Training Camp Position Battles

[Half Empty]

Don't go out on a limb, now.

 

[HardRightEdge]

It's definitely a possibility.

We definitely will. Even if there were a commitment to Davis the backup will get some game work.

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

Michael Cohen on Packers News just published an article that Montgomery, Alexander, and Rollins are in the running to compete for returner slots. So it's safe to say that they are in my line of thinking that Davis being just a returner may not be enough to make this team.

 

[rodell330]

A punter who wasn't that good in college does not get drafted in the third round I don't care how stupid the GM is

Exactly

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Michael Cohen on Packers News just published an article that Montgomery, Alexander, and Rollins are in the running to compete for returner slots. So it's safe to say that they are in my line of thinking that Davis being just a returner may not be enough to make this team.

Actually being just a decent returner and not contributing on either offense or defense shouldn't guarantee making the roster. The team needs to have an adequate replacement in place though.

 

[gbgary]

it's running back by committee per mm. who's surprised really?

https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1559450

 

[PackFan2]

Expecting injuries for corners and WRs. Pipkins will probably take the special teams gunner position with chance to rotate in nickel slot.

Cant wait to see how J.Spriggs has "improved" if not then packers may be forced to play Murphy (lacks nfl experience due to injuries) or McCray at RT (dear lord) and Patrick or C.Madison at RG. What a disaster at RT thinking bout it lol. Hope Bulaga comes back strong.

 

[PackFan2]

Suspension of RB Aaron Jones may get Joel Bouagnon some looks. Bears writer/reporters were high on him before his injury release settlement. Could be in practice squad and put on active roster (Arian Foster type story).

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Cant wait to see how J.Spriggs has "improved" if not then packers may be forced to play Murphy (lacks nfl experience due to injuries) or McCray at RT (dear lord) and Patrick or C.Madison at RG. What a disaster at RT thinking bout it lol. Hope Bulaga comes back strong.

I guess Patrick is all but guaranteed to start at right guard. It's true that tackle might be a reason for concern on that side of the line.

 

[Poppa San]

I guess Patrick is all but guaranteed to start at right guard. It's true that tackle might be a reason for concern on that side of the line.

Patrick already beat out McCray? I missed the memo.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Patrick already beat out McCray? I missed the memo.

I heard it through the grapevine You're right though, I forgot about McCray. My bad.

 

[PackerDNA]

Don't sleep on Patrick. I've said it before; eventually I think he can be the next T.J. Lang.

 

[PackFan2]

Don't sleep on Patrick. I've said it before; eventually I think he can be the next T.J. Lang.

Patrick is versatile. I believe he started in the organization as a center then after practice squad he transitioned into the guard position. We were fortunate to have Linsley healthy last season.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Patrick is versatile. I believe he started in the organization as a center then after practice squad he transitioned into the guard position. We were fortunate to have Linsley healthy last season.

Patrick played left guard for all but a few snaps during his college career at Duke. While I can't remember what position the Packers lined him up during practices early during his stint with the team I guess they considered him a guard all the way.

 

[PikeBadger]

I’m curious to see where both Patrick and Amechia are in their development and whether either one is ready to challenge McCray for the starting RG position.

 

[PackFan2]

I cant wait to see some action in pads!

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I’m curious to see where both Patrick and Amechia are in their development and whether either one is ready to challenge McCray for the starting RG position.

I haven't heard any reports out of Green Bay suggesting Amichia will have an impact this season.

 

[PikeBadger]

I haven't heard any reports out of Green Bay suggesting Amichia will have an impact this season.

Neither have I.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Neither have I.

Well, therefore I think it's unrealistic to believe Amichia will even make the team this season.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Well, therefore I think it's unrealistic to believe Amichia will even make the team this season.

Seems like you never know with Packer Offensive lineman. Some of them are drafted high and do nothing and some are late round picks or UDFA's and blossom.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Seems like you never know with Packer Offensive lineman. Some of them are drafted high and do nothing and some are late round picks or UDFA's and blossom.

There's no doubt Thompson had success with several late round picks and undrafted free agents on the offensive line. Amichia doesn't strike me as one of the players capable of excelling at the pro level. Would love to be wrong about it though.

 

[HardRightEdge]

it's running back by committee per mm. who's surprised really?

https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1559450

Followed by this comment:

"But if one of them would emerge as that full-time guy then you have to have that ability to adjust to that. As far as planning and going into the season, that's why we're going about it that way."

All this means is there is no clear cut leader, which is no surprise. Would McCarthy prefer that one emerges? Sure, why not. If no one does then it's by committee. That would be expected under those circumstances.

There's nothing suprising in this assessment at this time.

Durability will play a factor at a position where injuries are common, with one of the players being a serial injury casualty and another coming off MCL sprains on both knees.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Expecting injuries for corners and WRs. Pipkins will probably take the special teams gunner position with chance to rotate in nickel slot.

I find it implausible that three players among the Williams, King, Alexander, Jackson and House group will sit on the bench in nickel in lieu of Pipkins. That four of these players were collected in the offseason should tell what they think of Pipkins as a nickel starter. Then there's big nickel and big dime possibilities with three safeties in the Brice-Jones-Burks equation against certain matchups.

There's a lot of competition for that 6th. spot (and a 7th. if they go that way) among guys who have been around for a few years. I don't think Pipkins cuts it as just a gunner. There are other guys who can do that, Rollins, Goodson, et. al. Janis had some additional utility as a KO returner and then the backup at that position.

I like Pipkins as a run defender but he's going to have to beat out the other guys on a step up in coverage.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I don't think Pipkins cuts it as just a gunner. There are other guys who can do that, Rollins, Goodson, et. al.

Rollins and Goodson both might have lost speed coming back from gruesome injuries though. That might result in Pipkins having a chance to make the roster as a gunner.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Rollins and Goodson both might have lost speed coming back from gruesome injuries though. That might result in Pipkins having a chance to make the roster as a gunner.

Granted, especially Rollins. Achilles injuries can be career enders. Goodson's hamstring last season got to questionable by week 15 but evidently not good enough to keep him off IR in week 16. He might be OK, might not. Throw Waters, Brown and Hawkins into the equations.

Even so, it's still hard to carry a 6th. CB on the game day roster unless the guy can do more than one thing, even if that second role is as a tackler on the coverage teams or backup at one of the returner spots.

The chief qualifications for a gunner are upper body strength and a little hand technique to get off the initial block followed by 4.5 or better speed, preferably long speed. It ain't rocket science as Janis amply illustrated.

There are other gunner possibilities among the DBs and WRs likely to make the game day roster on the strength of other contributions. Brice and Josh Jones fit the profile. Josh Jackson too with his 18 lifts. Alexander did 14 reps but he's a very physical guy and he has suddenness to avoid those blocks. Moore and St. Brown too, assuming St. Brown's dad lets him. Both of those receivers did 20 lifts at the Combine, the hand technique is transferrable from getting off press coverage, and they both show long speed. Even Valdez-Scantling did 15 lifts which is pretty good for a speed guy. It's not hard to see at least two of these guys making the game day roster as a positional backup or rotational player on limited snaps who would provide additional utility at the gunner position.

I'm pretty sure you'll see a few of those guys tried out at gunner in the preseason.

Given the available options, that 6th. (and maybe 7th.) CB is going to have to make it on coverage ability and even then he might not make the game day roster.