Three Packers with Something to Prove
As we move from the draft to the beginning of Official Team Activities or OTAs, it’s time for the Green Bay Packers to evalutate the talent they have and trim the roster from 90 down to 53.
With the next few months of practices, mini-camp and preseason games, there will be many opportunities for these 90 players on the roster to prove their worth. There are three players in particular that I believe will need to prove their worth now in order to stay on the Packers’ long term plan.
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Datone Jones
Jones was the first option for the Packers in the 2013 draft. His performance on the field hasn’t been the best for a first-round draft pick. For his career totals, Jones has 50 tackles, eight sacks and one interception.
The Packers knew that he would be a project and drafted Jones based on his potential. This year, the Packers are looking to tap that potential in Jones when they drafted him and moving him to the outside linebacker could help them reach that potential and make him the go-to guy when Julius Peppers retires.
This move to linebacker creates a make-or-break scenario for Jones. The Packers have made that clear when his fifth-year team option was not picked up. With uncertainty in his future, Jones will have to make the most of his preseason snaps and earn his spot.
Richard Rodgers
Rodgers is a very interesting player to watch in the upcoming year. Last season, Rodgers was the hero on the game-winning Hail Mary touchdown grab against the Lions. In that game, Rogers had a monster showing with eight grabs for 146 yards. However, that was the only game he went over 100 yards in receiving.
The Packers are looking to add to the depth of its offense by bringing in an athletic tight end Jared Cook. The problem with Cook is that like Jones, he hasn’t lived up to his draft stock. If the Packers can’t get the production out of Cook, they could get the production they need from Rodgers.
Rodgers needs to prove his worth to Packers before he becomes just another name on the roster. I think they should use him as a safety net for Aaron Rodgers. Because the quarterback Rodgers has three big targets in Randall Cobb, Jeff Janis and Jordy Nelson, having the tight end Rodgers run a five-yard dump option would be great for the offense. It worked for Ben Roethlisberger and Heath Miller for years. If the Packers are looking to move on from Rodgers, he needs to step it up soon.
Tim Masthay
There’s nothing better than a little punter drama, right? Remember that punters are people too and they also have to prove their worth over time. Masthay is no stranger to being in the middle of position drama. In 2015, Masthay had to outkick his competion to earn his starting spot.
This year, however, Masthay has a rookie to beat in Peter Mortell. But this is where the story gets interesting. Mortell grew up a fan of the Packers and has the opportunity to play for his hometown team. During Mortell’s senior season at Minnesota, his net average was 43.1 yards. In comparison, Masthay’s net average was 40.2.
Sure, that is like comparing apples to oranges, but many believe that Masthay’s average was only that high because the punt coverage was much better. When the team played in the climate-controlled University of Phoenix Stadium in the playoffs, Masthay’s punts were netting an average of 32.8 yards. The inconsistency of Masthay’s punts in that game were indicative of his punts throughout the season and have placed him on the hotseat.
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