Rollins update?

[vince]

Dorleant has been IR'd and former WR Herb Waters has been promoted from the PS.

[vince]

What happened to Hawkins? He was a preseason darling and now can't even sniff the active roster on a team with horrible corners.

He's a project with potential mission, and a special teams liability. My guess is we'll see what kind of development he's made from being a raw D2 UDFA this week. The leaky corner situation is noted. Hopefully he's not a flash flood any more like he showed in limited action in the first Detroit game early in the year.

As a gunner, he tried to bat a punt out of the end zone while he was standing 3 yards in it. To this point, raw is probably too generous.

Maybe that raw ability will show up though. He can fly but can he cover NFL receivers yet? One thing's for sure, he'll be tested (hopefully not abused) if he sees the field outside.

[call_me_ishmael]

I don't know if it's injuries or the second-year jinx, but Rollins and Randall have both had very disappointing years.

Agreed. Randall hasn't really looked like the same confident player and exceptional athlete. Having him cover a #2 instead of a #1 clearly made a huge difference.

[Maxie the Taxi]

As a gunner, he tried to bat a punt out of the end zone while he was standing 3 yards in it. To this point, raw is probably too generous. Maybe that raw ability will show up though. He can fly but can he cover NFL receivers yet?

Assuming Rollins can't play and Randall isn't 100%, I'd put Gunter on Beckham and let Hawkins and Waters play man on whoever when they're in the game. Then, I'd send however many it takes to get to Manning. If we play zone and give Manning time to throw, well...not good.

[call_me_ishmael]

Gunter is slow and Beckam is a speedster so I would do that but shadow him hardcore with a man on top.

[mission]

He's a project with potential mission, and a special teams liability. My guess is we'll see what kind of development he's made from being a raw D2 UDFA this week. The leaky corner situation is noted. Hopefully he's not a flash flood any more like he showed in limited action in the first Detroit game early in the year.

As a gunner, he tried to bat a punt out of the end zone while he was standing 3 yards in it. To this point, raw is probably too generous.

Maybe that raw ability will show up though. He can fly but can he cover NFL receivers yet? One thing's for sure, he'll be tested (hopefully not abused) if he sees the field outside.

Interesting. I don't have any recollection of him even being active this year, so I guess he got his shot and didn't do too well.
I do hope your guess is right even if it's just for a matter of having enough bodies at an important position against the Giants.

[Patler]

This has been a lost year for both Randall and Rollins. Hopefully they bounce back next year.

MM has said a couple times the last few weeks that it is a testament to Randall's toughness that he has even played. MM even acknowledged once that he maybe should have been held out. Every week he seems to add something new to his list of injuries, and even the earlier ones are not yet healed, apparently.

As for Rollins, he seems to be over his injuries, but sure isn't playing well, or at least not consistently well. An odd thing I have noticed from him. In each of the last three games he had plays going down the sideline, and seemed to be in somewhat decent position to make a play on the ball. He seemed to turn back and see the ball. In each case he jumped to bat the ball, but was very much early and the receivers made easy catches as he came down before the ball got to the receiver. His timing was very much off on each play. Kind of like a better expecting a fastball, and being fooled by a change-up.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Gunter is slow and Beckam is a speedster so I would do that but shadow him hardcore with a man on top.

Granted, but Gunter is also very physical, which tends to frustrate Beckham. He'll be able to get away with more in the post season. Plus, had pretty good luck against Beckham earlier this year.

But the safeties have to help over the top, that's for sure. I'm hoping we can pressure Manning enough so that he can't throw downfield with much accuracy.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Interesting. I don't have any recollection of him even being active this year, so I guess he got his shot and didn't do too well.
I do hope your guess is right even if it's just for a matter of having enough bodies at an important position against the Giants.

Hawkins played quite a bit in the preseason.

[Patler]

Hawkins played quite a bit in the preseason.

This article summarizes why we haven't seen much from him after some playing time early, and also why the Packers are holding on to him. Lots of potential, but an awful lot yet to learn. Hopefully he has learned some this season, while not playing.

http://www.packersnews.com/story/spo...take/92412478/

The article might bring back the memory of the ugly 70 yard TD he was responsible for when he assumed the guy would go out of bounds and gave up on the play.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I'm sure Hawkins and Waters are good kids. However, IMO putting them out there in the playoffs amounts to malpractice. The article just reinforces my impression that our secondary was in real trouble after Shields went down. Maybe if a free agent wasn't available, TT should have explored a trade for a vet. I know hindsight is 20/20 but we're in a pickle now and I'm not sure it couldn't have been planned for.

[Zool]

I'm sure Hawkins and Waters are good kids. However, IMO putting them out there in the playoffs amounts to malpractice. The article just reinforces my impression that our secondary was in real trouble after Shields went down. Maybe if a free agent wasn't available, TT should have explored a trade for a vet. I know hindsight is 20/20 but we're in a pickle now and I'm not sure it couldn't have been planned for.

I don't think anyone could have predicted the regression by Randall and Rollins. Those 2 plus Shields should have yielded a pretty decent nickle group. Having Gunter as the primary backup made the group look pretty rock solid.

But wow was that wrong.

[RashanGary]

Rollins has looked really bad without flashes of good. Randall looked really good for 3/4 of a game. Since then he's been injured.

I have hope for Randall being a good corner. Rollins might be a #3. He's looked better in the slot. If Randall can somehow get halfway healthy and Gunter plays well maybe we can get through this thing and win a sb.

Otherwise we're in the market for a #1 corner next year.

[Zool]

Rollins has looked really bad without flashes of good. Randall looked really good for 3/4 of a game. Since then he's been injured.

I have hope for Randall being a good corner. Rollins might be a #3. He's looked better in the slot. If Randall can somehow get halfway healthy and Gunter plays well maybe we can get through this thing and win a sb.

Otherwise we're in the market for a #1 corner next year.

And a #2 or #3 depending on Gunter's development.

[vince]

I'm sure Hawkins and Waters are good kids. However, IMO putting them out there in the playoffs amounts to malpractice. The article just reinforces my impression that our secondary was in real trouble after Shields went down. Maybe if a free agent wasn't available, TT should have explored a trade for a vet. I know hindsight is 20/20 but we're in a pickle now and I'm not sure it couldn't have been planned for.

Teams don't give up good corners, and the Vikings are the desperate team that mortgaged their future for the present. We see how that worked out. There are no guarantees as other injuries just added to their desperation and their failed all-in attempt set them further back.

I think they're no worse off with Hyde and Brice filling in. It's not ideal but Hyde probably gives them everything (and more) that any guy off the street or reasonable acquisition would.

Coach em up and make it work.