No, seriously, the Packers don't need any more receivers.

Your meme-making friend from behind the CHTV curtain is called to deliver a sermon that challenges the ideology behind a plea for more Wide Receivers. 

 

As the person who’s normally posting behind the scenes of CHTV for our social accounts, I really have no business writing this. 
 
Yet, at the risk of sounding evangelistic (cue the gospel organ)…  I’ve felt called to tear down the walls of character limits, climb down the holy mountain of meme captions and bring you all the good word (in the form of a one-time CHTV opinion piece):
 
The Packers are fine at receiver. 
 
That’s right! You’re free to cast your cares elsewhere on the roster: (*cough*run defense*cough*)
 
A leap of faith, I know- but we’ve entered a new era of football in Green Bay. Despite draft grades, power rankings and replies to Nagler’s positive WR Twitter posts sowing seeds of doubt in your minds, the Packers are going to be just fine with the receiving options currently signed. 
 
Open your playbooks to the book of receivers, chapter eligible, verse 1:
 
It’s no secret that Second Year head coach Matt LaFleur’s lineage stems from the Shanahan style offense that integrates the outside zone run scheme at its foundation, but the run game isn’t the primary chill pill for the current WR group, here.
 
It’s the eligible receiving options that the run game formations provide. 
 
The first of the system’s disciples, Kyle Shanahan, points this out in a recent interview with Chris Simms: 

 
 
 
With a new coach, comes a new philosophy:
 
I get it. In Green Bay, we’re used to 2011 Sports Illustrated cover photo world-beaters at receiver but we don’t need that anymore. What we need (offensively), is that “illusion of complexity” Coach LaFleur has been preaching since he arrived in Green Bay. 
 
That illusion operates on using the most versatile and interchangeable players from various positions (such as TE, HB, FB, WR, etc) out of the least amount of formations as possible. It builds a football team like a basketball team and doesn’t rely on traditional depth chart placement to determine who gets the ball and when.
 
Look, If you have world-beaters at receiver, great! More power to you- but in this system, it’s better to be multidimensional, with versatility at every eligible receiving position, over having one stacked position group.
 
Peace be with you: 
 
I should really get back to Twitter where I belong, but if you're looking for even more divine intervention on this topic- check out regular CHTV writer Brandon Carwile's piece on the 2020 Wide Receiver room specifically. It'll compliment my pontificating with level-headed data and analysis.  
 
 
Don't forget to Subscribe on Youtube and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @CheeseheadTV #GoPackGo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NFL Categories: 
5 points
 

Comments (45)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Bure9620's picture

August 03, 2020 at 03:29 pm

No, they don't....Run the Ball

Veteran QBs need protection and a running game.....those 2 are musts....

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splitpea1's picture

August 03, 2020 at 03:59 pm

Even with all that "illusion of complexity", SF still felt the need to trade for a wide receiver (Sanders) in the middle of the season. He didn't put up earth-shattering stats, but in his ten games , he would have still been the Packers second-leading receiver, including tight ends.

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TylerHerrick's picture

August 03, 2020 at 04:06 pm

I hear you! 2019 was a year that we could’ve used more help- but 2020 will be different. I expect Jones, Deguara, Williams, Sternberger, MVS, and EQ to all take on larger receiving roles.

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Bearmeat's picture

August 03, 2020 at 04:27 pm

Yep. And SF was better at WR than us last year. And they had an all world TE.

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Coldworld's picture

August 03, 2020 at 06:38 pm

Small factor of QB differential really does impact any serious discussion of this point, but the move you reference was due to weakness of position group and lack of priority till the last phase of roster building.

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splitpea1's picture

August 03, 2020 at 06:45 pm

And our position group isn't weak? And wouldn't it be somewhat helpful if our QB had somebody besides Adams as a legitimate downfield threat?

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Leatherhead's picture

August 03, 2020 at 09:37 pm

The WRs other than Adams caught over a hundred passes last year, including some real clutch catches in close games.

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CoachDino's picture

August 07, 2020 at 05:33 am

Seems Shannahan see's it more as match-ups and scheme.
The Packers have 6 guys who can make plays downfield IF:
Scheme,Play Call, Personnel - everyone executes and QB finds and delivers accurately to the receiver.

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Bearmeat's picture

August 03, 2020 at 04:28 pm

I've made my feelings on this issue perfectly clear. I don't need to repost the same comment over and over again. I don't care about the system, quality players win games.

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Packers2020's picture

August 03, 2020 at 04:34 pm

You are 100% correct, Bearmeat.

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dobber's picture

August 03, 2020 at 04:43 pm

Wasn't it Bill Belichick who famously said, "No, that's OK, I have enough good players."

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Dzehren's picture

August 03, 2020 at 04:47 pm

The 49’s put WR at a premium.

In 2019 SF drafted Debo Samuel # 38 overall then drafted WR Jalen Hurd in the 3rd round. Then traded for Emanuel Sanders mid season. Then in 2020 San Fran drafted Brandon Aiyuk in the first round.

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CoachDino's picture

August 07, 2020 at 10:58 pm

Can't argue with the evidence - thats is a WR Focus. Surprised me a bit -

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Leatherhead's picture

August 03, 2020 at 05:44 pm

Gutekunst and I agree. The drunks at the end of the bar can say whatever they want but it doesn’t make them right.

The good news for guys who like to see a QB slinging it to a bunch of super duper WRs is that they can watch the Dallas games, because it’s clear they miss McCarthy’s offense.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 03, 2020 at 07:55 pm

Cool. Let's add 'drunks' to people who disagree with you.

Just a helpful FYI.....Brian Gutekunst doesn't have a clue who you are and couldn't pick you out of a lineup if his life depended on it. But I'm sure in your alternate universe, you guys are drinking buddies, making decisions together, concerning what goes on at 1265 Lombardi Ave.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 03, 2020 at 09:41 pm

When did I say he did? And if you’re going to ac like the drunk at the end of the bar, that’s how I’m going to refer to you.

You’re not disagreeing with me, dumbass. You’re disagreeing with the GM. Take it up with him.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 03, 2020 at 09:47 pm

I'm disagreeing with you constantly calling people names that have the audacity to disagree with your point of view:

Dumbass
Drunk
Ignorant
Nitwit

Too difficult for you to comprehend?

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Leatherhead's picture

August 04, 2020 at 09:41 am

The only people I’m attacking are you and the other nitwit who would rather insult me than make a reasoned argument. I’ll stop if you will.

Yeah....can you comprehend? That’s your passive-aggressive style of insults.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 04, 2020 at 10:09 am

The only problem with that argument is when you're presented with a reasoned response, and it's something you disagree with, you act like it's the dumbest thing you've ever heard, and the name calling starts. In a recent post of yours, you make the insulting claim that anybody who disagreed with you must be drunk.

This is a forum for fans to present opinions on what we think is going on with the Packers. I know you think you have an inside line to what's "actually" going on inside 1265, unlike the rest of us uninformed drunks and nitwits, but you don't. What you present here has no more validity than the rest of us.

The name calling started with you. In fact, I don't think I've ever called you a name, other than a play on your screen name, which I think is insulting to an ex-Marine like myself. So I'm not sure what it is that I'm supposed to stop if you agree to stop the name calling.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 04, 2020 at 01:54 pm

I knew you wouldn't respond.
Have a good day.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 04, 2020 at 02:04 pm

Sorry meant to say...have a good day Leatherface.

I knew you weren't up to an intelligent back and forth. Give me all the thumbs down you want. You're a total fake.

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Bure9620's picture

August 03, 2020 at 09:20 pm

No this is definitely not the McCarthy spread coast. 2 WR sets and sometimes Jones will motion to be the 3rd receiver......Packers twitter and the national media do not get it....its a different offense. Let's not forget Brady won a Super bowl without Gronk.....he had Edeleman and bunch of UDFAs at WR. But..the Patriots could run the ball and Brady had good protection. For a vet QB, If you give them a choice of weapons galore or great protection and running game??? Take the later every time. We have a clear elite #1 and a some talented young guys. It is enough to win....period..

People keep talking about the niners signing and drafting WRs...yeah they need weapons for their overpaid game manager......Jimmy G is an average QB on great team...Shanahan let him throw it six times.....

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splitpea1's picture

August 03, 2020 at 09:42 pm

Just a little over the top, here....It's nice that you're all in on the MLF offense, but let's see some of these players in action, or at least develop, before we make grand pronouncements like, "It is enough to win...period." And SF must be the only team that needs weapons, right?....Shanahan "let" Jimmy G. throw it only eight times because it was so easy to steamroller the Packers on the ground.

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Bure9620's picture

August 03, 2020 at 09:59 pm

It's not a grand pronouncement......MVS and Lazard combined for 929 yards last year while playing with one of the most heavily targeted WR in the league.....Allison was not good at all.....I do believe Equinemious will be an upgrade and was ascending as a rookie....the fact is that the WR production behind Adams taking into account how many targets and snaps they receive is much in line with other WRs in the league......Graham's production would need to be replaced by Sternberger also..38 receptions for 447 yds......I am not just "all in on Lefleur" I am all in on finding the correct personnel for the way they want to play........and that is more running, less passing, more FB and H-back. More 12 personnel, less receivers.....I would be surprised if the Packers keep more than 5 WRs on the 53

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splitpea1's picture

August 03, 2020 at 10:05 pm

Well, at least we can agree that a big key is Sternberger, which was discussed in a recent article here.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 04, 2020 at 09:43 am

You get it Bure.

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greengold's picture

August 06, 2020 at 09:56 am

Thank god. I've been waiting for the Packers to implement a rush heavy attack since around 1998. We left so many Super Bowl Championships by the wayside in favor of letting GREAT QBs directed by mediocre offensive minds (Sherman, McCarthy) just throw, throw, throw, because passing numbers are sexy-genius-guru level stuff.

Fuckin' A.

I'm glad those days appear to be over. The smartest play for guiding the Packers to multiple SB Championship wins with Aaron Rodgers is to commit to a devastating rushing assault. Saves Rodgers getting blasted by pass rushers with their ears pinned back 90% of the time. Gives the defense a blow by chewing up clock. Wears opposing defenses out with long, sustained drives. This is the perfect plan to see more trophies in the case, with Rodgers, Love, anyone guiding the way. It is smart, basic football. Run the rock and win.

Why risk your QB to injury more than you have to? The Packers have been so out of balance in this regard since Holmgren left. Oddly enough, he was the REAL QB guru, and understood the need for balance in run/pass.

The ability for the Packers now to run/pass out of the same personnel groupings with equal proficiency is going to be a real treat to watch. I cannot wait to see how they call games moving forward.

As for our WRs, I think the players we have will work fine. More than fine... and, if not, Gutekunst can always acquire another via trade. I really, really wanted us to draft WR in R1 this last draft. However, I support their decision to take Love instead, and to give LaFleur EXACTLY what he wanted for his Offense.

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Rudedawg67's picture

August 03, 2020 at 10:41 pm

And let’s not forget that Brady was supported by a pretty darn good defense that only gave up 3 points to a good Rams offense.

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Bure9620's picture

August 04, 2020 at 03:06 am

Okay....

Tom Brady (NE): 21-of-35, 262 YDS, 1 INT
Jared Goff (LAR): 19-of-38, 229 YDS, 1 INT

Both QBs supported by good rushing attacks.....Run The Ball

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Rudedawg67's picture

August 04, 2020 at 09:57 am

Rams rushing: 18 attempts 62 yards total
3.4 average

That’s rushing yourself right to a Super Bowl title. And the only touchdown Drive of the game had 67 yards passing 2 yards rushing.

I believe in a good rushing attack as much as the next guy but you still have to be able to throw the ball.

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Bure9620's picture

August 04, 2020 at 11:25 am

Yes you are right. The Rams runnig game sucked in the playoffs particularly in the NFCCG and SB, Gurley did not play well and was benched. But, they ran the ball well during the regular season.

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Rudedawg67's picture

August 04, 2020 at 06:04 pm

They did and I expected much more from them in the playoffs.Can’t believe New England shut them down that hard. I hope Green Bay can get back to the days of Ahmad Green when they could run and pass effectively. I expect Dillon will be a big difference maker on a lot of third and shorts.

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gkarl's picture

August 04, 2020 at 07:13 am

Tyler the first thing that came to my mind after reading your first 2 paragraphs was Nagler made you write this. :)

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Roadrunner23's picture

August 04, 2020 at 07:38 am

Yep we good at WR....unless Davante goes down, the we may have a small problem

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Leatherhead's picture

August 04, 2020 at 09:45 am

Agreed, although we had our best scoring stretch of the season when Adams was out last year and we were forced to throw to other players.

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Handsback's picture

August 04, 2020 at 10:18 am

Why compare the 49ers to Green Bay's receiving corp? They beat the crap out of the Packers by running the ball. The Packers lost their games last year because they got beat in the trenches. Adding another stud wideout won't help them close that gap. They are committed to a running game. With one of the best QBs in the league, they can make it work. Add players where needed, not for FFL points.

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TylerHerrick's picture

August 05, 2020 at 01:30 pm

Wasn’t trying to compare the WRs. Was attempting to point out the scheme and eligible receivers vs the WR Corp specifically. It’s not about the 49ers vs the Packers. It’s about the system. And I couldn’t agree more: A WR would have helped them in the NFCCG.

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TylerHerrick's picture

August 05, 2020 at 10:35 pm

***Wouldn’t have helped them

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Stroh's picture

August 04, 2020 at 12:59 pm

More WR? No they don't as I've been saying for months. Better WR? Absolutely.

They have Adams and a bunch of #4 WR parading around as #2's. Better quality, not quantity, is what is needed. Unfortunately, when they picked in rd 1 and 2, I didn't like any of the options that were available, so going WR and TW/Hback was fine. I don't generally advocate for using a 1st on WR anyway. But a 2nd and 3rd on a WR next year would be nice. 1st rd picks should be on the premium positions (QB, OT, CB and Pass Rusher). Use a 1st on OT and then a 2nd on WR in '21 woulld be ideal.

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Coldworld's picture

August 04, 2020 at 02:05 pm

It’s amazing how many screamed for change and now kick and scream every time it occurs.

This may not work but it’s kind of risible to act like this before it’s even been tried.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

August 05, 2020 at 08:47 am

In 2021 draft should draft talent among the Packers top position needs appear about equal I'd consider OT in round 1 and quite possibly in round 2. I'd make a good run stopping DL a top priority in FA. Winning in the trenches is vital! The Packers have given priority to defense in the draft for years with minimal to show for it. While I think we all pretty much know the real questions are who will be the QB, and what is the Packers offensive scheme they are wanting to run? These decisions will be dictating the type of offensive lineman they will want.

I think the Packers WR's along with TE are just fine going in to this season. You are going to see several players in these positions step forward. Depending on covid the end of the year overall stats for these position groups will be comparable to other recent years.

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TylerHerrick's picture

August 05, 2020 at 01:31 pm

Fair point about upgrading the talent vs adding more. I’m thinking development in the system for the people in the building will help that.

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greengold's picture

August 06, 2020 at 10:33 am

Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst believe in their player development program. Good. We are about to see what they do with it, and there are plenty of players who may benefit - to your point, TylerHerrick.

Hey, I surely did NOT believe in Mike McCarthy's, and we've seen how many players struggled through this recovery from what I consider to be a poor effort there by MM and his staff.

Personally, I'm stoked to see what MLF/MP do with regards to developing their young talent. Since this is about WRs, I'm also not going to give up on a kid like Darrius Shepherd. While he clearly got the yips in the return game, he was a total baller as a WR, and proved he could make the tough catch, time and time again in preseason last year. Hoping for the best.

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greengold's picture

August 06, 2020 at 10:21 am

For all of those clamoring for WR additions, I hope you're willing to consider that many of MVS's numbers are better than Jordy Nelson's were after year 2. While MVS struggled with his Catch%, had he gotten anything close to Nelson & Cobb in that regard, he might have blown both of them out of the water.

MVS's Catch % is more in keeping with where Davante Adams was after year 2. I do expect that will improve this season, at least we all hope so.

Allen Lazard's 1st year stats (2019) were better than Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adam's numbers.

We've got WRs. Adding Reggie Begelton, to me, was very clutch back in January. I like the kid, who is not all that much of a kid in comparison to this last draft class. He's a 2 year CFL veteran and a CFL All-Star. Pure slot WR too who has a history of owning the middle of the field, and being highly reliable.

EQ seems to have gotten some praise from AR of late as well. I think this group will be way better than many might think. Add to that, we now have a legit receiving threat from the slot at TE with Sternberger. A lot can go right with this. We'll see.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

August 06, 2020 at 08:09 pm

GG,

Good post and agree!

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