A tale of three receivers - LaFell, Gettis, Greg Jennings

[blackcatgrowl]

We keep hearing on the radio "Steve Smith still has it, but we've not found that #2 guy in our WR corp."

There's a thread in here right now that says "Who wants to see Armanti Edwards lining up @ #2 WR?"

After listening to Steve Smith's conference call earlier, he mentioned that he would like to play as long as Donald Driver for the Packers has and be as capable as he still is. This made me rethink the WR perspective a little. With a capable QB starting for us now, we may have all the WR help we need. How so?

If you watch every minute of the video in this thread, you might notice something:

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/68044-inside-the-numbers-24-37-422-yds-2-td-1-int-video.html

(Credit to Tarheels23)

Brandon LaFell actually made a few bigtime catches, and the misses weren't catchable (in fact, I think he only missed one).

So I got looking at Green Bay's star receiver Greg Jennings. He's had an awesome career going into his 5th season having been to the Pro Bowl and helping get his team to the Super Bowl and win it.

And lo and behold... his first year numbers are strikingly similar to Gettis and LaFell's

Jennings:

2006 / 11 starts / 45 Receptions / 632 yards / Avg. 14 yds / 3 TDs.

Gettis:

2010 / 13 starts / 37 Receptions / 508 yards / Avg. 13.7 yds / 3 TDs.

LaFell:

2010 / 2 starts / 38 Receptions / 468 yards / Avg. 12 yds / 1 TD.

All three of these receivers had a commonality in the fact they were playing behind a veteran WR their first year. Donald Driver had 1295 yards and 8 TDs in 2006, while Steve Smith was the #1 starter most of the year last year for us.

But what they don't have in common... Brett Favre had an Ok year in 2006 and was way better than Clausen was last year.

When Aaron Rodgers took over for the Packers, Greg Jenning's numbers started to explode. Once Gettis is back, with a year under his belt, and two under LaFell's with Newton throwing to these cats... I think our passing game has the potential to be one of the most potent in the NFL. And we don't need to go crazy picking up or releasing receivers either.

[YoungPanthers89]

everytime i see greg jennings the only thing i can think of is

[pdandy1994]

I agree with your potent passing game. I think Gettis has potential to be great. I think Lafell has potential to be a very solid WR..maybe not a deep threat but a good solid reciever. Not saying Armanti is a Steve Smith cause there will NEVER be another Smith, but he can be our quick guy, etc.

Damn I wish Gettis hadn't gotten injured.

[NCstoner420]

Long read but good read. We are at that point where we're not sure what we have at WR, I think we will have to let the year play out a bit more before we hit this topic.

[Mr ocho nueve]

LaFell has been quietly outplayed any competition for the number 2 spot. It would be interesting with Gettis around, but he is leaps and bounds above everyone else.

[mav1234]

what I got out of this post:

when lafell breaks his leg and still runs 90 yards for a touchdown, then we'll finally have a #2 receiver opposite steve smith.

on a serious note, I think losing gettis was a big blow, but this offense utilizes the tight end in such a way it minimized the need for a "true #2."

[mav1234]

also I think losing gettis was a big blow, but this offense utilizes the tight end in such a way it minimized the need for a "true #2."

[lightsout]

Veeeeeery interesting post. Sadly, have to wait and see.

[cbarrier90]

Can LaFell or Gettis put the team on their back, doe?

[Fiz]

related, here's a big article on Jennings' approach to the game

http://www.jsonline.mobi/more/sports/packers/129300743.htm

Jennings scrutinizes schemes, cornerbacks and safeties. There are no surprise-free games on offense with the clever NFL defenses of today, but Jennings does his best to minimize the unexpected.

Part of his motivation is self-preservation. From his perspective, the next wide receiver that gets cold-cocked in the secondary is the next example of a wide receiver who didn't do his homework.

"By studying, it eliminates a lot of blowup hits," said Jennings. "(Fear) really doesn't come into play too much. If you're in the slot and you're going across the middle, it takes time for you to get that out of your mind. That's when you really, really want to increase your study so you kind of have a feel for where defenders are going to be.

"When I do my part, in that way Aaron (Rodgers) and I are on the same page. I'm not going to run into that blowup shot and you better not throw me into that blowup shot."

[ed bell]

History is full of average WR's turned into great WR's by elite QB's.....probably just as many great wide receivers have slowly turned into average players by crappy QB's. This is a huge part of why football is a team sport.

We've suffered through some really tough years at QB around here. It's gong to be very interesting to see how all this youth develops with Cam. It's already like night and day with Steve Smith. His enthusiasm has gone through the roof and it's gong to be contagious. What a difference from the disgruntled, trade me picture painted by the media before the draft and the overall gloom of last year's season......remarkable.

[Davidson Deac II]

Can LaFell or Gettis put the team on their back, doe?

No, and neither can any other receiver in the league.

[Jackofalltrades]

It would be nice if one or two of these guys would step up and become legitimate threats, that way we can concentrate on other needs come April, like CB, OL and whatever else pops up this year.

[blackcatgrowl]

It would be nice if one or two of these guys would step up and become legitimate threats, that way we can concentrate on other needs come April, like CB, OL and whatever else pops up this year.

We've got 15 games to let LaFell play out. I'm watching with interest.

I think Gettis was ready. Had he not gotten injured, I think we would have been seeing something crazy breaking out this year.