The injury to Davante Adams has sparked a lot of discussion about whether some of the young wide receivers on the Packers’ roster should get some playing time. Adams was the talk of training camp and with the injury to Jordy Nelson would have seemed to be a shoe-in for a great sophomore season. Instead, a sophomore slump seems more descriptive. Even in his 4 reception game against the Bears, Adams was targeted 8 times and one has to wonder if Aaron Rodgers noticed the 50% completion percentage. Then in the Seahawks game, Adams got hurt and went 5 for 33 with a 13 yard long and Packernation is wondering how healthy he is. I am one of those who has been wanting to see Jeff Janis get a chance on the field with Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball for a change. After all, all the guy does is score touchdowns…right? With Davante Adams’ health suspect and Ty Montgomery showing that he can be a real threat as a rookie…shouldn’t a guy like Janis deserve a chance? Well, I agree that Jeff Janis deserves a chance but I don’t think the Chiefs game is that game to give him that chance for a couple reasons:
The formula to beat the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs win games with a simple formula:
- Great defense and
- The running game.
Great defense, for the Chiefs, starts with the pass rush of Justin Houston and Tomba Hali. These two are as good as it gets and Hali in particular was the bane of Aaron Rodgers’ existence when the two teams met last. The Packers’ offensive line is quite a bit better than it was then, with the best guard combo in the NFL and the hard-nosed Linsley at center. David Bhaktiari had his struggles against the Seahawks but he is as good as it gets as well. But assuming the Packers can handle Jamaal Charles and the Chiefs’ running game, this win could hinge on the way the Packers handle the Chiefs’ pass rush.
That…in turn… makes success for Jeff Janis questionable at best. Janis’ speed is something that I think the Packers can (and should) exploit. But the pass rush of the Chiefs requires that Aaron Rodgers stay within a 3 or maybe at times 5 step drop. Janis’ forte is the go route (not that he can’t get better at route running in general) and the seven step drop. But the seven step drop puts too much pressure on the Packers’ offensive line. So I have to wonder if “today’s the day” for Jeff Janis.
On the other hand, the Chiefs have not had a passing touchdown to a receiver for…like…20 years. So the Packers short game and the running of (hopefully) James Starks are the way to keep the Chiefs’ running game from amassing enough points to win. Again, Janis (and though I hate to make the equation) like Nelson, is an immediate touchdown threat. But that may actually NOT bode well for a Packers team that needs to be methodical and has been in the first two games of the season.
So, while I am entirely on the side of those who want to see Jeff Janis get a chance to play in the regular season with Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball…I just don’t think that now is the time. But what do you think? Am I right on…or am I crazy? Let me know in the comments below or back on the Facebook Fanpage.
Go Pack!
I do agree Janis is a go route type of receiver , that being said , it should also be understood that the go route receivers spread the defense for the under route men and the running backs , you don’t have to target a guy like Janis more than a couple of times in a game as much as setting the table for the rest of the offense , and the reverse is also true , as soon as they see that and bring there defense up , throw it deep later in the game to Janis and try for he big hit down field , he has speed so keep the D spread and then pop over the top , sometimes I think McCarthy gets complacent with strategy and being aggressive , after all , isn’t that what got Jordy going to , the deep stuff
I hear you Lloyd. I really can’t wait to see Janis get a chance to give the Packers that exact element. I am honestly worried about Aaron’s health coming out of this game. Would rather play a shorter, West Coast style that takes time off the clock and moves the chains. But if he goes in…heck I am going to be pulling for him! Hopefully our line will have better communication this time around or we will have a long day against Houston and Hali. Thanks for reading!
The Chiefs have had a passing touchdown. Just not to a receiver.
I understand about Janis!!! I been waiting for him all season yes he is the biggest and the fastest on the team but I think its in his head that is the problem. If you liston to Rodgers he ex how a young wide rec gets his changes . I also agree this is not the game to start him but I would like to see him get some chances that is the only way that Janis gets better. thank you for this !!!
I can’t wait to see if Janis continues to be a TD machine when the time is right.
If they are ahead give him a little chance
Put Janis in the game. He’s another Jordy Nelson waiting to be discovered!!
Get Janis on the field. He needs the reps in multiple sets/situations, and 4-5 snaps out of the shotgun- w/an added 2 step drop by Aaron- should get Janis downfield for a crack or two at the end zone.
Other than that, I agree. It just might be a slugfest better suited for other specialties.
Go Pack!
Janis HAS to get into the game sooner rather than later. The Packers, at present, do not have a deep ball threat and that is really hampering their offense. Janis has the speed and the hands to be the MAN. Get him out there. Use a halfback to help on the blocking and give Rodgers that extra beat to make the long ball part of the arsenal once again. The coaches need to get creative and find a way to make it happen.
I hope Adams play… he is doing an impressive job, since last season….get healthy for us, Adams! (Im sure Janis will have his chance…)
I would love to see Janis out there. Thing is, everyone sees him as a deep threat a la Nelson. He needs to be like Nelson, and be a threat all over the field, sidelines, back shoulder, over the middle. The days of having a player as a specialized deep threat are gone.