Acme Packing Company - All Posts May 18, 2013 | 9:40 pm UTC
Each year, the NFL Players' Association holds an event to introduce a few select NFL rookies to the media and to take photographs for their rookie trading cards. Two of the newest Green Bay Pa...
Each year, the NFL Players' Association holds an event to introduce a few select NFL rookies to the media and to take photographs for their rookie trading cards. Two of the newest Green Bay Packers are taking part in the event, and both are running backs: Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin. The two are in uniform at the event out in Los Angeles, and SBNation's Ryan Van Bibber is out on the scene.
Both of the backs come from warmer climates than Green Bay. Lacy grew up in Louisana and played at the University of Alabama, while Johnathan Franklin grew up in Los Angeles and stayed hope to go to school at UCLA. That was a hot topic for other players who joked with the two Packers about the cold climate of their new home. Ryan captured a few bits of those exchanges for our amusement, including some other photos and videos showing the two new teammates getting ready for their various photo shoots.
Acme Packing Company - All Posts May 18, 2013 | 3:00 pm UTC
We at Acme Packing Company have strung together a couple of articles in the past week breaking down players that will be playing for a roster spot in 2013. We have covered tight end Andrew Qua...
We at Acme Packing Company have strung together a couple of articles in the past week breaking down players that will be playing for a roster spot in 2013. We have covered tight end Andrew Quarless and defensive end C.J. Wilson — next in the series is M.D Jennings.
Unlike Quarless and Wilson, I don't believe Jennings is fighting for a roster spot this offseason so to speak, but instead for the starting strong safety position. In the mix at strong safety for the Packers is the afore mentioned Jennings, second-year man Jerron McMillian and Sean Richardson.
In 2012 McMillian and Jennings split time at safety doing a solid job for the NFL's No. 11 ranked defense (No. 11 against the pass). Their playing time was almost exactly even with Jennings playing a total of 617 snaps and McMillian playing 614 snaps. Richardson, on the other hand, missed the majority of the season with a neck injury in a primary special teams role when healthy.
According to Pro Football Focus McMillian slightly had the better year. McMillian earned an overall rating of + 1.9, while Jennings had a - 1.3 ratting. Jennings was below average against the run earning a - 3.1 rating, while McMillian was solid with a 0.0 rating. Both were solid in pass coverage with Jennings earning a + 1.9 and McMillian earning a + 2.5. However, in the playoffs it appeared the Packers were more comfortable playing Jennings as opposed to McMillian. In the two playoffs games the Packers played Jennings 44 out of a possible 143 snaps — McMillian played a total of just five snaps in those two games combined.
To the naked eye it was tough to distinguish between the performances of Jennings and McMillian, but as you can see McMillian graded out slightly better than Jennings. However, when crunch time came it was Jennings earning the playing time.
There is a dark horse in this race, however. I mentioned before that Richardson played only five games last year in a limited role before being injured. All signs point to him being fully recovered for the start of the offseason. Richardson has the perfect safety frame at 6'2" 220 pounds. He was an undrafted free agent in 2012 out of Vanderbilt University and he started 31 consecutive games to end his collegiate carrer and racked up over 200 career tackles.
The Packers gave the group a vote of confidence by not selecting a safety in the draft. Green Bay decided to pass on safeties like FIU's Jonathan Cyprien, Florida's Matt Elam and Georgia Southern's J.J. Wilcox. By passing on these players it appears that the organization is confident in Jennings, McMillian, and possibly Richardson.
With that said, don't count out the Packers making a dip into free agency and signing a veteran safety to bring to training camp. The strong safety position will be one of those position battles to watch for this offseason, and "The Doctor" can take some serious steps toward earning that job with a good performance in OTAs and minicamp.
Acme Packing Company - All Posts May 18, 2013 | 6:25 am UTC
One way for an NFL team to ensure that its players show up for Organized Team Activities during the offseason is through workout bonuses. OTAs are strictly and entirely voluntary, meaning that...
One way for an NFL team to ensure that its players show up for Organized Team Activities during the offseason is through workout bonuses. OTAs are strictly and entirely voluntary, meaning that there can be no retaliatory action taken against any player who does not attend. However, workout bonuses are becoming more and more prevalent in player contracts around the league, and their addition to the deals all but guarantees that a player with that clause will be present at all OTAs and training sessions.
In recent years, the Green Bay Packers and Ted Thompson have been extremely diligent in including these workout bonuses in their star players' contracts, thus ensuring that they will be present in Green Bay by giving them a financial incentive to do so. In fact, contract database Spotrac.com shows that 18 Packers currently under contract have workout bonuses built into their deals for the 2013 season:
That's a lot of cash that the team will give out in workout bonuses this year - $3.875 million in total. For star players like Rodgers and Matthews, the workout bonuses are also good ways to spread out the players' cap hits, but in other cases they are almost certainly used as assurances that the players will be attending OTAs. As such, it should be safe to assume that every one of these players will be in Green Bay this weekend for the start of OTAs on Monday.
New Era, the official on-field headwear of the National Football League, is teaming up with the NFL to launch the Back to Football Photo Day contest. So what this means is that Packers fans wi...
New Era, the official on-field headwear of the National Football League, is teaming up with the NFL to launch the Back to Football Photo Day contest. So what this means is that Packers fans will now have the chance to join the ranks of Aaron Rodgers to also become THE face of the Packers.
The contest, which is live atwww.speakwithyourcap.comor through New Era’s Facebook page(https://www.facebook.com/neweracaps?fref=ts) will require Packers faithfuls tosubmit photos of themselves showcasing how you personally “speak with your cap.”  Whether you wear your cap sideways, backwards or flexed at the brim, show how you are bringing your own style to the game.
32 fans (1 per team) will ultimately be chosen and win a complimentary trip to New York City for two. The winners will enjoy a four-day VIP experience and will be professionally styled in their favorite team’s looks for a New Era photo shoot that may be used for a year-long advertisement and promotional campaign.
As a player who was placed on injured reserve with a fractured hip last season, it would appear as if Green Bay Packers tackle Bryan Bulaga is coming along rather fine in his recovery.
According...
As a player who was placed on injured reserve with a fractured hip last season, it would appear as if Green Bay Packers tackle Bryan Bulaga is coming along rather fine in his recovery.
According to recreational golf scores published by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Bulaga shot a 39 in nine holes at Thornberry Creek golf club in Oneida on Monday.
For a sport that requires a fair amount of hip swivel and trunk twisting, it can only be a good sign that Bulaga was able to get out, hit the links and shoot a good score to boot. At least far better than I could hope to shoot.
First, we check in with Dubuque resident and Packers blogger Amanda Lawson, who gives us the lowdown from the recent Tailgate Tour stop in Iowa. Then we play our interview with Packers rookie r...
First, we check in with Dubuque resident and Packers blogger Amanda Lawson, who gives us the lowdown from the recent Tailgate Tour stop in Iowa. Then we play our interview with Packers rookie running back Eddie Lacy and get into the changing face of the Packers’ running attack and whether the ground game could ever overtake the aerial assault in Green Bay.
Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.
Acme Packing Company - All Posts May 17, 2013 | 3:37 pm UTC
Happy Friday, ladies and gentlemen. If you haven't seen it, we explained why the site's been slow lately and when it's going to be completely fixed. Things should work a bit better today than...
As far as this post goes, it's getting harder and harder to do. This isn't the true NFL deadzone, but it's close. The MSM outlets are taking it easy right now, and for good reason. They absolutely kill themselves July-April every year.
I think he can, but I don't think he will. The Packers are going to have to cut at least one competent running back this year. I think they'll average 4 YPC and rack up considerably more rushing yards than they did last season, but I don't expect Lacy to touch the ball enough to get 1,000 yards.
We're not here because there are huge question marks around our division rivals and our window isn't closing, with Rogers and Matthews having signed long-term deals.
ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that Charles Woodson will be visiting the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday of next week.
The move would be fitting for Woodson as former Packers executive, Reggie McKe...
ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that Charles Woodson will be visiting the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday of next week.
The move would be fitting for Woodson as former Packers executive, Reggie McKenzie, is now the General Manager of the Raiders. Woodson also began his career in Oakland, playing there from 1998 to 2005.
In an interview with the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Illinois State defensive line coach Spence Nowinsky spoke highly of Packers’ sixth round draft choice Nate Palmer. “I’ll emphatically go...
In an interview with the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Illinois State defensive line coach Spence Nowinsky spoke highly of Packers’ sixth round draft choice Nate Palmer. “I’ll emphatically go to my grave saying this, we will never, ever, ever have the leisure of probably ever getting another transfer like Nate Palmer,” Nowinsky is quoted as saying by reporter Wes Hodkiewicz. Granted, the folks at Illinois State are biased, but it’s interesting to hear about Palmer’s background at Illinois and how he came to transfer to the FCS level. I have a feeling Palmer’s background on special teams is a big part of the reason the Packers drafted him.
Former PackerPaul Hornung is interviewed about his horse, Titletown Five, which is running in the second leg of Saturday’s Triple Crown series in the Preakness Stakes. “I think he’s going to run good,” Hornung is quoted as saying by reporter Rob Demovsky. “We don’t know if he’s fully ready. If he hadn’t chipped a bone in his knee early on, who knows what would’ve happened. I think he would’ve been right there (in the Derby). He’s that good. Wayne (Lukas) thinks he’s that good and if he thinks he’s that good, he knows more about it than I do, but I’ve been around this all my life.” I found it interesting to hear that Titletown Five had actually beaten Kentucky Derby winner Orb in a maiden race when they were two-year olds. Titletown Five was given 30-1 morningline odds, the longest odds in the entire Preakness field.
A story on cornerbackJarrett Bush appears at the Packers official website about when he spoke to students at the Wisconsin School of the Deaf just a few days ago on this year’s Tailgate Tour. Bush talked about his own experience of having a learning disability. “I wasn’t good at school, but I had the dedication and determination to go to the teacher and learn,” Bush is quoted as saying. “I didn’t get it right the first time, but maybe the fifth or sixth time I tried it, I got it right.” A few years ago I had an opportunity to cover a football game at the Wisconsin School of the Deaf as a journalist, and I remember it fondly as one of the more unique experiences I’ve had as a writer. And I think it’s really cool that the Packers chose to stop there while on the Tailgate Tour.
Acme Packing Company - All Posts May 17, 2013 | 12:51 pm UTC
Yesterday we took a look at one player, C.J. Wilson, who needs a big performance in OTAs and minicamp to set himself up well to earn his roster spot for the 2013 season during training camp. T...
Yesterday we took a look at one player, C.J. Wilson, who needs a big performance in OTAs and minicamp to set himself up well to earn his roster spot for the 2013 season during training camp. Today we look at another Packer who needs a good performance this offseason to keep a grip on his roster spot: tight end Andrew Quarless.
This name might come as a bit of a surprise, but I would argue that Quarless is as big an unknown moving into Monday's OTAs as any veteran on the roster. As you know, Quarless' ACL and MCL in his knee late in 2011. He was then activated off the PUP list midway through the 2012 season but was never able to suit up for a game and was put back on injured reserve shortly thereafter.
But you already know that about Quarless. There are two major motivations for him to want to put up an impressive performance in OTAs and minicamp: first, he will need to make a good impression now that his leg is apparently full healed, but second (and perhaps more concerning) is the fact that there are a number of other tight ends on the roster who will be vying for roster spots.
The big positive for Quarless is that he showed decent receiving ability in 2011 while also being one of the team's best blockers, if not the best, at the tight end position. Though the addition of Matthew Mulligan adds a good in-line blocker to the group, his receiving tools aren't at the level of Quarless'. Still, Mulligan's blocking seems to make him a pretty clear lock to make the final 53-man roster.
D.J. Williams and Ryan Taylor still are listed as tight ends on the roster, but they play more of the H-back role than the typical in-line tight end position manned by Quarless. They'll be competing for similar roster spots, but it seems unlikely that their camp performances will make a major impact on any decision on Quarless' status.
The biggest threat to Quarless making the roster might be the pair of young players--Brandon Bostick and Jake Stoneburner. Each has very good receiving skills because of their background as wide receivers, so if either of them shows some sparks as blockers and Quarless sputters in his first full camp back from injury, it seems plausible that the veteran could see his roster spot stolen away.
For the record, I fully expect Quarless to be an active and productive member of the Packers in 2013. Before his injury, he showed the skills and potential to be the most well-rounded tight end on the team. However, after missing over a year of football activity, he'll need to prove this off-season that those tools are still present and that he is fully healthy and ready to be a major contributor this season.
While the Tailgate Tour rolls on with a stop in Tomah, Wis. on Friday evening, back in Green Bay wide receiver James Jones will host his fourth annual Toast 2 Success cocktail party.
The event i...
While the Tailgate Tour rolls on with a stop in Tomah, Wis. on Friday evening, back in Green Bay wide receiver James Jones will host his fourth annual Toast 2 Success cocktail party.
Festivities start at 6:00 p.m. local time at the Green Bay Distillery right across the street from Lambeau Field and last until 9:00 p.m. The evening will include live music, live and silent auctions and giveaways.
Meanwhile, the Tailgate Tour makes its final stop Friday evening at Tomah Recreation Park for its tailgate party.
Tomah will welcome the players and alumni arriving at 6 p.m. and will run until 8:30 p.m. The party will feature food, giveaways, question-and-answer sessions and autographs. Tailgate party tickets cost $30 with proceeds going to benefit Tomah Area Cancer Support Inc. As of Apr. 30, tickets were still available and could be purchased at Burnstad’s, 701 E. Clifton St. in Tomah.
Like all stops on the tour, celebrities will include Packers president Mark Murphy, players Jarrett Bush, Randall Cobb and Alex Green, and Packers alumni Santana Dotson, Aaron Taylor and Frank Winters.
The Associated Press also reports that the Tailgate Tour will stop at the Wisconsin National Guard’s Challenge Academy at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin earlier in the day.
Brandon Jackson agreed to a one-year deal with the Browns.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 16, 2013
Brandon Jackson is a former running back for the Green Bay Packers who wa...
Brandon Jackson agreed to a one-year deal with the Browns.
Eddie Lacy’s interview begins at approximately the 25-minute mark.
Say this for Green Bay Packers rookie Eddie Lacy, he’s brimming with optimism.
When asked Thursday if...
Eddie Lacy’s interview begins at approximately the 25-minute mark.
Say this for Green Bay Packers rookie Eddie Lacy, he’s brimming with optimism.
When asked Thursday if he could eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in first season in the NFL, the former Alabama running back responded, “I really think I can.”
Lacy wasn’t about to let his mouth write a check his legs can’t cash, however. He hedged by adding, “We’ll see how it all plays out.”
Before becoming the first Packers running back to run for 1,000 or more yards in a single season since Ryan Grant in 2009, the Packers would probably be ecstatic if they could first get him to gain 100 yards in a game. That hasn’t happened in a span of 43 games in Green Bay since Brandon Jackson gained 115 yards against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 10, 2010.
Even though the Packers made Lacy their second round draft choice with the 61st overall selection in April’s NFL Draft, he’ll have plenty of competition to carry the football this upcoming season.
In the fourth round of the draft, the Packers traded up to pick Johnathan Franklin of UCLA as somewhat of an insurance policy. Given the concern surrounding Lacy’s toe fusion surgery and long-term health prognosis, Franklin will be there to complement Lacy or be used as sort of a one-two punch in Green Bay.
As for how they’ll divvy up carries or whether the team uses them in the backfield at the same time, Lacy will leave that up to the coaching staff.
“I honestly have no idea,” said Lacy. “I don’t know what they’re going to do as far as me and him being at running back and if they’re going to put us in at the same time. If they do, that would be cool, but I really don’t know what they plan on doing.”
Lacy’s comments on Thursday came during an online event called a “digital card signing” via the social media platform of a Google+ Hangout. He’s in Pasadena, Cal. over the weekend for the NFL Rookie Premiere, an annual event sponsored by the NFL Players Association along with Topps and Panini. It’s an opportunity for the trading card companies to obtain photography and autographs of this year’s NFL rookie class.
Lacy and Franklin were the only Packers invited to this year’s event, so in just the short amount of time since they’ve been drafted by the Packers, they’ve already begun to spend a lot of time together. The two were roommates during last weekend’s rookie orientation camp in Green Bay as well.
“We’re extremely cool,” said Lacy. “It’s like we’ve known each other for like five years already. We both have a sense of humor, we joke around and we play. Getting to meet him is not as weird as some may think because we both got drafted. He’s an extremely cool guy.”
No matter who’s carrying the football for the Packers in 2013, there’s plenty room for growth in the Green Bay ground game. Last season they ranked 20th in the NFL with 1,702 yards, an average of 3.9 yards per carry. In fact, the Packers’ leading rusher last year was Alex Green with just 464 yards.
Lacy himself ran for 1,322 yards as a junior at Alabama last season alone to go along with 17 touchdowns and a per carry average of 6.5 yards.
Even with a bigger emphasis on the rushing attack in Green Bay, however, the offense will still revolve around quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a fact not lost on Lacy.
By recently signing Rodgers to a five-year, $110 million contract extension and making him the highest-paid player in the NFL, it’s of the utmost importance for Lacy to also be able to provide pass protection for Rodgers.
“That’s pretty much the No. 1 rule there, protect the quarterback, protect Aaron,” said Lacy. “That’s with any team you go to. The quarterback is the guy that runs the whole operation and you have to protect him. But protecting Aaron is pretty much the No. 1 priority.”
Lacy said he’s No. 4 in the running back rotation as things currently stand in Green Bay, presumably behind veterans Green, James Starks and DuJuan Harris, but it shouldn’t take him long to make a climb up the depth chart.
The Packers didn’t make an second round investment into Lacy for nothing. Â And it shouldn’t be long before the Packers find out if he’s capable of being the type of ball carrier that’s able to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.
Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America,” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.
Acme Packing Company - All Posts May 16, 2013 | 9:08 pm UTC
Over the next few days as we lead up to the start of the Green Bay Packers' OTAs on Monday, we will be taking a look at a few players who really need a big, solid performance this off-season t...
Over the next few days as we lead up to the start of the Green Bay Packers' OTAs on Monday, we will be taking a look at a few players who really need a big, solid performance this off-season to establish themselves and either earn a roster spot for the first time or prove that they are still worthy of one. Today's player of choice is defensive end C.J. Wilson.
Wilson has been one of the Packers' most consistent run defenders along the defensive line for the last three years after coming to Green Bay as a seventh-round draft pick in 2010. Wilson has played 42 of the possible 48 games over those three seasons (with 11 starts), but he is consistently rotated off the field in passing situations - in 2012 he was playing run defense on around 55% of his snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
The problem for Wilson is that he has brought minimal pass rushing ability to the position, and when Ryan Pickett is another starting lineman, that leaves two of the three players up front who can eat up blockers in the run game but who provide little to no pocket pressure. This is where Wilson will need to show some substantial improvement in the off-season.
Wilson is a known quantity at this point, and he plays a position where versatility and pass-rushing ability are now present in the addition of first-round pick Datone Jones. The rookie has to be assumed to be the starter by default at this point, and Wilson will be left battling for playing time with the likes of Mike Neal, Johnny Jolly, and Mike Daniels. Each of those players has shown some sign of life in rushing the passer, so Wilson cannot afford to be just a two-down player on the line this season.
We round out the fourth round (which I admit we did backwards) with a pair of offensive linemen.
The Packers are well aware that you can never have too many of these guys lying around be...
We round out the fourth round (which I admit we did backwards) with a pair of offensive linemen.
The Packers are well aware that you can never have too many of these guys lying around because there also never seems to be a shortage of injuries along the line.
The key to both of these prospects—and it’s a byword in the NFL these days—is versatility. Both can play several positions on the offensive line.
Both men played left tackle at their prospective colleges, but only one has the potential to do so at the pro level, and even then I’m not sold. That’s not to say either one was a bad pick though—just that they will probably serve at either right tackle or inside at guard.
So watch the video and get to know Colorado’s David Bakhtiari and Cornell’s JC Tretter.
The Cowboys are signing Anthony Hargrove, who was suspended for his alleged role in the alleged Saints bounty program. Glad to see him back — Jason La Canfora (@VJasonLaCanfora) May 16, 2013
H...
The Cowboys are signing Anthony Hargrove, who was suspended for his alleged role in the alleged Saints bounty program. Glad to see him back — Jason La Canfora (@VJasonLaCanfora) May 16, 2013
Hargrove spent part of last pre-season with the Packers before being released. At the time Hargrove was scheduled to miss part of the 2012 season for his role in the Saints bounty program, and he did not play in any game in the 2012 season.
In honor of this year’s Tailgate Tour participants, we break down each of this year’s current players hitting the road across the Upper Midwest. Randall Cobb, Alex Green and Jarrett...
In honor of this year’s Tailgate Tour participants, we break down each of this year’s current players hitting the road across the Upper Midwest. Randall Cobb, Alex Green and Jarrett Bush are broken down in-depth on Railbird Central, taking a look where they stand heading into the 2013 season.
Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.
Acme Packing Company - All Posts May 16, 2013 | 5:17 pm UTC
As incredible as it sounds, a player fresh off setting the Packers' all-time record for single season all-purpose yards is about to take on a bigger role this year.
In just his second se...
As incredible as it sounds, a player fresh off setting the Packers' all-time record for single season all-purpose yards is about to take on a bigger role this year.
In just his second season, Randall Cobb became the Packers' breakout star on offense. With Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson missing time, Cobb became Aaron Rodgers' go-to option. Not only did he lead the team in receptions and receiving yards, but Cobb also assumed the vaunted slot role while still operating as the team's primary returner.
Don't expect a repeat performance in 2013, however. With Jennings and Donald Driver departing and only seventh rounders and UDFAs acquired as replacements, Cobb is likely done returning kicks. The additions of running backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin probably signal the end of his time as a ball carrier as well. By all indications, Cobb's snaps will now come exclusively from the receiver position. The only question is how much Cobb can produce as a full time wideout. To find the answer, we need to look to similar players and see how their performance reflects on Cobb.
Unlike superficial comparisons like Steve Smith and Percy Harvin that focus solely on height and speed as opposed to actual production and usage, Cobb's usage is almost perfectly in line with Wes Welker. Both Welker and Cobb are high target, low yards per catch slot receivers on teams that don't have a dominant wideout on the outside, and each plays with an elite passer.
Last year, 84.4% of Cobb's offensive snaps came at slot receiver. He also averaged 11.9 yards per reception. Both figures are right in line with Welker (82.2% slot usage, 11.5 yards per catch). Building a model around Welker should give the best insight into the player Cobb could become. Since joining New England, Welker has been targeted an average of 154 times a season. Using that number and Cobb's career catch rate of 77.8% projects to a season of about 120 catches and 1425 yards. Such is Cobb's best case scenario.
The Packers haven't historically leaned on one receiver that heavily, however. Cobb was targeted 104 times in 2012, the most a single Packer receiver had been targeted since Greg Jennings' 125 targets in 2010. Only once in the Mike McCarthy era has a receiver matched or exceeded 154 targets (Welker's yearly average since joining New England). That year was 2006, and the receiver group included Donald Driver in his prime, rookie year Greg Jennings, and little else.
Ignoring that outlier, the top target for the Packers has on average been thrown at 118 times yearly. That's only 14 more targets than Cobb had last year, a season in which he began as the team's number 4 receiver. As such, 118 targets is Cobb's basement if he stays healthy. Assuming Cobb's career catch rate holds, those targets project to 92 catches and 1095 yards.
So where between these two scenarios will Cobb fall?
This year, Green Bay's receiver group isn't quite as crowded as previous seasons. At the same time, this isn't a Patriots receiving corps either. Nelson and Jones should each command a lot of targets from Rodgers and thus prevent Cobb from getting upwards of 150 targets. Last season, Cobb didn't become the go to receiver until the Houston game. From that point on, Cobb averaged 7.9 targets a game. That's probably around where Cobb will be used in 2013. That would project to about 126 targets, 98 catches, and 1170 yards. If the Packers get that from Cobb, no one will complain.
Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Acme Packing Co. He has previously written for Lombardi Ave, College Hoops Net, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is also currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter: @JBHirschhorn
Of course Ted Thompson double-dipped on running backs by getting Johnathan Franklin in the fourth round to pair with Eddie Lacy because “Ted Thompson”.
With some questions about Lacy...
Of course Ted Thompson double-dipped on running backs by getting Johnathan Franklin in the fourth round to pair with Eddie Lacy because “Ted Thompson”.
With some questions about Lacy’s durability and a lack of solid options in the backfield beyond DuJuan Harris (for who the jury is still out no matter what Aaron Nagler and I say), Franklin late in the fourth was just too good to pass up.
I went back and forth between Franklin and Stepfan Taylor all off-season, finally leaning towards Franklin because while he’s a bit more raw, his ceiling is far higher.
Franklin had an up and down UCLA career, with a big sophomore year followed by a middling junior year and capped off by a fantastic senior campaign.
He can run tough, has learned to hold onto the ball and can catch as well. He does many things well, but none really perfectly. Still, he has a lot of untapped potential to offer.
Here’s a closer look at Franklin and what he brings to the table.
Acme Packing Company - All Posts May 16, 2013 | 2:56 pm UTC
Happy Thursday, ladies and gentlemen. Yes, the sites are slow. A raccoon broke into our server room and chewed everything up. It's a real mess.
Alex Green back to earn feature role | Mil...
Happy Thursday, ladies and gentlemen. Yes, the sites are slow. A raccoon broke into our server room and chewed everything up. It's a real mess.
Packers' Eddie Lacy, Johnathan Franklin at NFLPA Rookie Premiere
Packers Fans! Enter The New Era Photo Day Contest!
How’s Bryan Bulaga’s Hip? Good Enough to Shoot a 39 Round of Golf
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