Tag: Randall Cobb

Packers WR Randall Cobb (illness) likely to play vs. Buccaneers

Despite missing all week with an illness, Packers slot receiver Randall Cobb is “likely” to play on Sunday against the Buccaneers, according to ESPN. 

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Despite missing all week with an illness, Green Bay Packers slot receiver Randall Cobb is “likely” to play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Cobb was a non-participant at practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday but the Packers listed him as questionable to play.

If available, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers would have two of their three preferred starters at receiver against the Buccaneers in Cobb and Allen Lazard, who didn’t receive a designation on Friday’s final injury report and will play. Sammy Watkins was placed on injured reserve on Saturday.

Cobb, who turned 32 last month, has five catches for 51 yards on six targets while playing 57 snaps through two games in 2021.

According to Pro Football Focus, Cobb has played 47 snaps in the slot, eight out wide and one in the backfield. He’s averaging 1.3 yards per route run with an average depth of target of 13.0 yards.

It’s possible Cobb could have a limited role against the Buccaneers given he’s coming off an illness and missed the entire week of practice, but his presence should be important for an in-progress passing game that needs to play on time and avoid negative plays versus a top defense.

Per Schefter, rookie receiver Christian Watson is not expected to play Sunday.

Inactives are due 90 minutes before kickoff in Tampa Bay, or around 2:00 p.m. CT.

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Six points with David Dorey

Friday’s quick look at six fantasy items to know

The 2022 NFL season kicked off, and weekly fantasy points are already showing up beside your player names. Maybe not so much for Cam Akers or Allen Robinson, but all the other Rams and Bills. And we’ve already seen just how far off we were on a few things, namely the backfield usage for either Thursday night teams.

We’ll use this weekly space to discuss six players or situations that are of fantasy interest going into the weekend. The NFL constantly changes, constantly evolves, and trying to catch up or even get ahead of the transition week-to-week will pay dividends for your fantasy team.

So many things to watch in Week 1. Here’s the Top-6.

1.) Trey Lance – The 49ers’ hopes ride on the arm (and legs) of Lance who had a red shirt rookie year and now takes over. The 49ers still have Jimmy Garoppolo, so at worse, they are back to 2021. But Lance holds the promise of a wildly effective offense that is hard to defend. Lance holds the key to what Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle will do.  If Lance can maintain the same level of passing and succeed as a runner, then the 49ers will challenge for the division and return to the playoffs.

2.) Saquon Barkley – He’s already burned fantasy owners twice, so hesitancy is reasonable. But he’s looked back to form this summer in practices. Last year, he was still recovering from his 2020 torn ACL. The Giants have all new coaches, a “not as bad” offensive line, and a healthy Barkley. The Bears are about average on defense, so the test for Barkley on the road should be telling. If he looks good again, the rest of the offense gets a major boost. The passing game improves both from Barkley as a receiver, and from his presence drawing  focus away from the rest of the offense.

3.) Travis Etienne – We never saw him last year due to his torn Lis Franc, but he’s healthy again by all reports. If the same quality of player we saw at Clemson shows up this week at the Commanders, then the Jags’ offense takes a major step up. Washington sports a mostly average rushing defense and a bad secondary, so Etienne’s success should yield a solid idea for the rest of the season. With James Robinson slated to also play a role, he could be used in many ways. If Etienne meets expectations as a runner and a receiver, then the Jaguars’ offense improves significantly. If he’s just moderately effective, then last year could repeat. If he reaches what seems to be his potential, every Jaguar fantasy player improves and the offense under HC Doug Pederson blossoms.

4.) Dameon Pierce – Everyone will be watching him since he’s the rookie running back that made the biggest splash in the offseason. No matter that he was the seventh back drafted this year or that he runs behind a horrible offensive line against a terrible schedule. He looked legitimately impressive in the offseason. James Robinson wasn’t even drafted and yet he sent Leonard Fournette packing. It does happen.  Pierce has an uphill battle, but if he is successful, he makes the Texans offense much more balanced and effective. They host the Colts on Sunday, and that is no treat for any rusher. We’ll see just how good Pierce really is in Week 1.

5.) Baker Mayfield – He won the starting job in Carolina just like everyone expected. But his presence impacts the entire offense, and we’ll see what he can do when he is not playing for a run-first offense. We get to see if a new environment makes a difference. D.J. Moore turned in 1,000 yards each season despite playing with a number of sub-average quarterbacks. And Robbie Anderson topped 1,000 yards in Carolina in 2020 before disappearing last year. Mayfield could be much better than he was in Cleveland, and if he returns Anderson to more effective ways, this offense will surprise. He traded a running back that caught about one pass per game for a back that’s twice topped 100 catches in a season.

6.) Green Bay wideouts – Davante Adams took his 123 receptions to Vegas. That leaves a major void to fill. Some speculate that Aaron Jones benefits and while he may see more targets, it’s hard to imagine Aaron Rodgers suddenly becoming a check-down king and reticent to throw downfield. Allen Lazard is the default No. 1 receiver, though he’s nursing a bad ankle and may not play. But his best year was only 40-513-8. Randall Cobb is a starter, but only caught 28 passes when he returned last season. Sammy Watkins also starts but spent the last six years flopping on four different teams. Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson will figure in, though Rodgers hasn’t relied on rookies in the past.

Whichever receiver produces reliable fantasy production is entirely unclear. And yet – there will be value in this group. And it’s going to be a surprise.

So much to watch in Week 1. Once we better define the 2022 teams, we can start mining for emerging players the rest of the way. Welcome to the 2022 NFL season.

Fasten your seatbelt.

Why Aaron Rodgers’ criticism of Packers receivers only improves Allen Lazard’s fantasy stock

Lazard is the unquestioned WR1 in Green Bay.

With the departure of Davante Adams for Las Vegas, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are attempting to bring a group of mostly inexperienced wide receivers up to the speed expected of a title-contending team.

Naturally, it hasn’t always been so smooth, and Rodgers finally hit somewhat of a breaking point Tuesday, deciding to make his frustrations with drops and inconsistencies public.

“The young guys, especially young receivers, we’ve got to be way more consistent,” Rodgers said. “A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. We’ve got to get better in that area.”

However, as reported by ESPN Packers writer Rob Demovsky, Rodgers’ ire wasn’t directed at the most veteran members of the team’s receiving corp, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb or Sammy Watkins. In fact, Lazard was one of the veterans who spoke in a meeting with the group after Rodgers’ critiques. And the QB himself has sung the praises of Lazard this summer.

“I really think Allen is ready to make a jump and be a No. 1 receiver,” Rodgers said early in camp.

The struggles of other receivers only increases the amount Rodgers will trust Lazard in big spots. And if Rodgers trusts Lazards in that role, so should fantasy football managers. I already explained why I believe Lazard is a fantasy sleeper at the receiver position, so knowing there’s potentially a growing separation between himself and Green Bay’s other receivers only strengthens my opinion. He’ll go into the season as the top option.

However, it’s not like Green Bay is short on options for secondary receivers. By many accounts, fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs has been solid, and second-round pick Christian Watson appears to be nearing a return from injury. But outside of Watkins and Cobb, none of the other receivers have more than three years experience. That Rodgers is lighting into the group now only increases the chances of them being ready for the start of the season and taking defensive attention off the top option, Lazard.

And apparently, it’s already working. The young receivers bounced back for a good day Wednesday.

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Packers WR Randall Cobb misses practice with new foot injury

Something to monitor: Packers WR Randall Cobb (foot) missed practice on Wednesday with a new injury.

Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb missed practice on Wednesday with a foot injury, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Cobb, now in his 12th season, got a veteran day off on Sunday and then only did individual drills on Monday, so it’s possible this injury has been lingering to start the second week of training camp and the Packers are attempting to manage it with time off.

Coach Matt LaFleur made no mention of the injury situation before practice on Wednesday. He may be able to provide more information on Thursday morning.

Without Cobb available, second-year receiver Amari Rodgers – who is listed behind Cobb at slot receiver on the unofficial depth chart – may get more opportunities with the first-team offense.

Given his age, experience and now injury status, Cobb almost certainly won’t play in the preseason opener on Friday in San Francisco.

Injuries are worth monitoring for Cobb, an expected starter who missed five games to a core muscle injury last season and has missed at least five games in three of the last four seasons. He turns 32 years old later this month.

Last year, Cobb caught 28 passes for 375 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 13.6 yards per catch and 9.6 yards per target.

The Packers are getting a little light at receiver, where rookie Christian Watson (knee) remains on the PUP list and Osirus Mitchell (quad) was waived-injured on Wednesday.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned after a veteran day off on Tuesday. Rookie defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (possible concussion) and tight end Dominique Dafney (knee) also missed practice with new injuries.

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Aaron Rodgers reveals his favorite Bears-Packers game of all time

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers reveals his favorite game he’s played against the Bears and fans may not want to relive the experience.

Asking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers what his favorite game has been against the Chicago Bears is like asking a child to pick their favorite candy bar to choose from. Sadly, there have been far too many standout moments for the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback in the NFL’s oldest rivalry.

Rodgers has a career record of 22-5 against the Bears in the regular season, with another victory coming in the postseason during the 2010 NFC Championship game. It’s been a one-sided affair for the last decade plus and you would think narrowing down his favorite moments would be tough, but Rodgers does in fact have a favorite game and Bears fans won’t like his answer.

Rodgers recently was a guest on the “Pardon My Take” podcast with notable Bears fan Dan “Big Cat” Katz and revealed his favorite game from the Bears-Packers rivalry is their 2013 regular-season finale to decide the division. The game was a back-and-forth slugfest before the Packers rallied back, thanks to a late touchdown pass from Rodgers to Randall Cobb to steal the win 33-28 and win the NFC North away from the Bears during Marc Trestman’s first year as head coach. Even nearly 10 years later, Rodgers still has a photographic memory of the game and he detailed why it was his favorite:

I came back from my collarbone, Randall [Cobb] came back from his knee injury and then, somehow, it was for the division. After so many things happened for us to be in it…it came down to our game. Neither team, I don’t think was great that year, but we were playing for a home playoff game.

“I start off, I throw a pick to Chris Conte on a rollout and I’m like ‘[expletive], is it really going to go like this tonight?’ Then I threw another pick to [Tim] Jennings in the second or third quarter. Then we had that weird, fluky, Pep [Julius Peppers] caused a fumble and [Miles] Boykin picks it up and nobody’s doing anything and he runs into the endzone.

Then on the last drive, we converted three fourth downs, fourth and inches on a dive play, a fourth and three to Jordy [Nelson] but that last one was pretty amazing.”

While Rodgers reveled in one of his prouder moments, in speaking to Katz, he did provide context surrounding the infamous blown coverage by Conte that allowed Cobb to score easily that gave the Packers the lead.

“You have to put it all together, people throw blame on Chris on that side, I think [Zachary] Bowman was outside as well on that play. But you guys brought seven and we blocked with six. There should have been a free guy so it really was the rush pattern that got you…I guarantee you on the defense, they were expecting the ball to come out quick. That’s why they were playing at 10 yards.

What they should have done was change the call. I knew what the check call was.”

Rodgers also admitted he was trying to throw quick but had to improvise when pressured by Peppers, leading to the touchdown. To this day, Conte still gets the business from Bears fans but Rodgers isn’t alone in his assessment. Former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler defended the coverage as well in an interview last fall, saying Conte wasn’t the reason for the breakdown.

That season finale is over 10 years old and you won’t find a current Bears player who was even on the team for that moment. But if you ask a handful of Bears fans what their worst loss was they experienced, that game is bound to be near the top of the list. It’s only fitting Rodgers has it as his favorite.

Randall Cobb believes Packers rookie Romeo Doubs has potential to be special

Randall Cobb on Packers rookie WR Romeo Doubs: “He has a lot of tangibles, a lot of special gifts. That’s potential.”

A handful of training camp practices isn’t enough time to make a full and accurate assessment of a rookie wide receiver, but Green Bay Packers veteran Randall Cobb sees special potential – potential being the key word – in fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs, one of the early standouts of camp.

“Nobody knows his ceiling just yet,” Cobb said Friday. “He has a lot of tangibles, a lot of special gifts. That’s potential. We all know potential is one thing…it’s going to take a little bit of time to figure out how good he is going to be. But he has the pieces. We never want to set too high of expectations for people, but he’s shown some flashes.”

Doubs made a big splash on Thursday with a leaping catch in traffic for a touchdown and another score to end team drills. It’s early in camp, but he’s getting mixed in with the first team and consistently making plays for Aaron Rodgers.

Finishing contested catches is one area where Cobb sees something truly special in Doubs.

“The biggest piece is just his ability with the 50-50 ball,” Cobb said. “When it’s thrown up and it’s between him and the DB to make a play. That’s one thing you can’t coach. You can’t really teach that. You either have it or you don’t, and he has it. That’s special.”

Cobb knows this trait: He’s played alongside former Packers receivers such as Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Davante Adams, who all turned into playmakers with an ability to win on 50-50 balls.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Doubs has settled into an effective routine early on as a rookie, helping him get comfortable and play fast early in his first training camp.

Cobb sees a young player hungry to learn with a professional attitude and the right mindset for realizing his potential.

“He has the tools,” Cobb said. “It’s on himself and on me and our receiver group to mold him and build him and help him realize what he has. I’ve been very impressed with him so far since I’ve been here. Him and Christian. I’ve been impressed by both of them.”

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Aaron Rodgers: Allen Lazard ready to make jump to No. 1 WR for Packers

Aaron Rodgers had a lot to say about the Packers wide receivers on the first day of training camp.

Since taking over as the starting quarterback in 2008, Aaron Rodgers has always had an established No. 1 wide receiver. From Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams, Rodgers has always had “that guy.” 

Now as he prepares for his 18th year in the league, the reigning MVP will do so without that proven No. 1 wide receiver. 

“When you walk in the locker room for so many years and you see 87’s locker, that’s Jordy Nelson. You see Davante Adams. It gives you a different feel. You just kind of know that you got that guy. We have some opportunities for some guys to step into that role.”

Allen Lazard is the odds-on favorite to become the next No. 1 wide receiver for Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. During the final five regular season games last season, Lazard hauled in 21 receptions for 290 yards and five touchdowns. 

“I think Allen is ready to make a jump and be a No. 1 wide receiver,” Rodgers said. “Excited about the opportunity to work with him.”

With Adams now in Las Vegas, there will be even more opportunities for Lazard to showcase his talents and build off his strong finish to the 2021-2022 season.

“He’s capable of a lot,’ Rodgers said. “Since his first day, he’s turned heads…He’s been working hard. He has a lot to prove to himself…I like a hungry Allen Lazard.”

After trading Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders and losing Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency Brian Gutekunst needed to rebuild Green Bay’s wide receiver room.

Gutekunst went out and signed veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal and drafted three wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

A wide receiver depth chart that currently consists of names like Lazard, Cobb, Watkins, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Amari Rodgers, and Samori Toure is not going to turn heads. However, Rodgers likes the makeup of the group. 

“Allen sets the standard,” Rodgers said. “Randall sets the standard…the young guys have to pay attention…there is a lot of talent in that room for sure, and a lot of motivation for some of the comments that’s been sent that room’s way. I like what we did on day one.”

Lazard, Cobb, Watkins, Watson, Doubs, and Rodgers all would appear to be roster locks at this point. A player that could force Green Bay to keep seven wide receivers is Juwann Winfree. Winfree has eight career receptions to his name but has earned the trust of the reigning MVP. 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if 88 is over there saying ‘I’m a pretty damn good football player, don’t forget about me’…I think he definitely is going to put himself into a position to have an impact,” Rodgers said. “I’m really proud of Juwann. He’s always been a professional for us.”

Cobb is the seasoned veteran among the group and has 591 career receptions to his name. However, he’s nowhere near the player that caught 91 passes for the Packers in 2014. 

Watkins has 348 career receptions but hasn’t played a full slate of games since his rookie season in 2014. 

Lazard is the clear-cut favorite to become Rodgers’ next go-to guy. Who will step up behind him is unclear. Rodgers noted that the young players have talent, but said it will take time to see who becomes the next great wide receiver for the Packers. 

“Obviously 17 as a rookie wasn’t what he was when he left,” Rodgers said. “Jordy Nelson as a rookie was returning kicks and I think he had one or two touchdowns…We need to have patience with them.”

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Randall Cobb serving as extension of Aaron Rodgers for young Packers WRs

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been around for much of the offseason, but Randall Cobb has. The veteran WR is teaching “Playing with Aaron Rodgers 101” to the Packers rookies.

The presence of Randall Cobb is one reason why Aaron Rodgers doesn’t feel especially needed at the voluntary portions of the offseason workout program. The veteran Green Bay Packers pass-catcher is serving as an extension of Rodgers in the wide receiver room during this pivotal learning stage for the young players.

Cobb, now in his 10th season playing with Rodgers, is relaying the message on what the Packers quarterback wants the rookies – second-round pick, Christian Watson, fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs and seventh-round pick Samari Toure – to know as the young players learn the offense.

Put another way: Professor Cobb is teaching “Playing with Aaron Rodgers 101” to the rookies before training camp.

“We’ve got my closest buddy on the team with those guys every single day, Randall Cobb. And he’s been here the entire time, just about,” Rodgers said on Tuesday. “So he’s passing along everything they need to know about playing with me, and the expectations and the signals and the unspoken communication and non-verbal stuff. And they just have to feel me once we get back for training camp and it gets real.”

Rodgers wasn’t at the early rounds of OTAs and will skip the last session next week, but he was in Green Bay for the three-day mandatory minicamp. The team will reconvene in late July for the start of training camp.

Cobb has been in Green Bay throughout the offseason.

Rodgers stressed that learning the offense comes in stages for young players. First, it’s understanding the offense through the playbook, or “on paper.” The next step is on the field with Rodgers. The rookies are digesting the offense on paper now while getting help from Cobb on all the little things Rodgers wants on the field so that when training camp arrives, the transition will be easier.

Rodgers said receivers coach Jason Vrable is also serving as an extension of himself in the room. And in a lot of ways, Cobb is acting as a player-coach during the offseason workout program.

“A guy that has played a lot of ball, that’s been around this system for the last year, but been around Aaron for his entire career, for the most part. So he can teach those guys when certain things come up,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “That’s so important for us to go out there and get reps. It’s impossible to sit there and talk about everything you want a guy to know in the classroom. Some things just come up organically on the field based on whatever is presented to you. To have a veteran like that, to show those young guys exactly how to do whatever it is we want them to do, it’s such a great luxury.”

The importance of Cobb in the room is amplified by the fact that Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown are gone, and Allen Lazard – who hasn’t signed his contract tender – hasn’t participated during the offseason workout program. The majority of the players in the receiver room are newcomers, including the rookies and veteran Sammy Watkins. It’s on Cobb to help show everyone the ropes.

Last month, Cobb stressed the need to “set the standard” in the receiver room.

“He is such a leader in that room,” LaFleur said.

Playing with Rodgers is demanding. In Cobb, the rookie receivers in Green Bay have the best teacher possible. Even when Rodgers is away, Cobb can make sure the MVP’s message is constantly heard.

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Packers WR Randall Cobb is full steam ahead in Year 12

Packers coach Matt LaFleur loves that veteran Randall Cobb is leading the wide receiver room at OTAs.

A drastic pay cut won’t stop Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb from putting in the work. This week, Cobb is leading a young group of wide receivers at voluntary OTAs, resulting in some well-deserved praise from his head coach.

“It means everything,” coach Matt LaFleur said when asked what Cobb’s presence means. “He is such a leader in that room, not only on offense but he’s been sitting there in those special teams’ meetings and doing a great job with that and being able to help a lot of these young guys out.”

Rookies Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure  have yet to catch any passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. All three may have to wait until training camp or whenever Rodgers decides to show up. Mandatory minicamp starts next week, but no one knows if the starting quarterback will show up.

In the meantime, the young guys are watching and learning from Cobb. 

“I make sure I come out and continue to push myself and work hard and to make sure that I’m creating the standard,” Cobb said via the team’s official website. “I think that’s the most important thing for myself, and why I’m here is to create that standard for (the) young guys who are coming in, so they know what’s expected and how we do things.”

Cobb is entering his 12th NFL season. His 498 receptions as a Packer rank sixth all-time in team history, most of those coming from Rodgers. If anyone knows how to build chemistry or what to expect when playing with the four-time NFL MVP, it’s Cobb.

According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, 12 veterans were missing from Tuesday’s practice. However, Cobb was present and not just going through the motions.

LaFleur also pointed out that Cobb has taken it upon himself to sit in on special teams’ meetings. During his first two seasons in Green Bay, Cobb played a big role on Green Bay’s special teams, serving as the primary kick and punt returner. Over the years, Cobb has played less and less on the third unit, with age and injuries being major factors. However, before his football days are over, Cobb has a great perspective on leaving it all on the field.

“I’m so grateful for the time that I’ve had, and I have now, and I just relish the moment, take it all in because this is going on Year 12 for me,” Cobb said. “I’m going to enjoy every moment of it and enjoy the golden years because these are going the glory days that people always look back on.”

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Randall Cobb on Packers rookie Christian Watson: ‘He has the total package’

Randall Cobb is at OTAs to help set the standard for the Packers WRs, and he can see the enormous potential of rookie Christian Watson.

It didn’t take long for Green Bay Packers veteran receiver Randall Cobb to see the enormous potential of second-round pick Christian Watson.

A few days of OTAs helped open Cobb’s eyes to what Watson – the 34th overall pick and the team’s highest draft selection at receiver since 2002 – brings to the table.

“He has the total package. Just being around him for the past week, and seeing some of the things he can do, he has all the tools and he’s very gifted,” Cobb said Tuesday.

Cobb has been around many of the receiver greats in recent Packers history, including Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Davante Adams. He knows gifted when he sees it.

Could Watson be next? He is an athletically gifted wide receiver who was used in a variety of ways and consistently created big plays at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. In Green Bay, he’ll have an opportunity to make an immediate impact, possibly as a vertical threat – replacing Marquez Valdes-Scantling – or maybe more, if everything comes together quickly and he earns the trust of Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers.

Cobb, now entering his 10th season in Green Bay and 12th overall in the NFL, said he is at OTAs to help set the standard in the wide receiver room for all the young players, including Watson.

Cobb’s advice for Watson? Take it slow, enjoy the process and know it will all take time.

“It’s about applying it, taking stuff he learns in the classroom and taking it to the field. He has the tools, it’s about refining the tools. It takes time, it’s not going to happen overnight,” Cobb said.

To get on the field, Watson must learn the offense and get comfortable with all the nuances of the passing game. It’s a steep hill to climb for a rookie player.

Watson said he’ll keep picking Cobb’s brain during the install periods of the offseason workout program.

“I’m leaning on each one of those guys because I know they know a lot more than me,” Watson said. “They want the best out of me regardless of the business of the NFL. I’m trying to pick everyone’s brain.”

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