We are only 13 days away from the start of the Packer’s regular season.
The playoff loss to the 49ers feels like just yesterday. The second that game ended you could see the disbelief in every fan's face at Lambeau field. Most of us thought that we really had a chance to make it all the way last year.
I remember walking away from Lambeau as the snow was falling taking everything in. It was bitter sweet. I was sad that we lost but grateful that I got to witness a playoff game at Lambeau field. There is nothing like it.
Last year is now in the rearview and the 2022 season is upon us.
NFL Sundays are almost back! I can’t wait to plop myself down in front of the tv for hours on end.
Now it’s time to discuss my 5 biggest takeaways from the Packers preseason. If you have a takeaway I didn’t share feel free to leave it in the comments section. I always enjoy hearing your guys' insights.
1. Romeo Doubs Has Massive Potential
As I wrote about a few weeks ago, the Romeo Doubs Hype Train is not slowing down.
Packers 2nd round rookie Christian Watson missed the first few weeks of training camp with a knee injury which left the door wide open for Romeo Doubs.
He burst onto the scene. Report after report coming out of Packer’s camp was that Romeo Doubs was making big plays consistently. Considering Doubs was drafted in the fourth round I didn’t expect him to find so much success as quickly as he did. Good job Brian Gutekunst. It looks like you found another hidden gem.
Let’s take a look at his preseason.
3 games, 15 targets, 8 receptions, 82yds 2 tds, 3 drops
Played in 74 snaps, 83.7% of his snaps on the outside (Per PFF)
Those stats may not jump off of the page but Doubs performance certainly did. The man gets open consistently. If you think you can keep him in front of you, good luck. He’s got the speed and the footwork to get past the best of the best. We saw it in the clip that got leaked from Packer’s practice when Doubs burned Eric Stokes in 1v1s. Eric Stokes runs a 4.25 40…
Just wait till it’s Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball once the regular season starts. If you can get open consistently Aaron is going to find you. Let’s hope Doubs success can carry into the regular season. I see no reason why it won’t. He did experience some issues dropping the ball, but I think he will be able to clean it up. He is still a young rookie. Mistakes will be made from time to time. Doubs’ future is looking bright.
2. Special Teams Still Struggling
This off-season the Packers brought in special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia from the Raiders. The expectation was that he would correct all of the issues that have been facing the Packers on special teams the past few years.
So far this preseason the Packers have been graded as the 31st special teams unit in the NFL (Per PFF).
If we look at the final preseason game vs the Chiefs this is how things went (from packersnews.com)
Punt unit: 6 punts, Chiefs totaled 118 return yards and averaged 19.7yds per return
On 2 kick returns the Chiefs averaged 31yds per return
Packers kickoff return: 4 kicks returned for avg of 14 yards
That is a little concerning. It is only the preseason, so hopefully things will be cleaned up once the season starts. Matt Lafluer mentioned that many different guys were being used on the unit. Once the season starts the Packers best special teams unit will be on the field. I’m crossing my fingers that those guys will get the job done. It’s only the preseason so I’m not super concerned (yet). Just a little concerned…
3. Jordan Love Is Much Better Than Last Year
There is one thing that I wanted to see from Jordan Love this preseason: improvement. There is no doubt he is much farther ahead than where he was last year. Aaron Rodgers recently called him a “master of the offense” and Matt Lafleur has noted just how much more control of the offense Jordan Love has this year.
His stats didn’t look amazing this preseason but they don’t tell the whole story. Yes there is much more room for him to improve. But seeing how far he’s come from year 2 to year 3 gives me lots of excitement for the growth that will happen from year 3 to year 4. Jordan Love is in the best possible situation for the future of his career sitting behind Aaron Rodgers. Giving up on Jordan Love right now is like complaining that a burger is bad when it’s half way done cooking.
4. The Packer’s Inside Linebacker group is DEEP
If you would have told me just two years ago that the Packers would soon have one of the best inside linebacker groups in the NFL I would've thought you were crazy. Now this may be a reality.
De’vondre Campbell. Quay Walker. OOOOOOHHHHH.
If you can tell I’m excited.
I am still perplexed that De’vondre Campbell was signed for just 2 million dollars last off-season. Now he is one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
Then the Packers said you know what? How about we double down and take one of the best inside linebackers in the draft in the first round.
Now there are basically two De’vondre Campbell’s on defense. Both 6’4 with great length and speed. Two guys who can fly from sideline to sideline. I can’t wait to watch the Packers defense this year.
This preseason we also witnessed the jump that MLB Isaiah Mcduffie looks to be taking after not making much noise his rookie year. He’s clearly improved. And Krys Banres is still a very solid linebacker as well. This group is deep.
5. Amari Rodgers May Be Used In The Running Game
Coming into his first year in 2021 being a 3rd round draft pick there was a hope that Amari Rodgers could make an impact his first year. This didn’t happen. He had 4 receptions for 45 yards in all of 2021.
Part of this had to do with the fact that the Packers brought back Randall Cobb who mainly plays in the slot. When the Packers drafted Amari Rodgers no one expected Randall Cobb to be making his way back to Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers made it apparent that for him to return to Green Bay one of the things he wanted was for Randall Cobb to make a return. I was pumped that we brought Cobb back. But for Amari Rodgers it meant a lot less opportunity.
Randall Cobb is still here, but Amari Rodgers looks like he has made some improvements compared to last year. He lost weight to get in much better shape and he looks more explosive with the ball in his hands.
This preseason the Packers used Amari Rodgers in the running game 6 different times. He averaged 6 yards per carry. Now in only 3 games that’s not a ton, but this could be something the Packers are planning on utilizing once the regular season starts. We know that Matt Lafleur loves those gadget players on offense who can be used in many different ways.
That is all for today. Week 1 vs the Vikings is right around the corner. If you want to be sent these articles the second I put them out make sure to become a subscriber down below and enter your email. I will be writing multiple articles/newsletters throughout the week. Have a great day everybody.
I wonder is some guys want to be cut because they have contacts with other teams where they might get a better shot at playing... Like Goodson - maybe another team contacted him and told him he'd get a better chance at more playing time?
Great insights!