macbob
  • macbob
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
13 years ago
I had forgotten Brett's torn ACL in 2009. With Finley back, I'd expect the # of 5 WR sets to decrease, reducing the need somewhat for the 5th WR. But I would expect the # of 4 WR sets to increase and wouldn't be surprised if Ted Thompson drafts someone high, with the uncertainty on JJ's status (coming back or not).

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/38857/can-packers-count-on-brett-swain 

Here's a question that came up this week during a conversation with Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy: How high should wide receiver rank on the Packers' offseason priority list? And since we've recently discussed the position relative to the Chicago Bears (right here) and Minnesota Vikings (here you go), I figured now was as good of a time as any to take a peek at the Packers.

Intuitively, there doesn't seem much urgency for a team that boasts a Pro Bowl starter in Greg Jennings, a still-crafty veteran in Donald Driver and the rapidly ascending Jordy Nelson -- a second-round draft pick in 2008 who caught nine passes in Super Bowl XLV. But James Jones' contract has expired and his future is uncertain. He likely will return if classified as a restricted free agent, but could depart if the NFL's pending offseason rules make him unrestricted.

Most teams would consider themselves set with three proven receivers. But the three-receiver set is the Packers' base formation. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Packers used it on 57.5 percent of their offensive plays in 2010. Meanwhile, they opened the Super Bowl in a four-receiver set and used more five-receiver formations than the rest of the NFL's 31 teams combined during the regular season.

So it's fair to say the Packers have a bigger structural need at the position than some teams. It won't be an issue in 2011 if Jones returns. If he doesn't, however, the first question to ask is whether reserve Brett Swain is ready to join the rotation.

Swain had a rough go in the Super Bowl after Driver departed with an injury, and in two NFL seasons he has six receptions for 72 yards. McCarthy was hesitant to discuss the possibility of Swain's ascension, especially as long as Jones remains a candidate to return, but he did remind me that Swain suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in October 2009.

"I thought Brett really responded well from his season-ending knee injury," McCarthy said. "You always look for that from players. The first year back from knees is never quite right. ... He did a great job in rehab. He made it through the year. Did a good job on special teams. He's still a young player. It will be interesting to see if he can take that next jump if he's given more opportunities. If you get through that first year [after major knee surgery], usually the next year is better, from my experience -- particularly perimeter players."

If nothing else, Swain has followed a development path similar to that of other prominent Packers players. He spent 2008 on the practice squad after the Packers made him a seventh-round draft choice, and has been a backup/special-teams stalwart over the next two seasons. Given the time they've invested in him, and the success of their development program with other players, I think the Packers at least will give Swain a long look -- along with a draft pick or two -- in training camp.

NFLNationBlog wrote:

Zero2Cool
13 years ago
I didn't even know Brett Swain had an ACL. Packers were filled with ACL issues in '09, dayum.
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Greg C.
13 years ago
I think Swain is capable of being a good #4 receiver for the Packers next season, if called upon. It's news to me that he "had a rough go in the Super Bowl," as Seifert wrote. I think he had one pass thrown to him, which he probably should've secured, but it was stripped by a defender. The lack of a catch is not good, but there just wasn't enough evidence for me to judge how he played overall.
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gbguy20
13 years ago
Brett has never let me down in Madden, so I am confident in him.
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zombieslayer
13 years ago

Brett has never let me down in Madden, so I am confident in him.

"gbguy20" wrote:



Well that settles it then. :thumbright:

In all seriousness, we draft a WR. Or maybe even 2 if there are 2 available for BPA. Mike McCarthy likes 5 WR sets. He enjoys giving DCs headaches.
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
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earthquake
13 years ago
I'm not super worried about this, because;
A. GB has shown a knack for developing WR's
B. Finley is essentially the #2 WR when healthy, so swain is still #5
C. 2 TE sets with Finley/Quarless will be deadly if Quarless progresses
D. Having Ryan grant back will mean a little more focus on the run and less spread offense
E. If Starks progresses, it will mean a true Run/Pass catching threat out of the backfield, that we haven't really had with Grant or Jackson.

The amount of 4/5 wide spreads sets the packers ran last season was more out of necessity than it was by design, I would tend to think. If you look at the fact that they had 5 healthy WRs, no starting TE, and no starting RB, it makes sense.

Looking forward to the season, this is how I see it coming down as far as yards receiving, assuming all players stay reasonably healthy.

1. Jennings
2. Finley
3. Nelson
4. Driver
5. Jackson, if retained otherwise starks
6. Quarless
7. Swain
8. Grant

A rookie WR could easily slot in that 5-8 range as well, or even higher if its a early(1-3rd round) pick.
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dhazer
13 years ago
We better not draft a wr lol. We pass on Crabtree and Bryant and now all of a sudden we want a wr or 2 in the draft. If Ted Thompson drafts one in the first 2 rounds you will see me go off even worse than I have the past 2 years lol
Just Imagine this for the next 6-9 years. What a ride it will be 🙂 (PS, Zero should charge for this)
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doddpower
13 years ago

We better not draft a wr lol. We pass on Crabtree and Bryant and now all of a sudden we want a wr or 2 in the draft. If Ted Thompson drafts one in the first 2 rounds you will see me go off even worse than I have the past 2 years lol

"dhazer" wrote:



It's hard to complain about many of TT's decisions when we are defending champions. Surely Ted Thompson gets the benefit of the doubt, at least for one year!

=)
earthquake
13 years ago

We better not draft a wr lol. We pass on Crabtree and Bryant and now all of a sudden we want a wr or 2 in the draft. If Ted Thompson drafts one in the first 2 rounds you will see me go off even worse than I have the past 2 years lol

"dhazer" wrote:



Right, because getting a LT/RT(whichever he settles in at) and NT that anchors the entire D, for the next 5-10 years.... Two guys who started in the superbowl, clearly those were terrible decisions.

Especially when you consider how Bryant and Crabtree have lit the league up, and the great character both seem to posses.

I bet you still would rather have Crabtree than CMIII, move on man.
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Zero2Cool
13 years ago

We better not draft a wr lol. We pass on Crabtree and Bryant and now all of a sudden we want a wr or 2 in the draft. If Ted Thompson drafts one in the first 2 rounds you will see me go off even worse than I have the past 2 years lol

"dhazer" wrote:



Dez Bryant's been in the news for off field activities far more than on field.
Michael Crabtree had a decent sophomore year.

Dez Bryant or Bryan Bulaga?
Michael Crabtree or B.J. Raji?


I don't see how Bryant or Crabtree would have helped more than the player the Packers selected. Raji had a pick six in the NFC championship game and Bulaga helped slow down the Steelers aggressive pass rush in the Super Bowl.

I think getting a WR now makes more sense because of Donald Driver's injuries (age) and possibly losing James Jones.

If Driver doesn't heal well enough to start, Packers are looking at Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson with Brett Swain as the top backup if Jones bolts.
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