Packers Weighing Options Following Janis' Fracture

A few bone fractures in the right hand of America's Sweetheart may just spell disaster for the Green Bay Packers.

With this injury suffered in the early stages of last week's practices, Jeff Janis won't be able to sling very many touchdown passes for the remainder of the preseason. He also can't return kickoffs or sack the opposing quarterback. At least for now.

Alright, enough with the Janis jokes. Realistically, this is more of a blow to the team's special teams unit than it is the receiving corps. Even months ago, I was one of the select handful of people who didn't believe Janis had much of a shot ascending up the depth chart anyways. The route running still desires much-needed work as does his mental connection with Aaron Rodgers. Late-game heroics (in one game, specifically) won't round out those aspects of Janis' game.

Whether or not Janis had proven to be an impactful part of the team's offense thus far in camp is still yet to be confirmed. What can be confirmed is that the third-year receiver earned himself two screws in his right index finger due to the fracture. His recovery time following surgery is estimated to devour 4-6 weeks of Janis' production time. The Packers do, however, have options regarding what to do with him moving forward, as Rob Demovsky reported on Monday.

"If the Packers still want to play Janis this season, they could carry him on the 53-man roster and declare him as one of the game-day inactives until he's ready to play. Or they could put him on injured reserve and use their one IR exemption to bring him back at some point."

As reliable of a gunner as he is on special teams, Janis' services as a receiver won't exactly be missed. 

After a training camp filled with off-timed routes with Rodgers, dropped passes when the routes were well-timed and a lot of critic appraisal, it's safe to say Janis' roster spot is hanging by the thread of his special teams ability. 

Due to Janis having already practiced in camp, briefly placing him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list is out of the question. Injured reserve, however, isn't. 

If Janis was to be temporarily placed on injured reserve, a roster spot would be opened to potentially fill his place. A receiver such as Geronimo Allison, whose future with the Packers is currently pending despite his incredibly convincing outing thus far in camp. 

A con to this, however, is that after being placed on IR, NFL teams can only activate one player per-season off of the reserve — and only after they've missed eight games. With the window for Janis' return somewhere between the first three weeks of the season, that would mean he would miss an extra five weeks' worth of action if he were to return by week three. His designated return to the field would be the home-opener against the Lions.

With this tremendous blow being dealt to the punt coverage team, the ideal scenario would be to remain dependent on Janis' recovery. Trust that he'll be ready within the first few weeks of the season and hopefully on the practice field a week or two prior. His goal — to avoid a prolonged recovery process and get back to where he wants to continue striving for improvement.

"It's one of the things you just can't control." Janis told reporters. "You just have to take it and just try to heal up and stay mentally in the game. Keep going to meetings, keep listening and be ready when you come back."

His injury occurred just two days prior to the Packers' first preseason game in a ball security drill. 

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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 (48)

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stockholder's picture

August 16, 2016 at 01:30 pm

I think you do Janis a favor. Cut him. He will be missed!! The media is in Love with Adams. Keep him. So everyone can eat Do Do, and thought they knew more than TT. We want that comp pick more than Janis. Or Abbey. Monty will make it back. And I believe Nelson will too. Davis will emerge as your new #4 and he is stuck in Green Bay longer. So good bye 2014 draft picks. Excuses, excuses, excuses. But No super-bowl. No place here for Janis now.

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fastmoving's picture

August 16, 2016 at 02:14 pm

no idea what the guy did wrong besides his knack for making a play. He works hard and is way better than the new folk heros adams and monty.
I like abby a lot as well and geronimo looks pretty good too.
But like i said, no idea why you have to write a articel with a lot of sacrasm and making fun out of an injured player who tries really hard against all the strange circumstances here.
TJ Lang is right: there are really bitter folks out there.

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stockholder's picture

August 16, 2016 at 04:27 pm

FM; Making Fun? No, Never on Janis. I preferred they keep Janis. But everything with Janis is turning controversial. He is better than Adams. And that is what has stirred up a hornets nest. Injured players do not stay on the packers roster. Nor has TT used many draft picks on them. We know he has his reasons. But I said they should do Janis a favor. Why? Because Montgomery and Davis were selected; with Abbey and Janis wanting their chance. Janis would not be a gunner, if he didn't work hard. But the possible chemistry between A-Rod and Janis, has been replaced with the peripheral treatment of Adams. (The sarcastic part.) In 2014 I told Football Futures this would be TTs worst draft! I said that Adams was the wrong pick with Thornton. Not to prove a point. But the goal is to make this the greatest franchise in the NFL. ( Not selling tickets. ) The people loyal to TT, still want Adams. Even if some guy bust his butt. TT was a scout. I believe TT is a better GM than he ever was a scout ,or player. The Bitterness is the Packers should have won another super-bowl. And I voiced my opinion on SbNation which hurt their propaganda. I don't care if a guy breaks rules, just so they Win. Something Tom Brady supporters know. But rules are rules. Adams makes the team because of rules, and not talent. (They want that comp pick!)

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TarynsEyes's picture

August 16, 2016 at 01:41 pm

Unless his Special Teams play is equaled to a high extent, keeping him on the 53 roster and inactive is the way. If another blossoms during his absence then release him. But releasing him even with a special team replacement could be dangerous the instant an injury arrives to any of those who play receiver and special teams. Also, though Montgomery has practiced and Nelson has rumors a whirl, rash decisions are worse.

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L's picture

August 17, 2016 at 11:39 am

Releasing him would be damn stupid and foolish of the Packers; I'll say right now that there's no chance in hell the Packers do that. As I see it there are two main options/scenarios the Packers will choose from with one of them having a sub-set of options too.

1. (The most likely IMO) Janis makes the 53-man roster and is inactive the first 2, maybe 3 weeks of the season with him most likely returning to game action after the team's week 4 bye. This decision is probably very predicated on the performance and trust the team has with the other special team gunners -- as you sort of mentioned; plus, any other notable injuries. If they don't have two guys who they feel stand out as ideal performers in place of Janis who is a known commodity for bringing excellence to that position then I think they go this route.

2. Come final cut-down day the team places him on Injured Reserve therefore not subjecting him to waivers (now see subset options A & B below). The decision to IR will also likely be dependent on the progress of his healing by the roster's final cut-down; if he's had any set-backs that make it unlikely he returns after their bye week perhaps they'd rather just take their chances with him on IR instead of wait out his injury while having him on the 53-man roster.

A: During the season they decide to use their one "designated to return" slot on him. (likely to occur between weeks 6 - 15)

B. During the season they do not use their one "designated to return" slot on him. (likely because they used it on someone else)

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Spock's picture

August 16, 2016 at 04:23 pm

"L",
The rules changed this year: you do not have to designate someone to return. You can pick one of the IR people to return at a later date. This was implicated because a number of teams found that their "designated to return" guy was unable to do that, but another IR guy WAS able to return. Not sure where that article about this is, but it is an important rules change this year.

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L's picture

August 17, 2016 at 11:24 am

I'm aware. I put that subset of options in there because the team can decide whether to use that "designated to return" from IR on him throughout the season. Once he reaches 6 weeks that's when they face the decision making; will they use that designation on him then (giving him two weeks to practice before being officially returned to the 53-man roster) or will they continue to wait in case someone more prominent gets injured prior to week 15? At around week 15 there won't be any sense in not using it on him if there's nobody more important already on the IR because of the built-in 8 weeks they need to be off the 53-man roster before they can return.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 17, 2016 at 12:51 pm

That's awesome. Everybody wins.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

August 16, 2016 at 01:57 pm

To me you IR him and hope he can be back in 4 or 6 wks. He can be a game maker on the ST and showed last year he can flat tackle.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 16, 2016 at 03:16 pm

The article is correct: if put on IR, it is week 9 before he can return; thus, he can't be back in 4 or 6 weeks. If he heals in 4 weeks, he be back for game 1 if carried on the roster. If it takes 6 weeks to heal, Janis would be back for game 3 or 4.

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dobber's picture

August 16, 2016 at 04:57 pm

How about this scenario: Mason Crosby breaks a bone on a blocked kick in week 1. He can't be exposed to contact for at least 8 weeks. You've already put Janis on IR planning to bring him back. You need a kicker, but you don't want to carry an extra on your active roster for 8-10 weeks while you wait for an excellent kicker like Crosby to heal. That's where you might use the return label, not on a guy like Janis.

If Janis's recovery is not complex and he merits a roster spot, you either carry him on the roster and sit him for the first 2-3 games, or you put a club on his hand and let him play ST.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 18, 2016 at 12:56 am

Agree in general. Couple of notes. If I understand the rules, GB would have to essentially allow Janis to make the 53 (because he doesn't have 4 accrued seasons and would be subject to waivers if placed on IR earlier) and then IR him the tuesday after cutdowns, at which time a roster spot opens. GB would then promote someone from the PS, but that player would have had to have been cut earlier, and been subject to waivers for a time. GB would tell the player that it will put him on the 53, but the player would still be subject to waivers and would know he was the last man to make the team.

Once on IR, there is no rule against just leaving him there until say week 13 or so and then activating him for the playoffs to work as a gunner. In the meantime, if Crosby or Sitton were also on the IR, then yes, you move them to the 53 when that player is ready, and Janis is out of luck.

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Finwiz's picture

August 16, 2016 at 02:06 pm

I don't think you put him on the designated to return IR because he's going to be available wk 2-3 of the regular season. You may need that DR IR tag for the inevitable important player that's bound to get injured. It's a tough call either way, but I doubt they completely give up on him, there's too much potential there if they can eventually teach him the offense. They must have some lousy offensive or receiver coaches that can't teach this guy what to do by now. Sorry, but you have to point the blame at the coaches, the guy can't be that dumb.

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fastmoving's picture

August 16, 2016 at 02:23 pm

he isnt...probably the best wonderlic score in the wr group with 30 points. so he doubled nearly the average for wideouts

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Finwiz's picture

August 16, 2016 at 03:08 pm

Seriously?? This guy had a 30 wonderlic coming out? If so, I rest my case, the receivers coach was a complete idiot then, and I know it wasn't Edgar last year, but for a position that important to the offense performance of the team, you'd figure they could find someone that was competent. Unreal. The dysfunction between QB and receivers last year was NOT due to talent. Ultimately you do realize who this all points back to right? The guy that hires the assistant coaches. The same guy that keeps an old, out of touch defensive coordinator around for 2-3 years past his usefulness. SMDH. Did you see the coverage on that long pass play over Randall - 1st or 2nd offensive play of the game? That had to be Griffins longest play in 3 years. Looked just like last year - same defensive garbage. Matter of fact, when you add up all the incompetent assistant hiring, Slocum with his bad special teams, Capers, the Clements move to call plays, moving Edgar out of receivers coach, and hiring last years idiot...and I'm sure there are others, maybe the head coach should stick to coaching and let Thompson hire the assistants. He seems to be out of his element. Longest tenured Packer coach since - Curly Lambeau? Gaawd - why? End rant

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NickPerry's picture

August 17, 2016 at 05:15 am

Finwiz...They didn't have a dedicated WR coach last season. McCarthy thought it would be a good idea to combine the QB and WR coaching duties and have one coach for both positions.

It clearly didn't work and McCarthy admitted as much soon after the season ended. Cobb and Nelson both endorsed the hire they made, question is were they endorsing him before the actual hire. I don't know much about Getsky, but having a coach dedicated to the WR'S is must so he has my vote for now anyways.

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dobber's picture

August 16, 2016 at 05:01 pm

Finwiz: I wish I'd read one spot lower. You hit the same point I was aiming for...

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Since'61's picture

August 16, 2016 at 02:22 pm

There are a few factors to consider in this situation. First, if the Packers medical staff is correct and Janis will be back for the Lions game then leave him inactive for the first 2 games and activate him for the Lions. If the medical staff is incorrect (more likely based on their track record, e.g. Monty), then IR Janis and open up a roster spot. If no one emerges on STs early in the season bring Janis back after 8 weeks. If someone has emerged by then fine, we'll make a decision when the time comes. At this point no decision is necessary on Janis so let's wait and see where he is at the end of camp. Thanks, Since '61

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NickPerry's picture

August 17, 2016 at 05:17 am

Excellent point Since '61. WHEN has the Packers medical staff been correct about a players return from injury when they give a specific time frame? Not very often...

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EdsLaces's picture

August 16, 2016 at 03:08 pm

I didn't know Janis slung touchdown passes...

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

August 16, 2016 at 03:25 pm

He doesn't. The entire opening to the article was a joke because of how overhyped he was.

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fastmoving's picture

August 16, 2016 at 04:28 pm

maybe he was overhyped at the beginning of last season. now he is underated. when he get a chance he delivered all the time. immediately. he had a game adams or monthy will never have in her whole career. there probably a lot of people on this roster overhyped, but there is no reason picking on them the way some writers and critics do.
by the way was it not janis fall that some are overhypt him till he prove that he is a player no matter where you put him. he will be a real solid wr maybe more if he gets a opportunity.
probably somewhere else, because we have here in green bay a lot tall and fast receivers. and the rest of the wideouts running perfekt routes and having the trust of nr 12.
for whatever its worth it............

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EdsLaces's picture

August 16, 2016 at 04:45 pm

Ah I gotcha

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 16, 2016 at 03:13 pm

Janis's injury and the timing of it really does create a good question on what to do.

I had a clean break in my hand a year ago which didn't require surgery or anything. I was put in a cast for 6 weeks. It took me a while to fully gain the strength back in that hand. I was told by my doctor that it generally it takes about 3 times as long as you had your cast on to fully regain your strength. Obviously he will be playing way before that, its just what I was told for my injury.

For Janis I think he could still be an effective gunner almost right away, but to be a productive WR I would think it would take him longer.

His injury really does add a wrinkle to the roster when looking at the 53.
Perhaps the decision to IR him will depend on what happens with other players at WR like Allison and Davis. If they truly emerge as players for the 53, then they could IR him and bring him back later in the year if they need him.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 16, 2016 at 03:20 pm

I really wish the NFL would adjust its rules as far as injuries. I have said it before but it seems like each year there are more injuries that happen, and with the big concern about player safety, why don't they adjust the injury rules to allow players time to get healthy first.

It would be nice if they could change the PUP list. Why not change it so that players can be added to it to start the year. Even if there is a limited number of players that can be put on it.
Like with Janis. he likely won't be ready to go until week 2. If they keep him on the 53, they are down to 52 players that can play and practice. Changing the rules allows them to keep the roster at 53.

It seems like it would be a fairly simple change that they could do.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 16, 2016 at 09:36 pm

"I really wish the NFL would adjust its rules as far as injuries."

This. Perhaps we get Al Jazeera to post some bullshit article about IR and Goodell will do something meaningful with his corrupt ass.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 17, 2016 at 07:17 am

love it!

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Yooper's picture

August 16, 2016 at 03:22 pm

Jeff Janis single handedly gave us one incredible performance last year - In a year when our receivers dropped passes, missed assignments and generally were to slow to break free of man to man coverages he was one of our few bright spots with his ability to catch the deep ball and his speed enables him to be a game changer. How many other players on the team are that guy besides Aaron and Clay and - I would keep him on the team and if we are behind in the fourth quarter with the game on the line and Aaron's scrambling ability - I say go deep...and win the game and "NUTS" to all you experts out there!!:^)

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 16, 2016 at 09:39 pm

"Jeff Janis single handedly"

Did he throw the ball to himself or did you mispell 'shingles'?

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 16, 2016 at 04:03 pm

Janis cannot be put on IR until final cutdowns (if done now he is subject to waivers because he doesn't have 4 accrued seasons). So, we have time to see if another WR steps up at WR, if someone else who might make the team shows he can be an effective gunner - maybe this Brice kid, for example. Then, we can decide:

1) if Janis' ST ability warrants a roster spot by itself;
2) If another WR looks more promising;
3) If another player at another position can gun;
4) decide what is best short term or long term.

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Spock's picture

August 16, 2016 at 04:42 pm

TGR I didn't know that about the "subject to waivers" thing if you IR'd him now. Thanks for the info.!

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EdsLaces's picture

August 16, 2016 at 04:46 pm

I think it's good news tbh. Now they don't have to think on it as much ...Abby for the win!

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 16, 2016 at 10:48 pm

Davis or Allison for the win. Abby is already a sure thing.

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dobber's picture

August 16, 2016 at 05:07 pm

I wish we would just stop confusing what we perceive as "intelligence" with coaching/coachability or ability to execute on the field.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 16, 2016 at 05:41 pm

It is nice to see so much love one guy... And ridiculous, too...

And, by lot of you guys, Packers are doomed if they lose Jeff Janis...

Wow!

I just wonder why nobody did not pick Jeff Janis in the first round of the draft, as he is so important for any team he might finished with...

Ridiculous!

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stockholder's picture

August 16, 2016 at 09:11 pm

No thats not it at all. It's how far Adams has dropped. Either you can catch or you can't. I did not give him his nickname. Drop-Vante. Even with Nelson out the packers still made the playoffs. So please stay on earth.

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Oppy's picture

August 18, 2016 at 05:40 pm

Davante had a shit-tacular season, no doubt, but I think it had much to do with injury and a young player pushing too hard.

You mention the Playoffs.. you might have noticed Adams stepped his game up the last few games of the season.

No reason to give up on Adams yet, he's entering his third season. This year should let us know if last year was an anomaly or the start of a trend. I'd lean towards it being an anomaly.

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fastmoving's picture

August 17, 2016 at 03:44 am

you a pretty funny guy but nobody said something like doom whitout him- but with him they way better of.
and compared what he did (better what he not did) is there much more love for adams, who wasnt that good in his rookie season either. 3 better games and one good one.
anyway....smart take

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al bundy's picture

August 16, 2016 at 06:30 pm

I say you lay it on the line and inform him he is being cut. Informmhim he had all of three seasons 36 months to learn the playbook and route running and failed. Inform him he aint the only guy in town. Inform him he was div ii for a reason. Adios amigo.

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al bundy's picture

August 16, 2016 at 06:31 pm

I say you lay it on the line and inform him he is being cut. Informmhim he had all of three seasons 36 months to learn the playbook and route running and failed. Inform him he aint the only guy in town. Inform him he was div ii for a reason. Adios amigo.

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al bundy's picture

August 16, 2016 at 06:31 pm

I say you lay it on the line and inform him he is being cut. Informmhim he had all of three seasons 36 months to learn the playbook and route running and failed. Inform him he aint the only guy in town. Inform him he was div ii for a reason. Adios amigo.

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al bundy's picture

August 16, 2016 at 06:31 pm

I say you lay it on the line and inform him he is being cut. Informmhim he had all of three seasons 36 months to learn the playbook and route running and failed. Inform him he aint the only guy in town. Inform him he was div ii for a reason. Adios amigo.

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al bundy's picture

August 16, 2016 at 06:31 pm

I say you lay it on the line and inform him he is being cut. Informmhim he had all of three seasons 36 months to learn the playbook and route running and failed. Inform him he aint the only guy in town. Inform him he was div ii for a reason. Adios amigo.

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fastmoving's picture

August 17, 2016 at 03:48 am

now im sure you must really be this bears loser from chicago

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Oppy's picture

August 16, 2016 at 07:42 pm

If I were the Packers, and I placed Janis on IR (to keep him on the roster), it would take very careful consideration for me to use a "return from IR" on him.

He is a great special teamer, and that is it (at this point in his career.) If there was ANY starter to rotational back up player on the roster that was on IR, I would have to be 100% sure none of them would be able to return from IR before I'd waste that privilege on Janis.

There's been a lot of talk among some beat writers that Janis' continual struggles with running the wrong routes so far this year in camp might actually put him on the outside looking in and facing a tough cut this season if he doesn't turn it around, despite his exceptional ST play.. That's not good talk for a guy who just fractured his hand and is out 4-6..

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croatpackfan's picture

August 17, 2016 at 03:33 am

Finally, one voice of reason...

I agree in what you wrote. But I would not give up my hands from Jeff. He had longer route than others, but in future it might pay off. I'm sure that eventually he will learn how to run routes.

People, I know that you love speed. But why don't you mention then Binford Harvey. He runs 40 for 4.22... I will say that is speed neither Jeff nor Davis posses. And he has some experience in playing football (arena football!).

I think I would keep my hopes for Jeff. But not yet, at least not this season!

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Amanofthenorth's picture

August 16, 2016 at 09:42 pm

should receivers really be poking their hands on to a hard object being held firmly and moving quickly?

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