Packers' Kevin King a "Full Go" for Training Camp
-- The Green Bay Packers should have their full arsenal of cornerbacks come July when training camp starts.
The team's former secondary coach who was promoted to defensive passing game coordinator in January, Joe Whitt Jr., said on Thursday that Kevin King should be a "full go" for camp.
King's rookie season last year ended on injured reserve after battling through a shoulder injury for the first nine games of the season -- five of which he listed as a starter.
Shortly after being placed on injured reserve, King had surgery on the shoulder. It was a complication that had plagued him since his senior season at Washington, but that didn't scare the Packers away from selecting the 6-3 King at 33rd overall in last year's draft.
He returns to a group of cornerbacks whose experience and talent levels have jumped off the charts since the end of the 2017 season.
The Packers drafted Louisville's Jaire Alexander at No. 18 overall and Iowa's Josh Jackson at No. 45, as well as signed veterans such as Tramon Williams and Davon House to uplift a young, but skilled group.
"He's been really attentive," Whitt said. "He's worked his butt off in the weight room; the guys in the weight room just rave about the way his work ethic has not necessarily changed, but from year one to year two, you grow up, and he's matured that way."
King hasn't missed an OTA practice this month but has only participated in individual drills while being excused from team drills during his recovery.
The 23-year-old said last week that he wasn't thinking about his injured shoulder too much last season. However, there aren't many athletes that will openly attribute their struggles in performance to injuries.
King, Williams and Jackson are all contenders for starting as primary perimeter cornerbacks. Williams had experience in the slot last season with the Arizona Cardinals, but when in man coverage, he surrendered a 1.0 passer rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
Ideally, someone with King's lanky size -- an aforementioned height of 6-3, 200 pounds -- would be the perfect component to a press-man scheme that new Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine employs. With a rebuilt shoulder, that shouldn't pose as much of an issue either.
On top of spending meetings with both Williams and House, King's recovery goes as far as being taken under Williams' wing and learning the ins and outs of his position. Not just on the field, but off of it as well.
"He's been in Tramon Williams' back pocket the whole time learning," Whitt said. "Not necessarily the defense, but how to be a pro and how to be in the league for 13 years. So he's doing everything. ... He wants to know what every call is, he wants to communicate with myself and Jason [Simmons] and make sure that he understands the checks on the side so that he can get mental reps every time.
"You'll see the real Kevin King come training camp."
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (29)
NickPerry
June 01, 2018 at 04:58 am
Glad to hear it. King almost seems like the forgotten man when we talk about the Packers secondary since the draft but IMO could be the most important CB on the roster.
Ideally he's the #1 CB on the roster. He's big enough to match up against any WR in the NFL and more than fast enough making him ideal for Pettine's scheme. I'm happy as hell to hear he's been in the weight room and even better in Williams back pocket.
The Packers CB group has a chance to be one of the best in the NFL and IMO in a very short time. They have a fantastic blend of size, speed, and experience at the position. If Jackson and Alexander are able to hold their own at the beginning of the season, this group will just keep getting better and better with each game.
GBPDAN1
June 01, 2018 at 06:33 am
"The Packers CB group has a chance to be one of the best in the NFL and IMO in a very short time"
Agreed, NP. I'm excited about this CB group. It's great news that we are hearing positive results regarding Kings Shoulder surgery. If the surgery was 95-100% successful, King can put this nagging injury behind him and become a top CB in this league. I believe he'll be good to very good this year and elite next year.
Having King and Williams playing well out of the gate will allow Alexander and Jackson to get acclimated to the NFL with less urgency. I believe Alexander and Jackson will have made great strides by midseason. This CB group will be strong heading into the playoffs and should be top 5 in 2019
dobber
June 01, 2018 at 07:50 am
"The Packers CB group has a chance to be one of the best in the NFL and IMO in a very short time."
From your lips to God's ears. They have that chance, but they have to make good on it. They have a nice mix of athleticism and ball skills...it just needs to translate on the field.
Lphill
June 01, 2018 at 05:30 am
I agree nick Perry we could be in for a surprise if King is able to perform at a higher level and puts the injury behind him .
RCPackerFan
June 01, 2018 at 06:17 am
Last year King was our best CB until he was down to 1 arm. And even then he was still better then most. But his shoulder injury really affected the way he could play.
I think King may do really well with Pettine. He can press and disrupt WR's at the LOS. He has the size to go up against bigger WR's.
What I like about them going and bringing in a veteran like WIlliams is it gives guys like King, Alexander and Jackson someone who has done it for a long time and is coming off one of if not probably his best year as a pro. And now they get to go and learn from him as well as compete with him.
I am really excited about this CB group.
TKWorldWide
June 01, 2018 at 06:29 am
“Afivementioned” is just a touch better than “aforementioned”.
Bure9620
June 01, 2018 at 10:58 am
Weird in the NFL how quickly a position of weakness potentially becomes a position of strength. Tramon is still a good player and I am excited to see a healthy King and the 2 rookies. Still go back to the Atlanta game where Julio torched us again. In the second half we put King on Jones and he was all over him and almost neutralized him. King's length and speed is going to give receivers problems. Jaire and Jackson will be solid picks too. I expect rookie mistakes while also flashing and making plays on the ball. Jackson will have a few picks this year.
Spock
June 01, 2018 at 06:57 am
Weird, Somehow the comment I posted for Andrew's article popped up here when I sent my Kevin King comment. So, here goes a second attempt. With King's shoulder healed he should be getting some interceptions this season as he was noted to be great at getting contested balls in the air. With Jaire and Josh also being ball hawks the defense could have a lot of pick six type plays this season!
Packmaniac
June 01, 2018 at 07:07 am
King is a tough dude. He was a full-on gamer in run support, bum shoulder and all, and clearly relished the opportunity to line up across from the best (when the opportunity arose during his abbreviated season). So with the gamer part already on display, it’s great to hear about his strong work ethic and study habits.
JerseyAl
June 01, 2018 at 08:06 am
""He's been in Tramon Williams' back pocket the whole time learning," Whitt said. "Not necessarily the defense, but how to be a pro and how to be in the league for 13 years. "
I don't think we should overlook how important the Tramon signing was, even if he doesn't see play a ton. The young CBs will have a better career with Tramon's mentoring.
4thand10
June 01, 2018 at 04:26 pm
Agreed. I also think the mentoring Tramon provides is priceless. There isn't much he hasn't seen over the years.
Spock
June 01, 2018 at 09:33 am
Just saw that Bell go $500,000 guaranteed, $850 k in base and $362 k in bonuses & incentives. Looks like he's on the 53 now.
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2018/6/1/17416840/packers-byron-bell-...
Andrew Lloyd Peth
June 01, 2018 at 10:43 am
I know people hate it when I dare call for cap savings, but if Bulaga is unavailable till midseason, we should strongly consider releasing him. This team needs to save every penny imaginable for extensions to Rodgers now, and other key players in 2019 & '20.
And yes, I'm already factoring in the dropping of Matthews, Cobb, and Wilkerson from our books. It isn't enough, folks.
NickPerry
June 02, 2018 at 04:34 am
If Wilkerson has the kind of impact I'm hoping for why should he leave GB? Yes he's on a one year "Prove It" deal, but I wouldn't rule out playing for the Packers past this season ALP. Matter of fact I'm hoping it's a marriage made in heaven and he WANTS to stay.
A healthy Rodgers, new GM, new OC & DC, and playing for a winner might tempt him to to stay in GB. Why go anywhere else when you have it all right here in GB including what looks like a real up and coming Defense.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
June 02, 2018 at 06:44 am
You're only making my point stronger, NP. If Wilkerson returns--certainly possible--we need to be even wiser with our money this year.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 01, 2018 at 11:11 am
The $500K shouldn't be surprising since Dallas gave him a $250K signing bonus for 2017 and $450K workout bonus. Workout bonuses are totally within the player's control, so they act as something very close to guaranteed money. I confess I didn't look closely enough at his prior contract and failed to note that whopping $450K workout money. GB gave him $50K for a workout bonus, so it is $550K vs. $700K last year in Dallas. I suggested he'd get less and he did. Wonder what the $150K in incentive are?
If a team thinks a player can man an OT spot at even a minimal level, in this NFL that guy gets some money.
We are probably around $7M in cap space.
stockholder
June 02, 2018 at 08:08 am
But can the Packers afford Arron Rodgers? A lot of players want more $$$$. If this defense plays like a championship defense. How can you not pay them to Keep them? I believe were going to lose some very good players when Rodgers gets signed.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 02, 2018 at 11:51 am
Well yes, JS, I am sure that GB will make sure that they can afford AR. I would suggest that we will have to look much harder for bargains in future years though. The notion that we just sign players to 2nd contracts if they have played well is going to have to change. I think CM3, HHCD, and Cobb are still reasonably good players, and I am hoping that Wilkerson and Monty will be considered good players as well. At any rate, those guys are starters or key contributors. Jake Ryan is also an UFA, but I am hopeful we see some depth develop. I'm not sure what market Allison will have as an RFA, but we can tender him if we want to. I don't foresee terrible cap issues in 2019, but I don't see the ability to make splash FA signings. Hoping we don't need to.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
June 01, 2018 at 10:32 am
What a physical marvel. I was so happy when we drafted him. King is to the CB position what Julio Jones is to the WR position.
This is the time of year for optimism, so here's mine: King, along with Biegel, will make people stop worrying about letting an excellent TJ Watt get away, and he'll do it this year.
King isn't just our #1 corner; he has the potential to become a top 3 CB in the entire league.
4thand10
June 01, 2018 at 04:30 pm
I can ride with this as they both have excellent work ethics.
NickPerry
June 02, 2018 at 04:45 am
"This is the time of year for optimism, so here's mine: King, along with Biegel, will make people stop worrying about letting an excellent TJ Watt get away, and he'll do it this year."
If THIS right here was to happen it's EXACTLY what the Packers would need to take that step and win another SB. What's more if THIS happens the Packers Defense would in NO WAY be the "Little Brother" to the Offense anymore. With STUDS like Clark, Martinez, Biegel, and King at every level of the Defense and the nice blend of young and older I have no doubt Rodgers can do the rest.
Man what an awesome "Cherry on Top" to an excellent off-season if this was to materialize in the regular season.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
June 02, 2018 at 06:47 am
I'd add Daniels, along with a possible big jump from Jones.
NickPerry
June 03, 2018 at 06:51 am
Definitely...I was just naming a few players who are just 2nd or 3rd year guys. Josh Jones definitely fits the bill though.
4thand1
June 01, 2018 at 11:24 am
Maybe now the trolls and doom and gloomers will quit calling KK a bust. Naw, not gonna happen.
carlbs
June 01, 2018 at 11:36 am
T-Will might be the most important CB signing of the offseason, draft included.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
June 01, 2018 at 12:07 pm
I like Williams but, uh, no.
Packer_Fan
June 01, 2018 at 12:09 pm
I hope King's healing goes well. I heard he had multiple shoulder dislocations last year. Probably just about every extension of the arm or raising the arm above socket level was just an invitation for a dislocation. It has happened to me. Better surgeries and PT hopefully will make it close to originally where it was. King will see the first time he lunges to deflect and pass and then lands flat on his face with his arms extended. A normal arm just flexes and the joint remains locked in. Hopefully the surgical shoulder will be able to do the same.
Oppy
June 01, 2018 at 07:54 pm
What stuck out most to me about King's rookie performance was that when he did get beat or made a glaring error, he most always came right back to the LOS to make a stellar play on the next snap.
That's not just learning on the fly, and it's not just that desirable CB trait of 'having a short memory', it's also a sign of fierce pride in you craft and the product you put on the field.
I'm excited to see what a healthy sophomore season may look like for Kevin King.
Tundraboy
June 02, 2018 at 12:17 am
Let the games begin! The anticipation this year is killing me. But I love it.