Packers - A Fight At Wide Receiver for 2016

We have 12 receivers for 2016 to start trying camp! We will get down to 5 or 6 for the 53 man roster! I said 5 or 6!  GOOD LUCK!  To this humble fan, two are obvious - Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.  I will put these two in Group 1.  And my Group 2, Davonte Adams, Ty Montgomery, Jared Abbrederis, & Jeff Janis.  This group have all shown signs, but the "Good old word, TRUST" always seems to come up in the conversation!  And Group 3, Trevor Davis, Jamel Johnson, Harvey Binford, Ed Williams, Herb Waters, & Geronimo Allison.  The draft choice, Trevor Davis has been mentioned a bunch this pre-season.

Packer Wide Receivers on the roster
Jordy Nelson
Randall Cobb
Davonte Adams
Jeff Janis
Jared Abbrederis
Ty Montgomery
Jamel Johnson
Harvey Binford
Ed Williams
Trevor Davis
Herb Waters
Geronimo Allison

First, Jordy Nelson.  Is h  e REALLY healthy?  If so, NO problem.  If not, BIG problem! This issue last year seemed to post out a "flaw" in the Packer Offensive System!  One thing, and one of the few things, I admire about the Patriot offense, is how they seem to move the ball, NO MATTER who is at wide receiver!  I hope McCarthy checked this out - I WOULD!  To be sure, from watch Jordy Nelson the past years, he is a quality person.  He is VERY talented. He is VERY "TRUST" worthy! Therefore, a healthy Jordy, is a happy Packer Fan!

Jordy Career Stats

Randall Cobb, a great #2 receiver.  I REPEAT #2!  Did you watch last year?  First, he did start the season hurt.  Second, he probably tried to do too much.  And third, with Jordy out, you get the best cover guy!!  If Randall has Jordy, all is well in Packer World.  If not, a speed receiver MUST emerge!

Randal Career Stats

Davonte Adams must impress, the heat is on!  A nice rookie season, and VERY average 2nd year!  Again, more of a possession receiver, does not make separation.  With all the receivers playing behind him, Adams MUST have a great summer camp - WATCH these games closely!

Jeff Janis a fan favorite that drives the coaching staff crazy!  I LOVE the look o McCarthy's face when a Janis question comes up from reporters.  To me, this is another McCarthy flaw.  The fans love him, so, just answer the question!  One thing, a BIG thing in Janis' corner, I think he had a great special team season in 2015!  And, remember the playoff game?

Jared Abbrederis has started summer camp with a flash!  He has been a coaching favorite & has suffered with injury problems.  He seems to be a better route runner than Janis, and has that "trust" factor.  Can he stay healthy?  Will he continue to stand out in summer camp?  Let the competition begin BABY!

Ty Montgomery, the secret weapon?  Is he healthy?  At the start of last season, I LOVED what I saw!  Good hands!  Good speed!  Flexibility!  Smart!  Tough!  He could be used a MANY spots, including special teams!  BUT, that injury, that the Packers kept saying he will be back, NEVER did heal last year AND they are being safe with him to start summer camp!  I think, this is a KEY player!

Trevor Davis is a Packer draft choice & draft choices USUALLY make the 53 man roster!  AND, he has speed!  SPEED IS A NEED! (hey, I like that!)  All the interviews, show a very humble and articulate young man!  So, will he push Janis and Abbrederis!  Another player to watch VERY close!!

Jamel Johnson, Harvey Winford, Ed Williams, Herb Waters and Geronimo Allison?  Will there be any surprises here?  My vote?  You know what is coming - Geronimo!!!

So, 5-6 wide receivers?  This competition will be AWESOME!!!!!!

My 53 man Packer roster:
QB - Aaron Rodgers & Brett Hundley
FB - Aaron Ripkowski
RB - Eddie Lacy, James Starks & Josh Crockett
TE - Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, and Justin Perillo
WR - Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davonte Adams, Jared Abbrederis, Ty Montgomery, Trevor Davis

Packer Running Backs 2016

First, I need to get this off my chest!

What the hell was Eddie Lacy thinking?

Why didn't McCarthy say, "Until you get to this weight - YOU DO NOT PLAY!

To start the year over weight, on a possible Super Bowl team is an insult!  To the team!  To the fans!  And, what is a professional athlete Eddie!!!

OK, I feel better!  He we go:

Eddie Lacy - 4 - 5'11" - 234 lbs(Yea, sure!) - Alabama
James Starks - 7 - 6'2" - 218 lbs - Buffalo
Josh Crockett - 1 - 6' - 217 lbs - N. Dakota St
Brandon Burks - R - 5'9" - 208 lbs - Troy
Brandon Ross - R - 5'10" - 205 lbs - Maryland


Rookie running backs will get a shot. Not a lot of big names or big colleges!  Brandon Burks and Brandon Ross, Maryland.   A few numbers:

Brandon Burks
40 Time - 4.56
College Stuff - 1,005 yards rushing senior year.  Eighth All-time at Troy
Some Video Click Here

Brandon Ross
40 Time - 4.44
College Stuff
He played four seasons at Maryland and finished fourth in career rushing yards with 2,543. As a senior, Ross ran for 958 yards, 10 touchdowns and led the conference with a 6.4 yards per carry average, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten. He totaled 250 rushing yards against Indiana last season, the fourth-highest single game rushing total in school history.
Some Video - Click Here (Music not my favorite!)

So, I would put Burks & Ross as long shots to make the team, maybe one on practice squad? They will definitely get a great look in the pre season, but they will need to beat out Crockett!

Josh Crockett - 1 - 6' - 217 lbs - N. Dakota St
Only real playing time was in Detroit when Lacy was in the dog house and he looked good!  After a year on the roster, should be ahead of the rookies Burks & Ross.  His NFL Combine time of 4.62 was not real fast, but at 6' & 217 pounds he will hold his own on the field.

That brings us to Lacy & Starks.  In his first two seasons, Eddie Lacy was a load, ran hard & had enough quickness to bust a few big runs!  I DO LIKE Eddie.  He seems like a good person, but what he did last year was just plan stupid.  The weight issue was one thing, and then he missed a curfew before the Detroit game!  Like him or not, this is the last year of his contract & if he is not back to years 1 & 2 - BYE BYE Eddie!

James Starks, since his rookie year has always been there!  He is a nice change of pass & does a great job on screen passes!  Has the size & speed to play in the NFL for the past 6 season & seems to be very professional!  So, he is a keeper!

What should we do?  Lacy, you need to do it!  Starks, you are a guarantee & Lockett, you have to head start on the rookies!  I think we keep thee:

Here is my roster so far:

My 53 man Packer roster:
QB - Aaron Rodgers & Brett Hundley
FB - Aaron Ripkowski
RB - Eddie Lacy, James Starks & Josh Crockett
TE - Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, and Justin Perillo


Eddie - NO! NO! NO!

Packer Tight Ends

Big question - Jared Cook?

The passed few years, the Packers, when healthy, have had one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL!  All that said, the tight end has been an issue!  Here are the players currently on the roster:

Richard Rodgers  6'4" - 257 - California - 3 yrs
Justin Perillo  6'3" - 250 - Maine - 3 yrs
Kennard Backman  6'3" - 245 - Ala-Birmingham - 2 yrs
Mitchell Henry  6'4" - 252 - Western Kentucky - 1 yr
Casey Pierce  6'3" - 248 - Kent State - 1 yr
Jared Cook  6'5" - 254 - South Carolina - 8 yrs

The Packers need the following from their tight ends:
1 - a chain mover.  A player that is available to make plays over the middle of the football field, both short & long!  The missing ingredient has been LONG!
2 - a run blocker.  To pass successfully in the NFL, a running game is the best medicine(and Eddie Lacy that does not weigh 300 pounds!)
3 - chemistry.  Fit in with Nelson, Cobb, etc!

So, what do we know?  Last years group was not enough.  Richard Rodgers was adequate.  He made on heck of a play against Detroit.  The noticeable short comings?  He lacks speed and toughness!  Stretching the middle of the field and getting downfield and going after smaller defensive backs!

Justin Perillo & Kennard Backman, are average at BEST.  The newcomers, Mitchell Henry(last year practice squad) & Casey Pierce are long shots.  The answer, may be, Jared Cook!

First, because of the NFL salary cap, NOTHING is easy!  So, all you fans out there, pay close attention to the $$$$$$$!  Jared Cook, was a great gamble for one year!

Big at 6'5" & 254 pounds, a great target!  What he adds, is SPEED!  Last year, if you we a Packer fan, none of the tight ends could stretch the field!  In fact, without Jordy, NOBODY could stretch the field.  And, for what ever reason, Jeff Janis did not show until the end of the year!

So, early in the season, keep an eye on Jared Cook!  Will Aaron Rodgers, develop a chemistry?  If so, look out NFL!!!!

My 53 man Packer roster:
QB - Aaron Rodgers & Brett Hundley
FB - Aaron Ripkowski
TE - Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, and Justin Perillo

How will Jared Cook look in Green & Gold?

Packer Fullbacks?

John Kuhn.  It seems, Kuuuuuuuuuuuhn is gone! (BUT, I still think he could get a phone call!)

What is left?

Aaron Ripkowski  6'1" - 246 lbs - 2 - Oklahoma
Alstevis Squirewell  6'0" - 265 lbs - R - Newberry

Two VERY young players!

Ripkowski, did not play much last year, special teams & very little fullback!  Nice size & will hit people!  BUT, as always, will Aaron TRUST him?  What must Aaron do?  1 - contribute on special teams, 2 - on offense, protect Aaron, get 1-2 yards, and catch a pass or two!

Squirewell, a project!  A BIG boy!  And a LONG shot!  At Newberry, division 3, a defensive tackle!  So, we either have a diamond in the rough or someone that is a long shot!

His college coach says:

“He’s not a bulky defensive lineman; he can move and he’s got great speed for his size, and the thing that people don’t realize is the kid’s got really good hands,” said Newberry coach Todd Knight, who calls his standout “Squirrel.” “He’s the kind of guy that can be that hard-nosed fullback for you, get those ugly yards, but also leak him out into the flats. I think it’s a perfect fit for him.”

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/article75340192.html#storylink=cpy

So, for the 53 man roster, the Packers choose, Ripkowski!  UNLESS, like many other teams, the fullback position, like the dinosaurs, becomes extinct!

So far, my 53 man roster is:

QB - Aaron Rodgers & Brett Hundley
FB - Aaron Ripkowski

A Closer Look at Packer Quarterbacks!

We have Aaron Rodgers.

And a young, and promising back-up, Brett Hundley.

Now, as we learned the hard way, a few years ago, a third quarterback may be needed!

BUT, WE HOPE NOT!!!!

So, what do we have in the wings?  Joe Callahan & Marquise Williams.

Both are rookies, so, chances are, Practice Squad players.  Again, that is OK, it will free up a player on the 53 man roster!

Joe Callahan, Wesley College, 6'1" - 216 lbs. Age - 23

Packers Bio: Callahan, 22, started each game over the last three seasons. In 2015, he became the first NCAA Division III quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, earning the Gagliardi Trophy, the highest award in Division III football. Callahan was also named Little All-American by The Associated Press, D3football.com All-American, D3football.com East Region Offensive Player of the Year and AFCA Division III Coaches’ All-American after his senior season.

Marquise Williams, North Carolina, 6'2" - 220 lbs. Age - 23

Packers Bio: Williams, 23, played in 48 games with 33 career starts at the University of North Carolina. He established more than 20 school records, including career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (35), career rushing yards by a quarterback (2,458) and career total offense (10,423). Williams finished No. 3 in school history with 61 passing touchdowns. He will wear No. 9 for the Packers.

So, Callahan, a division 3 quarterback.  BIG JUMP!  Was a 3 year starter, and hard great numbers!  The first, ever D3 quarterback, to throw for over 5,000 yards.  Academic All American.  And, a little tidbit:
Though his birth certificate reads Francis Joseph Callahan IV, he goes by Joe as did all the Francises before him. And aside from sharing a name, Callahan and his grandfather also shared a love of football.

Now, Williams.  Started 33 career games for North Carolina, a division 1 program.  From the North Carolina website:
Played in 48 games at UNC and made 33 career starts • Established more than 20 UNC records, including career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (35), career rushing yards by a quarterback (2,458) and career total offense (10,423) • Was responsible for more touchdowns (99) than any other player in school history and only two players in ACC history had more • Ranks third in school history with 61 touchdown passes and is third in school history with 35 rushing touchdowns • Compiled the top three and four of the top five single-game total offense performances in Carolina history – set the UNC mark with 524 total yards of offense against Duke in 2015 and accomplished that in less than three quarters • The 524 yards are the sixth-most in ACC single-game history • Eclipsed his own previous UNC record of 469, which he set against Old Dominion in 2013 • Five-Time ACC Offensive Back of the Week (Duke, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh - 2014; Duke - 2015).

So, some good numbers and some great games.  And, some interesting facts?
PersonalSon of Bernard Whiteside and Lisa Williams • Born Oct. 5, 1992 • Communication studies major • Nickname is “Quise” • Would most like to play professionally for the Miami Dolphins • Says his favorite possession is his English bulldog named Bella • People say he looks like actor Morris Chestnut • Favorite TV show is “Walking Dead” • Wears No. 12 because of his cousin.

There you have it!  An interesting battle for the third quarterback position!  Looks like they will get a lot of playing time during the pre season games!