How good is Cobb?

[Harlan Huckleby]

I kinda see Randall Cobb as a good #3. He's not as good as Jennings at getting open. James Jones was more productive.

Cobb is a good returner. A nice utility player. He can run out of backfield, but is no Reggie Bush.

My memory of Cobb's career is fuzzy. Has he shown enough to suspect he'll develop into a strong #1 or #2?

[gbgary]

much better than jones as a wr, not as good as jennings (when he was here and healthy) as a wr, better all-around than both.

[3irty1]

I kinda see Randall Cobb as a good #3. He's not as good as Jennings at getting open. James Jones was more productive.

Cobb is a good returner. A nice utility player. He can run out of backfield, but is no Reggie Bush.

My memory of Cobb's career is fuzzy. Has he shown enough to suspect he'll develop into a strong #1 or #2?



SEASON
TEAM
GP
REC
TGTS
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
FD
FUM
LST


2011


GB


15
25
31
375
15.0
61
1
15
0
0


2012


GB


15
80
104
954
11.9
39
8
45
0
0


2013


GB


6
31
46
433
14.0
48
4
18
0
0



In the past he's been a solid reciever. Definitely one of the better slot recievers in the NFL.

He's going to need a lot of catches to get pro bowler type numbers though. So far this season he hasn't been near what he was in 2012 IMO. The last two weeks he has been failing to get separation from linebackers and failing to make anything happen after the catch.

I'd say Jennings > Cobb > Jones

[Harlan Huckleby]

much better than jones as a wr, not as good as jennings (when he was here and healthy) as a wr, better all-around than both.

Jones and Jennings are both past their primes. I don't think Cobb is as good as either at their peaks.

I can't really digest the stats. Cobb has had a slow start this year, he will probably pick it up. I just don't have a memory of him making great catches like I saw from Jones.

What are Cobb's assets as a receiver?

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'd say Jennings > Cobb > Jones

I had real boner for Jones after his great season - was that last year or year before when he lead league in TDs?

Cobb hasn't sent a tingle up my leg for a very long time - maybe his injury last year pushed his great plays into distant memory.

[3irty1]

Jones and Jennings are both past their primes. I don't think Cobb is as good as either at their peaks.

I can't really digest the stats. Cobb has had a slow start this year, he will probably pick it up. I just don't have a memory of him making great catches like I saw from Jones.

What are Cobb's assets as a receiver?

Cobb has already had a better year than Jones ever has IMO.

The best thing about Cobb is the best thing about every good slot guy. He has suddeness in his cuts, runs clean routes, good hands, and has a feel for leveraging defenders to find windows. As a bonus he's dangerous in the open field which can turn those quick developing underneith routes into big plays. As a bonus, bonus he can get you out of a game at running back or quarterback.

[hoosier]

Jones and Jennings are both past their primes. I don't think Cobb is as good as either at their peaks.

I can't really digest the stats. Cobb has had a slow start this year, he will probably pick it up. I just don't have a memory of him making great catches like I saw from Jones.

What are Cobb's assets as a receiver?

He seems to be at his best when Rodgers gets in trouble and breaks the pocket. It's when all the routes have been run and it's every man for himself that he and Rodgers seem to have a real connection. When he was a kid and they were diagraming plays on the QBs palm, Cobb was surely the best player on the field.

[3irty1]

I had real boner for Jones after his great season - was that last year or year before when he lead league in TDs?

Cobb hasn't sent a tingle up my leg for a very long time - maybe his injury last year pushed his great plays into distant memory.

The market reception Jones got should tell you all you need to know. Cobb is just a much more desireable mold.

[Carolina_Packer]

I think Cobb is special, and I think as the year goes on, his opportunities will come. I think Jordy just has the hot hand, and why wouldn't you keep feeding him?

[Bossman641]

I hope the best is yet to come this year because so far he's not creating a ton of separation or much yac.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jennings at his best was better than Cobb right now. I think Jones is closer to Boykin than Cobb.

[George Cumby]

Jones played a different role. He was the big, strong kid who could out muscle and make the spectacular catch. Cobb's the slippery, shifty guy who's supposed to make a killing from the slot and with the YAC.

I think Harlans correct, I think the injury may have robbed him of some of his speed.

[Joemailman]

Rodgers mentioned on his weekly interview with Wilde that TE's haven't had a lot of opportunities because they've been staying in to block more. That is probably affecting Cobb. Getting Bulaga back and getting Bostick out there could help the situation.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Ummm...Cobb has nothing on Jennings. Nothing.

Jennings in his prime was one of the most underrated wideouts in the league. Just a deadly route runner, creates big separation, beats guys deep regularly, and was crazy clutch (3rd and 10 in the superbowl??). This is not even debatable.

Cobb through two weeks has had a lot of trouble getting open. Been a big disappointment so far.

Even better disappointment has been Boykin. Not just because he hasn't produced and is being surpassed by Adams. But also because part of the reason we let Jones walk was because he was supposed to be up and coming. If last year was fluke, he screws us because Jones would have been cheap to bring back.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Jennings at his best was better than Cobb right now. I think Jones is closer to Boykin than Cobb.

Boykin looked like Jones on some plays last year - strong, good body control, some big catches. But Jones had a season where he made big plays week after week.

Jones is over the hill now.

I'm confused by Cobb, I'm really unsure what kind of season he will turn in. He did look like Percy Harvin in flashes in the past. Haven't seen one of those flashes for a while.

What has Cobb done as a rusher?

[Pugger]

Jones and Jennings are both past their primes. I don't think Cobb is as good as either at their peaks.

I can't really digest the stats. Cobb has had a slow start this year, he will probably pick it up. I just don't have a memory of him making great catches like I saw from Jones.

What are Cobb's assets as a receiver?

Cobb isn't the same kind of receiver as Jennings and Jones were and this is probably why we drafted Adams last spring. Cobb is still a slot receiver and if Adams continues to come on Randall will return to his spot.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Cobb isn't the same kind of receiver as Jennings and Jones were and this is probably why we drafted Adams last spring. Cobb is still a slot receiver and if Adams continues to come on Randall will return to his spot.

Agree 100%. It's fashionable to say the Packers have a deep corps of WR's. The truth is they used to. In 2011 our starters were Jennings, Driver and Finley at TE. Jordy was a part-time starter with Jones and Cobb on the bench. Now that is a deep corps of receivers.

In the last few years we've lost Jennings, Driver, Jones and Finley. We've replaced them with...Boykin, Davante Adams, Janis and Richard Rodgers. That's a downgrade by anybody's calculation.

Jordy and Cobb are our starters. Cobb is a natural slot receiver and Jordy our natural downfield threat. Cobb is quick not fast. He's forced into a position of going downfield which is not his strength.

Seriously, the braintrust needs to get Adams and especially Janis into the picture ASAP. Adams is Jones-like. Janis is Jordy-like. We need their help now.

As for TE's? We should probably let them stay occupied blocking. None of them show any stand-out receiving ability.

[Guiness]

Agree 100%. It's fashionable to say the Packers have a deep corps of WR's. The truth is they used to. In 2011 our starters were Jennings, Driver and Finley at TE. Jordy was a part-time starter with Jones and Cobb on the bench. Now that is a deep corps of receivers.

In the last few years we've lost Jennings, Driver, Jones and Finley. We've replaced them with...Boykin, Davante Adams, Janis and Richard Rodgers. That's a downgrade by anybody's calculation.

Jordy and Cobb are our starters. Cobb is a natural slot receiver and Jordy our natural downfield threat. Cobb is quick not fast. He's forced into a position of going downfield which is not his strength.

Seriously, the braintrust needs to get Adams and especially Janis into the picture ASAP. Adams is Jones-like. Janis is Jordy-like. We need their help now.

As for TE's? We should probably let them stay occupied blocking. None of them show any stand-out receiving ability.

Are you trollin' again? Because I don't want to embarrass myself by agreeing with you:sad:

Harlan, I'm pretty sure you are! Pretty rose coloured glasses talking about Jones' productive seasons, he is second probably only to Bush in hate spewed at him for inconsistent performances and missed opportunities!

Jones' career year is a push when compared to Cobb's second season. The only number that is better, the TDs, is an outlier, Jones' second best total there is half that.

2012 Jones 16 64 784 12.3 14
2012 Cobb 15 80 954 11.9 8

You can't compare Cobb to Jones or Jennings, he plays a vastly different role in the Pack's offense. He is the successor to Driver's X role, he's shifty and quick, and fearless going over the middle. Driver was crazy durable, which is one thing Cobb has not been so far.

We'll see if Adams and Janis provide depth. Adams is off to a good start, Janis we haven't seen yet, but he was a 7th round pick so he's expected to take more time to have an impact. Boykin seems like a bottom of the roster guy who will be churned out.

[George Cumby]

M
Agree 100%. It's fashionable to say the Packers have a deep corps of WR's. The truth is they used to. In 2011 our starters were Jennings, Driver and Finley at TE. Jordy was a part-time starter with Jones and Cobb on the bench. Now that is a deep corps of receivers.

In the last few years we've lost Jennings, Driver, Jones and Finley. We've replaced them with...Boykin, Davante Adams, Janis and Richard Rodgers. That's a downgrade by anybody's calculation.

Jordy and Cobb are our starters. Cobb is a natural slot receiver and Jordy our natural downfield threat. Cobb is quick not fast. He's forced into a position of going downfield which is not his strength.

Seriously, the braintrust needs to get Adams and especially Janis into the picture ASAP. Adams is Jones-like. Janis is Jordy-like. We need their help now.

As for TE's? We should probably let them stay occupied blocking. None of them show any stand-out receiving ability.

I'm with you up to your last point. I think the new kid might have the receiving skills.

[HarveyWallbangers]

M

I'm with you up to your last point. I think the new kid might have the receiving skills.

Rodgers is a plodder. He's more Bubba Franks or Ed West than Jermichael Finley. Bostick is our best hope for a dynamic playmaker at TE.

[Pugger]

Agree 100%. It's fashionable to say the Packers have a deep corps of WR's. The truth is they used to. In 2011 our starters were Jennings, Driver and Finley at TE. Jordy was a part-time starter with Jones and Cobb on the bench. Now that is a deep corps of receivers.

In the last few years we've lost Jennings, Driver, Jones and Finley. We've replaced them with...Boykin, Davante Adams, Janis and Richard Rodgers. That's a downgrade by anybody's calculation.

Jordy and Cobb are our starters. Cobb is a natural slot receiver and Jordy our natural downfield threat. Cobb is quick not fast. He's forced into a position of going downfield which is not his strength.

Seriously, the braintrust needs to get Adams and especially Janis into the picture ASAP. Adams is Jones-like. Janis is Jordy-like. We need their help now.

As for TE's? We should probably let them stay occupied blocking. None of them show any stand-out receiving ability.

Especially if Sherrod is still starting. :-?

[denverYooper]

I hope the best is yet to come this year because so far he's not creating a ton of separation or much yac.

He's getting enough separation when they're in the red zone.

[Maxie the Taxi]

You can't compare Cobb to Jones or Jennings, he plays a vastly different role in the Pack's offense. He is the successor to Driver's X role, he's shifty and quick, and fearless going over the middle. Driver was crazy durable, which is one thing Cobb has not been so far.

We'll see if Adams and Janis provide depth. Adams is off to a good start, Janis we haven't seen yet, but he was a 7th round pick so he's expected to take more time to have an impact. Boykin seems like a bottom of the roster guy who will be churned out.

Excellent points on Cobb and Adams. The only thing I don't agree with (honest :-)) is Janis. You can't teach speed and he's got more of it than anybody on offense. I say let him play now. He'd be valuable on special teams if nothing else. Let him run the option like Harvin. What do we have to lose?

He reminds me of the old Packer Bob Long. Just point him downfield and let him run. ARod will find him.

[George Cumby]

Rodgers is a plodder. He's more Bubba Franks or Ed West than Jermichael Finley. Bostick is our best hope for a dynamic playmaker at TE.

I'd take either Toolbox or Bubba right now!

[Maxie the Taxi]

http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20110114&Category=PKR0804&ArtNo=301150112&Ref=V2&MaxW=300&Border=0&Oct-3-1965-Packers-win-Vince-Lombardi-isn-t-happy


For the youngster rats...a really nice article on Bob Long: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/ex-basketball-player-bob-long-caught-on-as-receiver-for-vince-lombardi-b9951047z1-217686531.html

And Bob Long's website, complete with video of his playing days: http://boblongnumber80.com/

Long was as fast as Janis and about the same height and weight. Watch the videos and tell me Janis doesn't run and catch like Bob Long.

[pbmax]

Rodgers is a plodder. He's more Bubba Franks or Ed West than Jermichael Finley. Bostick is our best hope for a dynamic playmaker at TE.

I love Toolbox. But the Toolbox never ran a wheel route like Rodgers. There is a difference between pedestrian speed and blocking specialist.

Ed got a lot of late career attention as a short pass and red zone target when Harris was hurt or double covered. Holmgren loved the TE in the red zone.

[Guiness]

Excellent points on Cobb and Adams. The only thing I don't agree with (honest :-)) is Janis. You can't teach speed and he's got more of it than anybody on offense. I say let him play now. He'd be valuable on special teams if nothing else. Let him run the option like Harvin. What do we have to lose?

He reminds me of the old Packer Bob Long. Just point him downfield and let him run. ARod will find him.

Wasn't disagreeing with Janis, just saying we haven't seen him yet, so who knows. He was not active the first two game (maybe he was for one?), pretty sure he hasn't seen the field yet. Need more time yet to see if he's going to work out.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Agree 100%. It's fashionable to say the Packers have a deep corps of WR's. The truth is they used to. In 2011 our starters were Jennings, Driver and Finley at TE. Jordy was a part-time starter with Jones and Cobb on the bench. Now that is a deep corps of receivers.

In the last few years we've lost Jennings, Driver, Jones and Finley. We've replaced them with...Boykin, Davante Adams, Janis and Richard Rodgers. That's a downgrade by anybody's calculation.

Jordy and Cobb are our starters. Cobb is a natural slot receiver and Jordy our natural downfield threat. Cobb is quick not fast. He's forced into a position of going downfield which is not his strength.

Seriously, the braintrust needs to get Adams and especially Janis into the picture ASAP. Adams is Jones-like. Janis is Jordy-like. We need their help now.

As for TE's? We should probably let them stay occupied blocking. None of them show any stand-out receiving ability.

This all sounds about right.

I look at a slot WR as the #3 WR. They often are not able to get off jams, and may not have excellent downfield speed.

Jerry Rice was not big. He was fast enough, althougth not a burner. I knew Jerry Rice. He was a friend of mine. You Randall Cobb are not Jerry Rice. (I only mention Rice because Cobb's limitations are not just size or even speed.)

I'm laying down the gauntlet for Cobb. I hate because I love. Show me you are more than a guy this year.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I love Toolbox. But the Toolbox never ran a wheel route like Rodgers. There is a difference between pedestrian speed and blocking specialist.

Ed got a lot of late career attention as a short pass and red zone target when Harris was hurt or double covered. Holmgren loved the TE in the red zone.

We really could use Jackie Harris on this team. Aaron Rodgers would make him a Pro Bowl candidate.

Rodgers is slow though. I think we really need Bostick and his 4.59 pro day speed, and we need him to stay healthy.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jerry Rice was not big.

Rice was 6'2" 200. He wasn't Calvin Johnson big, but he was bigger than average.

[Maxie the Taxi]

We really could use Jackie Harris on this team. Aaron Rodgers would make him a Pro Bowl candidate.


Or Keith Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqV4IEJX1I

[Guiness]

Rice was 6'2" 200. He wasn't Calvin Johnson big, but he was bigger than average.

And he came into the league 30 years ago (!!!:whaa:) that was damn good size.

From the '6 degrees of separation' file, Al "the WR drafted before Rice" Toon's son, who also played for the Badgers, is with NO. Hasn't had a great start to his career.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Rice was 6'2" 200. He wasn't Calvin Johnson big, but he was bigger than average.

OK, Alex, Great WRs six foot or shorter.

Who is Tim Brown?

Maybe Cobb is too short to play WR.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Wes Welker - but don't they stick him in slot?

Is Cobb as good as DeSean Jackson or Welker?

Steve Smith is smaller than Cobb.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/431278-size-isnt-everything-10-small-nfl-players-with-great-talent/

[Zool]

Steve Smith

[Fritz]

I had real boner for Jones after his great season - was that last year or year before when he lead league in TDs?

Cobb hasn't sent a tingle up my leg for a very long time - maybe his injury last year pushed his great plays into distant memory.

Maybe you forgot your Viagra.

[Guiness]

Or Keith Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqV4IEJX1I

Ya, he was not bad, eh? :glug:

[3irty1]

Slot receivers are really their own position, and height isn't nearly as important as on the boundary. In fact it's probably detrimental just because of physics, they need to be balanced and quick. Good slot guys would be like Percy Harvin, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Davon Bess, and Victor Cruz. These guys are running routes in the same space as a tight end so their skills should compliment those of a tight end.

This is why its so hard to find a good slot cornerback. You need the size to match up with a tight end, but need the ability to change directions to cover a water-bug type receiver like Cobb.

[Bretsky]

We really could use Jackie Harris on this team. Aaron Rodgers would make him a Pro Bowl candidate.

Rodgers is slow though. I think we really need Bostick and his 4.59 pro day speed, and we need him to stay healthy.


A ton of great points in here but this one really nails what GB is missing

They miss a threat at TE the defense has to pay attention to.

They need a TE threat to emerge. Bostick is the only guy on this roster who might be able to be that IMO.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Randall Cobb remains on double secret probation. As a wide receiver he looked like an excellent punt returner in Detroit.

In first quarter Cobb was streaking down sideline and let a perfectly arced pass slip through his hands. pbmax thought play was headed out of bounds, but I watched again with my more trained, scout's eye. I think it was a critical fuckup and mo changer.

Well, they all make mistakes. But Cobb isn't getting enough separation to make many plays or mistakes.

I don't know what answer is at wide receiver. Cobb is clearly an appetizer, somebody else has to be the second entree.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Hard to tell from the TV broadcast what type of separation our receivers are getting and what type of coverage they are seeing.

[pbmax]

Hard to tell from the TV broadcast what type of separation our receivers are getting and what type of coverage they are seeing.

Lot of Cover 2 especially after they lost another CB. JSO said it was Cover 2 Man outside with LBs taking very deep drops.

Same story as its been for the last 2.5 years. When they need to take short chunk yardage for a multi-play drive they find a way to self destruct. That pass to Jordy on the last drive was a perfect example. He had a likely first down to Adams on the other side.

[King Friday]

Lot of Cover 2 especially after they lost another CB. JSO said it was Cover 2 Man outside with LBs taking very deep drops.

Same story as its been for the last 2.5 years. When they need to take short chunk yardage for a multi-play drive they find a way to self destruct. That pass to Jordy on the last drive was a perfect example. He had a likely first down to Adams on the other side.

3rd and 2...guaranteed pass 20+ yards downfield. It is infuriating. Go get a damn RB that can catch a ball out of the backfield who is at least slightly faster than my grandmother.

[pbmax]

3rd and 2...guaranteed pass 20+ yards downfield. It is infuriating. Go get a damn RB that can catch a ball out of the backfield who is at least slightly faster than my grandmother.

I don't mind it normally. They have the talents (Nelson now, maybe Adams and Janis) to pull it off. But just like holding onto the ball, there are certain times its not advised. Fourth down is not the time for a contested shot at the end zone if someone else was open for a first.

[Carolina_Packer]

I don't mind it normally. They have the talents (Nelson now, maybe Adams and Janis) to pull it off. But just like holding onto the ball, there are certain times its not advised. Fourth down is not the time for a contested shot at the end zone if someone else was open for a first.

Take what their giving you, don't get too locked onto one or two guys.

For Cover 2, it would help to have a pass catching TE to work the middle of the field.

[Joemailman]

I don't mind it normally. They have the talents (Nelson now, maybe Adams and Janis) to pull it off. But just like holding onto the ball, there are certain times its not advised. Fourth down is not the time for a contested shot at the end zone if someone else was open for a first.

Do the Packers in general have the talent at receiver they need? Over the last few years they have lost Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jermichael Finley. They have been replaced by Randall Cobb, Jarrett Boykin, Davante Adams and Richard Rodgers. At the least, there may be some growing pains before we see the kind of offense we're used to.

[denverYooper]

Cobb will be fine. He's a little rusty after being injured last year. He's missed at least 4 balls this year that he seemed able to grab in the past, but he's usually rated one of the better hands guys by FO.

Quarless is even coming on a bit as someone Rodgers is starting to trust. He won't be flashy, but he's had some good hands in traffic this year and Rodgers is finding him a bit more. Bostick is still a big ? If he can knock off the dumb penalties, he might get a shot to impress.

The 3rd WR spot is troubling. That's a key position in the McCarthy/Rodgers offense and Boykin fell off of a cliff this year. Adams has flashed a bit there, but he's still pretty green.

[pbmax]

Do the Packers in general have the talent at receiver they need? Over the last few years they have lost Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jermichael Finley. They have been replaced by Randall Cobb, Jarrett Boykin, Davante Adams and Richard Rodgers. At the least, there may be some growing pains before we see the kind of offense we're used to.

They definitely don't have what they did. How fast they develop is an open question.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Cobb will be fine. He's a little rusty after being injured last year. He's missed at least 4 balls this year that he seemed able to grab in the past, but he's usually rated one of the better hands guys by FO.

After preseason and three games, a 4th year pro can't use the rusty card.
I'm buying into argument that Cobb needs to be a slot receiver. He's not good enough to be a #2, Janis or Adams will have to be solution.

[sharpe1027]

I think the love being shown for Janis here is a bit too much. I question if he can run good routes or even run the offense. I don't see him being any better at getting separation because of that. Jennings did not get open because he was the fastest guy out there.

Thus, I don't see Janis doing anything more than spot work; however, maybe he should be doing that. Everyone knows that he has good speed. Teams might be worried about covering him with a slow DB and without deep help.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I think the love being shown for Janis here is a bit too much. I question if he can run good routes or even run the offense. I don't see him being any better at getting separation because of that. Jennings did not get open because he was the fastest guy out there.

Thus, I don't see Janis doing anything more than spot work; however, maybe he should be doing that. Everyone knows that he has good speed. Teams might be worried about covering him with a slow DB and without deep help.

This.

[Harlan Huckleby]

McGinn says Cobb is already playing exclusively in slot. And he still isn't cutting it.


Not once did Cobb line up outside. All day long he had the slot two-way go against the Lions' fifth and sixth nickel backs, Danny Gorrer and Mohammed Seisay. A hard grader would give Cobb two drops. More alarming was the fact he couldn't beat these newly arrived free agents like a drum. Playing slot in this offense with this quarterback should be a ticket to enormous production and the stardom that goes with that. But Cobb's ho-hum play throughout training camp has carried over into the regular season.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/rating-the-packers-vs-the-lions-b99356262z1-276415381.html

[gbgary]

His 5 tds lead the league.

[Joemailman]

His 5 tds lead the league.

All he does is score touchdowns.