Receivers Adopting New Offense and New Roles

The wide receivers are still learning the new offense. In doing so, some have also adopted new leadership roles on the team. 

Now that organized team activities and mandatory minicamp have concluded, countless hours of speculation will occur until July 25th when players are able to put pads on and get to work at training camp.

As things stand right now, the defense is further along than the offense. Press conferences with the coaching staff have made it clear that the defense is progressing at a faster pace, but that’s to be expected, right?

The defense is entering their second year in coordinator Mike Pettine’s system. The offense, in contrast, is starting from scratch with Head Coach Matt LaFleur and new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

“The defense is definitely ahead of the game right now,” said LaFleur with a smile. But he went on to indicate that he likes the competitiveness between the two sides, and that he can’t wait to see how players perform in live action during camp.

While learning a new system is challenging, especially for players like Aaron Rodgers who have had one system their entire playing career, the new scheme includes a lot that players like, too.

“I like a lot of the routes that we run,” said wide receiver Trevor Davis at his locker. “Fits my speed and my style. We all really like the change a lot.”

Trevor Davis is a name to keep an eye on when training camp starts. He notoriously performs well in shorts, but this year he’s caught the attention of both his head coach and his quarterback. Davis will likely be vying for the sixth or seventh WR spot (depending on how many are kept) in addition to the returner role on special teams.

Fellow speedy receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling shared similar thoughts to Davis in regards to the new offense.

“I think it’s built for my kind of player,” he said. “I’m a vertical guy and I can stretch the field. I think this offense is predicated for guys like me.”

Picture a package with Davis and Valdes-Scantling on the boundary and Davante Adams in the slot. That’s pretty. As players continue to develop chemistry with Rodgers, the big-play potential will be there in this new offense.

The offense is already looking different, but so is the locker room. Mainstays like Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb have since departed. With their departure comes new opportunities for different players to emerge as team leaders.

When asked about his leadership role on the team as the now-veteran in the wide receivers room, Adams didn’t shy away from anything.

“That’s just a trait that I have,” he said. “I’ve always been a leader.

“Now that obviously I’m the clear-cut, oldest guy in the room, it’s just natural. These guys definitely look up to me and value my opinion on different things, so I try to lead by example first and foremost.”

Another player in a similar position on offense is third-year receiver Geronimo Allison, who finds himself in the WR2 role heading into training camp. Whether he stays there all season is another story (I think he will), but for now, he’s second in the ranks entering the 2019 rotation.

“It was weird,” Geronimo Allison started when asked how it feels to be considered one of the veterans on the team. “But I’m owning it. And I feel comfortable in the position where I’m at.

“I’ve been doing pretty good with the offense. I’ve been doing pretty good helping the guys along the way. And we’ve all been working together collectively.”

Said Allison of the offense, “It’s a fresh start so everybody’s kind of feeling good about it.”

There’s still a lot to learn when it comes to the new scheme, but the young receivers are excited about their potential fits in a brand new offense. How fast the players can pick up the offense will be one of the main focal points of training camp, in addition to the classic receiver battles that take place every season.

 

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Maggie Loney is a writer for Cheesehead TV and podcaster for the Pack-A-Day Podcast and Pack's What She Said. Find her on Twitter at @MaggieJLoney.

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5 points
 

Comments (22)

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

June 18, 2019 at 12:28 pm

The package I picture most with this offense is 3 receivers stacked on one side and one wide on opposite side, maybe some motion. Maybe it's a run, maybe the 3 guys clear out the whole side and it's a dump off to Jones in space, etc... All the stuff that was included in the play call deep dive on this site.

But that's the formation that I think will give opposing DC's fits, especially when you throw in the speed the packers now have at WR. I think that's what WRs are getting excited about, more free releases and opportunity to show case their speed.

4 points
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Lare's picture

June 18, 2019 at 01:52 pm

Not only their speed but their size. Except for Adams and Davis at 6'1", the rest (Moore, Kumerow, MVS & ESB) are all over 6'3". Pretty tough to cover for a shorter DB.

6 points
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Roadrunner23's picture

June 18, 2019 at 01:36 pm

I expect to see number 12 and the rest of the offense play quite a bit in the preseason so they can sharpen their skills in the offense and figure some stuff out can’t wait!
Go Pack!

3 points
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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 12:50 pm

Hope you're right. -- Gotta think MLF also has it in his preseason plans.

0 points
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dobber's picture

June 19, 2019 at 01:25 pm

They have to. I just don't see any way around it if they don't want to start ridiculously slowly.

'Course, if you look back over the last couple preseasons, #12 played so little that almost any time is a significant increase.

1 points
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4thand1's picture

June 18, 2019 at 02:40 pm

I'm not crazy about Adams playing in the slot a lot. I think there's more chance he gets hurt in the slot from taking big hits. Sure he doesn't have blazing speed, but nobody gets off the line like him to beat one on one coverage.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

June 18, 2019 at 03:20 pm

I think you are more likely to see him and MVS on the outside. I really don’t buy into the Davis will be on the outside extrapolation. Far more likely to see Adams in the slot as a variation but I think the likes of EQ and Allison will spend more time there as well as a move TE. MVS is our primary deep threat. He is faster and taller than Davis. I just don’t see any of the others as a legitimate outside partner to MVS as a regular option. I’d rather have EQ or Alison inside. Moore backing up Adams (agility) and Kumerow/Davis backing MVS.

5 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

June 18, 2019 at 04:06 pm

He's a perimeter guy; I agree.

0 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 18, 2019 at 03:26 pm

I really like what they are all (ARod too) saying. "This O is right for me", 'this O fits me," this O fits my body style. All positive comments. They sound excited.

I do not hear "I am the x, or the Y or the z."

If I were a WR, I would be "jacked" about the opportunity to line up everywhere. About the opportunity to be in play, every play, and from everywhere.

What fun for a player, and QB in the pass game.

5 points
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4thand1's picture

June 18, 2019 at 10:18 pm

We fans need some fun too ,Ice. I like fun.

2 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 19, 2019 at 12:11 pm

4thand 1,

We sure do. That's why I am here.

1 points
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RickInCali's picture

June 18, 2019 at 07:40 pm

I am feeling positive, but I have to say: Football is not baseball. Wholesale changes seldom work immediately or the Redskins would have 9 trophies by now. I do think our coaching/leadership was “that bad” so I do have hope. Pray for the hot start we should get from our opponents lack of pre-scouting. Count me as cautiously very optimistic.

4 points
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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 01:01 pm

Five out the first 7 games are at Lambeau. -- (Vikings, Broncos, Eagles, Lions & Raiders).
I'm sticking to a record of 6-2 for the Pack at the halfway point.

1 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 18, 2019 at 09:16 pm

RickInCali,

Great vibes, just like the rest of us.

Lets not forget that this is not a new NFL O. It may be the best QB deploying it, but he has to get it down too.

If the O creates the mismatches it is supposed to, and ARod recognizes the opening, and the WR/TE/RB catches the ball, I expect 35 pts a game. That should win a lot of games.

But we do play against NFL Ds.

3 points
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greengold's picture

June 19, 2019 at 05:46 am

This is going to be a very high scoring machine. I have zero doubts about that. Add a solid mix of running with an improved OL, and the attack will be balanced, and it will keep the opposing QBs on the sidelines.

Our defense will be fresh as a result, and with the talent, depth and speed they have, I can see this being a very successful season.

3 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

June 19, 2019 at 08:07 am

The improvement on the O that will most help Aaron and the receivers will be the Guard play.

The G spots gave up so many pressures and sacks last year. I see Turner and probably Jenkins taking over and giving the Pass Game time to pick the D apart.

3 points
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dobber's picture

June 19, 2019 at 12:44 pm

Exactly. It's hard to be successful in clutch situations if you're consistently giving up pressure through the A gaps.

1 points
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PatrickGB's picture

June 19, 2019 at 08:37 am

A legitimate run game and unpredictable formations will open the door. Now it is up to the players to execute it. I see a lot of potential here and I am excited about it. The defense is better this year too. Sure, there will be some growing pains but that’s to be expected. Without any major injuries this team will go far.

3 points
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Freezn's picture

June 19, 2019 at 09:18 am

A lot of NFL teams should be concerned playing the packers as our offense is now no open book for apposing defenses and our defense will be planting quarterbacks into the field. This should be a very hard team to play against.

2 points
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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 01:08 pm

Very difficult to choose how many WRs on the final 53.-- Even more difficult to choose the complete list of WRs. -- Gotta think MLF & staff have a few surprises yet to unfold.
Really makes the off season more interesting... Same 'ol, same 'ol is long gone. (finally)

2 points
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wildbill's picture

June 19, 2019 at 05:01 pm

Being optimistic I feel all position groups have been upgraded, except for the backup QB. I have no confidence that either backup could come in and win a few games for us. Not trying to be a Debbie downer but I am hoping that we are watching for a decent backup if/when a good one is dropped before the regular season starts. That being said I think with our upgraded offensive line that Rodgers should have a healthy season and hopefully it’s a non issue

1 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:27 pm

wildbill,

Glad someone else is talking about it. The back-up QB's just aren't in the discussion, which I really do not understand. I mean, all the other trivial speculation, (positions/players) I would guess the QB pecking order/talent would hold some prominence.

I still believe there is a plan, just like at WR (pre draft). It's funny the (national) media wants to create a big mess between MLF and ARod, but no they do not mention our QB back-up plan. They are obviously just trolling.

And in Guty I trust.

0 points
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