Musgrave is back

[sschind]

So Kraft and Musgrave were both available and probably on the field together earlier in the season but that was before Kraft, and even Musgrave to a point, got their feet wet. Now that Kraft has shown what he can do this will be the first opportunity to see what we might have at TE for a long time to come. Personally I am excited about it.

 

[thequick12]

2 catches for 23 yards and he sets the Packers rookie record for receptions and yards...Kraft needs, 6 catches for 40 yards. Conceivable both could best Bubba

 

[games]

Never having had a lacerated kidney, I was wondering how much of a pitch count this would warrant, versus something like a ankle sprain or hamstring strain. Hmm..

 

[Poppa San]

Never having had a lacerated kidney, I was wondering how much of a pitch count this would warrant, versus something like a ankle sprain or hamstring strain. Hmm..

I recall hearing when it happened that it was an all or nothing type injury. You're healed or not. The only pitch count I'd imagine is what kind of shape is he in. Practice shape is not game shape.

 

[games]

I recall hearing when it happened that it was an all or nothing type injury. You're healed or not. The only pitch count I'd imagine is what kind of shape is he in. Practice shape is not game shape.

Exactly what I just heard from a registered nurse on a pre-game pod. Like you said, @Poppa San it's really just a matter of conditioning.

 

[OldSchool101]

Had to reopen this. Luke Musgrave reports coming out that he’s been one of the “noticeable improved” players as Camp wraps up. Obviously his potential
had always been there and wouldn’t it be great if he shined. We’d have a formidable TE duo that would be impressive. The former 2nd Rounder is back! Aaron Nagler and others report.

 

[Pkrjones]

Great news for considerably more 12 personnel (2 TE's), which pressures the D - are we going to run Jacobs down their throat or pass using a TE streaking up the seam? Also pressures the WR's to make the most of their reduced targets - hopefully reduce drops.

 

[OldSchool101]

Great news for considerably more 12 personnel (2 TE's), which pressures the D - are we going to run Jacobs down their throat or pass using a TE streaking up the seam? Also pressures the WR's to make the most of their reduced targets - hopefully reduce drops.

Interesting you should ask this. I just watched a recent Jacobs interview (from today) where he was asked about Luke. He said BOTH TE’s were beating up on Seattle. He mentioned this opens up the playbook extensively and defenses don’t know what to expect with a pair of Ultra athletic TE’s.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Interesting you should ask this. I just watched a recent Jacobs interview (from today) where he was asked about Luke. He said BOTH TE’s were beating up on Seattle. He mentioned this opens up the playbook extensively and defenses don’t know what to expect with a pair of Ultra athletic TE’s.

I watched several podcasts after that Thursday practice, with a lot of video. The headline coming out of the joint practice was that Kraft and Musgrave just feasted on the Seattle secondary all day long. There were plays when Doubs and Golden were both on the field with the two tight ends, and the defensive backs were basically helpless.

This is shaping up to be an exciting season.

 

[El Guapo]

Was Musgrave ever here? I kid but only slightly. He's shown some flashes, has loads of potential, but that's really it. Whether it has been because of injuries or whatever, he really hasn't done much here yet in Green Bay.

I hope that he's reading my post and using it as bulletin board material to amp up for the season!

 

[Half Empty]

He's played in 18 games over the last two seasons

 

[El Guapo]

Ben Sims played in 34 over the same span.

Musgrave needs to put it all together AND stay healthy this season.

 

[OldSchool101]

I think many folks are underestimating Luke. When you watch him in Peeseason he’s got an incredible stride. If he doesn’t get underthrown on that screen easily makes the Edge for 5-10 yards. He runs like a WR but at 255lbs. Too fast for most LB’s had a size mismatch. He’s 6” taller with 1ft of reach over most DB’s.

Luke absolutely showed in Season 1 that he would present problems for Defenses. Now he was stumbling around an NFL field and in limited looks still punishing opponents. What could he do once he’s comfortable and grows into his size? IMO he’s an easy 500-750 yard TE in the passing game. Yet what’s most intriguing is putting BOTH TE’s out there along with Jacobs, Golden, Reed etc. Imo this is going to be fun to watch if we see more 12 Personnel.

 

[tynimiller]

In truth Luke having a massive year along with Kraft would be awesome for many reasons:

#1 - The lethality of what Musgrave can do cuts a defense in ways that no other player on our roster really can...he truly is a TE that can be in line or split out wide and almost no LB has a chance if man coverage is the call to stay with him.

#2 - Begins to bolster Gute's bargaining in contract discussions with our WRs even this offseason if it comes to it...makes letting Doubs or Watson walk easier if you have a dual threat TE system AND....Reed/Wicks/Golden also.

#3 - IMO sets Gute up to possibly move Musgrave in a trade down the road knowing they are not resigning both Kraft and Musgrave in all likelihood......OR it opens up our abilities to sign both of them and actually let some WRs walk (who are more expensive to sign)....

#3 fleshed out... IF Musgrave stays healthy and just puts together a 2025 where he illlustrates everything he has before albeit over a longer spread of healthy games AND illustrates growth in blocking....the fiscal savings to say let Doubs and Watson walk in FA....then instead of having to resign both Reed and Wicks to not deplete WR a TON after 2026 you only have to sign one of them (likely the one that pairs best with Golden) and you have some financial freedom to spend it elsewhere while continuing to draft in 2026 and 2027 likely a few WRs.... **FTR I'm actually not a fan of this BUT would understand the reasoning if something similar played out...I'm a fan of keeping Watson in GB...and handling the dust the settles after that as we need.

 

[El Guapo]

I'm still on the Luke Musgrave train. I'm just not tooting the horn anymore based upon hope. It's year three and he has to start living up to the potential.

 

[Half Empty]

That pretty much starts with playing in more than half the games, right?

 

[OldSchool101]

I'm still on the Luke Musgrave train. I'm just not tooting the horn anymore based upon hope. It's year three and he has to start living up to the potential.

Oh yeah. This is really an ideal setup season for him to shine. Reed should be on a snap count, Watson is out and MLF has already alluded to using more 12 personnel and Luke might only have a full season of live work, but he does have 3 offseason programs and 3 years in the playbook.
I don’t think Musgrave will outperform Kraft, but the Packers are going to want to press him a little more in 2025. They didn’t spend a 40’s overall selection to let him sit on a bench. His ceiling potential is there, it’s just he’s going to play second fiddle to Kraft until he proves otherwise.
Would not surprise me to see Musgrave haul 35+ catches/500+ yards, 4 TD’s etc.

 

[gopkrs]

Well, one thing is people are going to be thinking about Kraft more than him. He should be able to get open fairly deep if the O line gives the time and he doesn't trip over his shoes.

 

[El Guapo]

It's the beauty of the second TE. They are usually low quality and not ball-catchers, so defenses assign one of their lesser defenders to cover them. Your job is usually to seek the ball and make sure that the second TE doesn't sneak out for an occasional pass. Now tasking that player to cover a fast pass-catching TE changes the situation.

 

[OldSchool101]

It's the beauty of the second TE. They are usually low quality and not ball-catchers, so defenses assign one of their lesser defenders to cover them. Your job is usually to seek the ball and make sure that the second TE doesn't sneak out for an occasional pass. Now tasking that player to cover a fast pass-catching TE changes the situation.

Oh yeah. I was going back through some Micah film history and forgot how good Luke finished 2023. 3/3 for 54 yards 17.9 per catch. He can definitely sneak up and cause some damage if he’s not attended to properly.

In 2024 I was hoping he would return so we could see more 12 personnel but he never fully got in his groove. I really hope Matt uses him more we need to see what we’ve got in this 2nd Rounder before his contract comes due.