The Green Bay Packers appear to have one of – if not the – best group of wideouts/tight ends in the entire league.
Still, there are two very interesting battles that will be taking place in this group in camp. They are the last two battles we will be focusing on before we officially kick off our camp coverage.
(Yes, yes, I am aware that camp has already started. The Packers are only three practices in, though, and we’ll definitely discuss what’s gone on so far in a little bit. Adam was moving this weekend and I was among those who helped so it made for a busy time. Then, let’s just say Saturday night involved newly invented drinks known as Adam-ritas and Lempy-ritas. If you want the recipe, email us at olbagofdonuts@gmail.com. As always, don’t drink until you’re 21 and make sure to be responsible).
No. 3 wide receiver
The combatants: Jordy Nelson (24 years old, 6-feet, 3-inches, 217 pounds, second NFL season), James Jones (25 years old, 6-feet, 1-inch, 218 pounds, third NFL season)
In Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, Green Bay already has its top two receivers set for this season.
The battle for the No. 3 spot should be one of the best in camp. There also added incentive for the winner in that he will have the inside track at lining up opposite Jennings in 2010 in the event this is Driver’s last year in Green Bay.
Nelson was solid as a rookie last season, recording 33 catches for 366 yards and two touchdowns. He has good hands, runs solid routes and seems to have nice chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. However, Nelson doesn’t appear to have a high ceiling. He could become a very nice No. 2 option, but a Pro Bowler? I have my doubts.
Jones – who has averaged 14. 2 yards per catch over his first two seasons – likely has more upside than does Nelson, but there are also plenty of question marks surrounding him. Can he stay healthy? Can he cut down on his drops? Can he avoid fumbles?
If he clears these things up, he has potential to become a big-time playmaker for a long time.
As of now, I think Nelson will win the job. He’s far more consistent than Jones. If Jones takes care of the things he needs to, though, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him surpass Nelson.
Tight end
The combatants: Donald Lee (28 years old, 6-feet, 4-inches, 248 pounds, seventh NFL season), Jermichael Finley (22 years old, 6-feet, 5-inches, 247 pounds, second NFL season)
It’s no secret that tight ends are key in the West Coast offense and the Packers appear to have talent and depth at the position.
To some, it would seem that Lee has the starting position locked down. He’s been the starter the for most of the past two seasons and has posted decent numbers in that time (87 catches, 878 yards, 11 touchdowns). He’s a solid player, no question about it.
However, Rodgers didn’t look for Lee as much as Judas did (Lee caught nine less passes and had 272 less yards last season, for example). There could be any number of reasons for that, but the fact remains that he didn’t.
Then there’s Finley, a freak of nature in terms of physical abilities (and, you heard it here first, a big-time fantasy steal. You can probably even get him in last round of your draft). To me, he could become an Antonio Gates-type difference maker in time. Towards the end of the last season, the Packers were even lining him up at wideout at times and you should see that again this year.
But Finley is also very raw. He played just two seasons at Texas and needs to learn the pro game. He also needs to become more of a professional, as seen in his immature criticizing of the play calling last season.
In the end, Lee probably holds down the job for the start of the season. By the end of the year, though, the job will be Finley’s and he will hold it for a long time to come.
-Chris Lempesis
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