Cory's Corner: John Kuhn is losing to Father Time

There are eight NFL fullbacks that are still trying to find a home.

The elder statesman of the group is none other than 10-year NFL veteran John Kuhn.

The Packers haven’t signed the 33-year-old to another one-year deal because of his diminishing role and because of the budding development of 23-year-old Aaron Ripkowski.

Kuhn returned the Packers investment ten fold. He was selected by the Steelers out of NCAA Division II Shippensburg University as an undrafted free agent. He won a Super Bowl ring with Pittsburgh and won another with Green Bay and was even a first-team All-Pro.

Kuhn has given all he can give. From putting the team above his body, which materialized at Solider Field in 2013 when he threw himself at Julius Peppers on fourth and 8 to propel the Packers to a 33-28 win and a third straight NFC North crown.

Kuhn was a favorite of the locker room and the fans — as evidenced by the bellows for “Kuuuuuuhn” each time he touched the ball.

Yet, Kuhn’s position is the rotary phone of the NFL. Not many teams use it anymore, because with all of the passing that now goes on, teams usually just elect to fill that spot with another tight end.

Does that mean his NFL career is over? Actually, probably not. Kuhn will stay hungry, remain in shape and will get a call by the fourth week of the season. Now he just wants to win another ring and since he already has a couple, he would be perfectly paired with running backs that are either a tad immature or don’t know how to win.

Will Kuhn win the Packers another Super Bowl? No way. Even if the Packers suffer another major injury to one of their skill positions, Kuhn on the roster won’t help them much because he doesn’t command the ball.

In his 15-game playoff career, Kuhn only has 19 carries and 17 catches. The Packers don’t make a point to include him in the gameplan. Where he excels is when things start to go sideways and he turns into a high school or college player that looks like he’s just trying to make the team.

So Kuhn may not be on a roster now, but expect a general manger to blow up Kuhn’s cell phone with calls or texts when and if an injury bug attacks a team.

Jared Cook is the final reason why Kuhn will not be signed before the season. With his quickness and ability to stretch the field, more tight ends will be asked to block.

While some Packers’ fans find it hard to keep Kuhn off the roster, some may bristle at the notion that he might come back ala James Jones last year.

Kuhn did enough to be successful, but in order for the Packers to continue their success, they need swallow hard and leave him off the team.

The NFL is a cold-blooded business. They have no problem cutting All-Pros, especially after they recently signed. It all comes down to production.

Going with the sophomore Ripkowski is a gamble because he has barely played. But it’s better than sticking with Kuhn too long and seeing him lose a game or get massively injured.

 

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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 (14)

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 14, 2016 at 06:32 am

I think Kuhn will be the Packers emergency player. If Ripkowski gets injured or if he doesn't develop to the pace that they want, I think that is the point when Kuhn may come back.

Otherwise I think the writing was on the wall last year when they drafted Ripkowski. That last year was going to be Kuhn's last.

Ripkowski offers more on special teams and probably isn't that far behind Kuhn as far as blocking. Obviously the biggest drop off will be in blitz pick up. But that is where Lacy will hopefully play more.
I don't think the Packers can really afford to go with 2 FB's again. I would much rather see them keep 4 pure RB's or 7 WR's or 10 OL then to keep a 2nd FB.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 14, 2016 at 07:21 am

What budding development are you referring to? MM was not even complimentary about Ripkowski going into the off season. I like Rip, but never understood not signing Kuhn to a vet min, qualified contract, with the understanding that Kuhn might not make the 53.

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dobber's picture

June 14, 2016 at 09:54 am

"in order for the Packers to continue their success, they need swallow hard and leave him off the team."

If anything, this is TT trying to save a dime...but not much more than that because Kuhn would have come cheaply. I think, more than likely, this is the Packers giving Kuhn the opportunity to catch on somewhere else early so he can learn a playbook and make a team.

"They have no problem cutting All-Pros, especially after they recently signed. It all comes down to production."
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To be honest, Ripkowski has only showed anything on special teams. Even then, his 270 snaps netted 7 tackles. Kuhn had about 160 snaps on ST and logged 4 tackles. Kuhn played 305 offensive snaps, Rip played 18. Rip was a non-factor offensively and had roughly proportional production, tackle-wise, to Kuhn on ST. There's really nothing here yet that points toward Rip being any kind of improvement on Kuhn except a birthdate and a bottom-line salary cap number.

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cheesycowboy's picture

June 14, 2016 at 03:37 pm

That could be the reason to keep an extra roster spot. The team and "injuries" will dictate, with training camp who the 90 will be.
I look forward to the journey through the dead zone for fodder only..

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Tundraboy's picture

June 14, 2016 at 05:09 pm

And a really nice run.

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ray nichkee's picture

June 14, 2016 at 10:17 am

Aaron Rodgers said Kuhn knows the playbook better than him. He gets the preseason off this year and will be back at the drop of a dime without missing a beat if he's needed unless he signs elsewhere beforehand. I'm still pissed i didn't see him on the field more last year when there was left tackle problems.

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TarynsEyes's picture

June 14, 2016 at 11:19 am

" The NFL is a cold-blooded business. "

How is doing what every player should understand at the beginning of their career cold blooded. It's like a boxer going into the ring and thinking he won't get hit. : )

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ricky's picture

June 14, 2016 at 12:45 pm

Kuhn would be an option if Ripowski got hurt or couldn't perform adequately. But it is time to move on.

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Teflon Ted's picture

June 14, 2016 at 01:39 pm

Short and to the point. Well said Ricky. Yes, it's time to move on. One thing about Kuhn, I often wondered if he wore a hairpiece?

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al bundy's picture

June 14, 2016 at 06:52 pm

No loss you dont need a fullback anymore mike.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

June 14, 2016 at 09:21 pm

I love Kuhn as a player. But, the NFL minimum for a 10+ year player this year is $985,000. I don't blame Ted for not wanting to pay that amount for a Fullback in his mid 30s.

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lou's picture

June 15, 2016 at 05:26 pm

I believe the CBA has a Minimum Salary Benefit Rule that would bring that $985,000 down to approx. $600,00 vs the CAP, if it is a 1 year only deal with limited incentive bonus options. But like everyone has said, it may be time to cut the cord, and if they need to add him he could be 2016's James Jones. With William Henderson and John Kuhn even if the position becomes extinct, we had a great 20 year run, both had double digit NFL seasons and Super Bowl rings, and Pro Bowl appearances.

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PETER MAIZ's picture

June 15, 2016 at 03:33 pm

So now it will be "Rip the Ripper, Rip them Apart Ripkowski". I'm not that well-versed on the intricacies of football and do not know why Green Bay uses a fullback instead of a two tight end set?

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Ferrari Driver's picture

June 15, 2016 at 08:53 pm

I would make a lousy GM; I like Kuhn and would find a place for him on the 53.

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