Number 1 Receiver : Why does there have to be a number one?

Martha Careful
Member Topic Starter

2 years ago

Freddie Boston wrote

Packers 2022 roster preview: Allen Lazard the WR1?
by Freddie Boston

Davante Adams’ departure leaves the Green Bay Packers without a clear WR1.

Enter Allen Lazard?

Lazard has been a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers in recent years and has stepped up in the past when Adams has missed time.

Can Lazard take that next step to WR1?

2021 stats
Lazard played in 15 games with 13 starts in the regular season. He caught 40 passes for 513 yards and eight touchdowns, setting career-bests in each category.

2021 season review
With Marquez Valdes-Scantling missing six games due to injury, Lazard stepped up as the Packers’ number two wide receiver behind Adams.

Lazard finished third in receptions for the Packers, second in receiving yards, and second in receiving touchdowns.

Lazard finished the season strong, catching 23 passes for 303 yards and five touchdowns over the final six games.
...
What to expect in 2022
Under Matt LaFleur, Lazard has been an excellent complementary receiver. Not only is he a reliable pass-catcher with Aaron Rodgers’ trust, but he is also one of the top blocking receivers in the game.

Rodgers had high praise for Lazard this month and believes he is ready to become the team’s No. 1 wide receiver.

Aaron Rodgers on Allen Lazard: “He’s been our dirty work guy for most of his career here. Now he’s getting an opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver. I’m not worried about him at all stepping into that role.”

He certainly has the opportunity.
...
Lazard has stepped up in Adams’ absence in previous years (six catches for 146 yards and a touchdown vs. New Orleans comes to mind). He understands the offense, has Rodgers’ trust, and is currently the top candidate to lead the wide receiver room in 2022.

Entering a contract year, this is a fantastic opportunity for Lazard.

Can someone explain to me why there has to be a WR1 receiver? I think most great teams mix it up and on any given play or situation, there is no Number 1...especially without an Adams, Cupp, etc. Is it a ego thing? I think its dumb...like saying "XXXX is our number 1 offensive linemen." The designation is superfluous.

ALL RECEIVERS SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF GETTING OPEN, CATCHING THE BALL, AND BLOCKING. So why does the "Number 1" matter?

It seems to me that you should design plays/schemes where you believe certain players are likely to be open, but that by trying to force throws into "the guy", as doing so makes the offense become more predictable and stoppable. I believe this was a major issue for the Packers offense in big games over the last few years...stop Adams, stop the Packers.

I think the team's mentality should be to design plays which could get different guys open, but NOT in proportion to their 'ranking'. AR12 should throw it to the open guy and not worry about who the Number 1,2,or 3 is.

MC

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nerdmann
Premier Member

2 years ago

Freddie Boston wrote
Can someone explain to me why there has to be a WR1 receiver? I think most great teams mix it up and on any given play or situation, there is no Number 1...especially without an Adams, Cupp, etc. Is it a ego thing? I think its dumb...like saying "XXXX is our number 1 offensive linemen." The designation is superfluous.

ALL RECEIVERS SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF GETTING OPEN, CATCHING THE BALL, AND BLOCKING. So why does the "Number 1" matter?

It seems to me that you should design plays/schemes where you believe certain players are likely to be open, but that by trying to force throws into "the guy", as doing so makes the offense become more predictable and stoppable. I believe this was a major issue for the Packers offense in big games over the last few years...stop Adams, stop the Packers.

I think the team's mentality should be to design plays which could get different guys open, but NOT in proportion to their 'ranking'. AR12 should throw it to the open guy and not worry about who the Number 1,2,or 3 is.

MC

Originally Posted by: Martha Careful

Aaron needs to know what open guys to ignore and who to force it to in triple coverage.

Honestly I think Sammy Watkins might be that guy, if he can get in sync with Aaron. Lazard will get his chance, but iirc Sammy was #4 overall draft pick. Dude's got some skills.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

Cheesey
Preferred Member

2 years ago

I think it's more who is the number one read on any given play. The #1 receiver is the guy that is the most dependable at getting open and rarely drops the ball. That was Adams. And even when he didn't seem to be open, he only put his hands up at the last possible second, as to not alert the DB that the ball was on it's way.
Numbering the WRs to me is just that, numbers.
Like was already said, any guy on any play should be able to get open and make the play.
If our current group if guys can gain ARs trust, then we should have one heck of a offense.

Martha Careful
Member Topic Starter

2 years ago

I think it's more who is the number one read on any given play.

Originally Posted by: Cheesey

If that is the case, we have poor play design, providing the defense with a huge scouting and game planning advantage.

Go Packers!!!!

Cheesey
Preferred Member

2 years ago

If that is the case, we have poor play design, providing the defense with a huge scouting and game planning advantage.

Originally Posted by: Martha Careful

Just because a play is drawn up with a certain WR as the #1 look, that doesn't mean the ball will go to that guy. There are reads on each play. If the guy that's the #1 read is not open, the QB makes his reads to see if someone else gets open.
That goes on in every play
Designed to one guy, if he's covered, you go to the next guy and so on.

dyeah_gb
Member

2 years ago

Alot of times, it is up to the defense to determine who is the #1. The top DB has to line up against somebody in a man defense. A top WR will often draw double teams that should lead to other receivers being open provided they are not as slow as dirt and can run the route correctly. Having multiple solid wide receivers would be great though. It will always force the defense into some tough situations that can be exploited provided the QB has the time and is not locked in on one player. Alternatively, a well defined #1 is bad when the QB chokes and tries to force a pass in the final seconds of a playoff game when other receivers are wide open.

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool - R. Feynman

nerdmann
Premier Member

2 years ago

Watson and Doubs should be the primary targets when Love is ready to take over. Maybe Lazard, depending upon what he shows.

Hopefully Love will hit the open guy.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

Martha Careful
Member Topic Starter

2 years ago

Originally Posted by: dyeah_gb

So if you would not feel the need to double any of our guys, then we don't have a number one....which is fine with me.

Run the offense and hit the open guy.

Go Packers!!!!

Cheesey
Preferred Member

2 years ago

If you don't have a guy that the defense feels they need to double cover, that makes it easier for the defense to take away your passing game.
A WR that is considered better then the others takes away a defender and makes it easier for the other WRs to get open.

The problem the Packers had the last few years was Rodgers passing up the open guys and still trying to hit a double or triple covered Adams, when he should have been looking elsewhere.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

2 years ago

#10

So if you would not feel the need to double any of our guys, then we don't have a number one....which is fine with me.

Run the offense and hit the open guy.

Originally Posted by: Martha Careful

Yep. I'd rather have three WR2 than a single WR1 and two WR4. If defense knows where ball is going, might be a challenge. But then again, beat your man.

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