Jordyruns
Cheesehead
I was personally most excited about Lyerla's potential versatility when the packers brought him in this spring. His potential wide skill set if used properly would fit perfectly into the Packers no huddle offense, like it was in Oregon. I never envisioned Lyerla as a TE who stretched the field or was solely an offensive mismatch problem like Jimmy Graham. I watched a couple draft breakdown footage of him and was most excited about his potential as a blocker first (whether it be in the backfield or on the line) his blocking, especially against Arizona, was what made the Oregon offense go. He could line up in multiple locations and still be an effective blocker, sealing a lane for the RB or buying his QB more time. That's exactly what the Green Bay's no huddle needs. Then he would be used offensively on occasion (just enough to keep the defense honest), or if the defense did not account for him, then his size, athleticism, and explosiveness would really make the defense pay, whether it be running the ball, catching the ball downfield, or from the backfield. He was very versatile.
This is how I envisioned him being used in Green Bay, a fullback when lined up in the backfield or a blocking first TE when lined up on the edge. We have the playmakers offensively on the field already, Rodgers, Nelson, Cobb, Lacy, (hopefully) R. Rodgers or Bostick as the pass catching TE. Better yet all of these guys can hurt you with a variety of skills that really make the offense flow and work well together. They can line up in a variety of ways on the line, most can block very well for their position (PFF raved about Nelsons blocking this week in their write-up). These are two things that you had to be able to do if you wanted playing time at Oregon, no matter what position you played, and I would say it worked out pretty well for them offensively under Kelly. Lyerla could just be the 5th and final missing piece, when it comes to our skill position players, in the no huddle.
So in summation I have no problem with the Packers moving Lyerla to FB so long as they don't limit him to FB only and allow him and his skill set to play all over the field (mostly FB and in-line TE). He has a year to get back in shape, practice what the Packers expect out of him, and learn the playbook. I think it is very doable for him to play both positions next year, provided he continues to keep his head on straight.
This is how I envisioned him being used in Green Bay, a fullback when lined up in the backfield or a blocking first TE when lined up on the edge. We have the playmakers offensively on the field already, Rodgers, Nelson, Cobb, Lacy, (hopefully) R. Rodgers or Bostick as the pass catching TE. Better yet all of these guys can hurt you with a variety of skills that really make the offense flow and work well together. They can line up in a variety of ways on the line, most can block very well for their position (PFF raved about Nelsons blocking this week in their write-up). These are two things that you had to be able to do if you wanted playing time at Oregon, no matter what position you played, and I would say it worked out pretty well for them offensively under Kelly. Lyerla could just be the 5th and final missing piece, when it comes to our skill position players, in the no huddle.
So in summation I have no problem with the Packers moving Lyerla to FB so long as they don't limit him to FB only and allow him and his skill set to play all over the field (mostly FB and in-line TE). He has a year to get back in shape, practice what the Packers expect out of him, and learn the playbook. I think it is very doable for him to play both positions next year, provided he continues to keep his head on straight.
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