going to be the way it is, because when you come in, you've never met the guy and then you play a whole year with him. I think that's something that's really grown and really gotten to a good connection. Hopefully that will continue to grow and we'll be able to read each other's minds."

The coaching staff likes and appreciates Nelson's eagerness to learn and improve, and they expect that to continue into his first professional offseason of workouts. Head Coach Mike McCarthy often refers to "ascending players" in his program, and Nelson definitely fits that bill.

If his arc continues upward, his impact should only increase.

"I think he's very detailed, he's good fundamentally, he has good hands, he's disciplined in his route running, has good speed," Philbin said. "I'm excited about utilizing him potentially more next year and seeing him become even more productive of a player."

Whether or not Nelson has even more competition for playing time in 2009 remains to be seen. With the top five receivers currently on the roster, it would seem unlikely the Packers would add a high-profile receiver this year, but that's what many thought heading into 2008, yet here came Nelson as the Packers' first draft choice, a second-rounder and the 36th overall pick, in April.

Should there be another young up-and-comer brought in for next season, that wouldn't change Nelson's approach to the game. It might even pay immediate dividends for him.

"Hopefully we can get another one in here," Nelson said, "and he can go buy me some food."


UserPostedImage
go.pack.go.
15 years ago

"Hopefully we can get another one in here," Nelson said, "and he can go buy me some food."

"Jordy Nelson" wrote:



Haha, that's funny right there.

I didn't read the hole article, just some highlights but I know Jordy is a good WR.
UserPostedImage
15 years ago
I really like his attitude. This pick has definitely grown on me. I thought it was about a B- to B pick when it happened.
UserPostedImage
evad04
15 years ago
I like Jordy. I think he'll be a good player for us. That said, I hope James Jones is healthy next season and gets playing time. I think he has tons of talent. He had almost twice as many catches and yards in his rookie campaign compared to Jordy.
William Henderson didn't have to run people over. His preferred method was levitation.
"I'm a reasonable man, get off my case."
bozz_2006
15 years ago
Healthy #80
Healthy #85
Healthy #89
Healthy #87
Healthy #82

Look out!
UserPostedImage
evad04
15 years ago

Healthy #80
Healthy #85
Healthy #89
Healthy #87
Healthy #82

Look out!

"bozz_2006" wrote:


If you line them up by height you'd have Jennings, Driver, Jones, Nelson, Martin. That'd make for a good picture ... the Packers' "Fab Five."
William Henderson didn't have to run people over. His preferred method was levitation.
"I'm a reasonable man, get off my case."
bozz_2006
15 years ago
UserPostedImage
UserPostedImage
bozz_2006
15 years ago
...and that was about when i stopped watching basketball.
UserPostedImage
15 years ago
Heh, I used to be a big Jalen Rose fan.
UserPostedImage
Yerko
15 years ago
I liked the pick in the last draft. Okay, we didn't need another receiver but when you look at those numbers listed;
80
85
89
87
82....

yikes! I am seriously looking forward to next season, so damn far away.
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
beast (7h) : Sounds like no serious injuries from the Saints game and Jacobs and Watson should play in the Vikings game
packerfanoutwest (12h) : both games Watson missed, Packers won
Martha Careful (14h) : I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas!
Mucky Tundra (24-Dec) : Oh I know about Jacobs, I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to mimic Zero lol
buckeyepackfan (24-Dec) : Jacobs was just sat down, Watson re-injured that knee that kept him out 1 game earlier
buckeyepackfan (24-Dec) : I needed .14 that's. .14 points for the whole 4th quarter to win and go to the SB. Lol
Mucky Tundra (24-Dec) : Jacobs gonna be OK???
Zero2Cool (24-Dec) : Watson gonna be OK???
packerfanoutwest (24-Dec) : Inactives tonight for the Pack: Alexander- knee Bullard - ankle Williams - quad Walker -ankle Monk Heath
packerfanoutwest (24-Dec) : No Jaire, but hopefully the front 7 destroys the line of scrimmage & forces Rattler into a few passes to McKinney.
packerfanoutwest (24-Dec) : minny could be #1 seed and the Lions #5 seed
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : We'd have same Division and Conference records. Strength of schedule we edge them
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I just checked. What tie breaker?
bboystyle (23-Dec) : yes its possible but unlikely. If we do get the 5th, we face the NFCS winner
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : Ahh, ok.
bboystyle (23-Dec) : yes due to tie breaker
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I mean, unlikely, yes, but mathematically, 5th is possible by what I'm reading.
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : If Vikings lose out, Packers win out, Packers get 5th, right?
bboystyle (23-Dec) : Minny isnt going to lose out so 5th seed is out of the equation. We are playing for the 6th or 7th seed which makes no difference
Mucky Tundra (23-Dec) : beast, the ad revenue goes to the broadcast company but they gotta pay to air the game on their channel/network
beast (23-Dec) : If we win tonight the game is still relative in terms of 5th, 6th or 7th seed... win and it's 5th or 6th, lose and it's 6th or 7th
beast (23-Dec) : Mucky, I thought the ad revenue went to the broadcasting companies or the NFL, at least not directly
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I think the revenue share is moot, isn't it? That's the CBA an Salary Cap handling that.
bboystyle (23-Dec) : i mean game becomes irrelevant if we win tonight. Just a game where we are trying to play spoilers to Vikings chance at the #1 seed
Mucky Tundra (23-Dec) : beast, I would guess ad revenue from more eyes watching tv
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I would think it would hurt the home team because people would have to cancel last minute maybe? i dunno
beast (23-Dec) : I agree that it's BS for fans planning on going to the game. But how does it bring in more money? I'm guessing indirectly?
packerfanoutwest (23-Dec) : bs on flexing the game....they do it for the $$league$$, not the hometown fans
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I see what you did there Mucky
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : dammit. 3:25pm
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : Packers Vikings flexed to 3:35pm
Mucky Tundra (23-Dec) : Upon receiving the news about Luke Musgrave, I immediately fell to the ground
Mucky Tundra (23-Dec) : Yeah baby!
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : LUKE MUSGRAVE PLAYING TONIGHT~!~~~~WOWHOAAOHAOAA yah
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I wanna kill new QB's ... blitz the crap out of them.
beast (23-Dec) : Barry seemed to get too conservative against new QBs, Hafley doesn't have that issue
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : However, we seem to struggle vs new QB's
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : Should be moot point, cuz Packers should win tonight.
packerfanoutwest (23-Dec) : ok I stand corrected
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : Ok, yes, you are right. I see that now how they get 7th
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : 5th - Packers win out, Vikings lose out. Maybe?
beast (23-Dec) : Saying no to the 6th lock.
beast (23-Dec) : No, with the Commanders beating the Eagles, Packers could have a good chance of 6th or 7th unless the win out
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I think if Packers win, they are locked 6th with chance for 5th.
beast (23-Dec) : But it doesn't matter, as the Packers win surely win one of their remaining games
beast (23-Dec) : This is not complex, just someone doesn't want to believe reality
beast (23-Dec) : We already have told you... if Packers lose all their games (they won't, but if they did), and Buccaneers and Falcons win all theirs
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I posted it in that Packers and 1 seed thread
Zero2Cool (23-Dec) : I literally just said it.
packerfanoutwest (23-Dec) : show us a scenario where Pack don't get in? bet you can't
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