11 Big Things to Watch for on Offense During Packers Training Camp
By Paul Bretl
Do the Packers’ veteran receivers dominate the targets?
Practice is the perfect opportunity to get the Green Bay Packers’ young receivers as many targets as possible to help them learn and progress in this offense while taking their lumps in a controlled setting that, at the end of the day, doesn’t count towards the win-loss column.
However, with that said, there is also the old saying to ‘practice how you play,’ and for Rodgers, that means likely relying heavily on his veteran pass-catchers–Sammy Watkins, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb.
As I mentioned already, Rodgers told reporters that he prefers production over potential. Trust, being in the right spot, and making last-second adjustments at the line of scrimmage are all important factors when playing with Rodgers, and having experience is oftentimes a key to being successful in those situations.
While the rookie receivers will have defined roles, I would guess that the bulk of the targets — at least early on this season — will go towards Green Bay’s veteran pass catchers.
How quickly can Robert Tonyan be back on the field?
Back in the Spring, Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated would report that Robert Tonyan could be ready to go for Week 1. Then David Lombardi would report in June that Tonyan is expected to be ready for Week 1.
Right now, Tonyan is on the PUP list, but he is able to be removed from that at any time during training camp.
During the 2020 season, when Tonyan was fully healthy, he hauled in 52 of his 58 targets and found the end zone 11 times, according to PFF ($$). As many wonder how this offense will absorb Davante Adams’ absence, Tonyan is going to play a big role.
While last season from a production standpoint, began a bit slower for him, in part that was due to the injuries along the offensive line, which then required Tonyan to stay in-line more frequently to help the offensive tackles–specifically, Yosh Nijman.
Without Tonyan last season, there was a void in the passing game over the middle of the field and in the red zone. There is also the attention that he draws from opposing defenses which can help create for other pass-catchers.
I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the Green Bay offense last year was playing some of its best football at the same time that Marcedes Lewis and Josiah Deguara were having their biggest impacts in the passing game. Having that element is very important to this Matt LaFleur system–not to mention the trust that Rodgers has with Tonyan.
As I’ve already mentioned, there isn’t another proven tight end on this roster who can impact the passing game quite like Tonyan can, so getting him back as soon as possible is a must–especially without Adams.