The AJ Dillon Appreciation Thread

[GB-Brandon]

Don’t forget Deguara will be back to fortify the power run game with Dillon too. That’s the Vision.

[texaspackerbacker]

Dillon may be Jones' replacement but if we go that route we definitely need a speed/pass-catching back. Jones is a tough tough call. He's a threat to score from anywhere and a high character guy on top of that. The economics say to let him walk but he'll be difficult to replace.

+ 1

[RashanGary]

Don’t forget Deguara will be back to fortify the power run game with Dillon too. That’s the Vision.

He could easily have a decent sophomore campaign if he's dialed in on recovery. There's a little wait and see there. And he's not just a power run blocking fullback/hback/TE. He's also an (out of the backfield pass threat as well as movable TE passing threat). He could also fill Williams role as third down pass protector in the event we lose both Jones and Williams.

[run pMc]

Jones is going to get p-a-i-d. Agree with Bossman 100% on needing a speed back and that Jones is a tough call because he's a playmaker and high character guy. The history of expensive 2nd contracts on RBs is not good, so I'm leaning against it. Had Dexter Williams even somewhat panned out, letting Jones go would be easier to contemplate.

I think Williams would be easier to bring back. You draft a replacement (or two) for Jones and play Williams/Dillon a lot early while the new RB gets up to speed. Williams can mentor them on pass pro and effectively be a John Kuhn type as a pass protector, outlet receiver and occasional runner.

[RashanGary]

Williams is a 3rd down and obvious pass situation body guard for 12. Best in the biz at keeping the QB's jersey clean. Also, since he's so smart and on the same page with 12, runs good routes and has a good feel for screens, he passes kuhn as the best 3rd down back Rosgers has played with. 3M would be a steal, and helps keep Dillon fresh next year.

[MadtownPacker]

This thread and the Savage appreciation thread are weak. Adams has earned his shit over the years (while the haters kept doubting) but you lames wanna blow whatever joe has a big game. Participation award bishes.

[George Cumby]

This thread and the Savage appreciation thread are weak. Adams has earned his shit over the years (while the haters kept doubting) but you lames wanna blow whatever joe has a big game. Participation award bishes.

Don't be such a kill-joy Debbie-downer.

People are just enthusiastic and excited to have exciting players to watch.

I guess that's maricon, huh?

[bobblehead]

Don’t forget to mention Dillon’s “41 in vertical” and “10’11 Broad Jump” as well!!!

That equals Massive Explosion that #92 for Tennessee felt through his entire body. Believe that!!!

This is probably your best post ever. Partly because you have been on the AJ train all along, partly because you brought value to the discussion...mostly because the point about him tanking Dickerson (I think is 92) entertained me live and in reliving it here.

[bobblehead]

Tag Jones. Try and score a 2nd for him in a sign and trade. Draft Najee Harris. 6'2" 235. Nice hands and GREAT vision. Bring the 1/2 hammer down after down and when teams beg for mercy and stack the box let Rodgers do what he does best. With 2 seconds draft BPA. Re sign King (unless market prices him out). Re sign Lindsey (even if its expensive).

This team is Owl caliber now, and still has room to improve. The entire D is basically under contract outside of king. Jones is expendable (as paying a RB is suicide). Lindsey is the only must sign left. There are a lot of avenues to improve. We can draft guys, or value shop. A WR and DT could be of value. I was down on Gutes in the past. Still think he made mistakes, but Savage and Gary emerging is helping his case. Tonyan has been a find. Dillon finally hit the field running (downhill). A lot of reasons to be optimistic. Hell, its still December and I'm excited for the off season at a time when we are in the Owl hunt.

[Fritz]

I am in the complete opposite camp. I think somehow we all got suddenly very spoiled vis a vis running backs. Does no one remember the Eddie-Lacey's-overeating-again years, or the Brandon Jackson machine? Running backs - the kind that are difference-makers -are not as easy to come by as many here seem to think.

You'd do better to re-sign Jones, let Jamaal Williams walk, let King go, and see if you can retain Linsley. If not, you can draft a center to develop and move Jenkins or keep Patrick there.

[gbgary]

dillion has good hands (as does jones) he's good down hill (as is jones). does he have the cut back? don't know (haven't search the tape). pass pro is much improved (the film break-down guys say). i'd say he's probably better than jones on 3rd and one (a Packers weak point). he can definitely replace jones. this is just year one for him.

[run pMc]

Alvin Kamara got 5years/$75M. Jones's asking price is going to be in that neighborhood. That's a hard pass. Even at 4yr/$48M he won't survive the contract. He just turned 26, and has been healthy for all 16 games ONE year.

Fritz is correct that it's not easy to find a dynamic back. Do we think Dillon could be one? It's possible, in the Derrick Henry mold.
I do think if they spend a R3 or R4 they can find a very good back with speed and pass catching skills they can pair with Dillon.

As a reminder: Jones is very good, and can play all 3 downs, but he'll always be on a pitch count, so he's technically more of a RBBC back than a bell-cow back. Hard to justify $10M+ per year for a player who has 5 games of 20+ rushes in his career (including playoffs).

https://stathead.com/football/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1=JoneAa00&player_id2=WillJa06

If Jones does walk, they'll get a good comp pick. They will also need to find other dynamic playmakers to fill the void. Williams and Dillon can still provide a threat in the run game, but I think the assumption there is you have receiving weapons that open up from the play action game.

I'd love to keep Jones but the fact is he'll be expensive, and an expensive RB contract plus a shrinking cap is a bad combination, one they can't afford with Adams up for extension next year.

[Tony Oday]

We cannot afford to lose that much cap on a Running Back while AR is on the roster.

[texaspackerbacker]

It would be a huge step downward to not retain Aaron Jones. Having two power backs, even decent ones like Dillon and Williams just doesn't cut it as a running threat. We need a breakaway runner.

As for being able to afford Jones - or any and all of our FAs, backloading the contracts should make it possible even in a reduced cap year like 2021. I've always been against investing big in a RB, but Aaron Jones is the exception to that.

[Upnorth]

It would be a huge step downward to not retain Aaron Jones. Having two power backs, even decent ones like Dillon and Williams just doesn't cut it as a running threat. We need a breakaway runner.

As for being able to afford Jones - or any and all of our FAs, backloading the contracts should make it possible even in a reduced cap year like 2021. I've always been against investing big in a RB, but Aaron Jones is the exception to that.

Is he really a break away runner though? He has vision and hits the hole but I have seen him chased down a few times. I'm not saying he sucks. Far from it as vision is one of the most important traits in a rb. But I don't think you can spend a lot of money on a non work horse back.