Stacking success: Kumerow still turning heads

-- Sunday's fourth training camp practice seemed to be all about Jake Kumerow.

The Green Bay Packers' journeyman wide receiver, who has blossomed into one of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite receiving targets, had himself an impressive outing. It was enough for his head coach to pile on the heaps of praise Rodgers has already vocalized in each of the last two offseason programs.

"Jake’s a consistent guy that’s extremely reliable," Matt LaFleur said after a practice that marked the first padded session of the summer. "You can trust that he’s going to be where he’s supposed to be within the timing of the play. He’s a big guy that can go up and make some plays in what we like to call '50-50 balls.'"

LaFleur's positive reinforcement for Kumerow's splash plays is right in line with everything Rodgers has said in the past, dating back as far as a year ago.

Kumerow was certainly in line to end up on the Packers' final roster entering the regular season in 2018, however, a shoulder injury suffered during an exhibition game landed him on injured reserve until December. Kumerow ended up playing in just five games -- the first regular-season games of his career, registering eight catches for 103 yards and a touchdown that came on a deep ball against the New York Jets.

The Packers have a crowded position group at wide receiver, and Kumerow hasn't provided an impact in any other facet outside of playing on offense. Typically, bottom-of-the-barrel players on the roster bubble would need to provide some kind of spark on special teams, whether as a return man or as a gunner on coverage.

But in Kumerow's case, when his opportunities come knocking -- they've been banging. Loudly enough for him to potentially solidify a roster spot without even playing a snap in the latter two areas.

He has the advantage of entering a second season working with Rodgers as well as perfecting his timing and ensuring he's able to execute precisely what's expected of him. In a new offense, all 11 starters are working from scratch and getting their legs under them together, but as of now, Rodgers and Kumerow seem to be picking up right where they left off.

In Kumerow's defense, he's been excelling as a dynamic, trustworthy receiving option whether it's Rodgers or either one of the Packers' backups targeting him. 

"It's good to get out there with the ones and get some live reps with [Rodgers]," Kumerow said after Sunday's practice, according to PackersNews.com. "But it doesn't matter what quarterback you're going with, because when you're running your route, you're going to run it the same way regardless of who's out there. So you just try to play fast, show up on film and put some good routes on tape."

If he's able to stay healthy, Kumerow should be projected to stack his preseason success and build off of his impressive performances a year ago. In the two games he played before suffering his injury, he accumulated six catches for 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the 114-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which he recorded an 82-yard score.

__________________________

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].

4 points
 

Comments (52)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Koostyroosty's picture

July 29, 2019 at 06:08 am

been at practice and Kumerow has been with punt and kick off coverage ST

5 points
5
0
NickPerry's picture

July 29, 2019 at 06:38 am

No more summersaults into the endzone Jake...Let's show off on the field against opposing D-Backs instead of in the endzone when you score. At home, a Lambeau Leap should be enough celebration for ANY WR on the Packers.

-2 points
4
6
WestCoastPackerBacker's picture

July 29, 2019 at 09:45 am

You really gotta hammer on old mistakes? It looked like he tripped and was going down anyway, and he tucked and rolled. It was a really unfortunately end to a really great play he made. Do you love it when people constantly bring up your past mistakes? Despite the fact you've done nothing to criticize since that mistake?

0 points
3
3
Jonathan Spader's picture

July 29, 2019 at 04:25 pm

I think his biggest mistake was naming himself Nick Perry!

1 points
2
1
t-wrecks's picture

July 29, 2019 at 05:21 pm

Yeah his foot was tapped by the defender and that tripped him up. You can see his foot get moved and catch behind his other leg. That’s what I see at least.

Tired of the “don’t hurt yourself” comments when I don’t think it was actually his fault.

1 points
2
1
stockholder's picture

July 29, 2019 at 07:00 am

Praise for Kumerow. I really love it. St. Brown, MVS, and Moore are no longer Rookies. Kumerow, Allison, and Davis, are pushing these guys. They may have better separation.( But we've seen it's who Rodgers wants here.) Some guys just never develop. The same mistakes will cost them a roster spot this year.

2 points
2
0
RCPackerFan's picture

July 29, 2019 at 07:26 am

Lets say they keep 6 WR's on the 53.

Who are those 6 that they keep?

I think these 4 are locks to make it.
Adams, MVS, Allison, EQ.

That leaves 2 spots for Kumerow, Moore, Davis as the likely candidates.
And some under the radar types with Jawill Davis, Teo Redding, Allen Lazard, Darrius Shepherd.

1 points
1
0
murf7777's picture

July 29, 2019 at 08:02 am

I agree on the four and would add kumerow and Davis. Reliability and ST are important in your 5th and 6th spots. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if any of them make the 2nd or 3rd position. This has to be the most competitive position in the pre season.

0 points
1
1
Leatherhead's picture

July 29, 2019 at 08:57 am

If you are running more and throwing to the backs and TEs more, why do you need 6 WRs.

Adams, Allison, MSV and ESB are in. After that?

-1 points
2
3
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:13 am

Injuries and more varied scheme. I think 6 is quite likely.

0 points
0
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:47 am

25 offensive players on the 53.

6 Wr, 4Te, 2 QB, 4 Rb, 9 OL?

2 points
2
0
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 12:29 pm

Wild card is who is the returner, but I could see that.

1 points
1
0
Packer_Fan's picture

July 29, 2019 at 08:07 am

Good for Jake. Adams, Allison, MVS, St Brown, Davis & Kumerow are good for me. Only issue is how Allison plays after his injury.

1 points
1
0
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:15 am

Still think Moore offers more and will make it. It’s good to see all of them showing up in camp. Then it comes down to ceiling and contract. Stronger group than we have had in camp for a while as a whole. I hope all remain healthy.

3 points
4
1
Branden Burke's picture

July 29, 2019 at 02:33 pm

There is no chance that we sneak Moore onto the practice squad. He will be stolen.

Injuries may sort the problem out anyway, but it would be much more likely to sneak one of the RB's onto the practice squad. They will never have 3 activated anyway. There will be a tough cut somewhere. It may come from the TE group like Mercedes Lewis.

-1 points
1
2
Branden Burke's picture

July 29, 2019 at 02:37 pm

They may also keep 8 lineman. The two position groups on the offense most likely to sneak a player by would be RB or the line.

If Trevor Davis wasn't having a breakout off-season, I would say the answer is right there.

0 points
0
0
Branden Burke's picture

July 29, 2019 at 02:37 pm

.

1 points
1
0
jannes bjornson's picture

July 29, 2019 at 03:31 pm

One of the group gets traded. The Giants are losing WRs every other day.

0 points
0
0
4zone's picture

July 29, 2019 at 08:26 am

All the 'foreign' media thinks the Packers are short on talent at WR. I see us as having too much. Too much in the regards that you only have so many reps you can give guys and we have a huge group right there chomping at the bit behind DA. It anything BUT sucks!

This team looks to be back in the upper ranks again this year but man what a team we are going to have next year with a year more experience for some of these younger guys. We'll see come kickoff time but the excitement is back in town.

0 points
0
0
WestCoastPackerBacker's picture

July 29, 2019 at 09:47 am

Packers have a lot of guys they think can be starters and contribute in the league. But only Adams has actually done so. It makes total sense the media thinks they lack talent until somebody steps up behind Adams and proves himself for a full season. All we see right now is potential.

1 points
1
0
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:17 am

A lot of media don’t have time to track teams and go off past record. Not really surprised.

2 points
2
0
Point-Packer's picture

July 29, 2019 at 12:40 pm

"All the 'foreign' media thinks the Packers are short on talent at WR."

I actually think that all that WR talent you see needs to provide its potential. Last year it was essentially a one man show with Davante. Look at other WR corps around the league, the top 5 have one dog and solid complimenting pieces. Davante will be Davante, but we need #2-#4 to step up and be the pieces we hope them to be.

1 points
1
0
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 01:00 pm

Another way of expressing that would be that we also have the top dog and, instead of journeymen, the potential to have a number of plus receivers.

Glass half empty or half full? I’d rather have the potential to be really good than confidence that we can be decent.

1 points
1
0
CheesyTex's picture

July 29, 2019 at 01:35 pm

Right on, Coldworld. Good odds that a legitimate 2 and 3 will emerge, and nice to have that kind of potential at 4 and 5.

0 points
0
0
Point-Packer's picture

July 29, 2019 at 02:39 pm

I hope so, but there's a great deal of unproven potential that we're banking on to take the pressure off of Davante. Need a year two jump from 2/3 guys and for Geronimo to continue to grow.

0 points
0
0
4zone's picture

July 30, 2019 at 08:30 am

All good points folks. But, I believe we have that talent and it will break out this year. MVC, EQ and G-Mo have already shown it on the field. Especially with last year's debacle, they still showed. I have no worries about who we have on the roster. The proof will be in the pudding for sure. But I think we all will be pleasantly impressed by year's end.

0 points
0
0
NitschkeFan's picture

July 29, 2019 at 08:55 am

There always seems to be some guy in the preseason who gets a lot of love on this board. Janis, Abbredaris, etc. Usually they disappear from the NFL with little impact.

This year Kumerow. He is 27 years old. He has 8 career catches. Unless he shines on special teams this pre-season it would not surprise me to see him cut. I don’t want to sound mean, but really this guy has had years to show NFL teams what he is capable of.

If not this preseason then when? Probably last chance.

1 points
5
4
flackcatcher's picture

July 29, 2019 at 06:17 pm

Kumerow has shown enough to either be stashed on one NFL PS, and make anther's 53 before injury. The reality is he may be too small to survive all the hits a WR in the NFL takes these days, or maybe it is 'bad luck' in his case. In Kumerow's case, the key word is healthy, he does so, and the Packers will find a way to get him on the roster, if not, then he is gone. There is no in between for him. (I wish he get a hair cut, looks like a mangy dog out there............-:)

-3 points
0
3
Branden Burke's picture

July 29, 2019 at 08:15 pm

He is listed at 6'4" and 210 pounds. I wouldn't call that too small.

His shoulder injury was a freak, self inflicted thing.

-2 points
0
2
flackcatcher's picture

July 29, 2019 at 10:33 pm

Key word is listed. Saw him at training camp last year, closer to 6'2" and closer to 195-200 pounds. Like most athletes in their third-fourth year, looks like he hit the weight room, so it would not surprise me if he were over 200-205 pounds this year. But some guys have trouble taking the hits that come with playing, Nick Perry comes to mind. But on the other hand, Donald Driver was listed at 6'1 and 190, HA! At best DD was 5'10 and around 180 on a good day, and yet he played for a good long while. So, who knows. (AND HE STILL LOOKS LIKE A MANGY DOG WITH THAT HAIR! GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!!!!!.............:)

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 10:43 pm

Driver was ripped and still agile and flexible beyond belief, as befits an Olympic class high jumper I guess.

I have seen Kumerow on the sidelines and he looked nearer to his stated weight and height than that, but appearances can be deceptive.

0 points
0
0
porupack's picture

July 29, 2019 at 10:14 pm

>>>lot of love on this board.<<<

But if it comes from coaches and fellow players, then maybe we should take note?

0 points
0
0
Packers2020's picture

July 29, 2019 at 08:59 am

I can see Moore getting cut, especially if Kumerow and Davis impress.

And I do not think ML keeps more than 5 or 6 WR's since he likes to use TE's and RB's in the passing game.

1 points
3
2
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:20 am

I don’t see Moore, who has shown in camp too, including flashing real after the catch skills, is going to lose out to a 27 year old and a small speedster in the last year of his contract. One maybe, but not both. Whether Kumerow makes it may depend on whether Davis is the returner.

1 points
2
1
Leo Van Groll's picture

July 29, 2019 at 09:21 am

I think the signing of Corey Grant will make it much harder for Davis to make the team. IMO if they don't need Davis as a returner, he doesn't make the team.

6 points
6
0
WestCoastPackerBacker's picture

July 29, 2019 at 09:50 am

I was wondering that, too. If Grant shines and they need more depth at RB, and he can handle returns it might be the end of Trevor Davis. But Grant has ONLY done kick returns and Davis returns both punts and kicks.

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:23 am

Grant is a better kick returner. He was also a reserve punt returner in college but only returned one in a game. Can he return punts? If he can then i’d say that there is a real chance you are right, but he will have to prove it.

0 points
0
0
Hematite's picture

July 29, 2019 at 09:33 am

I believe that Kumero will work his way into the number 2 receiver spot early in the season.
Come on Jake, go get it!

-2 points
2
4
Adorabelle's picture

July 29, 2019 at 10:37 am

Every day there is a new report of which receiver looked good. Eq one day, davis the next, and kumerow after that. It is better than hearing they are doing bad but its a lot of hype train to get through. This article on Jake and the practice report makes it sound like davis is on his way to stardom. At this point it seems like moore may be the odd man out. With this team looking like it will keep fullbacks and at least three tight ends there are sure no 7 receiver roster considerations.

2 points
4
2
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:31 am

That is the story of every preseason. While it’s not impossible, it’s very hard to be a star as a small (much smaller than Cobb) receiver. Kumerow is an ideal backup. He knows the routes, runs them well and can play inside and out. Davis is a gadget and slot type: how many opportunities will he get behind Adams, Allison and EQ? Would you be comfortable going into a game with Davis as the only bench receiver? That might mean moving all the others around. I would make Kumerow active over Davis every time.

For that reason it will be tough to keep Davis without injury intervention unless he is there for ST.

3 points
3
0
Adorabelle's picture

July 30, 2019 at 12:06 am

Are there positions among the receivers. MVS is outside so is Davis the backup outside and Allison is slot so Kumerow is backup there? Or are backups supposed to play any of the spots?

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

July 30, 2019 at 06:50 am

Each will have primary assignments. I assume that they still cross train, but whether to the extent MM did is a good question.

Adams can play anywhere, but if he is in the slot others must play the perimeter. If a receiver can’t play the perimeter then options for the play caller decrease.

Moreover, the LaFleur system seems designed to scheme to players strengths. If a receiver goes down, another with similar traits is the ideal replacement. What strikes me about Kumerow is that, while he may not be starting, he can pretty much slot in everywhere, allowing the scheme to continue to work for the others and still be a credible option himself. Pretty much the ideal back up i’d say.

Davis has speed no doubt, but do you really want a 180 ish small receiver matched up outside? He will be lighter and shorter than most modern CBs. Historically, that’s never been a recipe for success. The bigger Cobb could not succeed there consistently in his prime. That’s why those types typically work out if the slot and rely on agility and short area burst to break open. It looks like Adams (at times) Allison, EQ are ahead in the slot.

MVS is a perimeter type, but if he were down, I would expect any of the others would be more suited there than Davis. Davis would likely have to kick another out there. Kumerow would be fine outside, as he has shown. Moore, if he masters the route tree, also projects to fit everywhere.

0 points
0
0
Slim11's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:16 am

Davis is practicing like his future depends on how well he does in the preseason...because it does matter!

If Davis really does improve as a WR, I think he makes the team. I don’t like the idea because I question his decision making as a PR/KR. If someone like Corey Grant shows up as a returner, I don’t see Davis making the roster.

At final cuts, I see a WR/TE group of 10...Adams, Allison, MVS, ESB, Kummerow, Lazard or Shepherd as WRs and Graham, Lewis, Tonyan and Sternberger as the TEs. Graham and Sterberger can line up wide and be productive and be used in a WR role.

The numbers don’t favor Davis and Moore seems to still have problems holding onto the ball. I hear he’s catching more balls, but I what little I saw shows him bobbling catches too much.

-1 points
2
3
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:35 am

Lazard has not shown himself at all thus far. Shepherd will have to win the returning role to have a chance. Moore has stacked plays in camp and is younger and a better all round athlete. After those the wild card is probably Teo Redding. Lazard is a possession type. Ironically, his opportunity is impacted by Kumerow, who is that and more.

1 points
1
0
jannes bjornson's picture

July 29, 2019 at 09:51 pm

Lazard is a guaranteed possession guy that moves the chains. It will be an interesting camp.

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

July 29, 2019 at 10:47 pm

I think he suffers from two things, the likely number of mobile TEs and the height of the younger receivers who have equally good hands. I think that function is already taken care of.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

July 29, 2019 at 01:12 pm

Every year, someone in the WR room takes themselves out of the equation in preseason due to injury: Nelson, Abbrederis, Davis, Kumerow last year. Not a jinx, but an observation.

I'm glad that we're seeing a number of these guys flashing here early in camp because is means that--so far--the options are plentiful. But I'm not going to get too bent out of shape worrying about who is going to be on the 53 because we won't know who the candidates really are until after the last PS game.

1 points
1
0
Tundraboy's picture

July 29, 2019 at 02:00 pm

Great to hear,but at this point,shouldn't we be getting Moore a lot of reps with Rodgers?

0 points
0
0
IceBowl's picture

July 29, 2019 at 03:41 pm

Tundraboy,

The word out of camp is that everyone is getting more reps.

Allison and Kumerow earned their positions before injury last year.

New system, new challenges, but they were rostered before injuries. I believe they are locks.

0 points
0
0
wildbill's picture

July 29, 2019 at 08:35 pm

Not a Davis hater but it is very rare for him to break a tackle and he has made some puzzling decisions on numerous returns. It goes without saying that if someone beats out Davis, the team will be better for it.

4 points
4
0
Tedlyflyfisher's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:49 pm

Totally agree, wildbill. I see Adams, Geronimo, MVS and ESB as locks. I think Kumerow makes it too. Not sure who #6 will be. Not sure they will keep 4 TE ‘s, especially since I think we’ll have a FB and a crowded RB room.

0 points
0
0
Tedlyflyfisher's picture

July 29, 2019 at 11:50 pm

Totally agree, wildbill. I see Adams, Geronimo, MVS and ESB as locks. I think Kumerow makes it too. Not sure who #6 will be. Not sure they will keep 4 TE ‘s, especially since I think we’ll have a FB and a crowded RB room.

0 points
0
0