Cory's Corner: Don't Measure Lloyd's Skill By His Size
Expect big things from the Packers smallest running back.
I was not happy when the Packers moved on from Aaron Jones. Obviously, it didn’t sit well when Jones will be donning the purple of the Minnesota Vikings this upcoming season.
And the reason that everyone loved Jones was simple. He packed so much effort into that 5-foot-9, 208-pound frame. He did everything for the Packers. He ran between the tackles, he got outside, he caught passes and he even blocked.
Get ready for Aaron Jones 2.0. MarShawn Lloyd is fully capable of doing all those things and even more as the Packers write a new chapter of smaller Packers running backs. Guys like James Starks, Brandon Jackson and Vince Workman.
The difference is that Lloyd can be better than all of those guys. He has an electric presence. And what’s great is that the Packers aren’t expecting great things out of him right away. That’s what Josh Jacobs is for.
The Packers just need the 5-foot-9, 220-pound Lloyd to give dynamic glimpses. Absorb as much as he can and be willing to learn. Most of all, do whatever he can, to get on the field. If that means chip blocking a dominant pass rushers like Josh Allen, Aidan Hutchinson or Nick Bosa, then he has to accept that and do it.
What really impresses me about Lloyd is his vision. He is excellent at seeing the field and when things get bottled up inside, he can quickly take it outside. And that’s the No. 1 quality you want from any running back. If they can see the field and the defense, everything else becomes a lot easier.
I know there have been many people wondering about Jacobs’ health this season. Since he is a bellcow back, he takes his fair share of hits. He worked through a quad bruise last year and he’s dealing with a hamstring issue right now. Even if Jacobs has to miss time, I don’t see this Packers offense taking a giant step backwards.
What is the one thing that has been coveted from Packers fans for years? It’s a healthy dose of speed with a second helping of quickness. At USC, Lloyd made defensive players put their heads on a swivel. They had a hard time seeing where he was, let alone catching up to him.
Just imagine Lloyd in a play-action system where defensive players are on their heels unsure of where the ball is. The moment they put their weight on their heels, the defense has lost.
Coach Matt LaFleur is going to have a field day with Lloyd. All he has to do is get him the ball in space and watch him carve through and around defenses.
Lloyd may be small by NFL standards, but he’s special.
if sean rhyan hunted down the third-round curse and tucker kraft killed it, marshawn lloyd is going to bury it in the dirt pic.twitter.com/3JPQLt3oIB
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) April 29, 2024
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (35)
PackEyedOptimist
June 29, 2024 at 06:32 am
Hopefully Jacobs and Lloyd both stay healthy, but if we can always have at least ONE of them healthy, we're looking good.
It's remarkable how similar they are as runners: both have tremendous vision and agility and burst. Both also have made OUTSTANDING, difficult receptions.
People are worried about Lloyd's fumbles, but watching his tape, I didn't see a strong trend. Some of his fumbles were just "bad luck." A fumbled exchange with the QB, being hit just after he made a difficult catch, etc. He has lots of tape showing him holding on through defender's rips and ball punches.
By the way, often people just watch recent highlights of players, but I highly recommend watching the older ones as well. Jackson has some amazing ones from two and three years ago. (I particularly like his one-handed catch)
Also, people point out that Jackson has NO NFL career TD catches--but watch his carries in the red zone: Why on earth would you throw it to someone who has THAT kind of "nose for the end zone?" Play action to him down there is going to be lethal!
stockholder
June 29, 2024 at 07:41 am
Enjoy the wait.--
When this year is over.
Jones will be the reason the packers
won't go to the super-bowl.
The next man up; never will
replace the skills, or Love he gave us.
So when I see that 2.0.
I Just can't help but disagree.
Jones heart will never be replaced.
tonyorth
June 29, 2024 at 08:48 am
Receipt taken. Jacobs and Lloyd are two replacements for one Aaron Jones. My guess is that the two of them together will easily replace Jones, particularly because the odds of BOTH being unavailable will be less than the odds of one Jones being unavailable. Maybe Jones' injury plagues are behind him but history would suggest otherwise. Love the player but age waits on no one in the NFL.
stockholder
June 29, 2024 at 10:57 am
Your looking at two replacements for one.
I'm looking at 2 veterans and not a 2.0 rookie.
The 60s Super Bowl team had 2 greats.
1. Taylor 2. Hornug
Instead of two great veterans.
A rookie will be given time to develop.
So if Jacobs goes down.
You lost your clock eater.
You also had Jones as a weapon.
Who Detroit defensed their game plan against.
And his big runs in the clutch/Crunch time.
PackerBackerAZ
June 29, 2024 at 12:38 pm
Hornung didn't play in Super Bowl 1 and Taylor averaged 3.3 ypa on 17 carries with 1 td. They are, deservedly, in the HoF, but both were in decline. Elijah Pitts was the best Packer running back on the field that day.
jannesbjornson
June 30, 2024 at 10:27 am
Jacobs has ProBowl and ALL-PRO credentials and a power running resume. Lloyd has a lot of burst and similar cutting ability and he carries 220# on his frame. Check the Vegas props for number of games Jones will play in 2024. They wanted another DB; otherwise,
Jaylen Wright may have been added to the pile?
SicSemperTyrannis
June 29, 2024 at 11:36 am
We shouldn't be talking about "replacing" #33, just like nobody replaces Davante Adams.
What we need is a formidible offense. We've got 8 great WRs, with 6 of those making very strong cases to be starters. That's a GREAT "problem" to have! Likewise Emmanuel Wilson is not chopped liver, and neither is #28. So 4 RBs who could each be viable. 2 TEs are obviously ahead of the rest, but that room has more, too.
GB should have a formidable offense! And the O line, while not set in stone yet, certainly has more depth ...
GPG!
Packers0808
June 29, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Two things, One is not much at knowing football talent, two, You will never be a Football Poet Master.
Oppy
June 30, 2024 at 04:18 am
I have it on good authority that Stockholder believes the knock on Marshawn Lloyd is that all of his rushing yards came after the hand off exchange.
TKWorldWide
June 30, 2024 at 06:51 am
LOL! 😆
Tundraboy
June 29, 2024 at 08:10 am
"What is the one thing that has been coveted from Packers fans for year'
Oh my God!. This is now my new addition to things I cannot wait to see this year. Just checked the calendar yesterday to see when training camp starts July 22nd!!
And if I might,I'll add to the list of things coveted for years:
Mean and talented Nitschke like linebacker
Tight end who can catch and run like a gazelle ,plow through people and hold on to the ball ( I think we're covered on this now)
Great safety. This could be that year
And most of all a great defense.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 29, 2024 at 11:38 am
Make the league FEAR coming to GB again!!
Tundraboy
June 29, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Yeah I miss that too! Great minds think alike!
Johnblood27
June 30, 2024 at 06:13 am
Remember WHY teams feared coming to Lambeau?
It started with Mike Holmgren saying that the team HAD TO win at home.
The team bought in and the "Lambeau Mystique" was rekindled from the old days.
MLF will get what he emphasizes. IF HE will push the concept, the team will respond.
WIN at Lambeau.
WIN division games wherever they are played.
WIN in December and beyond.
WIN Championships, GB doesn't celebrate division titles, they are expected.
Ferrari-Driver
June 29, 2024 at 08:53 am
Becoming Jones 2.0 are some big shoes to fill.
However, the potential is definitely there. They are essentially the same height around 5.9, but Lloyd is 12 pounds heavier coming in at 220 compared to Aaron's 208. Speed in the 40 is close but again Lloyd is a bit faster at 4.46 compared to Jones at 4.56. The final advantage in the favor of Lloyd is age since he is a youngster and a rookie while Aaron is pushing 30 and has some of the tread worn off those tires.
We will all miss the personality of Aaron Jones and his bond with Green Bay fans in addition to being a locker room favorite with his teammates.
Yes, those are big shoes to fill, but the potential is there for MarShawn Lloyd to become an Aaron Jones 2.0
mnbadger
June 29, 2024 at 09:03 am
Thanks for the video. from that angle you really appreciate the vision, quickness and speed I've only been reading about.
Also great insight on the "fumbling " problems.
I loved 33, but time waits for nothing.
I'm hoping he's not AJ 2.0 but ML 1A!
GPG!
Yooper
June 29, 2024 at 09:04 am
Love the article and the video. Loyd is a super star in waiting
LeotisHarris
June 29, 2024 at 10:57 am
Football season starts soon. Fans excited, can’t wait. Stadiums filling up. New players, fresh talent. Teams ready, coaches planning. Big games ahead. Rivalries intense. Every game matters. Who will win? Terdell Middleton wasn't that fast, but he was slippery.
Contracts are crazy this year. Big money moves. Players switching teams. Some surprising, some expected. Teams spending big. Fans debating. Good deals, bad deals. Drama everywhere. Future uncertain. Robert Newhouse was short, and Cosell said he was not a good football player. Whatever. The proof is in the pudding, pretty much
Training programs growing fast. Future stars training hard. Young talent rising. Teams investing in youth. Important for future. New generation coming. Skills improving, fast learners. Coaches optimistic. Who will be next legend? Barty Smith was clearly a north-south runner, but that didn't stop him. He had pride.
When the final whistle blows, it's clear football is more than just a game; it's a way of life. Whether you're over the moon or sick as a parrot, the beautiful game always keeps us on the edge of our seats. It's a game of two halves, and anything can happen. At the end of the day, it’s about putting in a solid performance, leaving everything on the field, and hoping for that bit of magic. Football never ceases to amaze, and that's why my dad always bought Chevrolets.
LLCHESTY
June 29, 2024 at 12:23 pm
You want some Cool Whip on that puddin'?
https://youtu.be/nfVEvgWd4ek?si=LlV5U6XMxL1_nUsg
Tundraboy
June 29, 2024 at 06:18 pm
Always love your outlook my friend!
Johnblood27
June 30, 2024 at 06:18 am
My goodness Leotis, you have outdone yourself this time.
You are the new Poet Laureate of CHTV.
I have never seen a sick parrot, but it must be terrible.
Love the closing line, string logic that supersedes even the disjointed musings of the punctuation challenged haiku master stocky himself!
Johnblood27
June 30, 2024 at 06:24 am
As a bonus, here is a memory that few will bring forward.
Packers vs Vikings - old time football - Barty Smith behind the QB - The drive starts with a Barty Smith carry - he meets 4-time Pro-Bowler and College Football Hall of Famer Jeff Siemon in the hole and Barty destroys him running him over on the way to a nice gain.
Rinse and repeat the entire way down the field. It was "The Barty Smith Drive" and it ended in the end zone with Siemon completely dominated.
It was real, I vividly remember watching the entire series and cheering wildly for Barty with each trampling he gave Siemon. The Pack was pretty awful back then, but courageous performances like that Barty Smith dominated drive brought pride back for a quick visit.
Spock
June 30, 2024 at 10:11 am
"He's not a dead parrot; he's just resting."
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=monty+python+dead+p...
TKWorldWide
June 30, 2024 at 09:24 am
That is some next level shiite right there!
I’m not wearing a hat right now, but if I were, it would be off to you, brother!
ricky
June 29, 2024 at 11:28 am
The forgotten man is AJ Dillon. Apparently he has slimmed down, and has decided that, similar to Gilbert Brown, being a Packer is more important than getting more money. There are two sides to Dillon. There is the reliable, downhill runner who pushes the pile and gets those tough yards you need. Then you have the Dillon that hesitates, hits the hole late and gets tackled after a very short gain, or no gain at all. Being on a short, team friendly contract, this is truly a "prove it" year for him. If he returns to form, he could be a big asset to the team. Especially if Jacobs gets hurt, or shows his one really good season was the peak of his career. Personally, I'm pulling for the guy. I like his "lunch bucket" attitude and share his commitment to the Packers.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 29, 2024 at 11:42 am
#28 needs to be VIOLENT!
If he can do that he would be amazing in the Kyle Jusczyk role. Josh Jacobs running behind him - would YOU want to try to stop that?!?
Ferrari-Driver
June 29, 2024 at 11:55 am
I like Dillon as well and hope he succeeds. He seems like a good human being which makes it easy to pull for him.
GregC
June 29, 2024 at 12:01 pm
I'm open to the idea of Dillon having a good year, but I don't see much reason to expect it. After four years in the NFL, I think he is what he is. It would be unusual for an RB to have a breakout year in year five. And I don't think it's a question of him returning to form either. He's had a few good games but hasn't been good for an extended period of time.
The more I watch these Marshawn Lloyd highlights, the more I think he will be RB #2 this season, and it may not even be close. He just needs to learn the offense and learn how to block adequately.
Leatherhead
June 29, 2024 at 01:03 pm
If Jacobs and Dillon are healthy they're going to play. Lloyd will have to be satisfied with the leftovers until he shows he has to be on the field more.
I didn't know anything about this guy, but now, I'm a believer. This guy looks like he could break long runs in a way Dillon can't. He looks like a guy who could be a feature back , IMO, but right now, June 2024, he's in 3rd place in the RB rotation.
This works to everybody's advantage, IMO. We have Jacobs and Dillon, and they're both vets. Dillon has been here for 4 years and this will probably be his last year here. If one of them gets hurt, Lloyd will get on the field, but in the meantime, he can work on the areas of his game that he needs to. He has to hang onto the rock, or nothing else matters.
NickPerry
June 29, 2024 at 02:33 pm
Man I love this kid and can't WAIT to watch him. THIS is a stronger, faster version of Aaron Jones IMO. As much as I loved Jones and hated to see him go, I'm happy as hell with what Gutey has done with the room.
Don't look now folks but if ole Anders Carlson pulls head from ass, and Jeff Hafley's defense is as good as think it will be, this team by the end of the year will have FEW weaknesses.
Turophile
June 29, 2024 at 04:57 pm
220lb on a 5'9" frame is a perfectly good solid build. The guys I don't like (and generally, neither do the Packers) are those 200lb fast guys - they just can't survive the pounding of an NFL season.
I expect LLoyd to be a high quality RB, I'm not worried about the running or catching part of his game - but by far the weakest part of his game is pass blocking. He is capable of being a decent blocker or at the very least anti-awful at that size, but he isn't yet and needs to be to see the field with regularity.
Johnblood27
June 30, 2024 at 06:35 am
Aaron Jones is more than athletic measurables and proven production on the field.
AJ's upbringing in a military household where respect for one's parents was paramount begins to reveal the true character of the man within.
AJ's leadership, accountability and engaging personality coupled with his solid performance on the football field including running, receiving and blocking brought things full circle in a Lombardi-esque manner embodying the "Character in Action" phrase from the greatest Football Coach ever.
There will be no AJ2, AJ was a unique person and player. That doesn't mean that Lloyd cannot be unique in his own ways and perform on the NFL stage in an equivalent manner, including his character from his single parent upbringing and his dedication and respect for his mother. It simply means that the two men are different
BubbaOne
June 30, 2024 at 06:46 am
I don't think of Aaron Jones 2.0, I think of MJD 2.0.; who former Indy coach Chuck Pagano called a bowling ball of butcher knives
Matt
June 30, 2024 at 03:38 pm
Aaron Jones will always be a Packer and I don't think he can be replaced. Great player and even better person.
But many of us forget that Lloyd is not here to replace Jones. He was drafted to be the best version of himself and to help the Packers to win Lombardi again. Do not make comparisons where they are not nocessary. I hope Lloyd will also be a great player and Packer in general next to Jones, not instead.
I only regret that player like Jones didn't win Super Bowl with the Packers.
TKWorldWide
June 30, 2024 at 03:43 pm
He’s not very tall.
Didn’t know running backs had to be.