The Extra Point
The Green BaBay Packers’ers’ Davante AdamsA can trace his ascent to becomingbecom one of the most prodproductive receireceivers in the NNFL to a cold nnight in late NoNovember four yeayears ago. That ggame against the New England PaPatriots is proof of how much a rookie must be prepared at any time to step up, even against the toughest of opponeopponents.
“Well I mean, I let everybeverybody know as far as my approach to the game ever since I got here wawas just to be ready at all times,” Adams said this week.
It’s a lesson that the Packers’ current crop of rookie receivers can draw from when Green Bay faces New England again on Sunday night at Foxborough.
In 2014, Adams took advantage of more looks when the Patriots decided to focus on then-top Packers wideout Jordy Nelson. Adams had six catches for 121 yards on 11 targets, getting as many receptions and targets as he had drawn the three previous games combined.
“Yeah, that was probably my coming out game,” Adams said.
Now Adams is quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ top option, the receiver that usually draws an opponent’s best cornerback. Adams has had at least 132 yards receiving in each of his past three games.
“Well, he’s big for us. I think he can do it all from the wide receiver position and we’re ex- pecting a lot of attention by the Patriots’ secondary” on Adams, coach Mike McCarthy said.
If that’s the case, it could mean more looks for rookie wideouts Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Equanimeous St. Brown.
The 6-foot-4 Valdes-Scantling has especially taken advantage of more work in recent games with injuries to starters Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison. They returned last week, but Valdes-Scantling still caught a touchdown pass last week, his second in three games.
Adams has offered simple, but important advice to the rookies, just like Nelson did to Adams four years ago.
“Don’t try to be (Adams.) Don’t try to be Cobb, don’t try to be (Allison). Don’t try to be anybody else that you see,” ValdesScantling said in recounting a piece of advice from Adams.