macbob
  • macbob
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
14 years ago
http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/In-GB-offense-receiving-corps-never-deep-enough/ebabbf2f-b800-463b-916b-82184335fd21 


For the past three years, the Packers pass-catching personnel has stood up to anyones in the NFL. The groups production and depth, headlined by receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver and a budding star in tight end Jermichael Finley, have been a given.

Luxuries like that dont last forever, though, and for the first time since 2008, the Packers may be in the market for future reinforcements in this years draft.

Back then, the Packers selected receivers Jordy Nelson and Brett Swain in the second and seventh rounds, respectively, and Finley in the third. In the two drafts since, only tight end Andrew Quarless was added, in the fifth round.

Thats not to say a major overhaul is on the horizon. Far from it.

Jennings is the true go-to guy the franchise envisioned the day he began running routes like a smooth, polished veteran as a rookie in 2006. In his fifth year this past season, he made his first Pro Bowl, a spectacle he was glad to skip with the Packers playing in the Super Bowl instead. He followed up his trio of team bests in the regular season (76 catches, 1,265 yards, 12 touchdowns) with a pair of eight-catch, 100-yard outings in the playoffs, plus two touchdowns in the Super Bowl. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has his number one receiver.

Rodgers has a 1A other passers would kill for. Finleys 301 yards in the first four games of 2010 marked the best start by a tight end in franchise history and projects to 1,200 yards for a full season. Hell be returning from a season-ending knee injury, suffered on the first snap of week five, and having missed out on the teams Super Bowl run, he may be the most motivated of the pass-catching bunch.

The question many will ask is whether Jennings and Finley can co-exist, production-wise, because Jennings numbers didnt take off in 2010 until Finley got hurt. Somehow, the 2009 NFC wild-card playoff game in Arizona gets conveniently overlooked in that discussion. Finley had six catches for 159 yards while Jennings had eight for 130 in that game.

Co-exist they can. Rodgers will make sure of it.

After those two, the depth charts at both receiver and tight end may begin changing, both in the near and long term.

Following Finleys injury last season, receivers such as Driver, Nelson and James Jones took turns having big games, but the pecking order is in flux heading into 2011, given Drivers age and recent injuries and Jones contract status.

Driver had missed only two games from 2002 through 2009, but last season a cumbersome quadriceps injury rendered him ineffective or inactive for three midseason games, and then came a nasty ankle injury in the second quarter of the Super Bowl. He still had the memorable 61-yard, catch-and-run for a touchdown against San Francisco, and a combined 11 catches for 132 yards in the first two playoff games, but how much longer the 36-year-old fan favorite can meet his own high standards, only he can answer.

Its also uncertain whether Jones will be back. His contract has expired and if the previous free-agency rules return in the new collective bargaining agreement, Jones will be unrestricted, able to shop himself to the highest bidder. He set or matched career highs in all categories with 50 receptions for 679 yards and five TDs in the regular season, but his 2010 will be remembered just as much by Green Bay fans, fair or not, for a handful of frustrating drops, including critical ones in the postseason against the Eagles and Steelers.

The continued emergence of Nelson helps temper the questions surrounding Driver and Jones and reduces the need for an immediate contributor. Nelsons third season in 2010 was by far his best, with a combined 66 catches for 868 yards and four touchdowns in 20 games, and his nine catches for 140 yards and a TD in the Super Bowl may have been MVP-worthy if not for a couple of drops and the steady brilliance of Rodgers.

Even with Nelsons continued growth, though, a Mike McCarthy offense that regularly employs four- and five-receiver sets is always looking to build depth at that position and prepare itself for the future.

Others on the current roster will be given an opportunity to step forward. Swain has developed into a special-teams demon, skills he showcased with four coverage tackles in the Super Bowl. Chastin West is another promising prospect; he spent his rookie season on the practice squad. Neither Swain nor West is a proven receiving commodity, however, and another prospect, Antonio Robinson, didnt join the practice squad until well into the playoffs.

As for the tight ends, veteran Donald Lee was released following the season, leaving youngsters Quarless, Tom Crabtree and Spencer Havner behind Finley. (Havner, like Swain, is technically without a contract at the moment but the Packers will have exclusive rights to sign him if the new CBA retains previous rules.)

Given Quarless body type and athleticism, the Packers hope hell continue to progress in the Finley mode. He showed flashes as a rookie in 2010 (26 catches, 284 yards including postseason) but hasnt had his breakout game or moment, yet.

Meanwhile Crabtree and Havner are looked to more for their blocking and special-teams play than for their pass-catching, though its interesting that both have scored wild-card playoff touchdowns in their brief careers (Crabtree vs. Philly, Havner vs. Arizona) and that Havner, who was brought back in 2010 after being cut but then quickly got hurt and landed on injured reserve, found the end zone on four of seven catches back in the 09 regular season.

Having been one himself, McCarthy loves tight ends, keeping as many as four on the 53-man roster at times in his tenure and using them in multiple roles. The head coach also loves competition, so its a good bet the Packers will add to this group, either during the draft or afterward.

GBPressGazette wrote:

millertime
14 years ago
I love the idea of getting another playmaking receiver. But I really think it's in the best interest of this team to solidify the offensive line. We have a potential All-time great at QB. We need to protect him.

Rodgers can make bad receivers look good. Between Jennings and Finley, I feel like we have enough playmakers on offense.
StoicFire
14 years ago
I am impressed that what was being called the best wide receiving corp in football last year is always looking to step up their depth. And it is thrilling to watch Green Bay's commitment to the "draft and develop" strategy every off season.

That being said, I would be shocked to see any major changes in our TE and receiving corps next year. I'm anticipating watching the current players compete for their roster spots, and probably also the practice squad guys and a couple undrafted free agents trying to make their mark as well. Go Pack Go!
"the Quarterback can run if he wants to, but with this rocket attached to your body... who would?" -Aaron Rodgers
warhawk
14 years ago
I see Rodgers go-to guy being Finley until defenses adjust and then Jennings getting his. The other WR's will benefit from those two on the field together.

Finley moving around out there lining up in different positions is going to give all the other receivers a better opportunity. Finley creates matchup nightmares Quarless couldn't being a more traditional TE.

When they run Finley down the middle it will require at least a LB to be under and a DB to be over. This means a CB on one side or the other will not get help deep on Jennings or Nelson down the sidelines. Then, you have Driver crossing underneath. No way teams can guard this.

We saw some times when the Packers O couldn't get things going and I think Finley being back will reduce the times the offense sputters. He's that big receiver on 3rd and 7 that Rodgers can get the ball too who can go up and get it. This was missing last year.
"The train is leaving the station."
zombieslayer
14 years ago

I love the idea of getting another playmaking receiver. But I really think it's in the best interest of this team to solidify the offensive line. We have a potential All-time great at QB. We need to protect him.

Rodgers can make bad receivers look good. Between Jennings and Finley, I feel like we have enough playmakers on offense.

"millertime" wrote:



I do think Ted drafts a WR for depth, but I agree that OL comes first. Aaron's health should be our #1 priority. Look at the Pats for example. They make Brady's health their #1 priority. If our OL was anywhere near theirs, we'd be rolling over everyone, especially with our elite D as is.
My man Donald Driver
UserPostedImage
(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (11h) : Yawn. Rodgers says he is "pretty sure" this be final season.
Zero2Cool (23-Jun) : PFT claims Packers are having extension talks with Zach Tom, Quay Walker.
Mucky Tundra (20-Jun) : GB-Minnesota 2004 Wild Card game popped up on my YouTube page....UGH
beast (20-Jun) : Hmm 🤔 re-signing Walker before Tom? Sounds highly questionable to me.
Mucky Tundra (19-Jun) : One person on Twitter=cannon law
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Well, to ONE person on Tweeter
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : According to Tweeter
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Packers are working on extension for LT Walker they hope to have done before camp
dfosterf (18-Jun) : E4B landed at Andrews last night
dfosterf (18-Jun) : 101 in a 60
dfosterf (18-Jun) : FAFO
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : one year $4m with incentives to make it up to $6m
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Or Lions
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Beats the hell out of a Vikings signing
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : Baltimore Ravens now have signed former Packers CB Jaire Alexander.
dfosterf (14-Jun) : TWO magnificent strikes for touchdowns. Lose the pennstate semigeezer non nfl backup
dfosterf (14-Jun) : There was minicamp Thursday. My man Taylor Engersma threw
dfosterf (11-Jun) : There will be a mini camp practice Thursday.
Zero2Cool (11-Jun) : He's been sporting a ring for a while now. It's probably Madonna.
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : We only do the tea before whoopee, it relaxes me.
wpr (10-Jun) : That's awesome Martha.
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : How's the ayahuasca tea he makes, Martha?
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : Turns out he like older women
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : I wasn't supposed to say anything, but yes the word is out and we are happy 😂😂😂
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : I might be late on this but Aaron Rodgers is now married
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : Well he can always ask his brother for pointers
Zero2Cool (10-Jun) : Bo Melton taking some reps at CB as well as WR
Zero2Cool (10-Jun) : key transactions coming today at 3pm that will consume more cap in 2025
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : Jaire played in just 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 season
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : reported, but not expected to practice
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : Jenkins has REPORTED for mandatory camp
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : I really thought he'd play for Packers.
buckeyepackfan (9-Jun) : Packers releasing Jaire Alexander.
Mucky Tundra (8-Jun) : (Context: he wants his defense to create turnovers)
Mucky Tundra (8-Jun) : Giants DC Shane Bowen tells players to “be a damn pirate."
dfosterf (6-Jun) : Semper fi !
Cheesey (6-Jun) : This is why I have so much respect for those that have gone through battles
Cheesey (6-Jun) : I can't even imagine what that would have been like
wpr (6-Jun) : "Come on, you sons of bitches. Do you want to live forever?"
wpr (6-Jun) : Facing a line of machine guns 2 time medal of Honor recipient, First Sergeant Dan Daly told his men,
wpr (6-Jun) : Another detachment went into the Belleau Wood.
wpr (6-Jun) : On the 6th the Marines took Hill 142 but suffered terrible losses.
wpr (6-Jun) : It’s time to remember dfoster’s Marine brothers in Belleau Wood. The battle went on from June 1-26. Nearly 10,000 casualties.
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : Nick Collins and Morgan Burnett have signed with the PACK
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : he won't be wearing #12, maybe he will wear number two
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : He will fail this season, should have retired
Mucky Tundra (5-Jun) : Thus the cycle of Hall of Fame Packer QBs going to the Jets and then the Vikings is broken
bboystyle (5-Jun) : Rodgers to steelers on 1 year contract
Zero2Cool (5-Jun) : It's the cycle of civilizations. Get lazier, lazier, softer, softer and vanish.
Martha Careful (5-Jun) : great point. every aspect of society, including art, culture and sports has degraded.
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
7h / Around The NFL / beast

23-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

18-Jun / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

16-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

15-Jun / Random Babble / Martha Careful

14-Jun / Around The NFL / beast

14-Jun / Community Welcome! / dfosterf

13-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

13-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Adam

12-Jun / Random Babble / Martha Careful

12-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

12-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.