all about da packers
Cheesehead
I had this thought, so please do bare with me:
The Packers are only 4 deep at WR. They are also only 4 deep at CB.
Interesting fact is that Blackmon has played both WR and CB, and not to mention KR/PR.
It is possible that Blackmon will cover as the #5 WR for the time being, while also being the #5 CB, and being backup on KR while he gets back into shape. Is it likely he will see the field in all 3 roles? Well I would say the times would dictate whether or not Blackmon will.
But that isn't the main point of my post, it is actually a smooth intro to the main point.
In the NFL, ultimately talent wins you games. Now it is important to have more talent in specific roster positions as opposed to other roster positions. (For example - more important to have a #4 WR than it is to have a #3 QB on the active roster)
While some will disagree, I base my argument on the fact that a #4 WR will see more reps than a #3 QB even if injury never plays a factor, simply because such is the nature of the game. I would also say that if you are down to your #3 QB, than you are in a whole lot more trouble as opposed to inserting your #4 WR to start, and thus will go after signing a QB before you go signing a WR.
While factoring in some positions being more desirable based on the system the coaching staff has in place, there is the eventual fact that only so many players can be kept on a 53 man roster. So at times, teams must cut players that have greater talent than a player that is kept on the roster, simply because the player kept solidifies depth at a key position.
So what my main theory is that the next generation of NFL players will ultimately be in more demand and have higher value if they were able to play multiple positions. I think the next wave of NFL players will in fact be better prepared to play multiple positions in the pros. I beleive now when an "athlete" is spotted at a young age, the coach would like to keep his athlete out there as much as possible, so they have the kid double up on offense and defence. (pyle you will be able to shed more insight here)
So when the kids is playing at the NCAA level, he has experience at two positions which can be further developed in college. Then at the NFL level, he is drafted for a specific position, but also to serve as a backup at another position.
Players like Will Blackmon are the future of the NFL. I believe this because the flexibility they provide is invaluable. Having Blackmon cover as the #5 WR spot (if he does) will have saved us a roster spot which we used on a TE (Humphrey) who can double up as a FB to fill in for our backup to the injured starter, if needed. In turn, this extra insurance has allowed the Packers the confidence to cut ties with ******, who while talented had the nack of being injured and being a poor blocker.
Basically I think Blackmon has allowed the Packer's the luxury of making a few moves they otherwise might not have made. It might seem silly to say that about a guy who has not played a down of even NFL preseason yet, but given his potential and talent thus far, he can't be worse off than having a high priced vet. or rookie players at the bottom of the depth chart for CB and WR. He can't tackle worse than a # 5 CB if we picked one up, or he can't run as bad or catch as bad a #5 WR from the group of Gardner/Lucas/Bookman/Boerigter. Heck he has speed favourly comparable to those mentioned above. So why not take a chance on Blackmon, who has potential, gives good reason to believe he will fulfill some of his potential (good head on his shoulders), and allows the Packers some flexibility in terms of keeping the most talented guys around.
Am I alone in thinking players like Blackmon (not to forget someone like Troy Brown) are predecessors of a new generation of players that will find a home in the constant flux of the NFL?
The Packers are only 4 deep at WR. They are also only 4 deep at CB.
Interesting fact is that Blackmon has played both WR and CB, and not to mention KR/PR.
It is possible that Blackmon will cover as the #5 WR for the time being, while also being the #5 CB, and being backup on KR while he gets back into shape. Is it likely he will see the field in all 3 roles? Well I would say the times would dictate whether or not Blackmon will.
But that isn't the main point of my post, it is actually a smooth intro to the main point.
In the NFL, ultimately talent wins you games. Now it is important to have more talent in specific roster positions as opposed to other roster positions. (For example - more important to have a #4 WR than it is to have a #3 QB on the active roster)
While some will disagree, I base my argument on the fact that a #4 WR will see more reps than a #3 QB even if injury never plays a factor, simply because such is the nature of the game. I would also say that if you are down to your #3 QB, than you are in a whole lot more trouble as opposed to inserting your #4 WR to start, and thus will go after signing a QB before you go signing a WR.
While factoring in some positions being more desirable based on the system the coaching staff has in place, there is the eventual fact that only so many players can be kept on a 53 man roster. So at times, teams must cut players that have greater talent than a player that is kept on the roster, simply because the player kept solidifies depth at a key position.
So what my main theory is that the next generation of NFL players will ultimately be in more demand and have higher value if they were able to play multiple positions. I think the next wave of NFL players will in fact be better prepared to play multiple positions in the pros. I beleive now when an "athlete" is spotted at a young age, the coach would like to keep his athlete out there as much as possible, so they have the kid double up on offense and defence. (pyle you will be able to shed more insight here)
So when the kids is playing at the NCAA level, he has experience at two positions which can be further developed in college. Then at the NFL level, he is drafted for a specific position, but also to serve as a backup at another position.
Players like Will Blackmon are the future of the NFL. I believe this because the flexibility they provide is invaluable. Having Blackmon cover as the #5 WR spot (if he does) will have saved us a roster spot which we used on a TE (Humphrey) who can double up as a FB to fill in for our backup to the injured starter, if needed. In turn, this extra insurance has allowed the Packers the confidence to cut ties with ******, who while talented had the nack of being injured and being a poor blocker.
Basically I think Blackmon has allowed the Packer's the luxury of making a few moves they otherwise might not have made. It might seem silly to say that about a guy who has not played a down of even NFL preseason yet, but given his potential and talent thus far, he can't be worse off than having a high priced vet. or rookie players at the bottom of the depth chart for CB and WR. He can't tackle worse than a # 5 CB if we picked one up, or he can't run as bad or catch as bad a #5 WR from the group of Gardner/Lucas/Bookman/Boerigter. Heck he has speed favourly comparable to those mentioned above. So why not take a chance on Blackmon, who has potential, gives good reason to believe he will fulfill some of his potential (good head on his shoulders), and allows the Packers some flexibility in terms of keeping the most talented guys around.
Am I alone in thinking players like Blackmon (not to forget someone like Troy Brown) are predecessors of a new generation of players that will find a home in the constant flux of the NFL?