From ESPN: Packers, Aaron Rodgers hopeful Jeff Janis can deliver on potential
I must have missed the discussion of how bright Janis is. From all the talk about him, both here and other commentary, I was certain he was dumber than a bag of rocks.
So if it's not intelligence that keeps him from understanding how to run a route or stand in the proper place in formation and such, what is holding him back? I feel a little optimistic that whatever it might be could possibly be more curable than innate stupidity.
Originally Posted by: AbbaGav
Philly preseason game 2015, 1st Q at 6:43, 3rd 5. Janis lines up wide left runs a go, Philly blitz comes from GB left Hundley "forces" throw short left (According to Broadcasters); Thurmond gets INT and scores TD. R.Rodgers, who ran a hook, looks to his right wondering where Janis was; Bennett who supposedly wasn't coaching WRs is demonstratively ranting/screaming at Janis as Janis comes off field. The reality: Janis didn't see the blitz or he didn't know he was the hot guy and the result was 6 pts for Philly.
There is so much to separation and speed and wonderlic scores have so little to do with it and to date Janis simply just doesn't have "it."
As most of you know, the GB system requires WRs to be at a specific spot at a specific time and routes often get adjusted pre-snap and post-snap [see one example above]. The hard part is getting separation at the right time and in the right place. A WR that is 3rd read in progression that separates off LOS, may not have that separation by the time the QB looks his way.
Separation is mostly about knowing your CB, setting him up w/ false moves and having a feeling for when his balance or footwork inhibits his ability to keep up when the real move is made; then making that move at the critical moment just before QB looks or throws to a spot. Then little things like knowing how to arm bar and subtly push off turns Robert Fergusons into Chris Carters. Or, for example, knowing that a fade will be thrown to 30 yard line just outside the numbers, if covered, the WR forces his CB to inside the numbers and at last moment he jumps outside to get the ball.
Another example, on an out, the WR must force the CB inside far enough before out cut so that QB has more field and better angle to throw. Beside bonehead mistakes, Janis is simply does not have that route running "feel" for getting separation or maximizing separation.
Janis also has a very small catch radius, which means if both Adams and Janis have a quarter step on their respective CBs; Adams effectively has twice the separation as Janis.
And one WR running the wrong route can lead to disaster as shown above; but even if the ball doesn't go to that WR, he can destroy the entire play. For example, in a play 3 routes may be designed to attack the 2 safeties; the ball then goes to the guy that ends up covered by the LB; If one of those receivers, EG, incorrectly runs an out, the D wont be forced to cover a receiver with a LB.
Also, Janis has great difficulty tracking a ball thrown over his shoulder.
Personally, I dont think he'll ever get it; and after he leaves maybe he excels in a dumbed down offense. But, until then, let's hope I'm wrong, if not, he is easily worth a roster spot for his ST play and surely he'll learn to play in a few packages this year.