Packers big offseason re-signees are struggling

So far, Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga haven't played up to their new contracts.

Sticking to his tried and true principles of drafting and developing, Packers general manager Ted Thompson once again eschewed outside free agency and rewarded two players that have come up through the Packers system with fat new contracts this offseason.

Rumors were swirliing that WR Randall Cobb was as good as gone when he signed a 4 year, $40 million deal right before free agency opened in the spring. Tackle Bryan Bulaga inked a 5 year, $33.75 million deal to stay in Green Bay as well.

Through seven games, neither player has lived up to their new contracts.

It'd be silly to suggest that the Packers threw their money down the toilet on either deal when they're only seven games old. But if the Packers are going to get rolling again on offense, their two big re-signees need to start playing up to those deals.

So far, Cobb hasn't taken the reigns of the No. 1 receiver slot followig the injury to Jordy Nelson. Cobb rarely beats his man in one-on-one matchups. Most of his production has come when Rodgers breaks the pocket on sandlot sytle plays, or where Cobb makes a great catch despite being blanketed by a defender.

Bulaga, always susceptible to injury, has missed three games with a bad knee and hasn't looked very nimble when he's played. Don't get me wrong: Bulaga is much better than having Don Barclay out there, but it's safe to say the right tackle hasn't lived up to expectations yet this season.

We can talk about the Packers' scheme. We can talk about their defensive issues and all the injuries. But many of the Packers recent struggles can be cured if Cobb and Bulaga play better.

Thompson's philosophy depends on young players earning that big second contract, then having those players perform up to that contract. Through seven games, it's safe to say Cobb and Bulaga haven't done that.

Health could help Cobb and Bulaga turn things around. Even though he was rarely open against the Broncos, Cobb seemed aggressive with the ball and less protective of his sore shoulder. Bulaga's only a little over a month removed from knee surgery, so perhaps time will boost his mobility.

Or maybe we're seeing two good to very good players just going through a rough stretch. It happens, regardless of when a contract extension is signed.

Whatever the case may be, the Packers need Cobb and Bulaga to play better.

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Comments (25)

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KenEllis's picture

November 02, 2015 at 01:18 pm

I think an even bigger reason for the problems we are seeing is that players like Casey Hayward, Davante Adams, and Richard Rodgers who have "earned" (or been given) starting spots after being high draft picks have not exactly lived up to their billing.

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croatpackfan's picture

November 03, 2015 at 05:31 am

I think that expect from 2nd year players to be saviour of the franchise is little bit to much... They are both good players, but to excell they'll need to work harder and further... Regarding Casey Hayward, I was posting comments here that he is real underperforming CB and he might cost Packers a lot delegated to side... He is DB (or slot CB if you like) not left or right CB. He does not posses skills to play outside well... I got nothing but minuses... I think we will finally see Gunter on Sunday. I think he was pushed aside, but he is not slower than Casey and knows how to play outside and how to perform pressure on the WR... And there will be some mistakes (as Randall did), but the overall result will be better than Casey result is...
Also, Ty Montgomery is the kind of player who earned Aaron's trust and he is very capable rookie... After he will be back expect much better offense from Packers...
At the end, Packers OL is terrible this year. They are not opening the smallest holes for RBs, the largest run of the year (James Starks TD) came as "lucky" snap, not as product from OL. That is where Packers need fixture, and they need fixture the quickest they can!
Regarding D, against Carolina, very good to excellent D will be back, because they have Newton and Packers will need to be carefull on what Newton will do (option!). Also, if Packers put double coverge on Olsen, it is very likely Cam will not have many options left...
So, if you do not like starters in Davante Adams and Richard Rodgers, can you please explain to us who you will put there for them...

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D Ernesto's picture

November 04, 2015 at 04:04 pm

or Ted T aint the genius draft wizard packer fans have elevated him to. aka Datone J Nick Perry Jerel Worthy

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Ferrari Driver's picture

November 02, 2015 at 01:30 pm

I think it's a little short sighted to point to Cobb and Bulaga for this loss or some of the lack luster play of late.

Denver play one heck of a game and I'll give them credit. Cobb was playing against the number one corner and the Broncos have some good ones. The pass rush was devastating and the Packers OL was overwhelmed.

Remember, Denver hasn't lost a game this year.

I say, RELAX, and let's see how the next several games unfold and maybe then you can run this article again.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 03, 2015 at 09:44 am

1st, Bulaga was terrible in run blocking, and so-so in pass pro. Denver awarded the game ball to Wolfe, the guy Bulaga was supposed to block.

Cobb indeed was doubled a lot, often by a LB with a safety over him. All I ask of WRs who are doubled is that they contribute. 6 receptions went for only 27 yards because Cobb was not able to turn a small gain into a longer one like he often can. Cobb's stats would look lots better if Rodgers would not have overthrown him on what probably would have been a nice gain.

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GVPacker's picture

November 03, 2015 at 10:59 am

Good Point Ferrari Driver and you can add the fact that Bulaga and Cobb have had significant injuries this season as a consideration as well,just saying!

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GVPacker's picture

November 02, 2015 at 01:49 pm

Maybe the bye week was the culprit. The whole team looked flat and overwhelmed. The biggest concern for me was the lack of a pass rush against Manning. Ted Thompson and Dom Capers have been preoccupied with building a Defense that can counter young mobile QB's but now it looks like the older wiser traditional pocket passer's are the new nemesis. Very ironic before this game it looked like Peyton Manning was Farting Dust but geez he looked like his old self last night!

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Dan Stodola's picture

November 02, 2015 at 04:41 pm

Both were good signings by the Packers and both took less than market deals. The author should remember to include that.

Always said Cobb is a Great slot WR, but he is not and won't ever be a true #1. I would say thats been proven to bethe case.

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D Ernesto's picture

November 02, 2015 at 04:52 pm

At least we know for sure cheap Ted ain't picking anyone up before trade deadline tomorrow. Also compared to the Denver payroll they can buy the Superbowl with the free agent acquisitions, tedhas to win it with in draftexds and late round picks!

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D Ernesto's picture

November 02, 2015 at 04:49 pm

Draft and development is stupid. Let's be honesty, its just a way to get cheap players. Packer fans are so amazed at all these in draftexds who seem to Miraculously make the team, like wow what a steal. Fact every sixth round pick was passed over by 31 teams in more than one occasion! Not what your going to rely on playing on the first team! Bottom line this team LA kes play makers or skill players on both the O and D but its the d with the weak sisters.

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Charvid's picture

November 03, 2015 at 03:20 pm

I have read posts by you on multiple threads and marvel at what an idiot you are. You are not your average idiot either... you are a decidedly above average idiot.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 03, 2015 at 03:27 pm

His posts have a bit of flare from a former poster on here.

However that one kicked himself out and hasn't returned.

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Lphill's picture

November 02, 2015 at 06:04 pm

when our QB decides to throw down field and not worry about interceptions maybe things will be better, if you watch the game again you will see open receivers down field but Aaron just does not throw to them.not going far with this kind of thinking.

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Gary Fritzmeier's picture

November 02, 2015 at 06:16 pm

I agree somewhat. When watching game over and some of the replays I could notice a couple times that a receiver was open but Rodgers having a couple defensive players upright in front of him. On those I give him the benefit of doubt but I would think he could sometime throw to a spot and it would be receivers responsibility to get there. The do it in the end zone. I would hope that he would have enough confidence in a receiver to throw it up and let the receiver go get the ball. In 2013 James Jones did just that many times.

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Dan Stodola's picture

November 02, 2015 at 09:43 pm

Who does he have that is getting open downfield? He's throw downfield some to Jones, even tho he was well covered. Adams hasn't been on the field and wasn't open last nite at all from what I saw. Cobb is working the slot. R. Rodgers sure as heck isn't going to get open downfield.

The only player he has any trust in that will at least prevent an INT is Jones.

Rodgers has the best YPA in NFL history IIRC. So clearly not afraid to go downfield.

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LeagueObsrvr's picture

November 02, 2015 at 06:07 pm

MMQB has an interesting take on last nights game and the Packers' struggles with man coverage:

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/11/02/aaron-rodgers-green-bay-packers-offen...

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Samson's picture

November 02, 2015 at 07:36 pm

What about BJ Raji ??? --- 10 tackles and 1/5 sack in 7 games. --- Is this what the Pack expected???

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DrealynWilliams's picture

November 02, 2015 at 07:52 pm

Broncos traded for Vernon Davis. Interesting.

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croatpackfan's picture

November 03, 2015 at 05:34 am

I wuish them all the luck!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 03, 2015 at 02:39 am

As for Cobb, time will tell. He is a slot receiver, not a wideout, despite many an author trying to sell the idea that Cobb could be effective outside. Against Denver, Cobb commanded a double team but in this game Cobb wasn't able to turn short passes into longer gains. 6 receptions isn't bad, but 27 yards (with a long of 17) isn't #1 stuff.

The problems with the pass receivers was entirely foreseeable before Nelson got injured, and quite predictable after he was injured. The lack of a 3rd receiving option was ameliorated last year with Nelson and Cobb both having monster years, but GB ran into trouble whenever faced by a team with secondary depth. The thought was that Adams would develop into the 3rd option. He might, but he hasn't yet, either due to his injuries, or because he needs more time (despite the massive hype during Training Camp). In time, Montgomery might help, though most WRs need a year or 2, and the thought was that Abbrederis/Janis might develop. The idea that Richard Rodgers would do anything more than catch some passes in the flat as a safety valve and lumber downfield and go down as soon as anyone touches him seemed far fetched to me.

Denver often used a LB with a S bracketed over him on Cobb (who played 51 out of a possible 53 snaps), so Adams (51 snaps) and Jones (47 snaps - 89% of the possible snaps) faced the #1 or #2 CB routinely. It was no contest. Janis and Abbrederis each played 2 snaps. Rodgers played 51 of 53 snaps (96%). It is clear that the coaches just kept using the same personnel despite the lack of success. The staff must think Janis and Abby are terrible.

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chaka's picture

November 03, 2015 at 08:28 am

Ted should have re-signed TE Colt Lyerla. We have nothing but garbage at TE. Could care less about his past. Guion and others are by far worse.

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chaka's picture

November 03, 2015 at 10:50 am

Colt Lyerla is still available from my recent contact with him.

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D Ernesto's picture

November 04, 2015 at 04:09 pm

There a preponderance on MM to play Teds picks to justify his drafting. Please, Datone J and Nick Perry wouldn't make half the teams in the NFL and the other half would have then third string relief.
Richard Rogers is an overweight out of shape slob who would have been cut in pre season by 31 clubs.
The Packers are now a team of under performers and just lousy players. Its just we had good players leave and expose these bums for what they are.

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Oppy's picture

November 04, 2015 at 04:31 pm

Julius Peppers plays the majority of downs on his side of the field. Perry splits his snaps with Neal, Mulumba, and occasionally Matthews.

Yet, there's only 13 OLB's in the NFL with more sacks on the season than Nick Perry right now.

Considering there's 32 'starting' OLBs in the NFL, and that players who can get to the QB are valued, I'd say Perry would make more than half the teams in the NFL, and he might even be a starter on the other half.

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Oppy's picture

November 04, 2015 at 04:43 pm

Perry's got those sacks while playing less than one-third the total defensive snaps (29.3%), a total of 148 snaps total. That's a sack every 42 snaps.

For Comparison, Justin Houston is the sack leader among OLB's (and all LBs) with 5.5.. He's played 93.6% of defensive snaps, 511 snaps total.

That comes out to one sack for every 92.9 snaps..

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