By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Roster grows younger, but Green Bay’s 30-year-olds still hold critical positions

GREEN BAY, Wis. – All eyes will be on the rookies when the Green Bay Packers’ first of three public OTA’s (organized team activities) kicks off at noon Tuesday on Hinkle Field.

What roles are in store for Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage? Will interior offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins line up at center? How does running back Dexter Williams catch the football out of the backfield?

So many questions and it’s just the first public practice.

Then there are the veterans.

The Packers’ current roster lists seven players who are in their thirties. In the urban dictionary, they’re called “tricenarians.”
In the NFL, they’re called “old.”

In reality, they’re essential to a team’s success and that includes the Packers. The catch-all phrase “veteran leadership” is often used to describe older players. In fact, veterans aren’t always the leaders they’re supposed to be.

So where are the Packers’ seven thirty-somethings at this stage of their careers? Here’s a look:

** Tramon Williams, DB, 36 years, 2 months

The good news is that Williams started 16 games for the first time since 2014. The bad news is that he didn’t have an interception for the first time in his 12-year career.

Williams, who split time at corner and safety in 2018, registered 64 tackles (47 solo) with four passes defended and a fumble recovery. His numbers were decent, especially for a player trying to hold together a patchwork defense.

Williams can still run, which means he can still play.

Until further notice, he is the starting cornerback opposite Jaire Alexander. If Kevin King lives up to his potential and Savage teams up with Adrian Amos at safety, Williams’ job could be in jeopardy. Either way, he’s a quality insurance policy.

** Aaron Rodgers, QB, 35 years, 5 months

Rodgers’ numbers (25 touchdown passes, 2 interceptions) last season would be amazing by most standards, except he isn’t just another quarterback.

Rodgers’ completion percentage (62.3) was his lowest since 2015, due in part to being sacked a ridiculous 49 times. Is it any wonder they drafted an offensive lineman in the third round?

If the sack total doesn’t go down, Rodgers most assuredly will.

A new head coach, new offense and fresh outlook should be rejuvenating for Rodgers. Packers’ fans better hope so.

On the surface, Rodgers appears to be on track for a strong season, in part because of GM Brian Gutekunst’s roster moves and in part because of coach Matt LaFleur’s striving for balance.

** Marcedes Lewis, TE, 35 years, 1 month

Lewis signed late (May 25) last offseason and never really became part of the offense. It suggests ex-coach Mike McCarthy may not have been a fan of the acquisition.

At any rate, Lewis caught a measly three passes for 39 yards in his first season here. His inactivity was a real head scratcher. It’s an indication Green Bay wasn’t really sure how to use him.

LaFleur should rectify that problem.

Lewis remains a strong in-line blocker and reliable receiver. I can’t imagine the Packers bringing him back without a clear plan for his role in the offense.

** Mason Crosby, K, 34 years, 5 months

Crosby made 30 of 37 field goals (81.1 percent) and 34 of 36 PATs last season. He matched his career high with five field goals of 50-plus yards in a season. He also ranked 10th in the NFL in scoring with 124 points.

Crosby’s leg strength, work ethic and nerve remain strong.

Still, he struggled at times. In the Week 2 overtime loss to Minnesota, Crosby missed a 52-yarder that would’ve won the game at the end of regulation. He also was a disastrous 1-of-5 at Detroit on Oct. 7.

The Packers signed kicker Sam Ficken, 26, to push Crosby during training camp and the preseason. My guess is Crosby fends off Ficken and remains for at least another season.

** Jimmy Graham, 32 years, 6 months

Graham had the quietest 55-catch, 636-receiving yards season in recent memory. His two touchdown catches fell far short of what was expected when Green Bay signed him in free agency.

Graham, like Lewis, never seemed to be a part of the offense. It appeared as if McCarthy lost interest in relying on the tight ends, especially in the red zone.

LaFleur, unlike McCarthy, seems intent on making the tight ends a key component of the attack.

The presence of rookie tight end Jace Sternberger might limit Graham’s snaps. That depends on Sternberger’s growth and Graham’s desire to contribute in a significant way this season.

** Bryan Bulaga, 30 years, 2 months

Bulaga is a warrior.

He has spent much of his career either starting and playing well or sitting while rehabbing yet another injury. Mentally, it has to make him one of the NFL’s oldest 30-year-olds. Physically, it begs the question: His mind is willing, but is his body able?

Ideally, Bulaga is blessed with health this season.

If anyone has earned a break, it’s Bulaga. If that’s the case and he can start 16 games, the Packers’ sack total will go down and the offensive production should go up.

** Mike Daniels, 30 years, 1 month

Daniels is an enigma.

He can be borderline dominant when he’s in the mood. It just doesn’t seem like he’s always interested in going at full speed. He played in just 10 games last season (nine starts), and even then there were times he was inconsequential if not invisible.

Daniels had 26 tackles and two sacks in 2018.

This is a contract year for the 2017 Pro Bowl defensive tackle. With that in mind, and the addition of Za’Darius and Preston Smith and the healthy return of Kenny Clark, Daniels is set up to have a strong season and an extension in Green Bay.

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Green Bay’s returnees, rookies and undrafted WRs asked to get job done

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers’ 2019 draft class offers at least a measure of insight into new head coach Matt LaFleur’s preferred modus operandi on offense.

It appears LaFleur is intent on (not in any particular order):

** Throwing to the tight ends and running backs from the slot or out of the backfield;

** Using a tight end in motion to either run block or take off on a passing route at the snap;

** Running the football much more than in the Packers’ recent past by the re-signing of Marcedes Lewis, a skilled run blocker and reliable pass catcher, who languished in moth balls last year. Lewis fits what LaFleur prefers to do, which is create balance.

What the Packers didn’t do this offseason was add a veteran receiver in free agency to be Davante Adams’ running mate.

What’s more, for the first time in seven years, the Packers didn’t draft a receiver. The fact that they selected three straight in the previous draft is just a fraction of the reasoning behind it.

Some of it has to do with which players were available when the Packers were on the clock last month.

For example, I loved Mississippi’s A.J. Brown, who was drafted by LaFleur’s former team, the Titans, with the 51st pick.

As much as I drooled over Brown, who wowed Titans fans with one-handed catches in his debut at rookie camp last week, the Packers were wise to select Mississippi State offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins with the 44th pick. The Packers’ offensive line was that desperate for help; the receiving corps wasn’t.

Much of the Packers’ decision-making has to do with LaFleur and his staff having confidence in the returning receivers. That can’t and shouldn’t be underestimated.

Another factor is that LaFleur seems intent on throwing to the running backs and tight ends, and running the football.

It sounds simple but it is music to (this) Packers’ fans ears.

In addition to re-signing Lewis, the Packers signed offensive lineman Billy Turner in free agency and got an added bonus when Cole Madison, a highly regarded fifth-round pick in 2018, reported to the team after missing last year for health reasons.

The Packers also drafted Notre Dame running back Dexter Williams, who is a dual threat as a runner and receiver. Williams is the potentially ideal accessory to go with Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones. Jamaal Williams is a reliable short-yardage ball carrier who gets at least what is blocked and then some. Jones is the home-run threat because of his quickness, agility, vision and decisiveness. He’s got a ton of talent. He’s got to stay healthy.

Then there is Dexter Williams.

His skill set falls between Jamaal’s and Jones’s. He’s a true cut-and-go ball carrier with excellent vision and burst. He’s also got a running back’s toughness and instincts between the tackles. So why did he last so long in the draft? Frankly, teams make mistakes, and Williams’ 4.50-and-change speed didn’t make him a “got to have” guy with undrafted free agency looming.

At any rate, Gutekunst’s selection of Dexter Williams is another indicator that the Packers covet the run game and true balance.

At the end of the day, though, the Packers are still a pass-first team in a pass-heavy league. Gutekunst and LaFleur know it, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers knows it.

So the question remains: Do the Packers have enough weapons in the passing game to become an explosive, dynamic attack?

Clearly, all bets are off if Adams or Rodgers is injured for any length of time. Aside from that, the Packers appear to be quietly increasing the position group’s diversity, athleticism and speed.

For example, the Packers may have coveted Brown, the Ole Miss receiver, as much as I did. But they know far better how LaFleur intends to use the slot position.

The Packers list 13 receivers and six tight ends on their roster.

The holdovers are Adams, Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis, Jake Kumerow, J’Mon Moore, Equanimeous St. Brown and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

The newcomers are Jawill Davis, Matthew Eaton, Kabion Ento, Allen Lazard, Teo Redding and Darrius Shepherd.

Here’s a quick take on each receiver:

** Adams is a perennial All-Pro whose potential is limitless. Ideally, Adams would catch five or six passes a game for 80 yards and a touchdown or two. I see him as a big-play 85 catch, 1,200-yard and 10-touchdown receiver in this season.

That’s plenty of wear and tear on the team’s No. 1 guy.

** Geronimo Allison was on pace for a double-digit touchdown, 1,000-yard plus season before he was injured in 2018.

That wasn’t a fluke. Allison and Rodgers have legit chemistry.

Allison’s presence and Randall Cobb’s departure make the No. 2 receiver position a moot point. It is Allison’s job unless he’s slow to come back from injury.

** Valdes-Scantling, 6-4, 206, has a world of potential.

MVS combines top-end speed with excellent size and exceptional hands. He has a terrific opportunity to gain a stranglehold on the No. 3 receiver job, which in Green Bay is also an incredibly important job.

** Equanimeous St. Brown has excellent size (6-5, 214) and above-average agility to adjust to off-target passes. St. Brown may have a role as a red-zone slot receiver given his size and apparent sure-handedness.

** Jake Kumerow, at 6-4, 209, already has the advantage of chemistry with Rodgers. It showed in training camp and it reappeared when Kumerow did after his injury.
Kumerow has the talent to contend for the job as the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver in this attack.

** J’Mon Moore had the rookie dropsies and it kept him from growing at the position. This year, Moore needs to relax and let the game come to him. He has the benefit of getting the NFL’s version of a “do-over” in LaFleur’s new offense. Moore is a physically gifted player who isn’t the only receiver to have a less than ideal start to a career. Look at Adams.

** Trevor Davis is a first-rate punt returner and above-average kick returner as well. He’s got to stay healthy. He’s also got to pick up LaFleur’s offense on the fly and flash early.

The NFL’s de-emphasis of special teams makes players like Davis – in spite his skill set – more expendable than in the past.

** Jawill Davis played eight games and caught 12 passes with the New York Giants last season. That NFL experience counts for a lot. He also has good size (6-0, 197) with exceptional speed at 4.37 in the 40-yard dash.

Jawill Davis might be the answer at slot receiver.

** Darrius Shepherd is a sure-handed 5-foot-11 receiver out of North Dakota State. Shepherd runs an average 4.57 40 but was a tremendous high-volume receiver in college, which is similar to Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson and so on.

Shepherd is also a true slot receiver who’s quickness and agility, plus sure hands, gives him a legit shot to make the team.

The other receivers will begin to either distinguish themselves or fade fairly early in the offseason workouts and training camp.

As for the tight ends, the Packers’ decision to draft Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger with the 75th pick is interesting in that it raises the possibility of lining him up in the slot.

Sternberger has excellent hands and looks to be a clever route-runner. He could provide matchup problems at 6-4, 250, in space.

Ultimately, LaFleur’s offense appears to be seeking balance in terms of run vs. pass, and also versatility in the short-to-intermediate passing game (by incorporating the tight ends and running backs).

It makes for a lot to look forward to when training camp arrives.

And it’s only mid-May.