What is the Fate of AJ Dillon ???

[Bretsky]

OK, so odds are Jacobs and Marshawn Lloyd are making the team, and Emmanuel Wilson is looking like our 3rd Best RB......and it would seem to be a gamble to stash him on the practice squad.

When I look at our RB"s if AJ DIllon wan't a high draft pick I don't know how he makes this team. We generally only keep 3 RB's and with our talent at WR and TE I don't see how we keep 4.

So what happens with the popular Mayor or Door County ?

Personally, while I'm resting our starters the next 2 weeks I'm playing the crap out of AJ Dillon, hoping she shows something, and trading him for a kicker, or whatever we can get.

But what, is your prediction? What happens the one of the most popular players, a former draft pick of Gute, who seems to be getting worst every year.

Does he make the team, get stashed on the practice squad, or send bye bye ?

[Joemailman]

I think Lloyd begins season on IR so AJ makes the team. No way they go into the season with just Wilson and maybe Lloyd behind Jacobs.

[Bretsky]

gosh I sure hope not. I really want to see Lloyd excel and watch him right off the bat.

But that's the easy out

[Bretsky]

my bias is they will find a way for him to make the team....but

If he was not a GB 2nd round draft pick, no way would he be in the camp right now IMO

[Joemailman]

It probably has more to do with the fact that he came pretty cheap and they don't have any other experienced backs behind Jacobs.

[ThunderDan]

With the injury to Lloyd, AJ is a lock to make the team.

[Fritz]

With the injury to Lloyd, AJ is a lock to make the team.

Agreed. And at this point in Dillon's career, being a second-round pick so many years ago (by NFL standards) doesn't play into whether they keep him. But he does know the offense well and blocks well, so he's a bit of a safety blanket for MLF and Love, and the team can also keep pretending that Dillon is their short-yardage back who can bulldoze for two yards occasionally.

[bobblehead]

Dillon is that reliable pass blocker that fans fucking hate and most coaches keep around. Good locker room guy, yada yada.

[King Friday]

He’s making the team. He’s the best guy we have on third and 5 as a blocker/safety valve.

[Bretsky]

With the injury to Lloyd, AJ is a lock to make the team.

What if Lloyd is close to 100%. If he is ready to go, how can they keep him off the roster ? And Wilson is better than AJ.

For the record, I agree with you; I just think it's time to move on from AJ

[texaspackerbacker]

I voted cut or trade. Even if Lloyd starts the season on IR, which I doubt, I think i's only 50/50 Dillon stays. Wilson is a much better player. Even this new kid, Howard looked to be better. Has Dillon ever done anything on special teams? I don't think so.

Try to get a 5th or 6th rounder for him but I doubt that happens.

[King Friday]

What if Lloyd is close to 100%. If he is ready to go, how can they keep him off the roster ? And Wilson is better than AJ.

For the record, I agree with you; I just think it's time to move on from AJ

I would agree…if either of the kids were reliable as blockers. They aren’t. We keep 4 RBs, including AJ. It’s not even debatable for a position where injuries are routine.

[sharpe1027]

They brought in Jacobs to be the featured back.

My guess is they don't think Wilson has all that much upside. AJ is the safe choice in the context of backup limit snaps. I think he sticks for another year.

[Bretsky]

I would agree…if either of the kids were reliable as blockers. They aren’t. We keep 4 RBs, including AJ. It’s not even debatable for a position where injuries are routine.

Normally we only keep 3 and then hide one or two on the practice squad, right ?

[sharpe1027]

Normally we only keep 3 and then hide one or two on the practice squad, right ?

Yes. I doubt we keep 4.

[Fritz]

I still think they’re going to stash Lloyd on IR for a while.

[Joemailman]

I still think they’re going to stash Lloyd on IR for a while.

I was thinking that. But if they do that, that's another 4 weeks he can't practice. And he's a rookie who's already missed tons of practice. Depends on how bad the injury is, I suppose.

[sharpe1027]

I was thinking that. But if they do that, that's another 4 weeks he can't practice. And he's a rookie who's already missed tons of practice. Depends on how bad the injury is, I suppose.

Yeah. A lot depends on whether they're willing to write him off for most of this year. So far, I think the answer is yes.

[red]

looks like he's gonna make the roster since he sat out last night with the rest of the starters

what kind of dirt does the guy have on the flower?

[ThunderDan]

looks like he's gonna make the roster since he sat out last night with the rest of the starters

what kind of dirt does the guy have on the flower?

Flowers need the dirt to grow.

[Fritz]

I can't see a scenario where they'd want to cut Dillon. He knows the playbook, he's good in pass protection - and since Love is now a zillion-dollar QB, you want him upright. I don't think the team can trust Transmission Wilson to be a wizard at blocking and reading the blitzes and all, and Marshmallow Lloyd ius and will be hurt for a while, and also is not ready to step in as a good blocker.

So Dillon it is, until one of the young guys proves he can stay healthy AND be a dependable pass blocker.

[texaspackerbacker]

Have we ever seen evidence that Dillon is good in pass blocking? Or is it just that he isn't good at anything else, so people think he must be able to pass block? It seems more logical that somebody so bad at lateral moves running the ball might also not be good at quick lateral moves to cut off pass rushers.

[Fritz]

Now that they’ve signed Pearson, could that be the scenario where they cut Dillon? I’m struggling with why they’ve re-signed Pearson. Was he a core ST guy?

[Joemailman]

Now that they’ve signed Pearson, could that be the scenario where they cut Dillon? I’m struggling with why they’ve re-signed Pearson. Was he a core ST guy?

As a FB, you're probably not on the roster unless you're capable of being a core ST guy. I think the injuries to Dillon and Tyler Davis are why Pearson was brought back. He can play ST and knows the offense and can block.

[Teamcheez1]

This will be Dillon’s last year with the Packers.

[red]

This will be Dillon’s last year with the Packers.

this will be the second year of us saying that

[MadtownPacker]

Is their an award for that guy who keeps making the team after everyone says that every year?

[red]

they said on the TV broadcast that he is missing the game with a "stinger", the same one that made him miss 3 games last season

why is it still an issue

will it get better if its still a problem this season (shades of bahk)

makes me think he's not as much of a lock as i thought he was last week when we sat him

IR him or cut him. i don't care if fans love him because of his stupid nickname. i've never see dillion drill a guy like wilson did on the sideline today

[smuggler]

After watching Emanuel Wislon over the course of the preseason, I could see a world where Dillon doesn't make it, absolutely.

[Joemailman]

They might put him on IR to start the season. If not I think it's more likely that he's waived with an injury settlement than he makes the 53.

[Bretsky]

After watching Emanuel Wislon over the course of the preseason, I could see a world where Dillon doesn't make it, absolutely.

If AJ was not Gute's 2nd round draft pick IMO he'd have zero chance of sticklng

[Fritz]

Bretsky, we’re way past that mattering. It’s that he’s a reliable blocker, knows the offense, and doesn’t fumble.

I think this comes down to how comfortable the team is with Wilson in those three areas.

[King Friday]

Has Wilson shown reasonable blocking skills in practice? I’m not going to judge based off playing scrubs on scrubs in a meaningless preseason game. I would assume he’s been asked to pass block in camp against the 1s at some point, but I’ve seen zilch on that.

As a runner, Wilson is obviously a massive upgrade to Dillon, but so is Lloyd. The question is if either of those guys can be counted on to pass block when needed. One of them HAS to be able to pick up a free blitz on our 50M QB. Dillon isn’t the greatest blocker, but he’s serviceable and can get in front of the right person almost all of the time. You don’t risk the franchise because a RBs can run. Hundreds of guys can run the ball. It takes more than that to be a RB in our offense.

[Joemailman]

Has Wilson shown reasonable blocking skills in practice? I’m not going to judge based off playing scrubs on scrubs in a meaningless preseason game. I would assume he’s been asked to pass block in camp against the 1s at some point, but I’ve seen zilch on that.

As a runner, Wilson is obviously a massive upgrade to Dillon, but so is Lloyd. The question is if either of those guys can be counted on to pass block when needed. One of them HAS to be able to pick up a free blitz on our 50M QB. Dillon isn’t the greatest blocker, but he’s serviceable and can get in front of the right person almost all of the time. You don’t risk the franchise because a RBs can run. Hundreds of guys can run the ball. It takes more than that to be a RB in our offense.

I've read that Wilson has definitely improved. Don't know if it's to the point of being a strength. Know nothing about Lloyd. He's barely practiced.

[Fritz]

Has Wilson shown reasonable blocking skills in practice? I’m not going to judge based off playing scrubs on scrubs in a meaningless preseason game. I would assume he’s been asked to pass block in camp against the 1s at some point, but I’ve seen zilch on that.

As a runner, Wilson is obviously a massive upgrade to Dillon, but so is Lloyd. The question is if either of those guys can be counted on to pass block when needed. One of them HAS to be able to pick up a free blitz on our 50M QB. Dillon isn’t the greatest blocker, but he’s serviceable and can get in front of the right person almost all of the time. You don’t risk the franchise because a RBs can run. Hundreds of guys can run the ball. It takes more than that to be a RB in our offense.

THIS is a good post. It's all about whether the Packers have enough confidence in him as a blocker. He's apparently improved at receiving, so that's a plus - but can he pick up that blitzer consistently?

He could also be with the team initially, then get dropped once Dillon is recovered from his stinger. Or maybe he blocks so well that Dillon never comes back. We'll see. I just know the first-week roster is not close to the roster after two or three games.

[texaspackerbacker]

Trade Dillon for somebody's #2 kicker.

[Joemailman]

Trade Dillon for somebody's #2 kicker.

Much more likely a team would want Packers #5 WR.

[Teamcheez1]

This will be Dillon’s last year with the Packers.

I think this has come to pass. I just thought he would actually see the field.

[Fritz]

I think this has come to pass. I just thought he would actually see the field.

He can see the field just like the rest of us do...

Sure does look like it's over. He never really panned out as a second-rounder, but seemed like a solid guy. Had he been drafted in the sixth round, no one would've complained. Much.

[Jaire]

Yeah. I thought he would have been fine in 3rd or 4th round that year -- and it was a really weak draft class, not very deep. 2nd seemed high then. I think LaFleur was hoping for his own Henry. That draft after Love was a bit too cute imo, not very typical of the Packers FO or philosophy.

[red]

https://buyitorbust.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/bust-stamp.jpg

[Bretsky]

good comment noting he'd been fine as a 4th/5th.

He was the WTF Gutebag selection in round two. Thank God we drafted Jordan Love that year. Because the rest of that year was crap :)

Appears to nail it the two years after though

[Joemailman]

Dillon had 3200 total yards in 4 seasons. It wasn't a great pick, but some of you act like every 2nd round pick should automatically be a 5 time Pro Bowler. Josh Jackson and Josh Jones were 2nd round busts. Dillon? Not even close.

[Bretsky]

Dillon had 3200 total yards in 4 seasons. It wasn't a great pick, but some of you act like every 2nd round pick should automatically be a 5 time Pro Bowler. Josh Jackson and Josh Jones were 2nd round busts. Dillon? Not even close.


RB's rarely hear their names in round one. Gotta have real high expectations if you are taking a RB there .

Great person; one of the most popular Packers who was great in the community. As a player I'd agree he was a disappointment fur rure.. He flashed early and seemed to get worse every year. Last year, lotta opportunities with very little to show. One could argue he was a bust, but hey, he was better than the crappick we selected in the 3rd found that year....lol

[Bretsky]

about 600 carries; around 4 yards per carry, and 4 TD's a year

Went back to look at that draft. LOTTA RB Busts

And DAM who was out 3rd round pick ? That dude was a BUST

[Teamcheez1]

Nick Wright from Fox Sports:

“Missing AJ Dillon is a big deal”

I have heard this all over talk radio the last couple of days. Do these people know anything about the Packers?

[MadScientist]

Given the overall quality of that draft, Dillon wasn't a disaster of a pick, but they had reason to hope for better. The Packers needed him to be thunder to Aaron Jones' lightning. They needed Quadzilla to come in and get the tough yards when needed. It looked like he might do that in 2022, but last year he looked overweight and sluggish. This year he was supposedly in better shape but did nothing in preseason, and gave every impression of a player already on the decline.

Losing him is not a big deal anymore.

[Fritz]

Given the overall quality of that draft, Dillon wasn't a disaster of a pick, but they had reason to hope for better. The Packers needed him to be thunder to Aaron Jones' lightning. They needed Quadzilla to come in and get the tough yards when needed. It looked like he might do that in 2022, but last year he looked overweight and sluggish. This year he was supposedly in better shape but did nothing in preseason, and gave every impression of a player already on the decline.

Losing him is not a big deal anymore.

That is the sad but accurate summary.

[bobblehead]

good comment noting he'd been fine as a 4th/5th.

He was the WTF Gutebag selection in round two. Thank God we drafted Jordan Love that year. Because the rest of that year was crap :)

Appears to nail it the two years after though

I think when Gutes drafts for need he blows. However when need meets draft depth (TE last year) he crushed it. I also like his philosophy in rounds 4-7 better than his approach in 1-3. But overall, the record says how good of a job you are doing and he is doing a really good overall job.

[bobblehead]

That is the sad but accurate summary.

You summed it up best awhile ago when comping him to Pearson. On 3rd and 3 he'll get you a yard.