All aboard! To ride or not ride the Packers' hype train

The Packers defensive line, WR Davanta Adams, CB Quinten Rollins and WR Jeff Janis have received plenty of hype this offsesason. Should we ride the Packers hype train with these players?

Now that minicamp is over for the Green Bay Packers, the Packers Hype Train is leaving the station. It's time to decide if you'll get on board or wave goodbye from the platform as several Packers Hype Train cars pull away.

This kind of thing happens every offseason after minicamp. Coaches, fans and media get a glimpse of the team and certain players or team units are pegged to break out during the upcoming season. This time around, the hype train seemed to center on second-year WR Davante Adams, the defensive line, CB Quinten Rollins and, of course, WR Jeff Janis.

Packers defensive line
I have to admit, when I started seeing people claiming that the Packers' defensive line could be a strength this season, I was skeptical. No way I was buying a ticket for that hype train.

But the more I thought about it, the more I began changing my mind. Now, I've got my ticket for the defensive-line hype train and I might even buy a few drinks after I climb on board. Here's why:

Mike Daniels is already an excellent player. B.J. Raji will be returning to his old nose-tackle position and Letroy Guion will be looking to have another above-expectations season after missing out on a big contract following his offseason arrest.

Datone Jones ane Josh Boyd are entering their third seasons, which is the year when you often see young defensive linemen "get it." Both of those players also probably realize that they're approaching put up or shut up time if they hope to earn a nice big fat raise in their second NFL contracts.

The Packers defensive line has a lot to prove, both individually and as a unit. That extra motivation, combined with Jones and Boyd entering a season where, if healthy, should have plenty of opportunites to put it all together, will lead to good things up front.

Davante Adams
When I went to buy my Davante Adams hype train ticket, they were already sold out. Apparently, Packers fans stormed the box office after Mike McCarthy had nothing but glowing things to say about Adams at a recent minicamp press conference.

I'm fine with missing the Adams hype train this season. Honestly, I don't think it'll be a completely smooth ride. There are going to be a few mechanical issues, the food in the dining cart will be hit or miss and the bar staff probably won't know how to make a good Old Fashioned. 

I think next year is when you'll want a first-class seat on the Adams hype train. That's why, when I saw tickets for this season were gone, I snatched up a seat for next year at a discounted price.

I don't doubt McCarthy or Aaron Rodgers when they say Adams has what it takes to be great. I just don't think greatness will happen in 2015. We'll see improvement, but not enough to match the recent hype.

Quinten Rollins
Me buying a seat on the Quinten Rollins hype train is the equivalent of me buying shares in Google before Google was Google.

The very best-case scenario for the Packers is Rollins turning into the cheesehead version of Google. But even if he doesn't turn into an all-world corner, he still has the raw talent to be a contributor for several seaons. That's why I feel comfortable buying low on Rollins at this time. I think he'll be a player and give me some return on my investment, even if he might not make me rich enough to buy all the cheese curds in Ellsworth, Wis.

Also, the Packers will likely need contributions from one of their rookie corners this season. I'm putting my money on Rollins being that guy.

Jeff Janis
I have no idea where the Jeff Janis hype train is headed. It might travel all the way to the promised land. Or it might drive straight into the river.

Normally, I'd steer clear of a train if I couldn't figure it out where it was going. But McCarthy is one of the people adding coal to the Janis hype train. If the coach is saying good things about a player, there must be something behind the hype.

That said, I'm still going to give up my seat on the Janis hype train. If the Janis hype train ends up being legit, at least I'll have a good view from the platform to watch it pick up speed.

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Comments (40)

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porupack's picture

June 23, 2015 at 07:00 am

Ha, nice way to prod our sense of reality. I'm all over Davante. I rewatched 2014 games, and he has some great hands, routes, and after-catch moves.
I'm also on Rolling wagon, but recognizing he will have limited role. But I see him being a steady contributor toward late in season, and if/when any injuries allow him more snaps.
Your rationale for D-line is unconvincing. Your case is full of "they ought to be motivated" and " they ought to step up from second to third year". But very little compelling reason that individuals will beat their one-on-one confrontations besides Matthews and Daniels. If anything, there might be decline with age and wear. So any hype on the group has to come from scheme, or more experience as unit, or better DB coverage (which all could be plausible). But I'm not on that train.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 07:40 am

I really like our DL. I think our NT position will be a strength this year with Raji and Guion as a 1-2 punch. Daniels is great and I really think this will be the year that Jones takes off. We should see improvements from Boyd, Pennel and hopefully Thornton will get into the action. It would be nice for a surprise player to emerge as well. Maybe Ringo or Thornton, or Gaston will step up and play well.

Adams could be poised for a huge 2nd year. With defenses focusing on Cobb and Nelson, Adams will likely see the 3rd or 4th best cover corner and he will be able to beat them the majority of the time. Last year Adams got open a lot and Rodgers chose not to go his way.

I have been a huge Rollins fan since I first saw him at the Senior Bowl. He was incredible. He has tremendous ball awareness. If he had played football for more then 1 year I think he would have been a high first round pick for sure. I'm not going to say he is going to come in and start right away but I think he will be a great find. Back during the draft I said that he was the most intriguing player in the draft.

I like Janis. Last year he really looked good during the preseason. That is where the hype for him began. And it only grew when Boykin really dropped his play and Harris couldn't do anything returning kicks.
Janis was and still is incredibly raw. I don't expect to see a lot of him this year unless there are injuries, but he is a player that could possibly have a role on offense.

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

June 23, 2015 at 02:13 pm

You mentioned 9 DL players above. I don't think they'll all make the 53.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 24, 2015 at 06:41 am

Yeah, they all won't make it. I'm sure there will be an injury to help decide some of it.

Right now I would say that Daniels, Raji, Guion, Jones are locks. After that Thornton being a 3rd round pick would be a tough player to cut. Boyd has played well, Pennell could take a step. And Thompson doesn't like to cut draft picks so Ringo could be a possible one to sneak onto the roster if he plays well. Gaston I think has the longest shot to make the 53, but if he plays well he could stay in expense of another player. They will likely keep 6-7 players again.

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gr7070's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:39 pm

Our DL is a joke and Raji is one of the very, very worst in all the NFL.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 24, 2015 at 06:42 am

Lets wait and see what Raji does back at his natural position NT. He has played out of place at DE for the last few years. He is a natural NT, and putting him back there we could see a lot better of a player.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

June 23, 2015 at 07:51 am

I'm buying the hype on Davante Adams. But I'm not touching any other hype mentioned. They'll have to show and prove - which would be a win-win in the long run. Now, that's not saying the D-Line, Rollins and/or Janis is without talent or that they won't contribute in any way.

1) A D-Line can't be dominant with just 1 damn good player (M.Daniels)

2) Rollins won't have a ton of snaps his first go 'round

3) The same as Rollins. I don't know of ANY 4th string WRs that had even a "decent" year stats-wise

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

June 23, 2015 at 09:49 am

"I don't know of ANY 4th string WRs that had even a "decent" year stats-wise"

Curtis Duncan - Oilers - 1990-91
Az-zahir Hakim - Rams - 1999-2000
Jerry Porter - Raiders - 2002

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Evan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:00 am

"Decent" is a relative term, especially when talking 4th WR.

In 2011, Driver had 37 recs, 445 yards and 6 TDs as the "4th" WR.

If you count Finley, then Jones was technically the 4th "receiving option," and he had 38/635/7.

I'd certainly consider either of those stat lines decent for Janis.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:14 am

No I wouldn't count Finley as a WR.

Did those teams have just an above average WR corps. or 2 damn good WRs and a 3rd whose potential is through the roof like the Pack?

Look at what Davante did with Nelson and Cobb. Now, (try to) project what he's going to do in his 2nd year. I can't imagine Janis doing much better than what Davante did last season (barring any injuries to 87,18,17). Am I rooting for Janis? Damn right. But in order for Janis to put up similar numbers to Davante -- Rodgers would have to pass much more (which means less Lacy) and passes would have to be taken from someone.

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Evan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:20 am

"...and passes would have to be taken from someone."

For what it's worth, Cobb has already said that it's going to be very difficult for him to replicate his 2014 season with all the other guys emerging. So, passes being taken from others seems possible.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:22 am

And I feel those passes are going to Davante.

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Evan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:23 am

Ah, I gotcha.

I honestly wasn't sure who we were talking about until now. ha.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:05 am

Really for the Packers they don't need a 4th WR to have a big year stat wise. To me the stats are the least important thing for which they need. What they need is a very productive year. One that when he comes in he draws attention and makes plays to help open up other WR's. A higher completion percentage to the 4th WR to me is more important then a bigger stat number.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:21 am

Again, I am not against Janis at all. I just can't envision him doing much at the #4 WR position with the other talents we have offensively.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 11:37 am

I'm not either.

I am just referring to the stats. I don't see the 4th WR putting up huge stats, but I think he will play a meaningful role.

To me the stats aren't as important as the efficiency they are playing with. There will be a game where they have to make a key play. That is what I want that 4th WR for. To make the plays that they have to have.
Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Lacy will receive the majority of receiving stats.

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Otto's picture

June 23, 2015 at 08:36 pm

What have I missed? I've seen other references to Janis in the Red Zone. Typically, don't you look to a guy with that kind of speed to score long? Isn't the idea to have him "stretch the defense"? He goes long, takes a corner and safety deep so the other guys can work underneath? Or he just flat out runs the DBs on deep routes?

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NickPerry's picture

June 23, 2015 at 08:08 am

I've been on the D-line train for a while now. I really believe that this unit if healthy could be really good. I think Raji will be much better than 2013 which will only make the Packers better. If he's close to 2010 then great, I'd settle for 75% of 2010's version. Guion was excellent for the Packers last year and at DE he might even be better. Daniels seems to get better every year so a jump from Daniels this year might mean All-Pro.

I felt 2015 was going to be the Packers year since the start of last season. Mostly because of TT drafts from 2013 and 2014. The Packers have 8 starters from those drafts, 9 if you add Richard Rodgers. It's not just about Adams, Boyd, Jones, or Rollins. It's about all of these young players on the Packers just starting to scratch the surface.

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Since'61's picture

June 23, 2015 at 08:52 am

I'm not one to join in on hype because that's usually all that it is, just hype. I expect Adams to have a good season but not a breakout season in 2015, Janis is still unknown and it's possible that Montgomery and Abbrederis will be the 4 and 5 WRs and Janis ends up on PS or released. I expect the DL to be solid but not necessarily great unless D. Jones remains healthy and has a big season and Raji returns to 2010 form. To me Rollins has the best shot to make an impact and maybe win a starting role at CB, however, at this point I have no reason to expect the second coming of Herb Adderly. I will wait to board any hype trains until further down the line, probably after the 1st 4 games of the regular season. By then we'll have a reasonable idea of where these players, the team and the hype trains are going. Plus the fare is a little cheaper when we're closer to the end of the line. Thanks, Since '61

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TarynsEyes's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:11 am

Agree with you Since '61 on waiting a few games into the season and while we at least wait,I recommend this easy listen...suits the topic also. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA5HErVE9oI

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Since'61's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:54 am

Good choice! Also, nice find since that is not one of Elvis' better known songs. Thanks, Since '61

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 23, 2015 at 11:39 am

Since '61, you're no fun at all. If I put on my GM hat and look at things in a cold blooded manner, I agree. I think Abby is the type of WR that Rodgers will fall in love with, and look for and trust. Janis so far is not, since his route tree need some work and he needs to learn the checks. Janis is boom or bust. With Adams and Monty being locks, Janis needs to outplay Abby (possible but I think Abby has a high floor) or force GB to keep 6 WRs. I put my fan hat on for purposes of this article. The fare might be cheaper later (due to injuries, perhaps just poor play during the preseason), but TT has to pay it in full on final cutdowns (9/5/15 IIRC), not after the first 4 games.

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Tundraboy's picture

June 23, 2015 at 01:42 pm

Sounds reasonable to me!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 23, 2015 at 08:53 am

Define hype train. For me, it's drafted rookies playing a decent amount at a decent level. For UDFAs: making the roster & contributing. For 2nd and 3rd year guys, it is playing above average as starter or back up role.

I'm not on the Adams train - but I try not to say too much against a WR drafted by TT in the 2nd round - and I am not on the Montgomery train as a WR.

On: Abby, Danztler, Ryan, Pennel, & Janis trains, roughly in that order. [Since I have both Janis and Abby, I would say they need to force 100 snaps each and play pretty well.]

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zeke's picture

June 23, 2015 at 09:42 am

I'm interested in your take on Adams. The hype is over the top, or you think he's not all that?

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 23, 2015 at 11:30 am

Geez, after I wrote that I didn't want to bad mouth Adams? Well, i suppose no one will save a screen shot and nail me later. Short answer: I don't see "humongous" talent so the hype is over the top yes, given what I perceive to be Adams' ceiling.

Adams does everything well except get open. His routes need polishing and his breaks need to be more explosive. His improvement has to be between the ears and applying his experience, setting up CBs, and not so much that he came into camp in better condition. I don't think he has enough physical talent to ever be elite, (a top 5 WR), but he has enough to be Jordy like, which is damn good. Given the colossal years of Nelson and Cobb, Adams was invisible against #3 CBs too much. Some of that might be on Rodgers, who I think too often ignored Adams (and egregiously ignored both of his TEs) and forced some passes to Cobb in particular and to Nelson. Of course, Rodgers is so accurate, he can do that with success. Adams had a nice rookie season, notwithstanding the above.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 11:53 am

'Adams does everything well except get open. His routes need polishing and his breaks need to be more explosive.'

I appreciate your opinion, but this part i disagree with. His route running actually was one of his strengths. He actually was open a quite a bit because of his route running. Rodgers stated that recently that looking back at tape from last year Adams was open a lot.
I think Rodgers ignored Adams because he didn't fully trust him. As the season wore on he started trusting him more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIN3YSPpnxw

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 23, 2015 at 12:49 pm

Well then, thanks for being gentle. I plan to get All-22 this year in order to have a better basis upon which to base my opinion - watching it on the tube is not conducive to evaluating what happens downfield. Mind, all WRs' are open more often than they are targeted.

Sounds like Rodgers agrees then that he ignored Adams too much, an opinion I took some heat for.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

June 23, 2015 at 08:30 pm

Coach! I'm wide open!
You wide open cause you ain't no good

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Mojo's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:00 pm

Rodgers also admitted a while back that he missed G. Jennings a lot when he was open during Jennings last year with GB. Jennings had no problem expressing the same. For some reason I think DD felt the same way before he retired. Could be some of the old adage where all WR's think they're open all the time, but...

So to take some of the heat off you Reynoldo, I'll pose the question; does Rodgers miss open receivers more than the average QB? Is it something with his progressions? Is it stubborn trust issues. He passed on a wide open Janis to wait until Cobb broke open underneath last year. He said so himself.

Could explain why he holds the ball so long. I remember last year someone posting some screen shots of wide open receivers that were ignored by ARod. Now in his defense, I'm sure all QB's miss seeing the open receivers, but is Rodgers way above the average? If he's under duress, then I can't fault him, but more often than not he has a clean pocket.

Can't really tell without the ALL-22, or the coaches tapes but it's something I've wondered about when he's holding the ball for up to 12 seconds.

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Evan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:06 am

I think I found a photo of the "Montgomery as a RB" train.

http://images.hayneedle.com/mgen/master:NP005.jpg

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zeke's picture

June 23, 2015 at 10:35 am

To be fair, that picture was taken his sophomore year, before he gained the extra weight.

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Lphill's picture

June 23, 2015 at 01:25 pm

We all know the offense is set , if the defense and special teams improve then the sky is the limit , let's hope the injury cloud stays at a distance this year .

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croatpackfan's picture

June 23, 2015 at 01:48 pm

Good overview... I can not remember well, but who was No 3 receiver last OTAs and Minicamp hero? Was it Boykin, from Panters? Lot of nice words were told at the same time last year for Boykin...

Ok. Defensive line - buying a lot immediately...

Janis - "Not so fast", I'll wait...

Quinten? Buying...

Ha-Ha - buying, Gunter - buying few, hope to find more, Elliot - buying....

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Imma Fubared's picture

June 23, 2015 at 07:25 pm

Hey to me the pack could be 8-8 or 12-4! You've got inexperience playing skilled positions at corner and safety! You've got good offense and just how good the d can be is just not known yet! I see teams trying to pass early and often to get ahead stay ahead taking Lacy out of the game plan!

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AgrippaLII's picture

June 24, 2015 at 03:51 pm

Lacy's ability to make catches out of the backfield wouldn't bode well for any defense thinking he's not in the game plan regardless of the score.

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AgrippaLII's picture

June 24, 2015 at 04:31 pm

I'm definitely hyped... on BJ Radji moving back to NT...his play can make everyone on the DL better. Can't wait to see Rollins and Randall during the preseason...rookies yes but they can play the game. As for the rest...it's a given Adams is going to improve so no hype there...Janis makes it or not... if he doesn't someone else will. I'm most hyped about seeing who grabs the bull by the horns and steps up and makes an impact this year...I don't care who it is.

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Tundraboy's picture

June 24, 2015 at 05:24 pm

Me too. Lots to be excited and hyped up about. Gunter,Dantzler, Crockett, the guy from Stony Brook. and all of last years returned 2nd and 3rd year players that were hurt, or did not get a shot.

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Tundraboy's picture

June 24, 2015 at 05:49 pm

The only O issue is red zone and with an improved R Rodgers, even better run game, and who knows, Janis emerging as a taller red zone threat, I expect that to be a plus this year and I cant wait to see how it all pans out. If only some of those we hope to step up a notch do then look out. The D has a lot of these guys as well. wooooo wooooo choo chooo

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Archie's picture

June 25, 2015 at 02:36 pm

Jeff Janis is a HR hitter. He can take the top off any defense at any time. Just what Rodgers needs.

Adams came from a very strong WR class and will jump out going forward.

Rollins is young, inexperienced and has great potential. But to expect a big payoff this year is jumping the gun.

The Pack's DL. Woe is me. I have no faith in this group to stop the run. When they go to a 2 man front they can rush the passer.

Ted Thompson is hard pressed to draft talent at DL or LB. CMIII is the lone exception.

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