For those that perhaps haven’t caught on, these training camp articles are meant to be informative but also satirical. Both the good and bad are meant to represent the worst in NFL fans. They are real events that took place but isn’t in any way my evaluation. Now on with the show…
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If Thursday’s indoor training session is any indication, the Packers are going to be a tough team to beat at night, which is good news considering the Packers are only playing 8 noon games and 5 late games. Stupid Vikings only get 4. Such losers.
The Horrible
I know you think I’m here to be a downer. That’s false. The person that loves you the most is the one that tells you the most truth. I just don’t want you to have false hope. It’s going to be a bad year. Allow me to elaborate.
Kevin King was a bad choice. There were 7,000 great corners in this draft. We got a bad one. First he went and got hurt. Then, he comes back and gets embarrassed. Like real bad embarrassed. Joe Whitt told Rodgers to throw at Kevin King and throw he did. Rodgers hit Nelson three times in a row ending in a TD. Later on, a play in which Rodgers overthrew Cobb, it was noted that King was “several steps behind.” This is the same Randall Cobb that has decided he wants to be full time return man and has had almost 0 impact in training camp.
I know what you’re thinking. C’mon Ryan, it’s Rodgers and Jordy. Cut him some slack. I hear ya. I do. Let me just list a few receivers the Packers are going to run into this year real quick. Doug Baldwin, Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, Michael Thomas, Antonio Brown, and Mike Evans.
Of that list, Jordy Nelson was listed by PFF as being better than exactly none of them. All of those listed were ranked in the top 20, and every single one of the top 5 receivers will be lined up across from Kevin King this year.
Ask me how much I care that he was matched up against Jordy!
A couple other corner notes, cause those are just oh so fun. Pipkins got yelled at for not understanding how to play zone, and Hawkins was said to have “looked totally lost”.
As a final note, Montgomery still can’t block to save his life. For those who are wondering, no, Montgomery can’t be a 3 down back if he can’t block for Rodgers. Furthermore, the Packers like to play up tempo. Playing up tempo requires players be 3 down players. As of now, the Packers have none that can do it, with the exception of possibly Jamaal Williams.
The Amazing
Lots of good came out of the Packers first indoor practice and first late practice. The first of which came from the amazing new punter for the Green and Gold, Mr. Voguel. Vogel actually smacked the ball so hard he hit the roof. Cause he can!
The wide receivers continue to impress, especially Jeff Janis. First of all, get it out of your head that Janis is going anywhere. His ability on special teams has solidified his spot on the roster. With that said, McCarthy went out of his way to praise Janis and Janis reciprocated by making two impressive catches. One being a one handed TD grab, the other on a fly ball up the sideline. Janis being one of the biggest and fastest receivers on the team (as big as Jordy, as fast as Davis… I feel like no one realizes this) was able to haul in the ball for a huge gain.
Some other receiver highlights, Michael Clark made a freakish leaping catch over Gunter, Davis made a great catch on a pass that should have never been caught, and the better McCaffrey brother is in a fierce competition for the “next great receiver in Green Bay” title. Apparently McCaffrey is ahead by a mile in completion totals in training camp. That’s saying a lot for a guy that isn’t running with the starters.
Running back Aaron Jones turned some heads with his physical style and ability to rip off some big gains. I’m not going to lie, as much as I love Montgomery, having a steady stable of backs that can kill you in different ways excites me. The Patriots make it work.
Pass rushers haven’t turned many heads but Johnathan Calvin’s name emerged as someone that is shining as a pass rusher. In other exciting news, the 4 OLB lineman package, also known as the NASCAR package, was seen on Thursday. Always a fan favorite.
Imagine this for a moment. It’s 3rd and 11. Obvious passing situation. The Packers trot out Matthews, Perry, Fackrell, and Elliot as lineman, Biegel and Josh Jones as linebackers, King and House as boundary corners with Rollins in the slot, and Ha Ha and Burnett roving over the top. Just let it simmer.
I won’t add a link. And I’m not going to brag. I’m not. But he did it again. You guessed it. My man, the most underrated Packer on the 90 man roster, Mr. Quinten Rollins had people’s heads spinning again. Here were his highlights from Thursday.
- Rollins breaks up a deep pass at the last minute
- Rollins loses a step on Yancey, gains the ground, and is able to strip the ball for an incompletion
- Rollins, playing outside, breaks up a quick slant to Martellus Bennett
- Offense uses a rub to get Cobb open. Rollins slips through to keep it to a short gain.
The guy has emerged as the top corner and the competition isn’t even close.
Some more good news in the quarterback room. The number 2 quarterback Brett Hundley, who has had a rough start, started to get into a rhythm and was looking fantastic. Hey even Rodgers needs a little time sometimes.
Lastly, as I’m sure you can guess, Mason Crosby nailed all his 8 kicks, kicking from 33 yards to 52 yards. So far this camp, the guy has only missed one kick!
I think the boys are ready. Bring on Philly. Bring on Seattle. Forget that, those guys are toast, bring on Atlanta!