Jeff Janis: 2015 Packers Player Report Card

Jeff Janis

  • Age: 24
  • Ht./Wt: 6'3", 219lbs
  • College: Saginaw Valley State
  • NFL Experience: 2 years

Career stats and more

Expectations coming into the season:  He was virtually invisible in 2014 with only two receptions for 16 yards. Heck, he only played in three games. But there was a glimmer because he showed off his speed in training camp and it appeared that his role was about to be on the rise. 

Player’s highlights/low-lights: Obviously his best game was the one where prayers were answered. Janis caught not one but two Hail Marys in the NFC Divisional Playoff loss to Arizona en route to seven catches, 145 yards and two touchdowns. Before that game? He had two catches combined all season. 

Level of Expectations met:  His route running never seemed to get off the bottom floor and at times he appeared to be aloof. However, he did maintain a 24.8 yard kick return average.

Grade: C+

Player’s contributions to team success:  His two Hail Mary catches were amazing. He proved that he can be a receiver in this league by getting downfield, finding an opening and fighting for the ball. However, his small sample size was his biggest defender.

Grade: C+

Player’s contributions in the playoffs:  As was mentioned before, seven catches on 11 targets for 145 yards and two touchdowns raised a lot of eyebrows. Because Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery were injured, he was forced into action and he didn't disappoint. 

Grade: B

Intangibles/misc: Janis is an intriguing case study. He was called out all season by head coach Mike McCarthy or Aaron Rodgers. His route running was poor, but after the NFC Divisional Playoff, it was clear that Janis could play and was being vastly underutilized. His straight-line speed could be parlayed into a bevy of deep routes in order to open things up underneath. He is one of the fastest people on the team and his ability to fight for the ball is something the coaches can use more. But the enduring question remains: Does Rodgers trust him? Stay tuned. 

Grade: B-

 

Overall Grade:  B-

 

 

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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 (30)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
TarynsEyes's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:14 am

" Does Rodgers trust him? "
As huge a value of Rodgers trusting his receivers and not discounting the injury issue etc at the position, perhaps the question can be posed from the flip side more than anyone would have deemed plausible...Can we fully trust Rodgers to the same level still?

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SpudRapids's picture

February 10, 2016 at 12:40 pm

You can go ahead and not trust Rodgers, a 2 time MVP. I will, however.

Also, this whole "trust" thing seems to be a fabrication of the media. I've never heard Rodgers or anyone for that matter actually come out and say there is a trust issue. As far as I'm concerned, Rodgers knows the offense better than anyone. He has time and time again recalled plays from his career with incredible detail. If Janis isn't in the right place and not correctly running his routes I'm all for keeping him off the field. The windows to throw through in the NFL are tight, if Janis runs a route to shallow it could result in a pick or incompletion. If he runs the route too deep the same thing could happen. Why do we have to feel like our Sunday couch viewership grants us some sort of valid insight into this. I don't understand why we think we know more than the coaches and players who are in the profession.

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lou's picture

February 11, 2016 at 02:28 pm

The kid had the best game of any Packer receiver all season in the BIGGEST GAME of the year and you are "all for keeping him off the field". You are on the wrong couch, you need to be on a psychiartrist couch.

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lou's picture

February 12, 2016 at 11:53 am

In regards to your comments that an MVP QB and Super Bowl winning head coach are right note the following;

The professionals that cover the Packers for a living from the Journal/Sentinel, Press Gazette, ESPN, and Fox Sports WI in their season ending analysis were in total agreement, here is there unified analysis (para phrased), "No matter if the perceived issues with Janis route running were real or not based on the overall failure of the Packers WR corps he should have been on the field much sooner." In other words believe it or not, Rodgers and McCarthy were WRONG.

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Lphill's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:17 am

Coach this kid up this off season and watch out for him in 2016 . He has the tools just needs to sharpen his skills.

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kramolev's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:31 am

No mention of special teams play?

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:34 am

Kick return average is not special teams play? But I agree, there were times when he looked great as a gunner. Is not mentioned in the write-up.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:34 am

While Janis wasn't ready to be used full time, they should have found a way to use him more. Its something that I as well as many other fans have said for most of the season.

In the 2 games he had extensive playing time in he had 2 big games. I just don't get how they couldn't find ways to use him.

Hopefully the last game will give him the confidence needed to know that he can play and play well in this league. Hopefully he will spend the off season fully mastering the offense so he can get on the field more next year.

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BELIEVER's picture

February 10, 2016 at 08:58 pm

I believe Janis has the confidence to play and play well. He has stepped up every time. I wonder who is calling the shots, MM or Rodgers. It has to be MM.

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kramolev's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:37 am

No mention of special teams play?

His his work as gunner in play offs was impressive

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lou's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:55 am

He was a great gunner, his ability coupled with Banjo's allowed a mediocre punter to set the record for net return yardage in Packer's history, THAT SAYS SOMETHING. How that was not factored into his grade is puzzling.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 11, 2016 at 08:29 am

Excellent point.

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:47 am

"But the enduring question remains: Does Rodgers trust him?" And there is the crux, Cory. If the only WRs that play are the ones that Rodgers trusts, then the team will be stuck with underperforming guys like Adams.
For all the talk about 'next man up' in the NFL, and for all the talk about 'accountability and availability' by the HC, it is amazing that a guy who is lightning fast and fights for the ball (not Adams' qualities), and can obviously play in the league, didn't play more.

Did anybody ever hear Brady or Manning say they 'need to trust the WR'? I think it is a legitimate question as to Rodgers wants to win period vs wants to win his way, throwing to his guys he trusts. If the latter is the case then I think Rodgers cannot be trusted to be the Packers QB, then he is not really serious about winning. The desperation game in Arizona showed it all - after Cobb went down, and the only 3 healthy WRs were Jones, Abby, and Janis, and he had to throw to them, the overall performance of the WR group was better than in most games with Adams...

Regardless, I think the grade is fair, he can certainly improve his route running - again something a dedicated WR coach could help him with. He is very good on ST, and if given the chance also will make a positive impact playing WR IMHO. Question is whether he will get that chance.

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BELIEVER's picture

February 10, 2016 at 09:01 pm

You hit the nail right on the head. Rodgers needs to concentrate on his play, throw the dam ball.

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zoellner25's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:51 am

Janis has become a stud on Special Teams. If someone can teach him how to run even half the route tree, he can be a great weapon. Time for a WR coach, MM!

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Razer's picture

February 10, 2016 at 12:31 pm

He's had success all his life at WR so he must have some inherent ability to play the position. Apparently, he needs route running insight. GET HIM SOME COACHING HELP. He needs to generate some trust with Rodgers. He needs to practice with Rodgers and the starting receivers if the chemistry needs to be built. As far as I could see, Adams took Janis's practice space and everybody suffered.

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SpudRapids's picture

February 10, 2016 at 12:43 pm

Success at Division 2

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PortlandMark's picture

February 10, 2016 at 11:54 am

I was at the Charger game and thought that game, 2 catches for 79 yards, would mark his breakout. Hopefully the playoff game will be that. If the Packers aren't going play him at WR then they should trade him. He clearly deserves a chance. I just hope it's with the Packers.

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dobber's picture

February 10, 2016 at 12:30 pm

Janis is a lightning rod for conversation. Has tremendous physical gifts, but wasn't getting on the field. He's a local kid around here, and we watched him dominate at SVSU...a man among boys.

Still, if it wasn't for his special teams play and an injury to Montgomery that left Janis returning kicks, it's hard to say how many games he would have been active for this season (at least early on).

He likely put his foot firmly in the door ahead of Abbrederis for a roster spot next year, but will be stuck behind a crowded WR position that features Nelson, Cobb, Adams, and Montgomery. Don't be surprised if the Packers bring in another WR on day 2 of this year's draft to raise the overall level of speed among the WRs. For all we think of Janis and all we hope for him, he's likely to be on the roster bubble again in 2016.

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sheppercheeser's picture

February 10, 2016 at 12:53 pm

Well, if your gonna complain about his shortcomings, perhaps GB outa play to Janis' strengths i.e. his speed, instead of punishing him (and the team and the fans) by ignoring him. And yeah, what about his special teams play? Holy cow, how could you miss THAT?

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arodisgod's picture

February 10, 2016 at 01:00 pm

I think they need to have janis mirror Jody all training camp. Jordy is one of best route runners in the NFL. Janis is jordy jr. Same height same build Janis is faster if he can run similar routes can you even imagine a season with 2 jordies with devante Adams, Randall Cobb, and ty Montgomery in slot. Aaron Rodgers would throw about 60 tds

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Since'61's picture

February 10, 2016 at 03:51 pm

Rodgers will trust anyone who can catch the ball assuming they are where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there. The trust issue is just overblown media hype. Janis has great speed but so does a runaway train. Even in his limited appearances it was clear that his route running was poor. He probably ran poor routes in practice and as a result he didn't get to see the field much in 2015. He was very effective on Special Teams. I give him a B+ for his ST play and a D as a WR. Let's see what happens in 2016. Thanks, Since '61

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DrealynWilliams's picture

February 10, 2016 at 04:25 pm

Anyone want to tell me the difference between the big games Adams had his rookie year vs Janis' last season?

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TarynsEyes's picture

February 10, 2016 at 06:23 pm

The round which each was drafted.

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dobber's picture

February 10, 2016 at 08:17 pm

The other guys on the field with them at the time?

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DrealynWilliams's picture

February 10, 2016 at 08:25 pm

But it seems to be all love lost for Adams and Janis is now the recipient.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 11, 2016 at 01:49 am

I agree essentially with Since '61. I'd give Janis a D- as a WR and a A- as a ST/KR. Janis did not meet expectations as a WR but wildly exceeded them as a ST/KR. The thing is that gunners and KR only get a few plays per game. Contribution to team success is too high, but the playoff grade is about right.

The trust thing is not overblown. It is up to Janis to be where he is supposed to be. Simple as that.

Finally, despite the trust thing above, it is almost criminal that our coaching staff could not eke out 10 snaps a game out of Janis as a WR. For heaven's sake, can't the guy be limited to just running go routes, a stop, and a bubble screen one game, a dig, an in and a go the next game, just to see what he can do with the ball in his hands? Love to see some crossers and posts, but if that is too complex for the guy (too shallow, too deep), so be it - just x it out for the guy.

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egbertsouse's picture

February 11, 2016 at 12:38 pm

It's tough to find playing time for a guy like Janis when you have studs like Dropvante Adams out there playing lights-out.

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4thand10's picture

February 11, 2016 at 12:43 pm

In my mind Janis wasn't Drafted for a major WR role. Our special Teams had sucked for a long time and he was a part of the FIX for that. Just the fact that he can catch footballs is an added bonus, I feel he is capable of being a special teams beast and a solid #4 or 5 WR. I do have a little hope that he can nose his way into the offense more. He is fun to watch.

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sonomaca's picture

February 11, 2016 at 09:11 pm

I can't figure what he did to piss off the brass, but he must have done something. I don't buy the whole route-running story. If the guy takes off deep, he's going to command a corner and safety help. What's more, no corner is going to be able to manhandle him at the line.

It mystifies me as to why the didn't use him until they had absolutely no choice. Did he try to hit on Olivia Munn or something?

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