Packers Question of the day - Who do you want as the Starting Tight end by week one?

The recruiting of tight end Jared Cook to Green Bay was a move that drew a lot of critical acclaim at first. However, over the last few months and through the training camp regimen, it's clear that the signing was a pretty damn good one.

But just because this speedy, athletic target is sporting a "G" on his helmet doesn't mean he's guaranteed the starting role. Richard Rodgers, the team's third-year tight end and contender for his starting gig, still holds said gig. 

As far as we know, it's tough to differentiate how the coaches view Cook and whether or not they've placed him atop Rodgers on the depth chart. But with Rodgers shedding the weight over the offseason, maybe he's gained a new athletic trait that was nowhere to be found after the catch in 2015. 

Going into the season-opener, should the team stick with Rodgers as TE1, or hand the reigns over to the newly-acquired Cook?

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (32)

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Klincker's picture

August 24, 2016 at 09:15 am

Cook.
Release the beast. Lets see what he can do in his first game as a Packer. With Rodgers his QB, he can strike fear to the opposition for this game, and future games.

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Finwiz's picture

August 24, 2016 at 09:33 am

Based on numbers alone, 40 time particularly, Cook is the guy. Speed in the middle of the field is a killer with a huge tight end lined up on a linebacker, or maybe it draws a safety out of the box which opens up the run, OR it doesn't allow them to double 87. Cook has looked very fluid catching and running with the ball in the times I've seen him in preseason. Rodgers showed great hands last year, but I saw no ability to gain YAC. It always bothers me when I see this huge guy get taken down by any safety or linebacker with one hit, and never breaks any tackles.

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ejr450's picture

August 24, 2016 at 09:36 am

I think Cook needs to play the majority of the snaps. Who is listed at TE1 on the depth chart is irrelevant. I actually think they'll be using a 2TE personnel package a lot against Jacksonville, especially as Jordy is integrated back into the offense. I think we'll see plenty of 22 and 21 personnel out there, with Lacy & Starks doing their best to control the clock in the Florida heat.

That said, I think Cook will end up with the majority of the snaps, and the stats to go with it. 3rd & 8 is made for his skill set.

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NickPerry's picture

August 25, 2016 at 05:53 am

BOOM!!!!!!...This by ejr450 is exactly what I think the Packers will employ for much of the first 3 or 4 games of the season. Nelson hasn't played Football for 366 days give or take, it will take him a few weeks to get in football shape. A team like the Packers who always side with a more conservative approach with injuries will bring Nelson back slowly through the first few weeks and into the early Bye.

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Since'61's picture

August 24, 2016 at 10:20 am

Cook should be the starter. What is the point of signing him if he is not to be the starting TE. Cooks adds a dimension to the Packers TE group that R. Rodgers, Perrillo and Backman do not have. Put your best weapons on the field and go all out non-stop with this offense. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 24, 2016 at 10:31 am

The way McCarthy likes to use his TE's in the passing games I think Cook will receive more playing time then Rodgers. Cook adds an element to the passing game that we have missed since Finley was injured.

That being said I think we will see both play a lot and I think the 2 TE sets will become a bigger part of the offense. Cook is essentially a 3rd WR and gives the offense a lot of flexibility.

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 24, 2016 at 10:37 am

I guess they have to name a starter for depth chart purposes but I agree with this RC. They play very different brands of TE and I think we could just as easily see either one (or both) "start" the game on offense.

The semantics of starter are pretty trivial in this situation.

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dobber's picture

August 24, 2016 at 12:49 pm

If that's the case, name Justin Perillo the starter...wouldn't THAT mess with people's FFL teams?

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 24, 2016 at 01:45 pm

Whenever fantasy football nerds can be messed with, I'm all in.

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al bundy's picture

August 24, 2016 at 10:39 am

Im going to wait to see if he can play before erecting a statue. He was available for a reason.

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Chris Scoggins's picture

August 24, 2016 at 10:48 am

It's all going to come down to how well Cook learns the playbook and establishes trust with Rodgers. I'm guessing it will be week 4 at the most optimistic before he sees starter snaps, if at all. His catch rate at STL was awful - they won't let him on the field if he doesn't fix that.

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EdsLaces's picture

August 24, 2016 at 11:13 am

According to madden 17 ...it's Cook. And he's an absolute monster .

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Bohj's picture

August 24, 2016 at 11:15 am

The Packers will have a tight end by committee as they always do. There will be packages built in for a passing first attack featuring Cook. And there will be packages for run first featuring RR. And there will be double tight end sets. The beauty is...we will establish a pattern with our tight end utility...and then break it. Pass out of run formations to an unsuspected RR or Perillo. Those guys have more opportunity for a free release. Cook may get jammed more being labeled as a receiver type. We may even see a return to the "Big Five" (0 TEs) with our receiver depth: Jordy, Cobb, Monty, Adams, and either Abby or Janis or Davis. Love this offensive roster!

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Handsback's picture

August 24, 2016 at 11:31 am

Should be Cook. We will see how Rodgers feels about going to Cook. I have a sneaky suspicion that Rodgers first pass will be a bomb to Cook against the 49ers.

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Oppy's picture

August 24, 2016 at 11:39 am

re: "Critical Acclaim":

A famous swordsman once said, "That word.. I do not think it means, what you think it means."

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Big Moe's picture

August 24, 2016 at 07:50 pm

lol

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Oppy's picture

August 24, 2016 at 11:43 am

I don't think you'll find a Packers fan who doesn't want to see Cook out there on the first offensive snap of the first game of the season, which technically, gives Cook the ever-so-coveted-for-contractual-reasons 'Game Started'.

A real easy compromise between Cook and R. Rodgers, for me at any rate, would be seeing more two TE sets.

I like Richard Rodgers' skill set, but Cook definitely brings the speed needed to split the deep middle of the field.

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Archie's picture

August 24, 2016 at 12:05 pm

Between the 20s, it should be mostly Cook, assuming he lives up to expectations. In the redzone, I can see both lining up. I expect RR's blocking to be even worse with his new basketball skinny-ness. Surprisingly, Cook is not know as a good blocker either. Bottom-line, if Cook is the missing key that so many think, he damn well better be on the field more than RR. But given MM's loyalty to mediocrity, who knows.

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barutanseijin's picture

August 24, 2016 at 12:43 pm

Richard Rodgers falls over when breathed upon. He needs a bench for support. The Packers can keep him upright by letting him ride the pines.

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Finwiz's picture

August 24, 2016 at 02:42 pm

"Keep him upright"...."falls down when breathed upon"....LMAO.
Perfect

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marpag1's picture

August 24, 2016 at 01:18 pm

Anybody still want to call Ted Thompson an idiot for not signing Ladarius Green at 4 years, 20 million?

Last I heard, Green's still on PUP for his ankle, reports have surfaced that he might have recurring headaches (he's had concussions before), and some have even suggested that he's considering retirement, although he has denied that.

All in all, I'll take Cook and Rodgers. Don't really care who "starts" (as if that meant something), but I think the Packers are in decent shape there. They will both play.

Nice job, Ted Thompson.

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ShawnO's picture

August 24, 2016 at 01:48 pm

I honestly don't think either needs to be designated as number 1. They will be used depending more on the play that is being run rather than which one is better.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 24, 2016 at 03:32 pm

Exactly.

Better run-blocking: Rodgers (H-Back & In-Line) [although it's very inconsistent]

Better receiving threat: Cook (anywhere)

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Archie's picture

August 24, 2016 at 02:42 pm

On a scale of 1 to 10, Cook is an 8+ and Rodgers is a 6.

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al bundy's picture

August 24, 2016 at 06:36 pm

I want someone who knows how to run routes and catch the ball and not come out of the game injured after a few plays.

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zeke's picture

August 25, 2016 at 12:29 am

And a pony.

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chaka's picture

August 24, 2016 at 08:53 pm

Packers should reach out to former TE Colt Lyerla. With his 4.2 speed along with Cook, double TE formations would be unstoppable. That's if they want a pro bowl TE...

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 24, 2016 at 10:00 pm

I haven't been following him lately. What are his NFL career stats?

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 24, 2016 at 10:02 pm

LOL

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Tundraboy's picture

August 24, 2016 at 10:22 pm

MM may, at the beginning want to break it to R Rodgers gently by using 2 TE sets initially but reality is Cook is starting caliber. YAC and speed matter. Lets hope that he puts the best talent out there from the start.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 25, 2016 at 12:19 am

Cook should start (but I think MM will start out in a 2 TE set on the first play). Green Bay was among the leaders in negative plays with 105 last season.

I am with the RR is terrible, and grossly overrated, crowd.
[I'll spare you all why since it would be a repetitive post on my part.]

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4thand1's picture

August 25, 2016 at 05:59 pm

The offense will be Cookin!

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