Aaron Jones announced his return to the Green Bay Packers’ backfield with a bang on Sunday. On the third drive of the game
Kentrell Brice Jersey , Jones saw his first snaps and immediately impressed with his vision and balance, picking up 18 yards on his first two carries. Predictably, the Packers coaching staff used the other two running backs more often on Sunday, but with Jones getting his feet wet again after a two-game suspension, he demonstrated the skill set that fans have been clamoring for the entire offseason.In week four, don’t be surprised if his burst of productivity ends up increasing his snap count. Yes, he still faces questions about his pass-blocking, but the ways in which he was used late in the game suggest that the coaching staff is ready to roll him out in all situations, which should be a boon for the Green Bay offense as a whole.Here’s how the offensive and defensive playing time broke down.OFFENSE (69 plays)QuarterbackAaron Rodgers 69Once again, Rodgers played the entire game on his bad knee, scrambling around a few times and taking several hits. Rodgers completed 27 of 44 passes for 265 yards and two scores, good for a passer rating of 93.5. However, if three crucial passes aren’t dropped, that line probably looks more like 30/44 for 300 yards, not to mention any additional numbers that Rodgers might have added if the drives continued. Catching those three passes alone would have bumped Rodgers’ passer rating back over 100 for the game.Running BacksJamaal Williams 30, Ty Montgomery 20, Aaron Jones 17Williams and Montgomery alternated on the first two drives of the game with only moderate success. Then Jones took the field and provided the spark that the Packers’ running game has been missing, running for ten and eight yards on his first two carries. Jones added a 17-yard run later on in the game and finished with six rushes for 42 yards.Notably, Williams and Montgomery each had runs of double-digit yardage, but finished five for 29 and four for 16 respectively. Montgomery was more productive as a receiver, with six catches on seven targets for 48 yards.Jones should have earned a heftier snap count in future games by virtue of his rushing ability and explosiveness. The team did put him on the field late in the game when the Packers were trying to mount a comeback, a sign that either his pass-blocking has improved or that they wanted his receiving ability on the field. Hopefully the former is true, as that would indeed earn him more consistent playing time. Still, expect Mike McCarthy to keep rolling his backs throughout the game rather than dedicating 40-50 snaps to any one (preferably Jones).Wide ReceiversDavante Adams 68, Randall Cobb 65, Geronimo Allison 52, Marquez Valdes-Scantling 12Cobb put up perhaps his worst game as a pro on Sunday despite playing nearly every snap. He caught four of 11 targets for 23 yards, but he fumbled away one of those catches in the late stages of the game during a comeback attempt. He also dropped a perfect pass from Rodgers on the Packers’ first third down of the game and another on a would-be fourth down conversion that was ruled incomplete on review. More than anyone else, Cobb is responsible for the struggles of the offense on the day.Adams has failed to produce big plays consistently this year, but he remains a valuable possession receiver. He led the team with seven catches (on nine targets) but picked up just52 yards. He did score another touchdown, his third of the year, putting him in a tie for third in the NFL.Allison had the Packers’ biggest play of the day, a 64-yard touchdown up the middle. It was the Packers’ only play that went for longer than 19 yards in the entire game. MVS’ biggest contributions were on special teams, where he downed one punt at the one-yard line and made two tackles, including one great stop at the 15-yard line on a kickoff return.Tight EndsJimmy Graham 64, Lance Kendricks 10, Marcedes Lewis 7After being eliminated from the game plan in week one by the Bears, Graham has been a steady option for Rodgers, as he caught five of seven passes for 45 yards. That included a crucial first down reception near the goal line on a third-and-10 which led to Adams’ touchdown.Kendricks had fewer snaps than usual in this game
http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-david-bakhtiari-jersey , perhaps because the Packers were behind so quickly. His only notable play was a brutal drop on third down up the right sideline; Rodgers floated a perfect pass to him 15 yards downfield, but he could not make an easy catch. Lewis continues to be a non-factor, and we keep wondering when the Packers will work him into the game plan more fully.Offensive LinemenDavid Bakhtiari 69, Lane Taylor 69, Corey Linsley 69, Justin McCray 56, Jason Spriggs 41, Bryan Bulaga 28, Byron Bell 7, Lucas Patrick 6For the first time, the Packers’ line was hit with injuries in this game. Bulaga left before halftime with a back injury and was replaced by Spriggs, who was called for a pair of penalties (one false start and one hold). McCray also left the game late and was first replaced by Patrick — who was flagged for a hold of his own and led to DEFENSE (61 plays)Defensive LinemenKenny Clark 56, Mike Daniels 49, Dean Lowry 24, Muhammad Wilkerson 23, Montravius Adams 5The big injury story from the first half was the loss of Wilkerson, who had his ankle rolled up on by Kentrell Brice on the play before the two-minute warning. Wilkerson was not only taken from the field on a cart, but he was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, suggesting that he suffered a broken ankle. If so, that may put him out for the remainder of the season, which would likely require the Packers to add a lineman from the practice squad or outside the organization.His loss also led to the significant playing time for Clark and Daniels, as the two were both on the field for over 80% of the team’s snaps. Clark actually tied for the team lead in total tackles with nine and added a pass breakup for good measure. Meanwhile, Daniels did not appear on the stat sheet at all.Outside LinebackersClay Matthews 39, Nick Perry 38, Reggie Gilbert 24, Kyler Fackrell 23On some drives, the Packers started with Gilbert and Fackrell on the field for base downs then substituted Matthews and Perry in on third downs, but to little avail. Matthews had what should have been the Packers’ only sack of the day, but saw it erased by the latest controversial roughing the passer penalty on him. Other than that, he had two tackles and one of just two hits on Alex Smith. Meanwhile, Perry put up seven total tackles including one for loss, but no hits or sacks of Smith. Gilbert and Fackrell combined for three total tackles.Inside LinebackersBlake Martinez 61, Antonio Morrison 23, Oren Burks 8, Korey Toomer 2Burks made his rookie debut, but saw very little playing time despite Washington’s Chris Thompson being one of the better receiving backs in the NFL and the combination of Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis at tight end. He did make a tackle on his first snap, but had just one thereafter. Morrison had four total tackles but continues to be picked on in the passing game.Meanwhile, Martinez tied Clark with nine tackles and added a pass breakup.SafetiesKentrell Brice 61, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix 61
http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kevin-king-jersey , Jermaine Whitehead 15When he wasn’t injuring his teammate, Brice was busy with another brutal game, helping to allow the early touchdown pass to Paul Richardson by failing to locate the football. Clinton-Dix overran several receivers after the catch, allowing them to pick up more yardage. He did have the Packers’ only interception, but it came as Reed appeared to stop on a route rather than as an excellent play on the football.CornerbacksTramon Williams 59, Jaire Alexander 57, Josh Jackson 37, Davon House 6First, let’s discuss House. In 19 total snaps (6 on defense and 13 on special teams) he was flagged twice. The first was for pass interference in the end zone — on a play where he never let go of the receiver — and the second on an awful holding penalty on the punt return team. He was effectively benched, even with Kevin King inactive.When Jackson was on the field, he was largely lined up in the slot with Alexander and Williams on the boundary. Alexander was in coverage on the outside on Richardson’s touchdown, but he and Williams largely held up well — the Washington receivers caught just five of nine targets, though those went for 85 yards and two touchdowns.Wednesday Walkthroughs: What do the Packers do with their four QBs? The Packers have more quarterbacks than they have roster spots and as much as they may like to keep all four of their signal callers, some tough decisions are on the horizon. We asked our writers to prognosticate on the future of all four quarterbacks. Here’s what they said.Wendi Hansen: Starter: Aaron Rodgers; Backup: DeShone Kizer; Released: Brett Hundley, Tim BoyleIt was damn good to see Aaron Rodgers back out on the field during last week’s game against Pittsburgh. That opening TD to Mr. Jimmy Graham still gives me goosebumps. I won’t get into how amazing that acquisition was and will continue to be for the Packers, but I’m excited to see more. of. that. It’s no surprise here that Green Bay’s golden boy will be starting this season, God-willing he remains injury free throughout the rest of the preseason (vigorously searches for a piece of wood to knock on). As for who will claim the ever-coveted backup spot? I’ve got to go with DeShone Kizer. He’s a little green compared to Brett Hundley, sure, but man can he throw a ball. As he has shown in his impressive preseason performances thus far, Kizer has the depth to go far, to pick up where Rodgers leaves off, if and when that is ever needed. Since I really only foresee the Packers keeping on backup QB, Brett Hundley and rookie Tim Boyle will be released. Hundley, possibly for good but I do think that there is some yet-to-be-discovered moxy with Boyle. He’s young, talented and has just the amount of drive to one day get that backup title. Paul Noonan: Starter: Aaron Rodgers; Backup: DeShone Kizer; Released: Brett Hundley; Practice Squad: Tim BoyleIf I ran the show I would keep Boyle as the backup, but it will be Kizer. In terms of performance, Kizer wasn’t any better than Brett Hundley last season, but he was a higher pick, he’s younger, and while Hundley had years to develop in the system, Kizer spent his first year in the NFL’s most toxic environment in Cleveland. In short, Hundley is what he is, while Kizer, at the very least, has some projectability. There’s also good reason to be skeptical of Boyle as he wasn’t productive in college at either Connecticut or Eastern Kentucky, but he comes with a big arm, and has done a good job of keeping his eyes upfield in the face of pressure. Both Hundley and Kizer struggle with their vision, and while Boyle may be no better than a backup, I’ve already seen more out of him than Kizer and Hundley combined. I view backup QB as a highly fungible developmental position
http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-muhammad-wilkerson-jersey , and yes, once in awhile Nick Foles or Jeff Hostetler wins a Super Bowl, but usually if the backup plays, you’re toast. I suspect Mr. Boyle winds up on the practice squad, which is good enough. Shawn Wagner: Starter: Aaron Rodgers; Backup: DeShone Kizer; Released: Brett Hundley; Practice Squad: Tim BoyleRodgers is a given as the starting quarterback of this team. After that, it gets a bit trickier. As one of Brian Gutekunst’s first moves as General Manager, and one that involved a perplexing trade of the team’s top cornerback in Damarious Randall, it seems unlikely the Packers would release Kizer. They clearly saw enough potential to make the move and it would be a rough PR move for Gutekunst. The second-year quarterback was drafted into a difficult situation in Cleveland where he should have probably sat his rookie year as a raw college talent. Instead, Green Bay needs to re-build Kizer from the ground up and out of some bad habits. Still on a rookie deal for the foreseeable future, Kizer has time to grow in Green Bay and become a capable backup with athleticism.While Hundley has had a decent showing in preseason, he is entering the final year of his rookie deal and may not be a Packer after this season, much less the preseason. It’s hard to make a deal for Kizer and keep three quarterbacks. Hundley had his shot to prove himself last season and was not prepared. The writing was on the wall after the Kizer trade and at this point, Hundley is auditioning for another team as Peter Bukowski suggested recently. If the Packers can get trade value back for Hundley, that would be great. If not, the team has too many other positions with talent that can help the team more than a third-string quarterback that all-too-often did not trust his reads down the field.Boyle had impressive minicamps and has looked the part in training camp as well. He has displayed arm strength and confidence in his arm to put the ball where it needs to be. He won’t get a 53-man roster spot, but Boyle is a perfect candidate for the practice squad if not claimed by another team.Bob Fitch: Starter: Aaron Rodgers; Backup: DeShone Kizer; Released: Brett Hundley; Practice Squad: Tim BoyleWhat else can you say that hasn’t already been said?Kizer has more team control, is three years younger, and was traded for a former first round pick.Hundley had an awful season last year even after he was touted as “ready” and “capable” by the Green Bay coaching staff.While that’s obviously coach speak as of course McCarthy is going to pump up whoever is under center, it was clear that Hundley wasn’t ready to run the offense in any capacity.Boyle on the other hand, has shown better vision than either of the other two passers and might have the strongest arm of the three.Consider me a sucker for (language warning) huck it and chuck it football.He’s as consistent as a chameleon, but reps tend to iron those things out, and Hundley doesn’t appear to be fixable at this point.Jon Meerdink - Starter: Aaron Rodgers; QB2a: Brett Hundley; QB2b: DeShone Kizer; Practice Squad: Tim Boyle Keeping three quarterbacks is a pretty extravagant luxury (or foolhardy decision, take your pick) for an NFL team. I think if the Packers had their druthers, someone would give them a mid-round pick for Hundley and give them an easy path to their preferred “QB1, QB2, practice squad QB” quarterback group. However, nobody seems to be knocking down Brian Gutekunst’s door to take one gently used backup quarterback off his hands, so the Packers are stuck with a quarterback race with no clear winner. Ideally, either Hundley or Kizer would have been leaps and bounds above the other at this point, but that scenario hasn’t developed. The two have been basically fine, leaving the Packers to decide between two versions of more or less the same player.But the Packers are in the somewhat unique position of having essentially a 54th roster spot for the first two weeks of the season, thanks to Aaron Jones’ suspension. For pretty much that reason alone, I think the Packers punt on deciding on Hundley or Kizer (for now, at least), keeping both on the first edition of the 53-man roster.
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