WR Randall Cobb goes bootless at annual youth football camp

-- There may not be any precaution taken with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb as the team begins its transition into training camp later this month.

The eighth-year veteran hosted his third annual youth football camp on Wednesday and was spotted without the walking boot on his ankle that he was sporting last month.

Cobb told Chris Barriere of NBC26 in Green Bay that he isn't sure if there will be any restrictions regarding his participation in training camp until he talks to the training staff, but confirmed he will be involved when camp opens on Thursday, July 26.

His status may be up in the air, but the Packers' training staff is renowned for being historically conservative. It wouldn't be much of a shock if they opted to slowly ease Cobb into activities, especially considering he's entering such an important season.

After the Packers released Jordy Nelson in March after 10 seasons with the team, expectations for Cobb, Davante Adams and the rest of the inexperienced receiving corps understandably spiked.

Cobb described the boot he previously sported as "temporary" to Michael Cohen of The Athletic in June. How the ankle injury occurred, however, is still in question. According to Cohen, Cobb was present at the Packers' last public OTA practice on Monday, June 4.

Entering the final year of his contract, the opportunity is just right for Cobb to piece together a career year -- similar to his 2014 campaign -- and cash in at the end of the season unless the Packers choose to part ways.

Cobb has been one of the NFL's most dynamic slot receivers since being drafted in the second round in 2011, rising to prominence in Green Bay as a multi-faceted receiving threat that can line up in multiple positions.

He is also, for the first time in his career, the oldest wide receiver on the Packers' roster. He turns 28 in August, standing out as something of a model of veteran prowess for the three receivers the Packers drafted in April.

"It's a different generation," Cobb told Packers.com. "They come in excited and ready for that opportunity like we all do at that age. I've switched sides now. I remember when I came in -- Donald [Driver], Jordy [Nelson], Greg [Jennings] and J.J., they're all married with kids or kids on the way.

"Now, I'm that guy and they're looking at me as the old guy. It's a lot of fun to be able to have some of the youth and be able to help them and see their careers take off."

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (23)

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Since'61's picture

July 19, 2018 at 06:47 am

One week to training camp!!! Thanks, Since '61

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NickPerry's picture

July 19, 2018 at 06:59 am

Good to see Cobb without the boot. I for one am expecting him to have a big year. Not 2014 big but somewhere around 70 catches for 800 yards and 8 plus TD's.

I know there's many here that are down on Cobb and perhaps I'm being a bit optimistic. But the Packers will NEED that kind of production from Cobb this year until players like Graham and Lewis are up to speed and hopefully a rookie or two are contributing at least in some way.

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RCPackerFan's picture

July 19, 2018 at 07:31 am

I also think Cobb is in for a big year.

In all honestly he is very overlooked heading into this year. Everyone talks about Adams, Graham, Lewis, the rookie WR's. But lets not forget that one of Rodgers top safety nets is Cobb. He is a guy Rodgers trusts and knows in key moments that he will be where he is supposed to be.

Especially to start I think we will see Rodgers going towards Cobb a lot.

Also Defenses will be having to pay attention more to Adams and the TE's leaving more opportunities for Cobb.

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dobber's picture

July 19, 2018 at 07:59 am

When you look at Cobb's target rate over recent years (vs. snaps played) when playing with #12 and couple that with the departure of Nelson, I suspect he gets a lot of balls thrown his way this year, too. It's my hope that they spread out the targets broadly to compensate for Nelson's absence, though.

We'll have to see how much Graham eats into his slot snaps. Staying on the field is the key.

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carlos's picture

July 20, 2018 at 08:49 am

I think we don’t realize how young Cobb is because it seems like he’s been in Green Bay forever. I personally would like a big guy in the slot and Cobb out wide. With his deceptive speed, moves and smarts I think he could thrive. I’m not saying to not line him in the slot, but think he could stay healthier out there also. Just some thoughts to digest. Does anyone agree or am I wrong?

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Bearmeat's picture

July 19, 2018 at 11:07 am

That's very true. Cobb and Graham might very well be a lethal combo with Adams as the lead dog. As long as those top 3 stay healthy, we'll have a dynamic offense.

Target #4 is where it gets dicey. RB (Monty?) GMo? Rooks? Lots of options. Hopefully one turns out to be a good one!

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dobber's picture

July 19, 2018 at 12:04 pm

I think Monty has a chance to catch a lot of passes. Had 19 in games played with #12 last year (noting that he missed two of ARod's games with injury)...almost 5 per game played. That's 80 catches over a 16-game schedule.

Now, all they have to do is keep him on the field for 16 games....

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GBPDAN1's picture

July 20, 2018 at 04:33 am

I'm hoping for the best regarding Cobb , Alison and the rookie WRs. What concerns me a lot is Adams - our #1 receiver- getting hurt. When Nelson - our #1 receiver at the time - injured his knee and missed the whole year, our offense was terrible. Receivers had a hard time getting open, including Cobb.

Having Graham is the X factor to combat this issue if it was to occur again. We didn't have a great TE when Nelson got hurt. But my question is why didn't Cobb produce when Jordy went down that year?

Anyways, Here's to a healthy season for Adams and our team.

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RCPackerFan's picture

July 19, 2018 at 07:21 am

Just seeing that Cobb is out of the walking boot is a good sign.
I would assume they will have him on rep count or something. That they will try to rest him a little more especially early on.
They have a lot of young WR's so actually resting him more would be a good thing. Allowing other WR's more time with Rodgers.

Like Since '61 said. Only 1 week till camp!

Can't Wait!!!

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

July 19, 2018 at 10:30 pm

Did you see those over developed calves?

Holy Hanna....work those calves will ya!

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Savage57's picture

July 19, 2018 at 07:38 am

I hope Cobb has an outstanding season in support of a deep playoff run by the Packers, maybe even all the way to Vince's trophy.

It's his time to step up and be counted as THE veteran in the WR corps, entering his eight season and final year of a rich contract, heretofore not entirely earned.

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Guam's picture

July 19, 2018 at 07:53 am

I'm excited too. It has been an eventful off-season and I can't wait to see all the changes on the field, particularly the defense. Go Pack Go

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cheesehead1's picture

July 19, 2018 at 10:25 am

Looking forward to see a marked improvement in our D. King and Biegel stepping up would be great. Also waiting to see what Oren Burks brings to the table. Go Pack!

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DD's picture

July 19, 2018 at 11:00 am

Cheesehead1: our ILB's are a major concern to me. Hope you're right, but it bothers me.

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4thand1's picture

July 19, 2018 at 11:29 am

7 days until 1st practice.

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TarynsEyes's picture

July 19, 2018 at 12:41 pm

Cobb not having a walking boot on makes me feel so optimistic that any other issue is moot...Mega Millions here I come.

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 19, 2018 at 03:27 pm

He got no boot
The point is moot
I like to eat fruit
He’s not an old coot
For the Pack we root
I once wore a suit
GB gonna kick some real patoot!

(Yo! I’m freestyling!)

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Oppy's picture

July 19, 2018 at 04:10 pm

Can I be your hype man?

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 19, 2018 at 04:44 pm

No doubt!
We gotta take these rhymes to the streets!
And the cul de sacs.
And the gated communities.

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carlos's picture

July 20, 2018 at 08:56 am

Why is it training camp rolls around and some players, on all teams, are banged up? Also, why do some players opt to have surgery a month before camp opens when it could’ve been done in January. Not too concerned about the minor stuff, but the ones that linger into the first part of the season. That always bugged me. Sometimes it can’t be avoided I’m assuming.

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lou's picture

July 20, 2018 at 10:53 am

If healthy he has a chance for a terrific year, the defense has to choose who to double, Adams or Graham which should leave him one on one most of the time in the slot. He should also have more room underneath when Graham runs seam routes and with Cobb's quickness having him with the ball in his hands in space is a huge advantage for yards after the catch. Hopefully they allow him to return punts, he was dynamic in that role and is a natural, keeping Davis just to return punts is a waist of a roster spot, give one of the new receivers a shot on the roster.

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 22, 2018 at 12:11 pm

The biggest waist goes to Gilbert Brown.

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