Tight Ends Situation

[Heyjoe4]

I don't believe Bakhtiari suffering several setbacks will change the Packers' approach with Tonyan.



I might be fine with the team's tight end group if the wide receiving corps wouldn't be a huge question mark entering the season as well.

Taking a look at both positions there's definitely reason to be worried about the pass catchers entering the season though.

There's no doubt that the best attitude we can have right now wrt the WR/TE groups is hope. I know hope is not a strategy, but it's all we've got. We can look for hints about what's going on. I think Rodgers has gone on the record as being impressed with Watkins, and I guess that's better than nothing. And Watkins himself seems to view this opportunity as a fresh start.

As far as Bakh and his difficulty recovering from knee surgeries, well that doesn't affect Tonyan or Jenkins recovery, so I agree with you. FWIW I think Jenkins starts the year on PUP while Tonyan makes the 53, anticipating that he can be back inside of 6 weeks. We'll see.

The WR/TE group on paper doesn't exactly inspire confidence. But I trust MLF to create game plans to adjust for the new guys, and Rodgers tends to make just about every receiver look good. I'm not that concerned. And there may be changes as TC progresses and cuts are made. We all need to practice patience for a few months. Yeah, like that's gonna happen!

 

[OldSchool101]

You don't sign him expecting him to be in his prime. He is still a 500 yard producer that can handle 500+ snaps, as he proved as recent as last year active and playing in 16 games.

I’d love to have Cook, although I’m not sure he’d get that much workload. I believe Tonyan will be back by 2nd quarter of this season (possibly before). Then Suddenly with Cook? you’ve got 2-3 Guys fighting for a similar role. I also have a sneaking suspicion we will try to work Tyler Davis into the fold earlier in the season. I think he’s a guy capable of ~300 yards and
3-4TD type area this season, but Cook would overlap that and Davis probably get moved to PS, which I’m not fond of.

I’d be happy if we signed Cook for anything south of $3M range. Mainly because we have some heavy question marks at WR. If we didn’t have so many unknowns at Receiver id pass though.

I still think we see a WR we aren’t expecting to hit it. Meaning there’s going to be a surprise this season from a relative unknown. Could be Poppas guess there? I mean Doubs did put up a pair of consecutive 1,000+ seasons recently, he’s no slouch, he could be our sleeper pick. It’s weird, Romeo doesn’t give off star vibes at all on camera, he’s very meek.. but he puts a helmet on and he kinda has a wow X factor. Also his pattern gives no question as to his direction

562-2TD
649-4TD
1002-9TD
1109-11TD

 

[Deleted member 6794]

FWIW I think Jenkins starts the year on PUP while Tonyan makes the 53, anticipating that he can be back inside of 6 weeks.

Just for the record, as another poster (sorry, can't remember who) correctly pointed out a player can be activated from the PUP list after four games this season.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Just for the record, as another poster (sorry, can't remember who) correctly pointed out a player can be activated from the PUP list after four games this season.

That's good news. I didn't know it had changed.

 

[sschind]

Just for the record, as another poster (sorry, can't remember who) correctly pointed out a player can be activated from the PUP list after four games this season.

I'm not sure about that. I've read that the 4 games was for players returning from IR (was 3 last year) I did find one reference to the PUP list being changed to 4 games from 6 but only one and that was from a lions fan blog or something like that. I haven't read anything official saying the PUP list has changed.

I did find a second reference but Im still be not sure they are not confusing it with the IR rule change

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm not sure about that. I've read that the 4 games was for players returning from IR (was 3 last year) I did find one reference to the PUP list being changed to 4 games from 6 but only one and that was from a lions fan blog or something like that. I haven't read anything official saying the PUP list has changed.

I did find a second reference but Im still be not sure they are not confusing it with the IR rule change

It never made sense to me that a player could come back from the IR (designated to return) sooner than the PUP. Lengthening the IR return to 4 weeks makes some sense, and so would shortening the time to return from PUP.

I think IR (designated to return) is limited to two players a year. I don't think there are limits on how many can go on PUP, but there probably are. I think it would be easier if they had one designation, one time period, and a limit on how many players can be removed from the roster and eligible to return to prevent abusing it..

 

[sschind]

It never made sense to me that a player could come back from the IR (designated to return) sooner than the PUP. Lengthening the IR return to 4 weeks makes some sense, and so would shortening the time to return from PUP.

I think IR (designated to return) is limited to two players a year. I don't think there are limits on how many can go on PUP, but there probably are. I think it would be easier if they had one designation, one time period, and a limit on how many players can be removed from the roster and eligible to return to prevent abusing it..

IR changes this year increase that to up to 8 total returns with any player allowed a maximum of 2 returns. In other words 8 players could be placed on IR at different times and be eligible to return after 4 weeks. A player could be placed on IR and return 2 times but that would mean only 6 other returns would be allowed.

 

[Heyjoe4]

IR changes this year increase that to up to 8 total returns with any player allowed a maximum of 2 returns. In other words 8 players could be placed on IR at different times and be eligible to return after 4 weeks. A player could be placed on IR and return 2 times but that would mean only 6 other returns would be allowed.

Got it. Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I'm not sure about that. I've read that the 4 games was for players returning from IR (was 3 last year) I did find one reference to the PUP list being changed to 4 games from 6 but only one and that was from a lions fan blog or something like that. I haven't read anything official saying the PUP list has changed.

I did find a second reference but Im still be not sure they are not confusing it with the IR rule change

Here's the relevant part out of the Management Council exchange memorandum regarding players being put on the PUP list. They will be allowed to return after four games.

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[sschind]

Here's the relevant part out of the Management Council exchange memorandum regarding players being put on the PUP list. They will be allowed to return after four games.

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Thanks. I saw the two references to it being 4 weeks but every article explaining it was older and nothing mentioned it.

 

[OldSchool101]

Here's the relevant part out of the Management Council exchange memorandum regarding players being put on the PUP list. They will be allowed to return after four games.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Good stuff. Is there any lingo about a “season ending” PUP?

Just kidding! just kidding Captain!
I’m just whipping your mind back into forum shape after vacation.!

 

[sschind]

Good stuff. Is there any lingo about a “season ending” PUP?

Just kidding! just kidding Captain!
I’m just whipping your mind back int

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Who did we end up with at TE?

You think putting Dillon in at TE and mix in a wishbone type of idea , could be an option to help create some misdirection and confusion from the TE position? Sounds like we need any help we can get.

Thankful for Lewis. Very much so.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Who did we end up with at TE?

You think putting Dillon in at TE and mix in a wishbone type of idea , could be an option to help create some misdirection and confusion from the TE position? Sounds like we need any help we can get.

Thankful for Lewis. Very much so.

Dillon at TE? Interesting but I don't think he has the height or experience to take that on. Creative idea though.

Barring a waiver-wire pickup, I think the Packers will play the hand they have at TE. The best case would be Tonyan returning early and getting back to 2020 form.

 

[mradtke66]

Jared Cook. The guy the Packers let go because $3 mil/year was too much. Bad decision. But now, 5 years or so later, he's past his prime. Just never should have let him go.

Hello there. Me again.

Three Moves For 2022 Push To Consider...

But he’s best lined up against an OL that doesn’t have a Stout anchor and has shorter reach. LMAO. He thrives against scrubs. GB must keep him.

www.packerforum.com

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Dillon 6' 247.... But how many TEs run like him after the catch?
He had 34 receptions, which shows he has decent hands. Or the coaches wouldnt have let the big guy even try...

Maybe start small and add plays as the year goes on. A specialist... distraction, confusion.

One thing I did in Madden. Lol. I'd short pass to the FB/RB short up the middle. All game. It was a staple. And towards the end of the game I would call an audible, and send the RB deep, straight up the middle... TD every time.

Point is. Keep him short. Basicly doing what he is doing, but mix in some TE passes. Get that short pass established through the season.... Then send him deep. Lol. If anything send him down there to smear a DB. "Blocking"

They did it with edgar Bennett back in the day. Bennett had the best catch I had ever seen to that point. And they tried for starks. But starks couldnt cash in on his opportunities. They were there though.

 

[Pkrjones]

https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/personnel-grouping-frequency.html

In 2021 MLF used single-back formations 96% of the time. I'd love it if he would use a 2-back offensive formation much more in '22... but I don't know if he can or will change the offense so drastically. I'm guessing he'll find enough trust-worthy WR's & TE's to run a similar offense as last year and be productive, so not much will change in '22.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Dillon 6' 247.... But how many TEs run like him after the catch?
He had 34 receptions, which shows he has decent hands. Or the coaches wouldnt have let the big guy even try...

Maybe start small and add plays as the year goes on. A specialist... distraction, confusion.

One thing I did in Madden. Lol. I'd short pass to the FB/RB short up the middle. All game. It was a staple. And towards the end of the game I would call an audible, and send the RB deep, straight up the middle... TD every time.

Point is. Keep him short. Basicly doing what he is doing, but mix in some TE passes. Get that short pass established through the season.... Then send him deep. Lol. If anything send him down there to smear a DB. "Blocking"

They did it with edgar Bennett back in the day. Bennett had the best catch I had ever seen to that point. And they tried for starks. But starks couldnt cash in on his opportunities. They were there though.

Yeah I mean there's justification to try it, especially if the plays are short, over the middle passes that take advantage of Dillon's ability to get more yards. And while the ideal TE is around 6'5", that's not written in stone.

 

[Heyjoe4]

https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/personnel-grouping-frequency.html

In 2021 MLF used single-back formations 96% of the time. I'd love it if he would use a 2-back offensive formation much more in '22... but I don't know if he can or will change the offense so drastically. I'm guessing he'll find enough trust-worthy WR's & TE's to run a similar offense as last year and be productive, so not much will change in '22.

That's an interesting stat and I never would have guessed it. And he probably will keep a back lined up as a blocker/receiver. So yeah, maybe there won't be a lot of change, err, except for Adams not being there........

 

[mradtke66]

Dillon 6' 247.... But how many TEs run like him after the catch?
He had 34 receptions, which shows he has decent hands. Or the coaches wouldnt have let the big guy even try...

Maybe start small and add plays as the year goes on. A specialist... distraction, confusion.

A handful of plays it may work, but his lack of height will work against him. Most linebackers and safeties should easily keep pace with him and be able to swat the ball away. Curls in the middle of the field or leaking out into the flat will be open most times, but I don't see a seam splitter in him.

In short, he's not really a mismatch for anyone in the passing game. I'd rather we got cute with Jones. He's shifty enough to be hard to cover with linebackers, dangerous enough in the running game to make nickel defense a risk.

 

[Pkrjones]

Yeah I mean there's justification to try it, especially if the plays are short, over the middle passes that take advantage of Dillon's ability to get more yards. And while the ideal TE is around 6'5", that's not written in stone.

I think rather than lining Dillon up at TE, on the line, he'd be more useful motioning out of the backfield where he expose the D by seeing if a LB or S moves along with him in coverage and Dillon would have more initial separation. At the line he'd have to fight through the traffic and may not have any room to work?

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think rather than lining Dillon up at TE, on the line, he'd be more useful motioning out of the backfield where he expose the D by seeing if a LB or S moves along with him in coverage and Dillon would have more initial separation. At the line he'd have to fight through the traffic and may not have any room to work?

I thought MLF had used him in motion already. It's a good idea. He's a hard guy to bring down.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/personnel-grouping-frequency.html

In 2021 MLF used single-back formations 96% of the time. I'd love it if he would use a 2-back offensive formation much more in '22... but I don't know if he can or will change the offense so drastically. I'm guessing he'll find enough trust-worthy WR's & TE's to run a similar offense as last year and be productive, so not much will change in '22.

I fully expect the Packers to have both Dillon and Jones on the field significantly more often this season.

 

[jetfixer]

Packers sign Sal Cannella - ProFootballTalk

The Packers have added a tight end to their roster ahead of the start of training camp.Bill Huber of SI.com reports that the team signed Sal Cannella. Cannella worked out for the team earlier this week.Cannella comes to the Packers after playing in the USFL this year. He led all the league’s...

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

 

[Pkrjones]

Cannella is 6'-5", 230 lbs. Tight End who played WR/TE in college. Similar to the route Tonyan took, where he started as a QB, then switched to WR in college, and converted to TE for NFL. Tonyan bulked up to around 250 but kept most of his 4.58 speed. Cannella & Lazard are almost identical size-wise, but Cannella runs 4.74 and Lazard was 4.55 at draft time. Gute just LOVES 6'-4"/5" guys who can run and have reliable hands. Maybe this is Gute stocking the cupboard for '23 & beyond in case Tonyan & Lazard leave after this season?