Greg Jennings

[the_idle_threat]

Greg Jennings finished tonight's game with 5 catches for 86 yards. That gives him 15 catches for 259 yards after 4 games. At this pace, he would have 60 catches for 1036 yards for the season.

People basically said I was crazy when I opined that Jennings had a very good shot at a 1000-yard rookie season. Things are looking pretty good now.

Yes, I started this thread to pat myself on the back. But also, Jennings' play is a small positive we can look to after a game full of negatives.

[Bretsky]

Yes, Kudos to you. I think I predicted around 700yds and now agree Jennings will have a 1,000 yard season.

Why has my view changed ?

1. Green Bay is going to be behind in nearly every game.
2. Jennings is the only other player to throw to behind Donald Driver.


B

[Patler]

The point is, it is still a long way to 60 catches and 1000 yards. One of the things that makes it difficult for rookies is that by the time they finish the 12 or so games they have been used to through college, they are only half way through the NFL season (4 preseason and 8 regular season). Often thay are not prepared for the wear and tear, mentally and physically, of an NFL season.

Jennings is doing well, but he has barely gotten started.

[vince]

The point is, it is still a long way to 60 catches and 1000 yards. One of the things that makes it difficult for rookies is that by the time they finish the 12 or so games they have been used to through college, they are only half way through the NFL season (4 preseason and 8 regular season). Often thay are not prepared for the wear and tear, mentally and physically, of an NFL season.

Jennings is doing well, but he has barely gotten started.

Patler, Cadillac Williams got off to a fast start and slowed down as the year progressed. Can you cite other examples? I think Jennings will only get better as the season progresses, assuming of course, that he remains healthy. He won't slow down... Plus, he had what, 1 catch in his debut? That won't happen again for him, not in this offensive system...

[chewy-bacca]

Heck, I like the WR set we have now. K-Rob is looking good too. Now DD needs to keep his play at a high level. With the TEs in to block, we need them to have big games every time.

[Patler]

Patler, Cadillac Williams got off to a fast start and slowed down as the year progressed. Can you cite other examples? I think Jennings will only get better as the season progresses, assuming of course, that he remains healthy. He won't slow down... Plus, he had what, 1 catch in his debut? That won't happen again for him, not in this offensive system...

I can't think of another off hand, but rookies mention it frequently. They often comment on how hard it is to continue playing as the bumps, brusies and small injuries continue to build and never have a chance to heal during the season. They have to learn to play when they are really beat-up, physically and mentally.

I'm not criticizing Jennings at all. He certainly looks like the real deal, with a solid future. As you said, he will see lots of passes and have opportunities each game, so who knows how far he can take it this year? We just shouldn't lose sight of how hard it can be for rookies. He has started out well, which many rookie WRs do NOT do. Many do not even figure into the offense until later, as they learn it better, so Jennings has an advantage in that regard. He's not fighting with an established veteran for playing time or to be a target. Favre seems more than willing to throw to him.

My point was simply that extrapolating a season's performance from the first four games is pushing the limits of objectivity, in my opinion. I am certainly hopeful regarding Jennings' future, I just hate to establish expectations. Expecting 60 catches and 1000+ yards because of four games is not being objective. After 4 games last year, Favre was "on pace" for 36 TD passes. Through 7 games he had 15 TD passes. In the last 9 games he had 5 TD passes.

[Tarlam!]

Patler, would you agree that you don't get nervous tension about when he lines up? Would he be the first rookie we have drafted in a LONG time (not named A.J. Hawk) where you feel confident he can make plays?

I mean, this is a rookie WR we're talking about. As far as I understand, that's the 2nd most difficult position to play as a rookie.

I think this guy has already proven he's no bust, even after a measley 4 starts.

[Patler]

Patler, would you agree that you don't get nervous tension about when he lines up? Would he be the first rookie we have drafted in a LONG time (not named A.J. Hawk) where you feel confident he can make plays?

I mean, this is a rookie WR we're talking about. As far as I understand, that's the 2nd most difficult position to play as a rookie.

I think this guy has already proven he's no bust, even after a measley 4 starts.

Who said he would be bust, or even hinted at it? Sometimes its difficult to say anything other than glowing remarks about fan favorites, as Jennings has become, because people want to see it as a criticism of the player..

My whole point is that I will be more than pleased if he finishes at 40+ receptions and 600 yards. He doesn't have to get 50+ receptions and 1000 yards for me to be satisfied.

As for other rookies the Packers have had who I had confidence in as rookies once they got in and played, I can name a quite a few. Vonnie Holliday was very good as a rookie, and was headed toward double digit sacks until he was injured and missed a few games. Mike McKenzie made plays and had my confidence as a rookie (6 interceptions). Clifton, Tauscher, Franks and Diggs all played very well as rookies and I quit worrying about what they would do long before the end of the season. Even Nick Barnett was very solid for a rookie.

A guy I really liked as a rookie, who made several heads up plays, started a bunch of games and looked to have a decent future was Marques Anderson. However, unlike those mentioned above, I probably worried when he was in there the whole season. He never seemed to progress after that.

One thing that is helping Jennings tremendously is that he came into a situation where a starting spot was wide open, with a disappointing veteran (Ferguson) penciled into it. That is NOT a criticism of Jennings, far from it. He has made the most of an opportunity that was there. But he really wasn't competing against much to get a starting spot. To his credit, he has grabbed onto it with gusto! Some don't really get the same chance as a rookie.

[oregonpackfan]

2. Jennings is the only other player to throw to behind Donald Driver.


B[/quote]

Bretsky,

I disagree with the above statement. I though Koren Robinson played well last night. He showed good field sense when twice he broke up a short pass that could have been intercepted by his defender.

His stay with the Packers could be shortened by his legal troubles but the guy has shown talent.

OPF

[jack's smirking revenge]

I'm liking our top 3 WRs if we could get consistency. DD, Jennings, and K-Rob are a pretty talented group of WRs. I still think we need another playmaker, but, if we brough someone in, that may stunt Jennings' growth. I love K-Rob in a 4-wide. I don't think he could be covered by the secondary depth of most teams... The TEs are definitely a problem though. Far more inconsistent than the WRs.

tyler

[RashanGary]

The point is, it is still a long way to 60 catches and 1000 yards. One of the things that makes it difficult for rookies is that by the time they finish the 12 or so games they have been used to through college, they are only half way through the NFL season (4 preseason and 8 regular season). Often thay are not prepared for the wear and tear, mentally and physically, of an NFL season.

Jennings is doing well, but he has barely gotten started.

Oh come on. He's playing lights out. He's done it through his whole college career, all though Minicamps and TC, then lead teh league in preseason and now is doing it on the biggest stage.

When do you plan on quitting. YOu just had it in your head that he wans't a great pick and now your sticking to it as stubbornly as Tank is to TT hating. From day one, you've done nothing but argue that he's not doing as well as people say. YOu said Murph had just as good of praise when you were clearly incorrect. You said he would be lucky to get 500 yards and he's already half way there. When are you going to stop? Do you have a point when you recognize that maybe you were wrong or does this just go on forever?

[RashanGary]

1 Marvin Harrison IND 29 413 14.2 0 38
2 Laveranues Coles NYJ 30 412 13.7 1 46
3 Andre Johnson HOU 30 410 13.7 2 53
4 Roy Williams DET 25 384 15.4 1 42
5 Reggie Wayne IND 18 358 19.9 0 41
6 Marques Colston NO 20 336 16.8 3 86
7 Torry Holt STL 26 332 12.8 3 42
8 Santana Moss WAS 17 326 19.2 3 68
9 Braylon Edwards CLE 17 324 19.1 1 75
10 Muhsin Muhammad CHI 24 324 13.5 1 27
11 Isaac Bruce STL 20 320 16.0 1 45
12 Donald Driver GB 23 319 13.9 1 48
13 Larry Fitzgerald ARI 22 316 14.4 1 46
14 Bernard Berrian CHI 15 316 21.1 3 49
15 Antonio Bryant SF 14 310 22.1 1 72
16 Keyshawn Johnson CAR 22 306 13.9 1 40
17 Anquan Boldin ARI 24 295 12.3 1 34
18 Darrell Jackson SEA 22 293 13.3 3 49
19 Jerricho Cotchery NYJ 18 284 15.8 3 71
20 Derrick Mason BAL 20 265 13.3 0 38
21 Greg Jennings GB 15 259 17.3 2 75
22 Javon Walker DEN 11 250 22.7 2 83
23 Donte' Stallworth PHI 12 248 20.7 2 42
24 Drew Bennett TEN 18 245 13.6 1 36
25 Troy Williamson MIN 16 245 15.3 0 46
26 Reggie Williams JAC 21 243 11.6 3 48
27 Mike Furrey DET 22 242 11.0 2 25
28 Lee Evans BUF 19 241 12.7 0 27
29 Desmond Clark CHI 15 232 15.5 1 33
30 Eric Moulds HOU 18 230 12.8 1 29

[Partial]

The point is, it is still a long way to 60 catches and 1000 yards. One of the things that makes it difficult for rookies is that by the time they finish the 12 or so games they have been used to through college, they are only half way through the NFL season (4 preseason and 8 regular season). Often thay are not prepared for the wear and tear, mentally and physically, of an NFL season.

Jennings is doing well, but he has barely gotten started.

Oh come on. He's playing lights out. He's done it through his whole college career, all though Minicamps and TC, then lead teh league in preseason and now is doing it on the biggest stage.

When do you plan on quitting. YOu just had it in your head that he wans't a great pick and now your sticking to it as stubbornly as Tank is to TT hating. From day one, you've done nothing but argue that he's not doing as well as people say. YOu said Murph had just as good of praise when you were clearly full of shit. You said he would be lucky to get 500 yards and he's already half way there. When are you going to stop? Do you have a point when you recognize that maybe you were wrong or does this just go on forever?

You've never heard of the rookie wall? I 100% agree with Patler. Rookies historically have a very difficult time according to THEM because the season is 20 weeks insead of 12. I see him getting 1000 yards, but I also wouldn't be surprised at all if he doesn't.

[Badgepack]

I though Koren Robinson played well last night. He showed good field sense when twice he broke up a short pass that could have been intercepted by his defender.

OPF

Good point about breaking up possible interceptions, good heads up play.
Helping out the QB when they see bad throws should be done more often.

Jennings is a stud and continues to improve, great pick.

[the_idle_threat]

I am aware of the rookie wall. I am also aware that 254 of Jennings' 259 yards came in the past 3 games. This means his pace over the last 3 games puts him somewhere north of 1250 yards for the year---well ahead of the goal. I figured I was being realistic by including the Chicago game, because he is bound to have an off game again here or there down the stretch.

The point is: 1) Jennings is well ahead of most rookie WRs in his development, 2) he has a wide-open opportunity for playing time, 3) he has Brett's trust, 4) the team will be throwing the ball a lot, and 5) teams will probably roll extra coverage to DD, the known veteran threat, which will give Jennings lots of single coverage.

All of these things I foresaw when I predicted he had a great opportunity for a 1000-yard rookie season. This is not a guarantee. He could hit the rookie wall really hard, or he could get hurt (often, these are one and the same). Also, monkeys could fly out of his butt. I'll continue to root for him all the way though.