Cory's Corner: Don't Doubt These Wideouts
The excuses for this group seems endless, but they continue to showcase their talents and versatility.
Remember when the Packers had to go get a receiver because the depth and talent weren’t any good?
I remember when I was aboard that train. As soon as Davante Adams was traded, momentum continued to build until it couldn’t be stopped. Everyone kept saying the same thing, “These receivers aren’t experienced. They cannot be trusted. What are they going to do?”
The Packers are still not experienced with not one older than 25 and not one wideout has played more than one NFL season.
But you cannot call this team a weakness. Oh no. Last year, I was very impressed with what I saw from Christian Watson. Of course, everyone is going to point to the first pro pass that was thrown his way — which was regrettably dropped. But what really impressed me about Watson was how he responded to that. He didn’t sulk after that would-be touchdown was dropped, he just put his head down and got better.
Romeo Doubs showed off bouts of electricity with a 63 percent catch percentage. Finally, sprinkle in rookies Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath. Reed can literally play anywhere and will drive opposing defenses nuts. Wicks seems to catch anything thrown his way in traffic and Heath is daring anyone to remove the Bay Beach-sized chip on his shoulder.
So you can underestimate if you want, but you’d be way off base. This receiver unit is on the cusp of doing great things. And if you don’t think Jordan Love will trust anyone from this group, he has already trusted the three rookies listed above plenty in the preseason and all three passed the trust test.
The fact that Love is willing to offer trust speaks volumes. So, the next question is, what this group is going to do. This group is going to be dynamic. It won’t just be deep bombs, but it will be intermediate slants, shallow toe-tapping out patterns and perhaps even an unguardable back-shoulder fade. But it won’t just be through the air, but this group can eat up yards on the ground with jet sweeps or reverses as well.
This group is like an orchestra, but instead of only playing Mozart, it dabbles in Beethoven, Vivaldi and J.S. Bach. It has the ability and the range to do so many different things and it shouldn’t be pigeonholed into just one.
And that’s why this wide receiver group is going to be so good — it’s because it can beat you in so many ways. That’s the perfect offensive equation.
So, if you have to doubt these guys, go ahead. But just remember, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.
Dontayvion Wicks averaged nearly 19 yards per catch during his college career...
The man is a big play waiting to happen. pic.twitter.com/REP6jDNHey
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) April 30, 2023
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (44)
stockholder
August 26, 2023 at 07:09 am
Gone are the days of J'mon Moore, Shepard,Kumerow, T. Davis, and Lazard. Etc.
Speed and separation has come to Green Bay.
But of all the names mentioned; Why is Toure always shunned?
Is their whispers of performance enhancers? Domestic problems? What?
Nobody is giving him chance. Or are 7th rd. Picks just suppose to practice?
Trust was a word that went with Rodgers. Favre just threw to the open WR.
We need to trust Love’s ability first; before this group can be called dynamic.
And the drafting of new Tes must be part of the orchestra.
I’m not doubting the Wrs want to be good. The money is the incentive.
But before you point to favorites. I have to point to Love first.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 26, 2023 at 08:12 am
It's ok with me if Simore Toure flies under the radar for a bit, especially if it's because he's established and there's so much excitement about other players most of whom are depth pieces. Toure has come up with some nice plays, and profiles to have a very good career in this league. 4.43 40 makes him the fastest WR on the roster after Bo Melton, Christian Watson, and Cody Chrest. He's not a direct replacement for #9, we don't have anybody like that; he IS a usable utility WR for the "do it all" role though. Yes, that should drive opposing defenses nuts! How does a DC game plan for *that?*
We've got so many weapons that excel in a certain role, if opponents can get a one on one matchup they like they may feel they can contain individual players. Good luck fending off the whole team though! Toure adds quite a bit to this team that's very hard to account for.
I think one of MLF's strengths is scheming people open; hopefully he proves that this season. I remember when his scripted opening drives WORKED.
13TimeChamps
August 26, 2023 at 09:24 am
"Favre just threw to the open WR."
And a lot of the time to the open DB.
Turophile
August 26, 2023 at 09:50 am
Toure hasn't really been shunned.............but he has been overtaken by Malik Heath.
I expect 6 receivers on the squad after cutdown, Doubs, Watson, Reed, Heath, Wicks, Toure. One reason Toure makes it, is because he is the most likely backup to Reed, if he should get hurt.
DuBose and one of Chrest, Melton, Watts, Miller, Bonds go on the PS - maybe three WRs make it to the PS, but I'm predicting 2.
stockholder
August 26, 2023 at 12:59 pm
Can't judge Heath yet.
Pre season stats are pre- season.
It's who practices with the first team.
I do have him at 6. Agree with your Ps.
LLCHESTY
August 26, 2023 at 01:56 pm
Wrong again.
NickPerry
August 26, 2023 at 07:12 am
"This receiver unit is on the cusp of doing great things. And if you don’t think Jordan Love will trust anyone from this group, he has already trusted the three rookies listed above plenty in the preseason and all three passed the trust test."
I honestly believe this too. I think this receiver unit is on the cusp. Gute has drafted a GROUP of WRs who can all do different things really well. Watson can run by anyone and as he becomes better and better he could run through you if he had to. Doubs IMO will lead this team in receptions. He'll be the "Money" guy, the one Love will lean on at least initially for a first down. But Reed is the one I'm REALLY excited about. IMO Reed is the perfect complement to Watson and Doubs. Wicks, Heath, and Toure are all Gravy and will all contribute. That's without even mentioning Musgrave and Kraft.
The best part about this though is that word TRUST. It drove me crazy to watch Rodgers IGNORE wide open receivers because he didn't trust them. That's NOT gong to be an issue with this bunch. Neither will the middle of the field. I can't wait to watch this team actually USE that huge chunk of grass between the numbers... What a concept.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 26, 2023 at 08:16 am
NP,
all that and the running game too! As well as receiving prowess from our RBs. I just hope they don't try to do too much too soon; MLF can keep a good but under wraps offense to surprise teams with later in the season. It'll be interesting to watch how he steers this ship ...
HawkPacker
August 26, 2023 at 11:21 am
And don't forget about our TE's.
Oppy
August 26, 2023 at 09:31 am
"The best part about this though is that word TRUST. It drove me crazy to watch Rodgers IGNORE wide open receivers because he didn't trust them. That's NOT gong to be an issue with this bunch. Neither will the middle of the field. I can't wait to watch this team actually USE that huge chunk of grass between the numbers... What a concept."
Welcome, friend, to the side of the Packers fan continuum where rational thought prevails. A few of us have been here for years, and we've kept a warm spot by the fire for you. There's room for everbody.. tell your friends.
I think we're going to get a lot more visitors now that the oppressive, gloomy fog of "the GOAT" has risen from Green Bay and settled far east of here.. visibility has now increased.
greengold
August 26, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Oppy, that trust issue cannot be overstated! My guess is we’ll be seeing a negative turned into a positive before our very eyes.
Kind of a “no man left behind,” vibe.
I think Jordan Love’s greatest quality he brings to this Packers team is his unshakable maturity & integrity.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 26, 2023 at 01:40 pm
GG, there's something to be said for going for the open man, too. With TEs making plays 8-11 yards it's hard to justify going for a long pass; beautiful throw to #9 right near the goal line, Watson did everything right, their double team just steamrolled him out of the play and legally, too.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 26, 2023 at 08:24 pm
I agree wholeheartedly Oppy!
mrtundra
August 26, 2023 at 07:25 am
I think Wicks, Heath and DuBose will do nice things for the Packers, as well as what Watson, Doubs, Toure and Reed will do. I think we may have DuBose start out on the PS, but will eventually make his way onto the 53. The kid can catch contested passes as well as Reed can. A 7th Round gem! GO PACK, GO!!!
Coldworld
August 26, 2023 at 07:58 am
It will be interesting to see how they handle DuBose today. I like what I’ve heard about him and the few clips from practice, but he’s not beating out Heath. I don’t think he will make the roster, simply not enough room for a 7th rounder who has barely practiced. If that’s the team’s view and they really like his potential, then they may well hide him today.
The most we have kept on a roster is 7, but that’s typically 6 + a returner. This year we might see a TE (Musgrave) end up running the 3rd or 4th most WR routes.
So, take 7, subtract the returner because that’s Nixon (a DB), Reed and backed up by Toure. We don’t need a depth WR for that. Then remove one to reflect that one our top WR snap getters will be a TE. That makes 5.
One of those 5 is going to be the guy that if anyone goes down on game day, can step in without all the starters having to switch to non preferred roles. He has to be able to play every role. They’re only one candidate for that, Toure, who has been moving all over the playbook all camp and has a year in the system at least. The next one, ideally, is a guy who is both ready to play and could come in for specific packages/situations and bring something different, as well as injury. To me that’s got to be Heath.
There’s no guarantee 5 are active on any given game day, as long as Musgrave is, but 5 is doable. Six will not be absent STs. Only Melton has played significant STs and he seemingly wasn’t a fixture (if he is seen as one he might change the thinking here for that reason). That means the rest are depth.
Depth usually sits on the PS. This spots go to other positions and ST contributors. The exception is if a player has such a high draft profile. The highest draft position here is our second pick, late 5th, Wicks. 5th rounders to the PS isn’t rare, but it is possible that it’s enough to persuade Gute to roster him. The rest will breeze through to the PS. They will only play if there is injury or other significant development during the season. They can be elevated thrice and permanently promoted if needed. That’s no ding in their upside, just how things work with modern PS rules and the realities of game day active numbers.
SicSemperTyrannis
August 26, 2023 at 08:19 am
DuBose and Wicks aren't burners, they both have a 40 at 4.57, almost identical to #17Te at 4.56. That's proven to at least have the potential for success in this league.
I do hope they manage to keep Bo Melton, his 4.34 may prove useful sometime. Even if he needs a year to develop on the PS.
WD
August 27, 2023 at 07:19 am
It seems all the posts are ASSUMING the Packers are going to keep seven receivers. There is going to be some tough choices that need to be made soon.
egbertsouse
August 26, 2023 at 07:46 am
Wow, six HOFers on one team! I would advise pumping the brakes but I think the brake lines have been cut .
Coach Cleve Steamer
August 26, 2023 at 08:02 am
BS. ‘The excuses for this group seems endless, but they continue to showcase their talents and versatility.” Endless? I didn’t see any excuses beyond youth and inexperience as a pro which obviously goes with being young. Most of us have been excited by their speed, skill, and attitude. Nothing to argue about here. Maybe a few quotes from the talking heads would support your “endless excuses argument? No sale, Buddy.
Johnblood27
August 26, 2023 at 08:33 am
Becca, make yourself a sandwich!
You played the 'gotcha' card on Corey and you are right on. Nice catch.
greengold
August 26, 2023 at 09:37 am
JB! Welcome back! Been wondering where you were. Hope you had a great break!
Yeah. Gutekunst stacked the WR unit with the best talents he could find, and looks from far and away to have done a better than average job. All the bantering is minutiae.
Everyone knows time will tell.
Tip of the hat, Rebecca!
Johnblood27
August 27, 2023 at 07:41 am
I have been fishing in Alaska for 2.5 weeks!
The fish are now safe.
Time to hunt for bares... GPG!
Since'61
August 26, 2023 at 08:22 am
I too think that this will be a good receiving group but it will take time. No one in the WR group has played a full NLF season including Watson and Doubs who both missed games in 2022 with injuries. More importantly we read about dropped passes in every post practice TC report. That needs to get better, much better based on what we have been reading.
I believe that it will improve as the season progresses but we need to see that happen or we will have a repeat of the J'mon Moore, ESB, MVS and Lazard days. All of those guys dropped too many passes and they have yet to establish themselves as premier or elite receivers in the league. I don't even know if Moore is still in the league.
We have yet to see who will make the final 53 for 2023. Watson, Doubs, Reed are locks IMO. Then I believe that Toure, Heath and Wicks will make it assuming the Packers keep 6 WRs. If not I don't know who among those 3 will go to the PS probably along with Melton. We'll know by Tuesday.
However, like Love, this receiving group still needs time to get in sync with Love during regular season games and they need to catch the ball. Good speed and blocking are critical traits for receivers to have but they are meaningless if the receivers don't have good hands. Catch the ball first and foremost then the other characteristics make them special.
Dropped passes kill drives. Passes that go off a receiver's hands get picked which is worse that a drop.
These guys are going to make plays but they are also going to make mistakes and they will need time to learn how to play against first team NFL DBs as opposed to preseason 2s, 3s and 4s which is mostly what they have been facing in 2023.
BTW, the comparison of an NFL team with an orchestra is not even close. There is a huge difference between the number of hours that professional musicians practice and prepare for a performance compared with NFL players preparing for a game or even in TC. Quite frankly the quality of play in the NFL is nowhere near the quality of a professional symphony orchestra. MY daughter is a violinist for the New York Philharmonic and she practices more hours in a day than NFL players practice in a week. Unlike the NFL where mistakes happen on nearly every play mistakes cannot happen in a professional orchestra performance.
The level of dedication and professionalism in a performing art puts the NFL to shame and it shows in the performances. And in the NFL the quality of play and professionalism has been declining for decades and continues to decline game by game week by week. The NFL has reached a point where a better comparison would be with "professional" wrestling. Thanks, Since '61
Johnblood27
August 26, 2023 at 08:36 am
Brock Lesner disagrees with you...
Since'61
August 26, 2023 at 09:22 am
LOL Johnblood27! Thanks, Since '61
SicSemperTyrannis
August 26, 2023 at 02:14 pm
61,
just today I read HC Sean Peyton "put his WR room on notice" by saying receivers are paid to catch the ball. It's pretty simple.
I first got paid to play in an orchestra pit at age 11, spot on with the comparison. And congrats on your daughter! The orchestral world has not yet recovered from lockdown, but the NY Philharmonic is probably ahead of that curve.
Since'61
August 26, 2023 at 04:04 pm
I appreciate your comment SicSemperTyrannis. You certainly started early as a professional if you were getting paid at age 11. You must be an exceptional talent. I hope that you stayed with your music career.
Great music brings people together. Whether it's classical, jazz, rock and roll, blues, rap, etc. The orchestral world will fully recover in time.
Like Sean Peyton, Vince Lombardi told his receivers " You are paid to do exactly one thing, catch the ball! Both are correct. Running a perfect route and/or getting separation is meaningless if the receiver drops the pass. The same is true if they throw a block during a running play. It doesn't make up for dropping a pass. Catch the ball, the rest are just nice to have. Thanks, Since '61
WD
August 27, 2023 at 07:56 am
Since '61, I agree with everything on your post concerning the Packers. However, I think you took the orchestra comparison a tad bit out of context. I do not believe professional musicians put NFL players "to shame" It is fair to say that BOTH a professional musician AND a professional athlete requires discipline, devotion and hard work to develop their respective skills. Both need to go into fanatic stages of practice and discipline to succeed. Moreover both are highly competitive. That said, there are a lot of "starving artists" out there. I give a tip of the hat to anyone who can even make a living playing music.
DragonSilk
August 26, 2023 at 08:56 am
I was on that train too, until they drafted Reed. I had tremendous respect for him last year and that's a lot for a Wolverine fan to admit. There will be times when the lack of experience will show up, but with amount of talent in the receiver group it will pay off big time to keep them on the field. They should jell sometime in the second half of the season and could become the very best group in the league.
Doug_In_Sandpoint
August 26, 2023 at 09:22 am
The WR corps will grace the cover of Sports Illustrated this time next year. And we will win the Super Bowl. And we will go undefeated.
greengold
August 26, 2023 at 09:42 am
Doug in Sandpoint, ladies & gentlemen! Let’s give it up for him!
APPLAUSE
LFG GPG AGNFB
Doug_In_Sandpoint
August 26, 2023 at 10:31 am
I do what I can…
SicSemperTyrannis
August 26, 2023 at 02:16 pm
Chuck Norris enters the chat
LLCHESTY
August 26, 2023 at 01:59 pm
What the hell, it's the weekend. I'll have what he's having. I've got tomorrow to recover.
ReaganRulz
August 26, 2023 at 09:42 am
Love the article. And the classical orchestra is fine but would much prefer to sprinkle in some Five Finger Death Punch or Metallica for you old timers!! I can see some headbanging-Heath and reckless abandon-Watson!! Should be fun to watch!!
LambeauPlain
August 26, 2023 at 10:35 am
Cue AC/DC's Thunderstruck!
greengold
August 26, 2023 at 11:12 am
Que, Wayne & Garth!!!
SicSemperTyrannis
August 26, 2023 at 02:17 pm
Lol Metallica is not old timers.
LeotisHarris
August 26, 2023 at 05:57 pm
They're all 60 years old. Okay, so Lars is 59. Life comes at ya fast.
GregC
August 26, 2023 at 10:40 am
This article is a bit over-the-top, but that's what Cory is here for I guess. I DO like this receiver group, and having Luke Musgrave on the field with them adds a lot of possibilities. Dontayvion Wicks looked really good in his limited preseason action, and I'm eager to see more. The highlight reel is impressive, especially the contested catches. Does that QB really have such an awkward throwing motion, or is it just an optical illusion because he's left-handed?
NickPerry
August 26, 2023 at 04:05 pm
This group WILL surprise a lot of people. It will take a minute to really get going but by week 10 or so I expect to see an offense that has taken big strides compared to week one against the Bears.
LambeauPlain
August 26, 2023 at 10:53 am
After the 3, I think Heath, Wicks if they keep 5 (doubtful), add Toure if 6 (likely).
Subject to change after the first cutdowns...then the roster maneuvering begins. Gutey is nimble doing it.
If Gutey's Board of FA's has a highly rated TE, S, and/or ILB, I expect some shuffling.
The middle of the field is back on the menu...Heath has the size to perform there and has shown he can with his route running, crowd catching and strong hands. Very natural receiver. Plucks the ball.
Wicks could be a diamond in the rough if he plays like he did at VA two years ago.
Toure has the outside speed and showed his commitment by showing up ready to roll. As a coach, I would love that! Great example and role model for rookies on how you do it.
Ferrari-Driver
August 26, 2023 at 11:08 am
Cory Quote: This group is like an orchestra, but instead of only playing Mozart, it dabbles in Beethoven, Vivaldi and J.S. Bach. It has the ability and the range to do so many different things and it shouldn’t be pigeonholed into just one.
Sounds like me the time I went fishing with my brother in Canada and I almost landed one of the biggest lake trout fish you NEVER saw. You'd be surprised at how much that fish has grown over the years...IF ONLY I HAD SET THAT DARN HOOK.
GatorJason
August 27, 2023 at 12:04 am
Packers WR List:
1A Christian Watson: Biggest/fastest WR threat.
1B Romeo Doubs: Fast, elusive, most refined WR.
1C Jayden Reed: Best slot. Quickest & Reliable.
2A Malik Heath: Great hands. Physical & Reliable.
2B Dontayvion Wicks: Elusive, smooth route runner.
2C Grant Dubose: Dynamic. Big play potential.
======== Cut line ==========================
3A Samori Toure: Experienced backup in GB.
3B Jadakis Bonds: Great size, great potential.
3C Cody Chrest: Great speed. Raw.
4A Dre Miller: Intriguing size. Physical.
4B Bo Melton: Great speed but looks/plays small.
4C Duece Watts: Good ST but JAG
Packers may cut Samori Toure with low risk of losing him. Then after 53 is set, IR Wicks and put Toure back on 53. Bonds is only other clear PS WR but GB may keep three depending on what skill sets they value the most.