Receivers looking for separation
Valdes-Scantling has caught Rodgers’ eye
GREEN BAY - Over the past few years, one of the lesser-known wide receivers in Green Bay Packers training camp has made the roster because quarterback Aaron Rodgers kept throwing him the ball.
In 2016, it was Geronimo Allison. In ’18 it was Jake Kumerow. And in ’19 it
was Allen Lazard.
This season, however, that hasn’t happened.
Whether it’s because of a COVID-19 affected training camp and non-existent preseason or an empty chest of young talent is up for debate.
“I think often times, it’s somebody that jumps out like Allen did last year,” Rodgers said. “I really feel like Allen Lazard jumped out, and it was every day we were watching the ‘gold’ reps, and you’re saying, ‘Who’s 13?’
“I’m like, ‘Get him down on the green side, at least for a couple days. I need to see this guy against some ones and twos down here.’ I don’t know that there’s been that big of a jump this year.’”
To maximize the number of snaps in a given practice, coach Matt LaFleur breaks some of the team drills into two. The starting offense and defense face off on one side of the field and everyone else is down on the other side.
This year, it has resulted in younger receivers getting fewer snaps with Rodgers.
Probably the lesser-known guy who has flashed the most is first-year pro Malik Turner, who is a favorite target of backup Tim Boyle. But Turner hasn’t been able to put an exclamation point on his work with a live performance in front of 70,000 people.
“It’s been tough to not have preseason games and see some of these guys in live, game action,” Rodgers said.
On the flip side, it has given Rodgers more time to work with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Lazard and Kumerow, all of whom can be considered still in the developmental stage. One of them is going to be the starter opposite Davante Adams and two of them could be part of the starting three-receiver set.
From Rodgers’ perspective, the guy who has stood out the most is Valdez Scantling.
“Especially the last week, 10 days of camp (it) is Marquez,” he said. “I think he has had some really good practices in a row and started to lay down some good practice fundamentals that he can lean on.
“At the same time – I know Matt said this at one point – this is the new standard for MVS. I’m proud of the way that he’s gone about his business.”
General manager Brian Gutekunst must make his decision on who stays and who goes by 3 p.m. Saturday. He won’t have the luxury of a game performance or practice connection with Rodgers to help him this year.
Backs step up in pass game
On a third down early in Sunday’s scrimmage at Lambeau Field, Rodgers held the football, held the football, then found running back Aaron Jones alone in the right flat. It was third-and-2. Jones gained 12 yards.
On the first play of his next possession, Rodgers found running back Jamaal Williams in the left flat for 6 yards. He found Williams on the following drive for another 6 yards on secondand-10. The drive after that started with Rodgers finding rookie tailback A.J. Dillon in the right flat for 7 yards.
Time after time, Rodgers found his running backs during what amounted to be the team’s closest possible simulation to an actual game. He completed 8of-9 passes to running backs for 41 yards, though one was effectively a 2yard jet sweep to Tyler Ervin.
“As I’ve felt more comfortable in the offense in my second year and really trusting my feet even more,” Rodgers said, “I find myself hitching less to the receivers and just kind of quicker through my reads down to the backs.”
Rodgers also pointed to the receiving talent in the Packers’ backfield. Indeed, Jones is a playmaker no matter when he has the football. Williams tied for the team lead with five touchdown catches last season. And Dillon, who was lightly used as a receiver with only 21 receptions in three college seasons, has shown to be capable as a receiver.
But Rodgers also said Wednesday he’s taken a critical eye to his play the past couple seasons. At times, the Packers quarterback has appeared reluctant checking down to his running backs.
If Rodgers carries what he’s done in this camp to the regular season, the Packers running backs might have an extended role in the pass game.
“I think he’s done a great job progressing,” LaFleur said, “and I think our defense has done some nice things in the back end. We feel pretty confident with what they’re doing. You’ve got to take what they give you. Sometimes the checkdowns are what’s there. In other instances, the play may be designed for the running back.
“I think he’s done an outstanding job throughout the entire camp. I couldn’t be more pleased with how he’s playing right now.”
Praising Alex Smith’s comeback
Count Rodgers among those impressed with Alex Smith’s remarkable comeback from a gruesome broken leg.
Smith, the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft, was cleared to play this spring after missing the entire 2019 season because of the injury. The broken leg was thought to be potentially career ending, but Smith bucked the odds to give himself a chance to play.
“I’m just really proud to know him,” said Rodgers, the 24th pick in the 2005 draft, “to kind of watch his rehab. I was asked by a few people, you know, like ‘What is he doing?’ And I thought, ‘I’d be doing the same thing.’ I think when you’re a competitor, and I know Alex is – I’ve known it for a long time – obviously just the drive that he has, I think he wanted to prove it to himself that he could come back and compete still.
“He’s a great, great guy, has a great family. He’s been a great face of this league for so many years. I’ve enjoyed competing against him, I’ve enjoyed watching him, and he’s one of the NFL good guys, and it’s fun. I think there’s so many people who’ve been pulling for him in his recovery.”