No he can't; no QB can. I like your enthusiasm for Lockette - and I'll like it a lot more if he ends up a Packer. But even the best QB in the league can't turn any athlete into a great WR.
You posted "Rodgers can turn any athlete into a great receiver" and that greatly overstates what goes on in Green Bay. Certainly McCarthy's offense and Rodgers' talent can make WRs look better than they would in lesser systems with lesser QBs. But Rodgers can't make great athletes catch the ball or run the correct routes. The Packers have brought in great athletes who have not turned into great WRs, usually those drafted after the third round and those brought in as UDFAs. If you were right, the Packers could sign great track athletes and have Rodgers turn them into great receivers. Great QBs can only do so much.
I think you are proving my exact point here. Most WR's can be shut down. That is why the Packers play a spread offense and give virtually every wide out, slot and TE a touch at the ball. That is why so many GB receiver's can shine. Not many teams have two "top 10" receiver's on one team. I do not think its a coincidence that James Jones had the worst season of his career as a Raider, do you? Considering he was virtually their only target all season, but we all know Oakland is where player's go to die. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are not T.O. and Randy Moss. They are not guys that will shine no matter what color you put them in. They would do great in New England, Green Bay, Denver and maybe New Orleans, but put them on the Jets and they are just your average player. Don't get me wrong, these guys are athlete's and haul in some great catches, but there are not many other quarterbacks in the league (if at all) that can turn what should be a sack into a 30 yard progression. Hell, there are hardly any offenses that can trust their quarterback to even take the extra look at their slot receivers.
You are not supporting your statement, "Rodgers can turn any athlete into a great receiver" and there's a good reason for that, it's an obvious exaggeration. For example, would you say Charles Johnson is a great athlete? He’s 6’2” 215 and ran 4.38 and 4.39 at his pro day. The Packers could certainly use a 'burner' with decent size, couldn't they? Why didn't Rodgers make him into a great receiver? Perhaps it's because even great athletes have to do their part in becoming great, or even good.
I exaggerated in the one statement slightly by saying just Rodger's can make any receiver great. I did not exaggerate by looking at a player like Lockette and saying he can be the next Cobb pretty easily. I did not exaggerate by saying that Cobb will not be as productive anywhere else. I do not know why you focused so ******* one statement opposed to the point of the discussion. James Jones had the most receptions of his career, with far more attempts than any other time in his career. He also had the lowest yards per reception and reception yards other than his rookie season. Oakland overpaid for a WR2. Packer's fans stress so much about losing single player's, they do not see that our system works to fit virtually anyone.
Finally. (Except 1) That's not what you posted. You posted Rodgers can make any athlete a great receiver. 2) That wasn't a slight exaggeration.)
Yeah, I liked Lockett in the "Cobb Replacement?" thread. He's a polished route runner and likely to contribute in year 1.
