Time to Slow Down the Jeff Janis Hype Train

Should the struggling and injured Packers' offense give Jeff Janis more opportunities? On closer inspection, maybe not.

There is a serious hype train about Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis that is gaining a lot of steam lately, and it's like an unstoppable locomotive.

Should the Packers pay attention to the buzz and involve him more in the offense? Can he be the savior in an injured and stagnant offense?

In short, no. Not yet.

Ever since the Packers drafted Janis from Division II Saginaw Valley State in the seventh round of the 2014 draft, many Packers fans have heralded him as the second coming of Don Hutson and James Lofton.

Much of this was in jest, and continues strong to this very day. Even our own twitter account gets involved in the good fun.

Much of the hype comes from his blazing speed (4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash), his domination against Division II competition, and his physique the resembles the statue of David.

However, eventually it began to take off as a real hype train.  Many people began to believe that he really was the next great receiver and the heir to the Packers' offensive machine.

Yes, the JS Comments Twitter feed isn't a real news source, but it's a culmination of humorous and ridiculous reader comments posted at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. People actually believe what they are writing there, which is why JS Comments is gold mine of entertainment.

With the string of injuries to the receiving corps, I can objectively understand why fans would want to see what Janis can do. Why not give the guy a shot, especially when the offensive is stagnant and struggling?

The answer is because he's not ready. 

The coaches know that. The film shows it. He needs more time to mature and make the transition from Division II football to the NFL. It's not an overnight process.

Therefore, it's time to slow down the hype train a little bit while he continues to season and figure things out from the mental standpoint.

No one is doubting his physical abilities, but he lacks football awareness. His football intelligence needs to improve and he needs to learn better attention to detail.

Currently, he's struggling with his progression. The situational football information is coming at him too fast and he can't process it quickly enough. His football IQ is lagging behind his physical talents.

In other words, he's pressing. He's thinking too much and not naturally relying upon finely tuned instincts. That comes from time and repetition.

There is no better example of his pressing and lacking football awareness than while he was on the punt coverage team against the St. Louis Rams. Tim Masthay hit a gem that fell to a thud within the 5 yard line. The ball bounced forward, and was never in risk of rolling into the end zone. However, Janis tried too hard to make a play, and his error resulted in a touchback.

In the first picture below, you can see how the ball hit at about the 2 yard line. Janis should have just let it be, but he somehow felt compelled to attempt to down the football.

The next picture below shows how he batted the ball to the goal line and his momentum carried him into the end zone. While it was initially ruled down inside the 1 yard line, replay overturned the call to a touchback because he failed to reestablish himself in the field of play.

This was a mental error of epic proportions for many reasons. Sure, it was a hustle play, and it's hard to fault a good effort. If you're going to mess up, mess up big. But, this cost the Packers valuable field position in a game that was still very much in doubt.

Furthermore, since the punting team touched the ball, the receiving team can attempt to advance it without any fear of a turnover. Maybe Janis was thinking he should down it in case the returner wanted to advance it, but no sane returner will attempt to field a punt that close to the goal line unless the coverage team touched it first. He did much more damage than any good that could have come from his effort.

It's just one example of his lack of awareness and understanding.

Even special teams coordinator Ron Zook acknowledged that Janis is on a steep learning curve.

That's coach speak for not understanding situational football.

But, that's just special teams, and he's a receiver, so we should give him a pass, right?

Maybe he should get a pass on special teams, but his receiving skills also need considerable work.

As of the Rams game, he has only been targeted a single time this season as a receiver. So, there's not a lot of film on him in the passing game. But, I went back the final preseason game against the Saints to see how he fared in the passing game.

To cut to the chase, it was raw and lacking.

In the play below, Janis ran a go route and beat his defender with the speed that everyone is enamored about. Brett Hundley threw a beautiful ball that should have resulted in a long gain.

The pass was thrown perfectly in a position intended to be over Janis' outside shoulder; it should have landed squarely in the basket as long as he continued to run through the route and under the ball. However, Janis inexplicably turns back the ball, slowing his momentum and missing the landing point of the ball.

What should have been a sizeable gain from a beautiful ball looked like a clumsy attempt, and resulted in an incompletion. Yards were left on the field.

While this is a difficult catch to make, it can be done. One of the best, and most timely while under pressure, examples of this was Eli Manning to Mario Manningham in the Super Bowl.

This is another prime example how Janis' physical talent is far ahead of his mental game. He should have known to run through the ball, but he pressed it and looked foolish in the process. This is why Janis isn't currently being used as the deep threat or as the focal point of the "shot" play.

These things can, and will, improve with reps. So, why aren't the Packers giving him more playing time and targets?

It all goes back to QB1. Aaron Rodgers has to trust his receivers and build chemistry. At this very moment, Rodgers doesn't seem to trust Janis, and that's all the coaching staff needs to know, even though they are likely aware he's not yet ready for primetime.

Jeremy VanDerLinden at Titletown Sound Off recently posted a fantastic article about the Packers' receivers. In the article, he spoke specifically about the Janis situation:

Speaking of not ready, Jeff Janis is still waiting on his opportunity and it’s not clear that he will actually get one. I understand Kennard Backman not being ready, he’s a rookie sixth round pick. Janis, however, is in his second season and while he was a seventh round pick he should be further along than he is. Janis is out of place almost every time he sees the field and Rodgers just doesn’t trust him. Rodgers has mentioned the work ethic of the young wide receivers multiple times and he never paints Janis in a positive light when he does.

There you have it. Janis currently isn't ready to contribute to the offense. That's not saying he'll never be able to. Even the Packers' all time leading receiver Donald Driver needed a few seasons to get up to speed; he had 37 catches over his first three seasons before having a breakout 70 catch season in his fourth. 

In the meantime, temper your expectations about Jeff Janis and slow down the hype train.

All in good time.

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Comments (79)

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murphy's picture

October 14, 2015 at 01:08 pm

"While it was initially ruled as a touchback, replay overturned the call because he failed to reestablish himself in the field of play."

It was ruled down at the one, then overturned to a touchback, right?

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Jay Hodgson's picture

October 14, 2015 at 01:31 pm

Correct. Total brain fart, and it's been corrected. Thanks for pointing it out so future readers didn't get confused.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 14, 2015 at 01:31 pm

Many suggested that Janis would be a 2 or even 3 year project. I know Dan S wrote that several times over the last year or so. One never knows when (or sadly in some cases if) the light bulb will turn on for a player.

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4thand1's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:23 pm

Like Bostick? Never happened, got dumber and dumber.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:41 pm

Thank you TGR. And yes I've been saying it since the hype started in his rookie training camp. He's a long term project not unlike Jordy or Driver both of whom took 3 full years to develop.

I wouldn't expect much early next year either.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 14, 2015 at 01:48 pm

While I mostly agree with you and the article, I would like to point out that you can find just about any receiver making an error while running down a deep ball whether its looking over the wrong shoulder or what not. Even veterans make that mistake once and a while.

As far as special teams, I have seen Jarrett Bush and so many other players making similar mistakes like Janis made. To me its a learning experience and he should improve from that. What I like is he got down there and was in position to make the play. Hopefully he learns from it and improves.

I understand that Rodgers doesn't trust him, and I am sure most of it stems from practice which we don't see. My only concern with his trust issues, is what happens if there is one more injury to the WR's? Rodgers is going to have to throw to someone. Wouldn't now be a good time to try and build that trust during games? Tom Brady seems to have no problem throwing to newly acquired WR's, maybe Rodgers needs to take a page out of his book.

Right now Cobb is far from 100%, Jones has been having hamstring problems, and Adams has been out almost the whole year. Montgomery is a rookie and is still learning. I'm not saying Janis will be the savior or anything, but I don't see any reason why he can't help.
They could use someone with more speed with the way DB's have been challenging Packers WR's, and Janis provides that.

I agree that he isn't ready to play 40+ plays a game and catch 30+ catches for the year. But is it to much to think he could contribute 5-10 plays a game with 1-2 targets his way a game? I don't think that is unreasonable.

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Packer_Pete's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:09 pm

A couple points: "My only concern with his trust issues, is what happens if there is one more injury to the WR's? Rodgers is going to have to throw to someone. " - during a game, maybe they'd have to turn to him, but you can be almost certain that the next game someone else who is not on the roster would be the one thrown to... This is the NFL, and the Packers don't have the luxury to play on a high level with lots of 'projects' - it would be a senior WR such as Reggie Wayne...

"I agree that he isn't ready to play 40+ plays a game and catch 30+ catches for the year. But is it to much to think he could contribute 5-10 plays a game with 1-2 targets his way a game? I don't think that is unreasonable." - Unless the proves that he can do it (and that proof has to be done in practice), that's not going to happen. basically, one could do that if the game is already out of hand in either direction. In a close contest like the one against the Rams (and most opponents in the NFL), despite the seemingly comfortable 2 TD win, the 1 - 2 targets could lead to a drive stalling, either with a TO or a incompletion at the wrong time, due to his inexperience and errors. And the Packers simply cannot afford that. Basically, a Cobb at 50% is still light years ahead of Janis. Or Abbrederis for that matter. That's why we won't see either in a meaningful game situation, unless further injuries absolutely dictate that in one game, but then again, the next game the Packers would sign 1 or 2 WRs who have NFL experience.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 14, 2015 at 05:30 pm

Yeah, I really don't see them signing any Free Agents unless they had to. The part I am more worried about is in game, what they would do. If they lost someone in the 4th quarter in a tight game.

I just thought now would have been a good time to get him some time with Rodgers and the starters in case we would need him in a game down the road. You are correct in that in tight games it's harder to do.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 14, 2015 at 03:30 pm

"...My only concern with his trust issues, is what happens if there is one more injury to the WR's? Rodgers is going to have to throw to someone. ..."
I would like to point out to another WR who is on the active roster - Jared Abbrederis - Abby. He is the player Aaron was talking about with superlatives...

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 14, 2015 at 05:33 pm

I like Abbrederis as well. And perhaps he is farther along then Janis. We may see shortly.

Since this article was written about Janis I just left it about him.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 14, 2015 at 08:03 pm

Right now, Abbrederis would be the next man up. He at least can run good routes and seems to have enough knowledge that Rodgers might throw to him. Janis is just too much of a project IMO. Abbrederis is more ready (other than being rather weak physically) than Janis (who isn't ready mentally).

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 15, 2015 at 06:30 am

if you could combine Abbrederis's mental game with Janis's physicality, that would be one hell of a player.

I agree with you, that Abbrederis is probably farther a long then Janis. Abbrederis's problem so far has been his health. Where as Janis is all on his mental game.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 15, 2015 at 04:53 pm

His name would be Jordy Nelson. :)

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SpudRapids's picture

October 14, 2015 at 01:59 pm

Personally I like Abby better for the offense and i think the Packers do as well and they demonstrated this by elevating and signing him. If you read the strengths and weaknesses form their combine profiles it paints a picture of two different players. You have Abby who does the little things and understands defenses and you have Janis that has the measurables. Personally, i think to compete in the NFL you have to do all the little things beyond measurables. Here are the combine profiles:

Abby Strengths:
"Uses his hands well to swat away press. Stems his routes. Sells his patterns. Nice hands. Good field and boundary awareness. Gives effort to engage and shield cornerbacks as a blocker. Outstanding football intelligence -- like a quarterback on the outside. Productive three-year starter. Mature and humble. Hardworking and coachable."

Abby Weaknesses:
"Has a slender build and needs to bulk up and get stronger. Ordinary pop off the line. Builds to average speed. Could struggle to separate vs. quick-twitch covermen. Lets throws into his body and breaks stride to catch. Not an above-the-rim player. Straightlinish after the catch -- pedestrian agility and elusiveness. Has a history of concussions."

Janis Strengths:
"Exceptional measurables and leaping ability -- will test through the roof. Accelerates into routes quickly and can separate vertically and uncover underneath working short-to-intermediate zones. Terrific production -- carves up lesser competition and creates chunk plays. Good red-zone target. Exceptional work ethic. Outstanding football character. Very passionate about the game."

Janis Weaknesses:
"Has very small, inconsistent hands -- will cradle the ball and use his body. Is not a nuanced route runner. Does not attack the ball in the air and will give up some break points. Not strong after the catch and will look for a soft landing spot. Can be fazed by traffic. Regularly faced Division II competition. Not a consistent blocker -- does not play to his size."

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Evan's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:12 pm

"...I like Abby better for the offense and i think the Packers do as well and they demonstrated this by elevating and signing him."

But then why did Janis make the 53 out of training camp while Abby was cut?

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SpudRapids's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:32 pm

Probably because Abby practiced with them for one week last year before tearing his ACL and one week this before getting concussed whereas Janis had been available the whole time. Once he got on the practice squad and continued to make plays they probably felt more comfortable giving him a roster spot.

Plus they probably thought Janis would be farther along in his development that where he is currently.

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Evan's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:45 pm

Yea, that seems fair.

(I had forgotten about Abby's training camp concussion.)

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 14, 2015 at 05:37 pm

I like Anbrederis as well. I think Rodgers already trusts him more then Janis, so we could possibly see him sooner then Janis. Abbrederis is a more disciplined receiver then Janis and a better route runner.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

October 14, 2015 at 09:45 pm

RCPackerFan, I agree. I think Abbredaris is potentially a Very Good, if not Great WR.

I've been in Nevada, & don't get Packer news on a daily basis. Has there been any news on how Jordy is doing? Everyone seems to think that he will heal, come back, & go right back to where he was. I hope that's the case, but he may never be the same.

I remember, IMO one of GB's Best WR's ever, Robert Brooks when he got hurt. Not sure of the exact injury? He came back & did well for a while, but it affected what could have been a Great Career.

There are No Guarantee's Jordy will come back from his injury, & be the same. We all hope he will. Has there been any news on how he is doing? LVT

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 14, 2015 at 11:12 pm

No news on Jordy that I've heard. It was a clean ACL and only ACL, that's actually a pretty cut and dried rehab these days. He'll be back to himself next year, I'm not even worried about that. He didn't have any other damage to other ligaments or cartilage/meniscus.

Brooks injury was when it was still a somewhat new procedure and he may have had other damage and possible reconstruction. Jordy's will be a relatively simple arthroscopic procedure. Plus Jordy has a full year he won't have to rush the rehad at all.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

October 14, 2015 at 11:38 pm

DS, Thanks for the reply. LVT

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 15, 2015 at 06:56 am

Yeah, I haven't heard anything new either. The only thing I did hear was a week ago one of the reporters was in the locker room asking questions, and they ran into Jordy, and he was in very good spirits about everything. Except he wouldn't answer anything about his knee.

That is the only thing I have heard about him recently.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:19 pm

Janis is pressing, he is trying so hard. I could see the ball had died but he tried to down it and in the process it became a touchback.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:19 pm

Janis is pressing, he is trying so hard. I could see the ball had died but he tried to down it and in the process it became a touchback.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:19 pm

Janis is pressing, he is trying so hard. I could see the ball had died but he tried to down it and in the process it became a touchback.

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Evan's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:20 pm

You would know about pressing...

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SpudRapids's picture

October 14, 2015 at 02:41 pm

I see what you did there.... ha

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croatpackfan's picture

October 15, 2015 at 03:09 am

Jay, thank you for the article. I was not on that high hype train for Jeff Janis. I admit that he has all physical abilities to be great WR, but we have give him time to not only learn how to play, but to make that knowledge automated in his actions... I remember one game when Randall Cobb was, I think, KR and kick was down the right bound tending to go to end zone and out. Randall put one leg outbound and pick the ball. Packers started at 40 yards line... That type of game is something I think we will never be able to see from Jeff Janis. Because, if Randall needed to think what to do, the ball would went in the end zone. Jeff is just not doing that, he thinks what he needs to do and that is why game is to fast for him at the moment. But, with practice and with more playing time things will slowly comes to the right place. Then we will see Jeff Janis playing on the offense....

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EdsLaces's picture

October 14, 2015 at 03:58 pm

Read above that he wasn't a good blocker ..totally agree. If you wanna see a good block watch the highlight of the Robert Woods block this past weekend...insane.

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Handsback's picture

October 14, 2015 at 03:59 pm

I mentioned on another site that it’s not because Janis isn’t working hard, he’s never worked on the aspects that separate an average WR from a starter. It may take three years or even four to get that level of expertise. I think he will be a solid starter either with the Packers or another team.

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Oppy's picture

October 14, 2015 at 04:01 pm

I wish this article was written about 8 weeks ago.
Long overdue.

Janis isn't ready for NFL offense yet.

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Ferrari Driver's picture

October 14, 2015 at 04:04 pm

Janis has been in the system for well over a year and rookie receiver Ty Montgomery is playing while Janis rides the bench.

I can only conclude that Janis is a Bostick clone and is slow on the draw.

Good article.

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4thand1's picture

October 14, 2015 at 05:03 pm

Hate to say it, but it looks like the case.

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tobinrote's picture

October 14, 2015 at 06:35 pm

Let's face it. The guy is seriously limited upstairs

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Packer_Pete's picture

October 14, 2015 at 10:22 pm

I wouldn't say that. To some it just comes naturally, and some never get it. Doesn't have to do with intelligence or a problem upstairs. Just with how different we are. I also think it is more projected expectations from fans. Janis, body like made for football, great speed, everything physically you'd want as a fan. Just didn't translate to the field (yet). Remember Charles Johnson? Same thing, even though he had a few good games in purple. Corey Bradford? All the physical tools you'd want, but never really got it. Then on the other hand, you got guys like Antonio Freeman. Athletically not the best or most gifted, but knows where the soft zones in a D are. Or James Jones. Heaven sent, but just a few months ago people were happy that Ted didn't overpay...

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Point-Packer's picture

October 15, 2015 at 12:16 am

Guy is dumb and over-rated. Likely nothing more than a special teams player. Stop the hype machine.

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Oppy's picture

October 16, 2015 at 12:47 am

In short, just because you're a great athlete, doesn't necessarily mean you'll be a great football player.

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Snake Plissken's picture

October 14, 2015 at 05:05 pm

It's obvious Janis has issues, but he has something we're presently lacking,… Speed that causes respect and fear.
The Packers should put a small Janis package of plays together and run them in the game,… including a go route over the top…. I don't even care if they complete it, but at this point they need to go vertical so that they don't get squeezed on the horizontal.
Once you send him deep, they are threatened, and the safeties cannot just play Cobb.

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sonomaca's picture

October 14, 2015 at 05:36 pm

That's right. However, if defenses don't believe Janis can actually catch a deep ball, they're not going to pay attention.

I infer from the above article that Rodgers thinks Janis is lazy. If I recall, he had a good Wonderlic score, so he's not dumb. Is lack of effort the problem? Montgomery seems to be the perfect young receiver. Super smart, extremely athletic, very hard worker. Janis seems to be missing at least one of those qualities.

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4thand1's picture

October 14, 2015 at 05:48 pm

I doubt they would just let him run down the field uncovered.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 14, 2015 at 08:00 pm

They actually tried a deep route to Janis early in one of the games and it wasn't even close to completed. The D won't leave him uncovered but if they don't believe he can run the entire route tree and he can't sell the short/intermediate routes, the DB will sit deep on him, even as the Safeties play short. Janis hasn't shown he can run the route tree so the CB will play him for the deep route and the Safeties will still play short for the WR that can't get deep. Either way its not helping the Packers or changing the coverages.

Simple fact is until he can run good routes, including short/intermediate stuff Janis is very limited and the D won't change. He has to be a fairly complete WR to change the D and gain Rodgers trust to see the field.

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Snake Plissken's picture

October 14, 2015 at 11:39 pm

You seem to discount that the throw was impossible to catch,…. it was OB.
Now Janis has to press the inside of the route,…. but Rodgers has to throw a catchable ball.

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4thand1's picture

October 14, 2015 at 05:56 pm

Rumor has it, the 9ers are looking to deal Vernon Davis. Wouldn't he look good in green and gold? He's due to make 6.9 mil this year, I think Ted can afford him. I'd shit in my pants if he pulled the trigger and made a trade.

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MarkinMadison's picture

October 14, 2015 at 06:12 pm

That D-bag who said he was glad he didn't get drafted by Green Bay, who rumor has it told the Packers he wouldn't come? Sounds like the second coming of Keith Jackson. Do it TT.

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Packer_Pete's picture

October 14, 2015 at 10:31 pm

I still remember the discussion back then was AJ Hawk or Davis. Who'd you rather have? The guy who can stretch a D or the one defending him? And of course Ted took AJ. And I really really never had a big issue with it. AJ was a solid player, just no game changer. Davis could've been a game changer but it really never worked out that well either. But if I remember correctly, that draft was not that strong. Mario Williams #1, Reggie Bush #2, Vince Young #3, Matt Leinart #10, Cutler #11, but better players came later - actually #53 Greg Jennings.... But also, #45 LenDale White (as not so good example)...There were even rumors that AJ could've been a top 3 pick.

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NewNikeShoes's picture

October 14, 2015 at 11:54 pm

what happened with White?
thought he did decently well.
watched a football life and just remembered his name

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real some guy's picture

October 14, 2015 at 06:10 pm

First of all, Janis has been fantastic on special teams so far, even back in the preseason. Pointing out one play where he made a mistake doesn't show he's pressing - he's actually been very good. Why are you ignoring all of that?

Second, You show a play in a preseason game that he did not execute well and none of the ones he did execute well - and there have been a number. Why ignore those?

This article could have been a sentence long. Rodgers doesn't trust Janis because he's raw and sometimes makes mental mistakes.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 14, 2015 at 08:23 pm

"Why are you ignoring all of that?"

Because the play he NEEDED to make he didn't. He has done some good things on ST, but the one play the Packers needed him to make he had a couple brain farts on. So the other times he does his job mean nothing. He has to make the plays he's needed not just the ordinary.

Janis had a chance to show the coaches he could be counted on, to not just do the right thing, but to actually make a play, he blew it in a couple ways.

1st he was out of control running too fast, so he couldn't stop himself and bat the ball into position for a teammate. Good hustle but still a mistake.
2nd he didn't think enough to reestablish himself in the field of play before touching the ball.

Both are bad mental mistakes.

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Alvo's picture

October 14, 2015 at 10:43 pm

"2nd he didn't think enough to reestablish himself in the field of play before touching the ball."

Because he totally had time to do that...

The one play is being dissected to death. He's a very capable gunner who's playing the position for the first time. Oh, and he's going to block a punt by the end of the year.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 14, 2015 at 11:30 pm

He seems to be a very capable gunner. But he's got to know that he has to reestablish himself in the field. If he can't or couldn't he should have left the ball for another player to try to down before it went in the end zone.

He dove at the ball w/o even trying to establish himself in the field of play again.

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Alvo's picture

October 15, 2015 at 06:51 am

He tried to kill the ball after it was bouncing away from the goal line. His mistake was touching it in the first place - he should have let it bounce up field. After he hit it, the wasn't much time to prevent it from going into the end zone... Definitely not enough time to run back, put two feet in bounds and stop the ball from rolling in.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 15, 2015 at 09:27 am

If he didn't have time to get his feet in the field he should have left the ball for a teammate to down. Which I also said.

Think what you want.

Either way it F'd up in more than one way when he was needed to make a play, that was there to be made.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

October 16, 2015 at 03:10 am

He's a throwback to packer gory days. 73-93 where every week there would be At least one dumb thing that an even dumber fan than me would see as an obvious bonehead play. Favre was a bonehead, but slightly educable. Janis ?

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Packer_Pete's picture

October 14, 2015 at 10:34 pm

Because preseason is vanilla. run straight down and catch it... If you look at preseason, the Eagles destroyed the Packers. 39-26, and it wasn't even that close. if they played tomorrow, you honestly think it would end that way???

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Snake Plissken's picture

October 14, 2015 at 11:37 pm

Pre season isn't vanilla, and its why guys make the team.
Ask Tolzien, JElliot, Pennel AND Janis.
The Eagles kicked the starters ASS that night, and don't think that it was because the Packers weren't trying to stop them…. they executed flawlessly.
Janis needs to play in games…. if you watch the KC game, he makes a good block to get Cobb into the end zone… he's physical…. just not a genius.
But this kid needs a package to run thru once a game… it will pay off.

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4thand1's picture

October 15, 2015 at 03:26 am

That was the 1st game CM player in. Did he play like the monster that's playing now, when it counts? The Eagles fans are calling for the coaches head and Capers is being called a great DC again.

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Lphill's picture

October 14, 2015 at 07:40 pm

Practice makes perfect, the kid needs to play and Rodgers needs to throw him the ball to build his confidence , I think he can be a solid receiver , just needs good coaching.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 14, 2015 at 08:36 pm

Yes... In Practice. When he practices great, Rodgers and the coaches will trust him and get him on the field.

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porupack's picture

October 15, 2015 at 12:15 am

Lphill, admirable support, but I'm going with the coaches and a well respected QB on this one. They don't use him for a good football reason. They'll put him in a game as WR when they feel his positive contributions outweigh risks. Fair conclusion?

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4thand1's picture

October 15, 2015 at 03:07 am

You're absolutely right. There's always a player fans get too high on right away. Remember So'oto? The fact that we are hurting at WR and he still can't get on the field really says something. Div II to the pros is a lot different than div I. Not saying it can't be done, it has in the past. To be on the same page with someone like Rodgers has gotta be hard.

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

October 14, 2015 at 09:38 pm

I think he might just make a catch sometime this year.

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Point-Packer's picture

October 15, 2015 at 12:11 am

Jeff Janis: "Every time Jeff steps on the field, it's a learning experience for him."

Translation: guy's dumb. If he doesn't improve quickly, likely cut next year. That special teams play was a stupid ass mistake. Over-hyped. Sick of reading about how great this guy is going to be. Played in D2 for a reason.

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aaronqb's picture

October 15, 2015 at 12:41 am

I think he needs to spend more time studying film of the next opponent and working to get better and less time worrying about where he is going to go hunting next week.

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GBZEALOT's picture

October 15, 2015 at 01:04 am

There are two issues:
1) the afore referenced #12 trust gap; and,
2) the nerves issue. He had shingles before camp last year. Shingles are typically triggered by pressure.

Janis is neither dumb or lazy, but like many people who go to a physician and never hear what the Doc is saying, Janis cannot as yet sufficiently control his emotions to absorb the material. The freeze up may never be overcome but time in system & some anti anxiety medication will get it done. Hope the macho crap is in check and the Meds are not dismissed as part of the solution.

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GBZEALOT's picture

October 15, 2015 at 01:04 am

There are two issues:
1) the afore referenced #12 trust gap; and,
2) the nerves issue. He had shingles before camp last year. Shingles are typically triggered by pressure.

Janis is neither dumb or lazy, but like many people who go to a physician and never hear what the Doc is saying, Janis cannot as yet sufficiently control his emotions to absorb the material. The freeze up may never be overcome but time in system & some anti anxiety medication will get it done. Hope the macho crap is in check and the Meds are not dismissed as part of the solution.

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PaulRosik's picture

October 15, 2015 at 08:38 pm

Stress causes Shingles? A new one on me. While stress can reduce your immune system and make you more susceptible to all sort of infections or viruses, but stress certainly does not cause Shingles.

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sonomaca's picture

October 15, 2015 at 11:28 am

The Pack doesn't want another Charles Johnson scenario with Janis. However, right now he's got too many issues, not the least of which is that he's a body catcher who doesn't run routes well.

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PaulRosik's picture

October 15, 2015 at 08:43 pm

What's the Charles Johnson scenario? Release a guy and have him never do anything anywhere else either?

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sonomaca's picture

October 16, 2015 at 12:15 am

Had 30 something catches last year with a rookie QB. Been hurt this year. He'll probably torch the Pack later this year, just because you wrote that.

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PaulRosik's picture

October 16, 2015 at 03:09 pm

Johnson is always pointed to as a mistake and like he's some sort of star the Packers let go. The dude has 30 catches in the NFL and I am sure glad we have youngsters like Adams and Montgomery instead of him is all.

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sheppercheeser's picture

October 16, 2015 at 06:15 am

It appears that Janis may be like the WR the Packers used to have- Billy Schroeder. A physical specimen, but lacking in ball skills. As many have commented, we are looking for the whole package i.e. another Nelson.

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PaulRosik's picture

October 16, 2015 at 03:17 pm

Schroeder is a good comparison. He was a small school guy more known for his track skills than his receiver skills when he was drafted in the 6th round as a project. There were always problems with him running the wrong route or not being in the right place. Eventually Favre made him look pretty good for a few seasons ... he had 9 td's one year and right around 1000 yards three years running. Let's hope Janis gets to that level.

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ray nichkee's picture

October 16, 2015 at 05:29 pm

Yep, i see another shroeder in janis, nice tools but cant use em.

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Razor's picture

October 16, 2015 at 09:07 am

Use Janis to stretch the field. Tell him to go deep full speed. Do not slow down until you clear the end zone. If you slow down at any point for any reason you will be cut immediately. Yes, cut during the game.

He's bound to get open once in a while and Rodgers can drop it into his hands.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 16, 2015 at 01:23 pm

You might need to spell it out a bit more.

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guy77money's picture

October 16, 2015 at 10:07 am

Keep hoping for a blow out so we can get some of our young wide outs out on the field and see what they can do.

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Justin DeLany's picture

October 18, 2015 at 07:41 pm

I say speed it up!

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4thand1's picture

October 18, 2015 at 08:49 pm

So now where does the hype train go?

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Packer Bob's picture

October 25, 2015 at 12:21 pm

The hype train probably goes nowhere if all our receivers not named Jeff Janis are healthy after the bye.

Having said that, this article is so biased it's silly. If the poster wants to take one special teams play and a preseason pass play to make his point....well, to me that's a stretch. It would be like me showing a GIF of Cobb dropping a wide open pass last week to make a point of why he is not a good receiver, which he clearly is.

Posting this now, some could say hindsight is 20/20 but I have been talking about Janis since 2nd game. The kid made some plays last week and we need what we can get. I remember Jordy before he was the 2nd coming of Don Hutson and he made mistakes too.

Not saying Janis is anywhere near the caliber of Jordy now....just saying he deserves more time on the field and let's see. Can't have too many tools in the toolbox!

All aboard the hype train!

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