Cory's Corner: Marcedes Lewis Is A Forgotten Man

Hold on a second. I’m going to check if Marcedes Lewis is still on the team. 

He sure is. He’s actually listed right behind Jimmy Graham on the tight end depth chart.

What’s puzzling is that Lewis, who has proven himself as a capable receiver in 12 years in Jacksonville, cannot get consistent snaps. The Packers have had 207 offensive snaps after three games and Lewis has played 37. Nope, that isn’t a typo, Lewis has become a forgotten man.

The question is why. Lewis is 34 and his receiving production has steadily declined behind a poor quarterback. However, what stands out is Lewis’ ability to block. He scored a pass blocking efficiency rating of 95.7 from Pro Football Focus last year. In 58 pass blocking snaps, he only allowed one sack, one hit and two hurries.

Those numbers are great. He’s arguably a better blocker than a majority of the Packers offensive linemen — which is pretty sad.

That brings me to this weekend. The Bills are ranked No. 5 in pass rushing defense and No. 9 in run defense. With Bryan Bulaga limited with a bad back and Justin McCray hampered with a bad shoulder, this would be the perfect time to bring in some more blocking help.

And voila, Lewis is right over there. Even if Lewis has lost a step or two in the passing game, he can and should be called upon to help this beleaguered offensive line try and keep a hobbled Aaron Rodgers upright.

This would actually be the best time to go with plenty of dual tight end looks. And no, I’m not talking about Lance Kendricks, who somehow found his way onto the season-opening roster. It’s time for this offense to show off. Put Graham out wide and have Lewis lined up alongside Bulaga. Lull the Bills to sleep by having Lewis block three or four pass plays in a row, then call his number down the seam.

The Bills are allowing 271 passing yards a game combined with a 74 percent completion rate. It isn’t a stretch to say that Rodgers can carve Buffalo up, but he needs time. With a bum knee, he isn’t the same guy that can avoid rushers and spin it as accurately as before.

Rodgers has done plenty for this team. He has made all sorts of ridiculous throws and has made good receivers look amazing. But now Rodgers needs help and it showed up last week. He’s not the same guy that can get outside the pocket as it collapses and hit Davante Adams in stride as he glides into the end zone.

This Rodgers needs a tad more time and Lewis can give it to him. Now it’s up to the Packers gatekeeper Mike McCarthy to allow it to happen.

 

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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 (36)

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 29, 2018 at 06:14 am

This is what I have been saying.

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4thand10's picture

September 29, 2018 at 10:29 am

And everyone else has been screaming for it.

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pooch's picture

September 30, 2018 at 06:40 am

I said this after week 1 ,why wasnt he in helping Bulaga is beyond me,no idea was these coaches are thinking

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Dzehren's picture

October 01, 2018 at 08:24 pm

If a 34 year old washed out Back up TE is going to change things- you have not been watching NFL trend for young speed players who get open in 2 seconds.

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TKWorldWide's picture

September 30, 2018 at 10:01 am

I would have said it, but I didn’t remember to.

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NickPerry's picture

September 29, 2018 at 06:27 am

I've made the same comment the last 3 weeks and again this week leading up to the Bills. 2 weeks ago Lewis made a block on the right side which sprung Montgomery for a nice gain around the right edge. Without that block Monty probably doesn't even turn the corner let alone gain 16 (IIRC) on the play.

With the injuries to the O-Line and Rodgers less than 100% using Lewis this week is just common sense. Having a RB like Aaron Jones ready to go, ready to make his home debut this week, why wouldn't the BEST run blocking TE in the NFL be in the game. Now I know I said it's common sense, something McCarthy doesn't have an abundance of but still. The Packers pay McCarthy MILLIONS to have at least some.

The Packers rank 29th in the Red Zone through 3 weeks. Having a QB like Rodgers and ranking 29th should be reasons alone McCarthy ass is getting HOT. USE those two BIG TE's in the Red Zone. Just like everyone thought would happen when we signed them.

Common Mike...Common Sense...Use just a little this week and use Lewis...A LOT!

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 29, 2018 at 06:28 am

We have got to use M.Lewis Now!! MM needs to stop playing around and stop saving player's for some fantastic play or crucial play. And, then when he uses it the guy drops the ball or gets it stripped because you never used him during the year.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 29, 2018 at 06:34 am

MM has a basketball team of 6'6, 6'7 and 6'5, 6'4 players and I dont believe he is using them properly. I dont get it. They want large targets and then don't use them. I thought what they have in their TE is great, but no real production. Bad coaching? Dunno. I feel like if you made the team your playing now and your doing everything. Get the rookie in. MM waits and waits and waits.

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VaPacker's picture

September 29, 2018 at 07:01 am

MM is very stale as a OC, no new innovative schemes ( 3 TE sets ) same since he got here .. DC's know his system and now that Arod is a statue behind the line he needs to be a coach and scheme or leave. Arid save him ever year, but I think this year will be his last.

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VaPacker's picture

September 29, 2018 at 07:02 am

MM is very stale as a OC, no new innovative schemes ( 3 TE sets ) same since he got here .. DC's know his system and now that Arod is a statue behind the line he needs to be a coach and scheme or leave. Arid save him ever year, but I think this year will be his last.

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Daren726's picture

September 29, 2018 at 07:25 am

When the packers acquired both Lewis and Graham this summer, all the talk was how the two tight end set would make them unstoppable. No one thought Kendrick’s would even be a factor. I can’t believe they aren’t taking advantage of this pair. What a waste.

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NickPerry's picture

September 29, 2018 at 10:51 am

Many were thinking Kendricks would have a hard time making the field, especially after last season. I'm getting ready to start thinking of McCarthy as I do Thompson...He's a dump truck and LIVING off Rodgers abilities. His coaching has little to do with wins and losses.

What's concerning for me is how long can Rodgers keep getting bounced like a ping pong ball in the pocket. Yes he holds the ball too long, but McCarthy does him no favors.

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Royalty Free GM's picture

September 30, 2018 at 10:26 am

“LIVING off Rodgers abilities“
How dare you sir!? ;)

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stockholder's picture

September 29, 2018 at 07:47 am

MM and A-Rod seem like their trying to prove Allison is the next Adams. That's just a big mistake. Common sense tells you to take the speed, and the mis match. Instead their trying to prove someone is better than what they are. 2. I believe we question MM more because of his favoritism of veterans. Honoring the contracts is one thing. But letting talent or fan favorites sit? ( Just isn't always the smarter move.) Hot and cold. A-Rod is at his best getting the ball out quickly. Spreading it around. MM had Favre. He now has A-rod. We try to not judge as long as they win. But let's get the ball to the people that don't slow down the offense.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 29, 2018 at 08:37 am

I couldn't agree more. MM needs to go look back at the old M.Chmura and Keith Jackson gilm footage.

And, MM has 3-4 Decent to good TEs!!

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 29, 2018 at 08:38 am

film footage and gilm footage .yeah !!! lol

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 30, 2018 at 07:17 am

Allison made a great double move on the CB for a 64 yard TD.

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dobber's picture

September 29, 2018 at 09:13 am

I disagree. I don't think they're forcing the ball to Allison. He's finding the guy when he's getting open.

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stockholder's picture

September 29, 2018 at 11:51 am

I believe he is. Watch how he goes to him two to three times in a row. Allison has benefited from busted coverages. That's all. His Yac has been the lowest among starters. Allison does have hands!! And after last week. A-Rod wants to trust more than gamble. When you Trust: you don't look around. You don't throw deep. You put it where your guy can get it. Cbs will sit on Allisons routes before the end of the year. Especially in the big games. Count how many times A-Rod throws deep. You'll only need 1 hand. And how many times did the Vikings and Rams throw it deep? It's not MM. It's A-Rod. Clock control. Age. Allison. The packers get beat when they don't open up the field. Allison cannot go deep.

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4thand1's picture

September 29, 2018 at 09:09 am

It's so frustrating year after year watching this team unable to fill holes, unable to adjust, and stale game plans. Lets state the obvious, the Packers won it all in 2010/11 when other teams didn't know them that well. Since then teams got to know the Packers tendencies, only AR could overcome them by improvising and making big plays. He saved MM and TT for years only to fail in the playoffs over and over against the good competition. We came into this year with no threat of a pash rush and a fragile o-line on the right side. Everyone in here saw it and pointed it out. IMO time is up, I'm tired of the same ol same ol.

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Tundraboy's picture

September 29, 2018 at 07:19 pm

Yup. If you're the opposing coach can't be too hard to game plan against MM. I'm starting to believe that Rogers has lost respect for MM. Nearly every game has had multiple timeouts, because of changes at the line. Why has that become the norm? Whether it is is Rodgers or MM, that is a problem. Offensively, they are rarely in any rythym,save for the 2 minute offense and even that has been maddening. For a team with the weapons available, you would think we would impose our will more often. On the other hand I think our offensive line is just that bad right now. Something has to give this year.

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Tundraboy's picture

September 29, 2018 at 08:00 pm

deleted

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scullyitsme's picture

September 29, 2018 at 09:17 am

I’m pretty sure not playing Lewis isn’t why we are starting slow, with that said, Kendrick’s should of been cut last week. Not just for last week but for his consistent mental errors and dropped balls over the past couple of seasons. It could of been a moment McCarthy could of seized to let his team know it’s not acceptable. Relatively harmless to the team with Tonyan waiting in the wings and it would of had a big impact. Opportunity missed I think.

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4thand10's picture

September 29, 2018 at 10:39 am

You are correct. Between the dropped passes by Kendrick’s last year, the drops that he had during the preseason combined with Tonyan catching everything thrown his way was a real head scratcher.

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Pauly's picture

September 29, 2018 at 09:26 am

In the beginning of the Bears game, I was screaming for TE Lewis to help Baloga against Mack.
It was obvious Mac and the Bears defense was foaming at the mouth to get to Rogers.
I still blame McCarthy’s poor planning for Rogers being hurt.
It was common sense to test the Bears defense with help for Baloga until the Packers knew what The Bears were capable of doing on defense.
It’s true, McCarthy has become stale like Capers became.
McCarthy may be a good organizational coach but has become stale as an offensive coordinator.

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PatrickGB's picture

September 29, 2018 at 10:13 am

I agree with most of the posters here. MM has been stubborn and Philbin has not made enough of a difference. However, someone posted clips of Lewis not doing as well as expected. Perhaps it was lack of experience. Perhaps Lewis has not shown much in practice. I don’t know the reason the staff and MM has ignored him. He has done well in the run game which MM has forgotten to use much. If Lewis is not used against the Bills and if Tonyan is not used instead of Kendricks then I predict a loss against the Bills. To MM I say, “Come on man, use the talent we have and don’t try to fit square pegs in round holes.”

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4thand10's picture

September 29, 2018 at 10:42 am

Lewis’s tape from just last year.....games, afc championship etc....Dude can still play. And not giving Bulaga help during the Chicago game is almost unforgivable.

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4thand1's picture

September 29, 2018 at 10:31 am

I cut my teeth on Packers football at the age of 10 when they won the 1st SB. Early 70's the age of John Brockington and MacArthur Lane. Then along came Dan Devine and ruined the Packers for a decade. The 80's and offensive jugernuat with no defense. The 90's down goes the Majik man, Ron Wolfe gets Brett and Reggie. A team hungry, getting better every year, then Whallah! A super bowl, almost 2. We heard it for the next 10 plus years, As long as the Packers have number 4 they have a chance. Out with the legend in with his replacement most fans hated. But then....wait a minute, hey this guy is good, and whallah! Another title, everything is right in title town again. Again the ghost of Brett Favre echos in Green Bay, as long as the Packers have number 12, they have a chance. We've had a front office that failed to put the pieces in place around 2 HOF QB's, and a coach now who simply survives in spite of it. 2 HOF FA's helped bring 2 championships back to GB, Reggie and Charles, we need another.

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Tundraboy's picture

September 29, 2018 at 12:30 pm

"What’s puzzling is that Lewis, who has proven himself as a capable receiver in 12 years in Jacksonville, cannot get consistent snaps."

Must be mourning the loss of RRogers.

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4zone's picture

September 30, 2018 at 07:35 am

MM so under utilizes his talent it's ridiculous. For whatever reason, he chooses to use the payroll to determine who plays and who sits.

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Lare's picture

September 30, 2018 at 11:46 am

So many changes during the offseason, so few changes on the field. Still no accountability in Green Bay.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 30, 2018 at 04:15 pm

If there not going to use him then cut him.

6'6 270 kbs...(Little Train )

MM is a waste.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 30, 2018 at 04:18 pm

Let him go to a team where he can play and show the Packers how they WASTED his talent... Everytime we are in the red zone should be automatic TD.

Philbin and MM suck.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 01, 2018 at 02:13 pm

2017 Marcedes Kewis
JAC
24 Receptions
318 Total Yards
13.3 YPC
37 Longest
5 TD

Nothing with the Packers! ! Zero !!

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

October 01, 2018 at 02:15 pm

And Jacksonville QB is Blake Bortles! !

Come on McCarthy Wake Up !!!!

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Dzehren's picture

October 01, 2018 at 08:18 pm

NFL moved toward speed offensive playmakers. Spread offenses do not accommodate 34 plus slow TE’s. Lewis does not fit new trend..

See Boyd Cinn Gabriel CHI and KEKE coutee Hou.
See Aaron Jones

AARON JONES

2 first rounders next year- #1 GB needs to draft OL to protect Rodgers and #2 draft pash rusher

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