1 Player to Watch at Each Position Group vs. the Jets
The Green Bay Packers will face the New York Jets in their second preseason game. Here is one player from each position group to keep your eyes on.
By Paul_Bretl
Quarterback: Kurt Benkert
Running Back: Patrick Taylor
Wide Reciever: Devin Funchess and Malik Taylor
Tight End: Jace Sternberger
Offensive Line: Royce Newman
Interior Defensive Line: Willington Previlon
Edge Rusher: Chauncey Rivers
Linebacker: Oren Burks
Cornerback: Eric Stokes
Safety: Henry Black
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Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
Comments (18)
porupack
August 20, 2021 at 06:20 am
Excellent article Paul, and with each of your selections; very pertinent quotes to back up your picks.
This popped out to me, and if this is just Joe Barry's specialty as a linebacker-lineage coach, that is fine, but if this indicates that Joe Barry will maximize unique skills of each player, then that is the ideal coach and fit for this defense, regarding Oren Burks:
<<<< and Joe Barry sent him on countless blitzes--a role that uses his speed, and he looks well suited for. >>>>
That caught my attention aside from possibly, just possibly an improvement over the last decade of underperforming LB play; just maximizing individual strengths and putting them in best chance to succeed. Well done.
scoonie_penn
August 20, 2021 at 07:03 am
man Gute has really whiffed on his third rounders. Burks, Jace, Deguara(tbd), Rodgers(fingers crossed).
blacke00
August 20, 2021 at 07:44 am
That's not true! Don't qualify your comments with "tbd" and "fingers crossed", that BS. You don't have anywhere near enough evidence to make that statement.
Horrible4
August 20, 2021 at 11:00 pm
Are they whiffs though? One of them hasn't even played in the regular season, and the other three have had their careers derailed by injuries. Injuries aren't really something you can control and is just bad luck.
Oren Burks has always showed a lot of promise but unfortunately has been dealing with nagging injuries (mostly back problems, which admittedly are scary and hard to recover from if there is an underlying issue there). Sternberger went down in preseason his rookie season for the year and only in 2020 did he get a season of playing time. And Deguara obviously tore his ACL week 2 in practice keeping him out for the year.
These guys are all good and highly thought of prospects, the process involving picking these guys was solid. I'm fairly critical of the front office for their moves, but none of this is on them here.
RCPackerFan
August 20, 2021 at 08:01 am
My List-
Quarterback: Kurt Benkert
Benkert has a real opportunity to force GB to keep 3 QB's. If he performs well, he could earn a spot on the 53.
Running Back: Kylin Hill
While I get that Taylor is a guy to watch, I am here to see what Hill does. Not only at RB but also at KR. Hill I believe not only is the RB3, I think he makes an impact this year. RB is a position that you need more then 2 guys to play. Hill can definitely be that 3rd guy.
WR: Equanimeous St. Brown
Funchess might be out. Winfree has yet to play in a preseason game. EQ is the guy I want to see. Right now we don't know how many WR's they will keep. I am guessing 6, and maybe 7 with Sternberger out. But the battle is strong at WR. If EQ can come up with some big plays, he may help himself earn a spot on the 53.
TE: Sternberger
He is still an intriguing player. With 3 guys essentially ahead of him right now, Sternberger definitely is needing to keep flashing in games. He is suspended for the first 2 games, but there are no guarantees he will be back after those 2 games.
OL: Newman
He is getting the opportunity to be the starting OG. If he takes it and does run with it, we could be having 2 rookies starting on the OL in the opening week. It seems like they are giving Newman every opportunity to be the starting RG. It will be great to see if he takes it and runs with it.
DL: Jack Heflin
Slaton is the main guy I want to see, but Heflin is kind of an intriguing player to me. He kind of reminds a bit of Lancaster when he came in as an UDFA. They are similar size and have similar skills. Lancaster when he came in as an udfa, he was really good. Heflin is definitely a guy to keep an eye on. We know that Clark, Lowry, Keke, Lancaster, Slaton are likely on the 53. that is 5. They could be looking for a 6h and Heflin could be that guy.
Edge: Tipa Galeai
This one honestly is a toss up between Garvin, Tipa and Rivers. Tipa is a guy I heard a lot about, and just would like to see more of him.
ILB: Burks
He was very good in game 1. How does he look in game 2. If he has another strong performance does he start forcing his way onto the field?
CB: Stokes
To me he is still the player that could completely change the look of our defense. If he is really good, what will offenses do? Alexander locks down his side of the field. If Stokes locks down his side, that gives them a lot of options in pass rushing. They could blitz more. they could focus coverages more on other weapons. Hearing Adams comments definitely intrigues me more.
S: Scott/Black
I don't know if Scott will be playing, but I really like Scott. Black is the same way. I think either one of these guys could be be the 3rd Safety, and either one could get playing time in sub packages. I hope, either Scott or Black takes over for Redmond in the defense.
mattgsx
August 20, 2021 at 11:18 am
I'm cautiously eager to see what we get from Burks in the next 2 weeks. If he is asked to just get into the backfield and can do so with some consistency, I'd take it. Even if he occasionally overshoots, the disruption is worth it. Once defenses equate Burks with Blitz, it should devote enough attention his way that will open up opportunities for our DL and OLBs.
That is, if course, assuming he can stay productive when defenses know he's coming, which will be a good test.
Roadrunner23
August 20, 2021 at 08:48 am
Excellent Paul and I concur
My list is as follows
QB- Benkert - fun and likable
RB- Hill - I want to see more of this kid
WR- Amari- showed good burst when he got his touches
TE: Degura- I want to see if all the hype is warranted
OL- Hello Newman! Take the job kid!
DL- Slayton, I want to see the big guy progress
ILB - Summers, can Captain America 🇺🇸 live up to his nickname?
Edge - Rivers, I like his toughness, he makes plays
CB - Ento, kid is balling, do we have another Sam Shields?
S - Gaines, this kid is a playmaker. Will he be the latest UDFA to crack the 53?
P - Will JK shank his way off the team now or during the regular season?
K - Molson, kids got a strong leg, let him try a 60 yard FG at Lambeau. The fans would go nuts 🤩👏
We are getting down to the nitty gritty part of Camp, closed practice will start next week, jobs are on the line!
Let’s Go!
ND
Since'61
August 20, 2021 at 09:48 am
Great post ND. I have very similar thoughts on many of these players. Just hope to make it through the next 2 preseason games injury free. Thanks, Since ‘61
Roadrunner23
August 20, 2021 at 10:02 am
That’s for sure Since 61
Thanks
Be Well
ND
Alberta_Packer
August 20, 2021 at 12:33 pm
Just after Gaines was signed as a UDFA - I watched his TCU highlights tape and immediately put $2 win (hypothetically) for him to make the team as a long shot. It seems the main issue with Gaines was availability - not ability. At the very least, I project him as a PS player.
jannesbjornson
August 20, 2021 at 08:12 pm
If he is the best of the rest, he's on the 53. Redmond can take a rider to Canada.
jeremyjjbrown
August 20, 2021 at 01:52 pm
If Burks could put something together that would be great. He's in a LB friendly defense now.
Packers0808
August 20, 2021 at 02:03 pm
Still think Sternberger is a goner and he is his worst own enemy! Substance abuse and he couldn't stay healthy as it was! Good bye!
porupack
August 20, 2021 at 03:32 pm
Geez dude, what's the rush to pronounce the death sentence? Can guys turn things around in your world?
Packers0808
August 20, 2021 at 06:18 pm
Ummmm 3 years is no rush to come around I wouldn't think, dude!
JonathanSpader
August 21, 2021 at 01:01 am
It is at TE especially when dealing with injuries. Here's hoping Sternberger has you eating crow.
Packers0808
August 21, 2021 at 08:00 am
Here is to you eating your words! Then he should condition better and not use substances to try to help that process! Not real good thinking process for you I guess!
jannesbjornson
August 20, 2021 at 08:13 pm
Yes, yes,How was that fifth of Popov vodka?