As the Green Bay Packers roll through training camp it is becoming more clear each day why Jeff Janis did not get on the field until the last game of the year last year. Through the first two weeks of training camp most of the news about Janis has not been good. Dropped passess and bad routes. Unless things change dramatically, I don’t think even his special teams prowess will keep Janis on the roster.
Currently Janis is listed behind Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Jared Abbrederis. And with Ty Montgomery being activated from the PUP list today it won’t get any easier for Janis. Not with rookie Trevor Davis turning heads and already earning praise from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, something Janis has never gotten.
It took two train wrecks and plane crash to get Janis on the field last year and yes, he did make some plays in that game against the Cardinals, but that was his only contribution to the offense in 18 games, and I don’t think it’s enough to make the team again this year. Abbrederis also made plays in that game and while lacking Janis’ speed, he is a excellent route runner and catches the ball.
Montgomery’s role was growing week by week when he was injured in week six and never returned. He is a much more diverse player who can line up in the backfield or in the slot and runs well with the ball in his hand. Davis is a speedster who is expected to be the Packers’ main return man this year which almost guarantees him a roster spot.
I think the final cut will leave Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Abbrederis, Montgomery and Davis. I don’t see them keeping six receivers. They have a couple of suspensions to start the season so they may need extra bodies on the defensive line and in the secondary. Also, I would be shocked if they didn’t keep an extra offensive lineman after last year’s debacle.
Of course injuries could open up a spot for Janis, either at receiver or another position of depth, but the thinking here is unless he has an amazing preseason Janis is the odd man out. Janis a good guy and an awesome special teams player, but his inability to play offense will be hard to overcome.