Training camp 2017 notes and observations.

[Deleted member 6794]

I don't know how much people are expecting 12 personnel, but even if it's a modest increase that would likely mean reduced snaps for Cobb.

I'd expect DL to account for more snaps this season with the development of Lowry and the additions of Jean-Francois and Adams.

I'm anxious to find out how often the Packers will actually use two tight ends this season. NFL teams lined up in such formations on 18.7% of the offensive snaps in 2016 and I'm not convinced the Packers will use it more frequently starting in September.

I fully expect the defensive linemen to account for more snaps in '17 as Peppers and Jones took a significant amount of snaps inside rushing the passer.

 

[brandon2348]

If everyone stays healthy it will be hard for Cobb to stay on field IMO. Too many other talented weapons.

 

[PackAttack12]

I'm anxious to find out how often the Packers will actually use two tight ends this season. NFL teams lined up in such formations on 18.7% of the offensive snaps in 2016 and I'm not convinced the Packers will use it more frequently starting in September.

While I'm sure a lot of the reasoning for signing Bennett and Kendricks was to provide more depth and security at the tight end position, I fully expect to see more 12 personnel utilized this season, especially if the Packers are able to establish more of a running game.

The potential opportunities for play action bombs greatly increase in that scenario. Plus it allows Rodgers to utilize his rolling ability more naturally with misdirection.

How much more remains to be seen. But I refuse to believe that it wouldn't at least be a noticeable increase if nothing else.

 

[GBkrzygrl]

Thanks for the updates and the pictures. I am looking forward to watching Family Night and getting to see the players in action. Haven't been to TC in several years. I miss it.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Or that could just mean that Lowry has gotten really good.

This is the Lake Wobegone time of year when all children are above average.

 

[Sky King]

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[Mondio]

While I'm sure a lot of the reasoning for signing Bennett and Kendricks was to provide more depth and security at the tight end position, I fully expect to see more 12 personnel utilized this season, especially if the Packers are able to establish more of a running game.

The potential opportunities for play action bombs greatly increase in that scenario. Plus it allows Rodgers to utilize his rolling ability more naturally with misdirection.

How much more remains to be seen. But I refuse to believe that it wouldn't at least be a noticeable increase if nothing else.

Not only having depth, but being able to line up in short yardage with 2 TEs and not an extra tackle really gives us a run pass option

 

[C-Lee]

Our third rounder Adams is out for at least a couple of weeks.

 

[Mondio]

Our third rounder Adams is out for at least a couple of weeks.

I heard that this morning. There's always time to catch up but those injuries can be bad enough. Now you add it to a big man and it seems they're worse for them. And he's missing a lot of valuable reps. Hopefully he's back soon, but they were fairly vague about it when I heard about it.

 

[Pkrjones]

Hopefully he's back soon, but they were fairly vague about it when I heard about it.

Per PFT it's a stress fracture that may require a screw to aid healing. Tough for a 300+ lb guy NOT to create stress on the foot .

 

[Mondio]

Per PFT it's a stress fracture that may require a screw to aid healing. Tough for a 300+ lb guy NOT to create stress on the foot .

I guess Giuon is one step closer to being on the roster for a few weeks

 

[Deleted member 6794]

If everyone stays healthy it will be hard for Cobb to stay on field IMO. Too many other talented weapons.

It's hard to understand a lot of people seem to be extremely down on Cobb.

The potential opportunities for play action bombs greatly increase in that scenario. Plus it allows Rodgers to utilize his rolling ability more naturally with misdirection.

Rodgers likes to throw it Cobb's way on plays he's moved off his spot. I fully expect Randall to benefit from the Packers hopefully being capable of more successfully using play action this season.

 

[PackAttack12]

Rodgers likes to throw it Cobb's way on plays he's moved off his spot. In addition the offense needs to have receivers on the field capable of going deep for play action to work.

Jordy and Devante would seem to fit the bill.

An effective running game, along with two TE's forcing the defense to account for them in pass coverage in the middle of the field opens up opportunities on the outside.

It's hard to understand a lot of people seem to be extremely down on Cobb.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm certainly not down on Cobb. Just realizing a number of other possibilities with the offense.

 

[jakemillar]

It's hard to understand a lot of people seem to be extremely down on Cobb.

I have to agree here. His route running inside the numbers and ability to make contested catches in there is way undervalued. This year IMO I would not be surprised is Adams becomes more the prototype "number 1 WR" role, with Jordy and Randall moving around more to create favourable match ups. Adams generates seperation and gets better releases much more frequently it seems then anyone else on the team, but the combo of those three will be really tough to stop this year.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

An effective running game, along with two TE's forcing the defense to account for them in pass coverage in the middle of the field opens up opportunities on the outside.

It could definitely open up space for Cobb to take benefit of it though as well.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I won't argue that Cobb has earned his last contract, he hasn't. However, it is hard to argue that he isn't valuable to the team. I believe he lead all Packers, as well as ranked pretty high in the league in "catch rate" last year. If he stays healthy and the Packers can get him the ball, I like having him as weapon, even if he is being a bit overpaid.

 

[PackAttack12]

Yeah, I mean my original point was never intended to take a shot at Cobb, nor neglect to acknowledge his value to the team.

But in the 12 personnel that I'm alluding to, I would prefer Jordy and Devante on the outside as opposed to Cobb. It's not like I'm advocating going double TE the entire game and letting Cobb get a mani pedi on the sidelines 19 weeks (yes, 19 weeks ) . Just that this is another way to attack opposing defenses, making us even more difficult to stop.

Cobb has been, and will continue to be a valuable piece to the puzzle.

 

[PackAttack12]

I have to agree here. His route running inside the numbers and ability to make contested catches in there is way undervalued.

Precisely.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The other thing with Cobb, although he himself has also been injured off and on, it seems like the health and depth of our entire WR group takes a hit every year at periodic spots during a long season, so being deep in talent at the position that benefits our offense the most (AR aided implied) is critical for the Packers success. I am really excited about the large group of talent we have at WR this year and hope they can all stay healthy through August. If that happens, when it comes to the final 53, we should have 5-7 really talented guys ready to go and maybe even 1-2 future gems on the PS.

 

[C-Lee]

Rodgers also loves Cobb. Has gone on record saying they're a better team when he's on the field.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Rodgers also loves Cobb. Has gone on record saying they're a better team when he's on the field.

Agree, if you only know one thing about Rodgers, it should be the importance of the chemistry and trust between him and his receivers. Cobb is definitely one of those guys.

 

[C-Lee]

Josh Jones apparently had a day and has been impressing everyone.

Real excited about this kid.

 

[gbgary]

If everyone stays healthy it will be hard for Cobb to stay on field IMO. Too many other talented weapons.

i don't see it. i think he'll be as valuable as ever. yes, there are more weapons, but i think that fact will make his impact as key as ever. he and Rodgers have a rapport and trust factor that will be tough for ANY rookie to usurp.

 

[Yogididit]

i don't see it. i think he'll be as valuable as ever. yes, there are more weapons, but i think that fact will make his impact as key as ever. he and Rodgers have a rapport and trust factor that will be tough for ANY rookie to usurp.

Other than Clay, Cobb is the most overpaid player on the team, in my opinion. And get used to the idea of him not being around, because there is almost no chance that Cobb, Adams and Jordy are all on the team in '18. Still think there is a 10-20% chance that TT surprises everyone and Cobb isn't on the 53 man this year.

 

[Sky King]

If the team truly is balanced on offense and Rodgers spreads it around then I wouldn't be anticipating any of the receivers - Monty and his understudy(s) included - to have eye-popping stats. This offense has been a one-trick pony at times in the past somewhat out of necessity. Think: Sterling Sharpe, as perhaps the most profound example of that.

Barring multiple injuries to that position group neither Cobb nor anyone else is likely to have a monster year because there may just be too many options available in the passing game. For individual games, maybe, but probably because opposing defenses will have to pick their poison and that could lead to some stellar individual performances by any player here and there.

I'm more interested in Cobb's value rather than his cost to the team. His stats or those of any other single player may not tell the whole story of 2017 if the offense is genuinely as diverse and unpredictable as it could be.