Preseason finale could determine Trevor Davis' roster spot
-- It was fairly obvious that Trevor Davis' best odds at making the Green Bay Packers' opening day roster were going to run through his ability on special teams.
Coach Mike McCarthy endorsed those that fact on Monday, saying the wide receiver's No. 1 priority will be "based off of what he's done in the past on special teams."
Those odds, however, have taken a significant shot within the last month, as Davis has been hampered by a hamstring injury and hasn't played in a single preseason game.
Despite McCarthy referencing Davis' past achievements -- achievements special teams coordinator Ron Zook has attested to -- it could be a tough job cracking a loaded roster, especially at the wide receiver position, without having much to solidify your foundation.
That's why playing Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs will be crucial for Davis in determining his place -- or lack thereof -- on the Packers' roster.
"I haven’t been out there to make plays and show what I can do," Davis said after the team's final training camp practice of the summer. "I can’t base everything off of the past preseasons and seasons. Every year you have to come into it and battle for positions, especially here, we have great receivers. It’s going to be tough."
The Packers drafted three receivers in April -- J'Mon Moore in the fourth round, Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the fifth and Equanimeous St. Brown in the sixth -- and all three have shown flashes of playmaking ability that could prove useful in various facets offensively.
Davis wouldn't need to worry about competing for a job amongst the receivers. It's his role as the team's best punt returner that has yet to be placed in jeopardy.
In Davis' absence, the Packers have tried cornerbacks Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson and Quinten Rollins on punt and kick return coverage, as well as running back Ty Montgomery and Valdes-Scantling. Jackson returned a 41-yard punt -- his only return in three preseason games -- against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there's been scarce production in that department overall.
While the Packers have cycled through return men, Davis has honed in on the mental aspect of his game in the midst of learning the entirety of new offensive coordinator Joe Philbin's scheme.
"I’m very confident," Davis said. "Learning the offense, getting that completely down and toning up my game. These weeks off haven’t been just taken off. It’s been a lot of mental for me because I haven’t been out there on the field to actually take the reps, so I’ve been doing a lot of mental [work] in that aspect."
Monday was Davis' first day back at practice, and although he didn't participate in team drills, he was working in pads, which was still a promising sign en route to potentially playing Thursday night in the preseason finale.
McCarthy is hopeful that Davis will be able to play.
"I’m listening to the trainers, that's for sure. I’m gonna have to see with them, right now I’m integrated into practice, so that’s nice. But at the end of the day, I’m going to listen to them and let them tell me what they think I should do.
"I do want to be out there. It’s big for me to go out there, put my best foot forward and make the team. But I have to listen to them at the end of the day."
__________________________
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 (40)
Bearmeat
August 28, 2018 at 10:17 am
MM all but said Davis' spot is locked up - which IMO is unfortunate. KOR is a dying art, and we have at least 2 very capable PRs on the roster already in Cobb and Josh Jackson.
Finding a gunner could be more difficult with Janis gone too, but Scott has been really dang good so perhaps that isn't a problem either.
If it were me, I'd have cut Davis after the draft.
TKWorldWide
August 28, 2018 at 10:47 am
You had me at “honed in”!
Coldworld
August 28, 2018 at 05:45 pm
I find my memory can not justify the seeming belief that Davis is a positive game changer.
If I am wrong, sorry, but for now I think it is a waste of depth justified only by the failure to find an alternate with non special teams upside.
dhusting
August 28, 2018 at 09:03 pm
I'd also cut Davis...no confidence with his poor fair catch decisions
PatrickGB
August 28, 2018 at 10:34 am
We currently have talented receivers on the roster. Davis is not one of them. In my opinion, on returns it’s the blocking that’s more important than the return man. Sure he is a good gunner but we have guys that can do that too. His replacement is already on the roster. We just don’t know who. Special teams don’t get much time to practice and the personal subs in and out all the time. I would not want to have Zooks job. Even Davis had a hard time at first. I say cut him and train another.
Turophile
August 28, 2018 at 03:05 pm
If the head coach or GM make another mistake like Hayward, Hyde, Taysom Hill, the questions will be louder than they have for a while.
It is important for both McCarthy and Gutekunst, that the right guys are kept, rather than a safer-but-wrong choice. I understand the mistakes made in the draft and rookie FA acquisition, but there shouldn't be many mistakes at cutdown (and that applies x2 for those with more than one year with the Packers.
cheesehead1
August 28, 2018 at 10:55 am
I’d let Davis go and Hundley as well, although from what I’ve read it looks like he makes it. What will make this a special season IMO, is for a big improvement in our D. I have faith in Coach Pettine that he can make a difference.
Lare
August 28, 2018 at 10:43 am
Hopefully Davis doesn't bomb out on Thursday.
Since'61
August 28, 2018 at 10:57 am
If they really need to keep Davis on the roster for ST purposes then they should dump the FB spot or keep only 2 QBs on the 53. I'd rather lose Rip than one of our young WRs. Thanks, Since '61
Lare
August 28, 2018 at 11:25 am
I agree, I also think they can replace Ripkowski with one of the young TEs (Tonyan or Byrd).
carlos
August 28, 2018 at 08:05 pm
If you need a roster spot for just a punt returner their in trouble. Sounds like a nice intelligent kid, but being available is key. Hasn’t really showed much at receiver and his speed was his main asset. Now they have bigger, just as fast young guys who seem to have a higher upside. Maybe stash him on injured reserve if possible. Is he eligible for the practice squad or has he played too many games? I think him and Mays may have let their chances slip away. After saying all this I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stick on the 53.
carlos
August 28, 2018 at 08:12 pm
I’m afraid by keeping him you may lose one of the young receivers. And 61 you make a good point on the fullbacks. Always love the old throwback fullback position, but like the receiver’s group I’d hate to see a promising young TE released for the sake of one or even two fullbacks. Lots of tough decisions to be made which,in an ironic way, is a good problem to have.
TimBackes
August 28, 2018 at 09:44 pm
"Sounds like a nice intelligent kid,"
I just thought this was funny considering he's the same guy who joked about a bomb in an airport this offseason.
carlos
August 29, 2018 at 06:04 am
Good point Tim. I completely forgot about that. lol.
Oppy
August 29, 2018 at 06:42 am
I am a proponent of only using two roster spots on QB's for the foreseeable future (Rodgers, Backup), unless the potential Heir Apparent falls into the Packers' hands.
PAPackerbacker
August 28, 2018 at 12:14 pm
By the coaches reaction to Davis I would guess he is already chosen for the 53. He was referred to as the gunner on the team. That should say a lot for his chances of making the team. Unless he really makes a lot of mistakes against the Chiefs. I guess we shall see. I would think there are other players who can return punts and kick offs just as good, if not better, than Davis. And save a roster spot for where it is needed more.
TheKanataThrilla
August 28, 2018 at 12:23 pm
With JK Scott getting more comfortable punting I am not really sure how valuable that gunner job really is that couldn't be given to somebody who is contributing in other roles. Scott's hang time has been pretty darn impressive.
jeremyjjbrown
August 28, 2018 at 12:47 pm
No matter how good Scott is the other team is going to retrun some punts. I don't want Davis, but they need gunners.
Coldworld
August 28, 2018 at 05:50 pm
If we need a gunner we can likely resign Janis. At least he was good at it.
TarynsEyes
August 28, 2018 at 12:48 pm
How many kick returns have you gotten past the 25 and of those, how many turned into points or aided the punter to put the opposition inside the 10.
Does the Packer offense pin it's hopes of a drive on the kick return or do they have as much success from starting from the 25?
Keeping a guy solely for the increasing lower possible huge return, and not adding in the flags which negate it, becomes more foolish in it's thinking with every attempt to reason to do so.
LayingTheLawe
August 28, 2018 at 03:29 pm
Davis was middle of the pack in kickoff returns. But he was third in the league in punt return average per return. I agree that kickoffs seem dead but a good punt returner can shift field position.
But even with that said I think Davis should be a cut, but chances are he won't be.
Oppy
August 29, 2018 at 06:44 am
#7 in the league is not middle of the pack.
korbie33
August 28, 2018 at 01:23 pm
Final roster considerations to assure best 53:
Add: Davis Donnerson A,Green Tonyan,
drop: Kizer Frackrell Rollins Kenricks
keep: Martini Kummeroll
7 receivers
the remainder is already given or is not as important as above.
carlos
August 28, 2018 at 08:17 pm
I’d keep Kizer. High upside. Needs to be developed. Big arm.
egbertsouse
August 28, 2018 at 01:27 pm
Here is a guy who, it appears, has made the team by getting injured. By not playing he has actually helped himself by avoiding dropped balls, bad routes, alligator arms, and bonehead plays. And, also without playing, he has somehow morphed from a meathead who fair catches at the 2 yard line and runs out kick offs from the back of the end zone to the 10 yard line to a "special teams ace." Furthermore, he has somehow become the top gunner on the team without making a tackle.
Lare
August 28, 2018 at 02:00 pm
McCarthy and Zook may very well be putting their jobs on the line by sticking with players like Davis on the final roster. If they're wrong, someone else will probably be making such decisions next year.
carlos
August 28, 2018 at 08:18 pm
Gute will probably make the final decision.
Packmaniac
August 28, 2018 at 02:42 pm
Bingo, Egbert.
mattgsx
August 28, 2018 at 02:54 pm
Um, Davis was one of the best PRs in the league last year in terms of average net yardage. I agree, though, that PR is not a position any longer that earns its own roster spot. Looking forward to seeing Alexander take that role. Or possibly Cobb/Tramon.
Spock
August 28, 2018 at 03:52 pm
egbert, Actually, surprising as it might seem, he was rated as the top gunner (ahead of Janis) by the coaches for the Packers last year. I remember reading that and being shocked. His speed at gunner makes him more valuable than his speed at returner. Weird, huh?
Oppy
August 29, 2018 at 06:53 am
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/returns.htm
Packers fans would love to have a top ten defense. They'd be pretty proud of that. Davis is Top 3 Punt return average, Top 7 kick return average, and #13 of all qualifying returners in All-Purpose Yards with 1,079 total yards in 2017.
Production is Production, and compared to his returner peers across the league, (and considering he's our best gunner to boot), he's one of the better guys at his role in the league.
This isn't opinion, it's measurable and quantifiable.
Cartwright
August 28, 2018 at 03:50 pm
Poor Kumero, he shouldn't have gotten hurt. By the looks of things it gives McCarthy the excuse to cut him and keep Davis. And another fan favorite bites the dust. Hoping he stays and the countdown to the last 2 is between Davis and Rollins. We need a punt returner, we need safety help, which do you keep.
Spock
August 28, 2018 at 03:58 pm
Fordham,
The GM makes the cuts, not MM. Actually, if Kumerow doesn't play Thursday he could be "stashed" on IR (Not the PUP, as some people have said as he's ineligible for PUP as he's practiced and played). That said, I doubt they do that and, if he doesn't make the 53, try to get him to the PS. Personally, I'm hoping he makes the final roster. I don't know if anyone out there knows: Has Mays practiced at all? He would be eligible for PUP if he hasn't.
Cartwright
August 28, 2018 at 05:08 pm
That's right Spock, I forgot the GM makes the call. If that's the case, If Davis does stay I'm wondering if that decision got kicked up to Murphy as the final arbiter 'cause I can't see how Davis stays, logic would seem to dictate this, unless McCarthy inisists on it.
Coldworld
August 28, 2018 at 05:54 pm
Mays was injured scoring a TD in the scrimmage I think. He is expected to play this week
Spock
August 29, 2018 at 08:33 am
Coldworld, Thanks for the reply; I just couldn't remember him practicing.
Donster
August 28, 2018 at 03:52 pm
Davis is a lousy receiver. Worse than Janis. There are guys on the team that can return punts. Davis doesn't practice all camp and he gets to stay? The team needs to fill his position with someone at another position where the need is. Davis is no Devon Hester. Give his roster spot to someone else. WR, TE, ILB or pick up an offensive lineman after the cut downs Saturday.
cheesehead1
August 28, 2018 at 05:17 pm
Agree. Davis will have to show up big time Thursday against the Chiefs. Would be a shame if Kumerow doesn’t make it. Impressed so far with what Gutekunst has done, so I’m confident he’ll make the right calls.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 29, 2018 at 08:37 am
I would not be completely surprised (or upset) if Cobb was traded prior to cut down to 53. Unlikely due to cap hit yes but would not be completely surprising.
Davis likely should make the final 53. I understand why many on here think the way you do, however he is young, extremely fast and in a pinch can play WR. His skills on special teams warrants keeping him.
However, Cobb will remain with the Pack and the final WR spot on 53 will come down between Kumerow and ESB. Based on Kumerow being 5 to 6 years older than ESB who is only 21 - years of age I know who I would keep as Kumerow likely will not see the field all that much this year. Kumerow should be placed on the Practice Squad and I think he would have a greater chance of making it than ESB.
dobber
August 29, 2018 at 08:52 am
To my understanding (this is up your alley TGR) the Packers would be on the hook for any accrued bonuses (signing bonus, workout bonus, reporting bonus) incurred by Cobb's contract if they traded him, but a prorated portion of his salary goes with him to his new team. In this case since the season hasn't started, the Packers cap hit would not be terribly high, and they'd realize significant savings since Cobb has no remaining years left on his deal. If you're saying that the cap hit for the receiving team would be too high, my suspicion is that a team trading for Cobb would likely extend him and reduce that hit pretty quickly...that's if they invested what it would take to get him from the Packers at this point.
That said, I agree in that I don't think he's going anywhere unless some GM bowls BG over with an offer he can't refuse.