Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Preston

[GB-Brandon]

Cooks has played with Brees, Brady, Goff and Watson. He probably understands what QBs want fairly well. It’s not the worst idea. With Lazard back, we’d be pretty good. But I think we might be pretty good without cooks, once Lazard comes back and we’re pretty good now. So it’s a risk/reward equation.

You might want to slow down with Lazard coming back. Just saying. Chirp Chirp!!

[GB-Brandon]

I have some good, cold hearted attitudes toward life, but when I have to go to work and look a mf in the eye while I screw him over, my cold hearted intentions suddenly become a little harder to follow through with. From your perspective, not being there to see the hurt in their eyes when they’re let go, it’s easier to make paper champion visions. I don’t know if it’s that easy for Gute. And I don’t know that it’s good for our chances of winning a SB (of which, we’re poised to make a run at for several years.)

Look, I’m smelling what you’re stepping in and understanding your viewpoint, but I have some other thoughts too. We’re not all gonna agree with each other all of the time.

Jones is almost a sure casualty. He’s the best guy ever. That alone means you better, if you want the team to trust you at all, do what you can for as many as you can. Business is business, but giving a shit is good business too, if you want guys to play for you and buy in.

[run pMc]

MVS is a one trick pony and a #4WR you'll always try to replace and have trouble doing so because he shows just enough to tease. Lazard is a quality #3 who can play some #2, a la James Jones. They need another Lazard, or better yet an heir apparent for Adams. I think that almost has to come from the draft, and then you're probably waiting 2-3 years for them to blossom.

Re: Brandin Cooks, that he's bounced around so much makes me think the guy is a head case or locker lawyer. I like what he can do, but that he's played for so many teams and QBs and hasn't exactly stayed anywhere long is unusual. For a 10 game rental he might be pretty useful in MLF scheme, but I suspect the Texans asking price would be high. I think Gute continues his dumpster diving.

Honestly, the defense is the bigger concern to me. They still struggle to cover the middle of the field, and their pass rush is way off compared to last year. Preston played better vs. Houston. I heard a rumor that he came into camp a little heavier, and I wonder if that's true and is impacting his play.

[RashanGary]

MVS is a one trick pony and a #4WR you'll always try to replace and have trouble doing so because he shows just enough to tease. Lazard is a quality #3 who can play some #2, a la James Jones. They need another Lazard, or better yet an heir apparent for Adams. I think that almost has to come from the draft, and then you're probably waiting 2-3 years for them to blossom.

Re: Brandin Cooks, that he's bounced around so much makes me think the guy is a head case or locker lawyer. I like what he can do, but that he's played for so many teams and QBs and hasn't exactly stayed anywhere long is unusual. For a 10 game rental he might be pretty useful in MLF scheme, but I suspect the Texans asking price would be high. I think Gute continues his dumpster diving.

Honestly, the defense is the bigger concern to me. They still struggle to cover the middle of the field, and their pass rush is way off compared to last year. Preston played better vs. Houston. I heard a rumor that he came into camp a little heavier, and I wonder if that's true and is impacting his play.

I’m kind of with this.

MVS

Deep threat
Decent on crossers
Serviceable blocker
Good guy

Horrible on any other routes besides the two above
Plays WR so shouldn’t be horrible at nearly every route
Poor hands on short to intermediate
Horrible with any type of contested situation



Lazard
Hard to say he’s a 2 or 3 this early. Has #1 potential


Preston
Looks fatter. Always a little chubby but did not look in shape



And defense finally looks to be taking off. Depth at DL has been a pleasant surprise. As DBs get healthier, there’s a chance. Barnes and Greene playing fairly well inside too. Nice surprises. I do see some hope there

[GB-Brandon]

Your leaving out Kamal Martin

[run pMc]

More on MVS, courtesy of acmepackingcompany.com:

MVS spent one game as WR1 (week 4 vs Atlanta) and three games as WR2 (week 3 vs New Orleans, weeks 6-7). MVS’ grand total of production in that time is eight catches for 82 yards and no touchdowns. He has those eight catches on 21 targets, giving him a catch rate of just 38%. His yards-per-target is an atrocious 3.9 yards in those games. Over that time frame, MVS’ yards-per-target would rank dead-last in the NFL among wide receivers. His DVOA this year is the second worst in the league, only ahead of AJ Green, who has actively quit on his team.

I like MVS for his potential, but whenever Rodgers throws his way I assume it's not being caught. I think by end of season he'll be relegated to a handful of snaps and Gute will bring him back to camp with competition. His routes are better but his hands remain iffy and he doesn't track the deep ball well. For his size he's not good with contested catches either. Not trying to dog him -- he was a R5 pick for a reason -- but most of the holes in his game remain.

[RashanGary]

More on MVS, courtesy of acmepackingcompany.com:


I like MVS for his potential, but whenever Rodgers throws his way I assume it's not being caught. I think by end of season he'll be relegated to a handful of snaps and Gute will bring him back to camp with competition. His routes are better but his hands remain iffy and he doesn't track the deep ball well. For his size he's not good with contested catches either. Not trying to dog him -- he was a R5 pick for a reason -- but most of the holes in his game remain.

Pretty much. I think he tracks the deep ball alright, but otherwise agree. He’s made some progress in the other areas but not much. A disappointment but has a small role on the team when the other guys are healthy .

[RashanGary]

MVS on pace for 823 yards with 7 of them over 40.


Definitely not a #2 WR, but I think my situational one trick pony description is holding water

[gbgary]

good game for mvs and gary today.

[run pMc]

MVS on pace for 823 yards with 7 of them over 40.


Definitely not a #2 WR, but I think my situational one trick pony description is holding water

Agree with this. IF he can create a big play per game, opposing defenses will have to respect him. He's a deep threat, and that's really it. He's gotta be more consistent.

I still question his ability to track the ball in the air and his hands. He double clutched that 78 yarder. Maybe I'm being to critical; at least he caught it.
He completely scorched Jones on that play -- ran by and around him so Jones was actually along the sideline. THAT was impressive.

[Tony Oday]

MVS on pace for 823 yards with 7 of them over 40.


Definitely not a #2 WR, but I think my situational one trick pony description is holding water

If he ends up with 800+ yards that is a 2nd WR and an elite 3rd WR if Lazard can come back healthy

[HarveyWallbangers]

If he ends up with 800+ yards that is a 2nd WR and an elite 3rd WR if Lazard can come back healthy

He will get those yards primarily being the #1 or #2 WR because of the injuries to Adams and Lazard, so the yards aren't quite as impressive. The problem is catching consistency. He has poor hands and ball skills. I'm not sure if I trust him in a big playoff game to make the plays that are needed. Having said that, he didn't have any drops yesterday. It was an encouraging game, and he was one of the most important players on the field. One game doesn't mean he suddenly will have good hands, but it's a start.

[RashanGary]

He is leading the league in receptions over 40 yards.

His rookie year and second year, even injured, he finished top 10 in catches over 40 in the NFL.

So he definitely has upper end deep ball production.


I think you’re a lot happier with him in a part time role when you want to stretch the field than an every down guy. His strengths will be highlighted with Adams, Lazard and Tonyan being the every down guys and MVS being used less often but more regularly on the deep stuff.

[GB-Brandon]

HE NEVER SHOWS UP IN BIG GAMES!!!!!! Show me one?

He fits the “Perennial Front Runner Mold” to a tee!!!

Until MVS shows up and makes some big plays in a big game then I don’t want to hear a peep!!!

It’s FRAUD!!!!!!!

[Joemailman]

HE NEVER SHOWS UP IN BIG GAMES!!!!!! Show me one?

He fits the “Perennial Front Runner Mold” to a tee!!!

Until MVS shows up and makes some big plays in a big game then I don’t want to hear a peep!!!

It’s FRAUD!!!!!!!

Every game is big. He made plays on a day when Adams wasn't having a great day and the running game wasn't effective.