Last year, Allen Lazard came out of nowhere to become a solid contributor for the Green Bay Packers’ offense. The Iowa State product caught 35 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns. While Lazard is certainly an ascending pass-catcher for the Packers, he has also proven himself to be a very reliable run blocker.
Lazard – who stands at 6-5 and weighs 227 pounds – has impressed Packers coach Matt LaFleur with his blocking ability. On a Zoom call with the media, LaFleur told reporters that opposing defensive backs “better put in their mouthguard and buckle up their chin strap” when Lazard on the field is blocking in the run game.
Lazard has a unique affection for blocking that dates back to his days in high school.
“Going back to high school, I originally started playing safety in my freshman and sophomore season,” Lazard said on Sunday. “I just liked contact, I liked hitting, I liked making the big hits. I knew that they would lead to big plays and they would help our team win. Flipping it to the other side of the ball, now I got to block the safties. It is the same thing for me. I am going in there with the same mindset of trying to dominate, trying to impose my will.”
The wide receiver also believes that throughout the course of a full game, his blocking will wear down the opposing defensive back.
“I may not get you in the first two quarters, you might get me in the first half. But I know after four quarters, I am going to come on top,” Lazard said.
Lazard even said that he would rather have a big block than a big catch.
“(I would rather have a) big block for sure. I’m a giver, I would say, more so than a taker as a person. So I get more excited seeing Jamaal (Williams) or Aaron (Jones) bust open for a 30- or 40-yard run off a key block that I know if I didn’t make this block, it would not have been able to be such a huge play,” Lazard said.
Even though Lazard is already recognized as one of the better blocking receivers in the NFL, he doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels. He wants to get better.
“As far as improving, it doesn’t take too much to block,” Lazard said. “I think that’s a common misconception as far as wide receiver goes is that it’s all about positioning, hands getting inside. For me, it’s all about knowing what the defense is trying to do, knowing what we’re trying to do, and just kind of getting in the way. I’m very obviously fortunate to be a very large human being, especially for the wide receiver position. That definitely helps a lot, but I think it’s all about attitude and effort.”
Lazard will likely be a huge part of the Packers’ passing offense in 2020. Just don’t overlook his importance in the run game.
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