Week Three Snap Counts: Green Bay Packers At The New Orleans Saints
The offensive line starters played every snap. Billy Turner played right tackle instead of Rick Wagner, who played special teams only. Lucas Patrick took every snap at right guard. That might mean that either Patrick is the best right guard or that Turner is enough better than Wagner to make up for any disparity between Patrick and Turner at right guard. Nijman and Wagner are on the field goal and point after teams (four PTAs and three FGs). The starting tackles depart on those plays and were replaced by Nijman and Wagner. Runyan has been the sixth lineman on such plays all season.
Lazard and Valdez-Scantling played almost every snap in the absence of Davante Adams. The main beneficiary was Shepherd, who played 23 snaps. One might have expected Malik Taylor to benefit as well but he clearly did not. Last week Taylor's snap count balooned to 15 but there was no increase against the Saints.
Last week Lewis and Sternberger combined played 67 percent of possible snaps but Lewis got 45% to Sternberger's 22%. Against the Saints they each played 32 percent.
Jamaal Williams and especially Dillon were the odd men out this week. Dillon received no snaps while Williams snaps were reduced. Ervin played 38% of the snaps against the Saints and the Lions last week.
| Name | Snaps | % | ST |
| Jenkins | 62 | 100 | 7 - 22% |
| Patrick | 62 | 100 | 7 - 22% |
| Turner | 62 | 100 | |
| Bakh | 62 | 100 | |
| Linsley | 62 | 100 | |
| Runyan | 0 | 0 | 7 - 22% |
| Nijman | 0 | 0 | 7 - 22% |
| Wagner | 0 | 0 | 7 - 22% |
| Rodgers | 62 | 100 | 0 - 0 |
| Boyle | 0 | 0 | 0- 0 |
| Lovett | 2 | 3 | 15 -47% |
| Lazard | 59 | 95 | 1 - 3 |
| MVS | 57 | 92 | |
| Shepherd | 23 | 37 | |
| Taylor | 4 | 6 | 15 - 47% |
| Tonyan | 39 | 63 | 2 - 6% |
| Lewis | 20 | 32 | 0 - 0 |
| Sternberger | 20 | 32 | 8 - 25% |
| Jones | 44 | 71 | 0 - 0 |
| J. Williams | 19 | 31 | 9 - 28% |
| Ervin | 23 | 37 | 10 - 31% |
| Dillon | 6 - 19% | ||
| 21 played Off. |
The starting safeties and cornerbacks played every snap, with Sullivan almost exactly maintaining his share of snaps. The story here is that Greene played just ten percent of snaps rather than the thirty-six percent he played against the Lions, with Redmond increasing his share of snaps from twenty to fifty-two percent. It surprised me that Scott did not get on the field for any defensive snaps. Hollman was also shut out and played fewer special teams snaps than he had been playing. Jackson played only special teams snaps.
Rashan Gary dropped from 56 percent to 30 percent of possible snaps. Garvin increased his snaps from 3 percent to 26. Preston and Zadarius Smith continued to play almost every snap. While the percentage is high, the actual number of snaps is not far out of line. 57 snaps per game extrapolates to 912 snaps over the course of a full season.
Ty Summers got a lot of snaps due to the injury to Kirksey. Summers rather than Burks or Barnes always appeared to the the backup for Kirksey, so that did not surprise. It might be interesting to see where Martin plays when he returns if Kirksey is still out. Krys Barnes maintained his playing percentage. Burks played only special teams last week, so he played more than he has been. The four inside linebackers combined for 91 snaps, or about 1.49 ILBs playing on the average snap. That is a noticeable increase from the Lions game (1.25 or 74 snaps total with 59 defensive snaps).
True defensive linemen combined for just 110 snaps, or 1.80 linemen on the field on average. That is a significant drop from the first two weeks. Dean Lowry suffered the biggest drop but Lancaster and Keke both dropped roughly 11 percentage points. Montravius Adams played the same percentage of snaps as last week. Newcomer Billy Winn played six snaps, but I noticed him. He looks like he weighs more than the 305 pounds I have seen listed for him.
| Name | Snaps | % | STs |
| Amos | 61 | 100 | 5 - 16% |
| Savage | 61 | 100 | 10 - 31% |
| King | 61 | 100 | 2 - 6% |
| Alexander | 61 | 100 | 2 - 6% |
| Sullivan | 44 | 72 | 12 - 38% |
| Greene | 6 | 10 | 12 - 38% |
| Redmond | 32 | 52 | 24 - 75% |
| Jackson | 16 - 50% | ||
| Scott | 15 - 47% | ||
| Hollman | 9 - 28% | ||
| Kirksey | 17 | 28 | 2 - 6% |
| P. Smith | 58 | 95 | 2 - 6% |
| Z. Smith | 56 | 92 | 7 - 22% |
| Gary | 18 | 30 | 2 - 6% |
| Summers | 44 | 72 | 19 - 59% |
| Barnes | 17 | 28 | 16- 50% |
| Garvin | 16 | 26 | 1 - 3% |
| Burks | 13 | 21 | 24 - 75% |
| Lowry DE | 32 | 52 | 7 - 22% |
| Lancaster | 29 | 48 | 13 - 41% |
| Keke | 28 | 46 | 7 - 22% |
| M. Adams | 11 | 18 | 13 - 41% |
| Winn | 6 | 10 | 0 - 0% |
| 23 played Def. |
| Name | Snaps | % | ST |
| Crosby | 15 - 47% | ||
| Scott | 8 - 25% | ||
| Bradley | 8 - 25% |
| Inactive Players | Love, Nickerson, Ramsey, Deguara, Adams and Clark. |
| Active/DNP | Boyle |
* All snaps courtesy of the NFL Game Book.
The big story is Turner reclaiming the starting right tackle position. There were some other possible stories. Greene and Gary played a little less than I expected. Jackson, Hollman and Scott played only special teams. Certainly seemed like a game that Scott or Jackson might have been handy to have on the field. The low snap count for the defensive line was also interesting. Garvin and Burks played more than expected.
Each week is just a snapshot with many possible explanations for increases and decreases in a player's snap count.
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Comments (48)
Thegreatreynoldo
September 28, 2020 at 07:34 am
I chose to use a photo of Billy Turner. His snaps counts increased the most. There were some other interesting instances of movement in the percentage of snaps received by several players. Comment below about any that I missed.
This series is not about how well anyone played, but one would expect to see changes over time in response to performance. In any one particular game it could be an unknown nagging injury or a match up issue that limited a player.
tobinrote
September 28, 2020 at 07:37 am
what the the counts for Winn?
Thegreatreynoldo
September 28, 2020 at 08:47 am
Oops. Winn played 6 snaps which is about 10% of possible snaps. I thought he played more than that.
I will fix the article. As previously noted, I don't get the data until 5:00 am or later and try to get the article published in time for readers drink their morning coffee while reading it. Still, that's a miss on my part.
dobber
September 28, 2020 at 07:38 am
My understanding is that Gary turned an ankle and didn't return.
Coldworld
September 28, 2020 at 08:58 am
That was a loss that was little talked about. He is good versus the run.
Since'61
September 28, 2020 at 09:50 pm
Agree Dobber. Losing Gary and Kirksey really hurts because they bring speed to our front 7. Their loss definitely impacted our run defense. Thanks, Since ‘61
Lphill
September 28, 2020 at 07:38 am
Why Gary so little after a nice game last week , and Dillon the powerful short yardage back , no snaps ? Packers still can't get a yard using Jones , was good to see Ty Summers finally other than the miss on Kamara he seemed to hold his own .
dobber
September 28, 2020 at 07:49 am
I wondered about "no Dillon" on the goal-line early when they eventually pushed Jones in for the TD, but late in the game when the clock was winding I wouldn't have put a rookie in, cold off the bench (and probably amped up) and had him plow into 11 defenders. It worked out, but if they aren't going to put him in on short yardage (esp. Jones' failed fourth down attempt just before Hill's fumble when EVERYONE knew what was coming), what's he there for?
Coldworld
September 28, 2020 at 09:05 am
I did not like the use of Jones as a battering ram late in the game. Use Williams if you must because Dillon is cold. Jones has more value healthy.
I do think LaFleur got carried away with Jones against a team that are good against the run. Play calling in the close red zone has not been good this year. Dillon would help with that, with or without Jones on the field. Lazard and the TEs were a better option last night in those situations. Jones ought to bring a much greater delta next week.
jannesbjornson
September 28, 2020 at 06:36 pm
Maybe w/out Deguara they didn't feel confident in Lovette (sp) as the lead draw. Probably did not want a TO in a big game for the rookie. He will see his time coming. NOLA had the 4-2 plus safeties in the gaps.I would have play-faked and let Rodgers hit the TE or boot it.
Guam
September 28, 2020 at 08:05 am
I thought Summers missed a couple of other tackles with bad angles, but I liked his speed and energy. I didn't see him in coverage much and I wonder how he will perform there. If Kirksey is going to miss significant time, Summers will need to step up but I think he can.
Like many others, I don't get not using Dillion on short yardage.
x24
September 28, 2020 at 08:52 am
Seems like I notice Gary standing around a lot. He needs to play to the whistle
JohnnyLogan
September 28, 2020 at 11:29 am
Garvin will be the better player in the long run. He's quicker, just as strong, and has more pass rush moves. People getting excited every time Gary makes a tackle or gets within two feet of the QB comes from the hope that Gute didn't pick a bust at #12 overall. Has he really looked like someone who will be a difference-maker? He's stiff, can't change direction, and has one pass rush move, a bull rush. Our run D stinks and he's a big part of that.
murf7777
September 28, 2020 at 08:00 am
I’m hoping we don’t have to start Summers. He misses too many tackles. He missed too many tackles in college and it is showing up in NFL in his first playing time. Not sure that will get better for him.
Gary turned an ankle, hope that is minor. Interior D played better towards end of game. Kamara is hard to tackle but on his long run tackling iwas really bad. Bad angles and not wrapping up. Playing without Clark and Kirksey I think the D did good enough and was opportunistic when needed. I was really happy to see Hill sub in for Brees because Brees was on a roll and not making any mistakes. Karma.
We are 3-0 and looking like a better team vs last years 13-3!
dobber
September 28, 2020 at 08:12 am
"I’m hoping we don’t have to start Summers."
At this stage, after what we've seen so far, I don't think it matters much which of these ILBs plays. At least Summers plays fast and plays hard. If you're going to make mistakes, make them at 100 mph with your hair on fire...
Thegreatreynoldo
September 28, 2020 at 09:14 am
A lot of observers in camp noted the pop Kamal Martin had when he hit people the few times that was allowed. I wondered if he could become Kirksey's backup? No mention of Martin playing Kirksey's position at least when the media could still mention it.
I was happy to see Barnes play his normal 15 snaps per game. He is a rookie UDFA, so let him grow into things. PFF has given Barnes an 81.9 grade but it is based on just 30 snaps (15 in each of the first two games).
Coldworld
September 28, 2020 at 10:40 am
Summers isn’t known for coverage smarts. Kirksey was intended to shoot the gaps: that changed when they were forced to bring in a Barnes instead of Martin who showed coverage awareness. My guess is that they wanted Martin alongside Kirksey for that reason. Barnes has come in and done extraordinarily well in the limited gap filling role, but he isn’t asked to do much more.
Is Martin ready to handle the adjustment calls? He had no preseason. If he were back now, I’d expect Martin to take on the cover role. Presumably Barnes will stay unless both Kirksey and Martin are back.
jannesbjornson
September 28, 2020 at 06:40 pm
Barnes and Martin may be the future.
Mistergee5
September 28, 2020 at 08:08 am
Not sure what's the D package with more DB's on the field but I would love to see that more for speed... i.e. Scott, Hollman. Barnes seem to be in on a lot of tackles in the second half. Can't wait to see the other ILB who had minor knee surgery. The hype from training camp seem promising with natural instincts....
jannesbjornson
September 28, 2020 at 06:41 pm
Redmond cannot fulfill the dime requirements.
Guam
September 28, 2020 at 08:36 am
With Clark, Gary and Kirksey out, I thought our run defense was okay except for the Kamara run of shame (not sure who coined that phrase (was it ColdWorld?), but kudos to you). The Packer run D seemed to stiffen as the game went on. Adjustments by Pettine or just better play by the backups? There was even an Oren Burks sighting on defense last night!
I was very surprised to see Patrick and Turner start on the right side of the O-line. Hard to believe that the Patrick/Turner combo is better than the Turner/Wagner combo, but it seems to work as the O-line was good last night.
Loved the play by our TE's - all of 'em! NOLA was vulnerable to Oakland's TE's last week and MLF clearly saw something worth repeating on that game tape. MLF seems to develop really good offensive game plans that are tailored to each opponent. I was so tired of MM's game plans that were beyond predictable each and every week.
And thank you TGR for this weekly column! It is rapidly becoming my favorite post game column and I appreciate your work in putting it together.
JerseyAl
September 28, 2020 at 10:27 am
Turner struggled the first couple of series and I was getting concerned, but he recovered from that slow start and did fine the rest of the game.
Coldworld
September 28, 2020 at 08:56 am
I’m assuming that Wagner did not have a niggle of some sort going in. Wagner was one of the best rated right tackles in the league after 2 weeks. I can not believe that Turner is that much better than him. That would make Turner a star in the making of a magnitude that the team might see him as our left tackle of the future!
I do think it signals that they think Turner is a better tackle than guard, which explains his contract level. It suggests that they accept that he is not a great guard (fits with willingness to keep Taylor) and that they see him as our RT of the future at least. Patrick must be seen as a better guard at this point and Turner and Wagner close.
On D, it’s pretty obvious Greene isn’t right: this was a game where one expected him to be important and yet he played very few snaps . Redmond has merits, but playing Hybrid isn’t his forte. I was really surprised not to see Scott get some snaps, but maybe that was when Greene was in and they preferred coverage to physical presence late.
Winn was in early, had the batted pass. Wonder why he got so few snaps.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 28, 2020 at 09:08 am
Turner/Wagner/Patrick is interesting. Wagner had an above average 74.2 PFF rating over the first two games. Patrick's grade was just into the above average area at 67.7. I thought perhaps Wagner had a niggling injury but they did use him on special teams. I believe in matchups but NFL teams like to have continuity on the OL.
Time will develop more trends.
jannesbjornson
September 28, 2020 at 06:46 pm
I agree, it's about the money. He's Gutekunst's guy. Thought the Turner/Wagner combo would be the deal, but Wagner looks to be the Veldheer replacement. They are all contributors.
Since'61
September 28, 2020 at 10:09 pm
Winn has not played since 2016. I wouldn’t expect him to get more than 10 snaps at most in his first game back. If he plays next week he might get a few more snaps. Thanks, Since ‘61
J_brooks
September 28, 2020 at 09:16 am
Thanks as always TGR! Always love the breakdowns.
Did anyone else notice Burks lining up at the OLB and a nose/“rover“ spot last night or was I just seeing things? He must have been the backup after Gary was hurt in those situations which is interesting. Or maybe we were just caught in a positional grouping?
JerseyAl
September 28, 2020 at 10:29 am
He did log some snaps at OLB. Perhaps they are just searching for a spot where he can contribute more.
Coldworld
September 28, 2020 at 10:44 am
I think Preston had to take on more with Gary down and thus they needed someone in the cover role. Garvin played a few too. Not sure they had many options on the bench by the time Burks got out there. Did make a nice open field tackle.
flackcatcher
September 29, 2020 at 02:17 pm
TV announcers (not sure which one) mentioned that Burke switched positions last week. Looks like a positional grouping or sub package. Both Smiths slide inline and Pettine rotates his OLB in that package. Both Green Bay and NOLA were running the same defense in the second half. Main difference is Pettine played Burke as a cover and switched Redman and Sullivan out at the hybrid/ILB depending on down and distance. This is the lightest I've seen Pettine play. This was matchup football on both sides Sunday.
jannesbjornson
September 28, 2020 at 06:48 pm
Burks had a couple nice plays in quarter four.
Demon
September 28, 2020 at 09:26 am
How is it that the Packers can go decades being a poor tackling team? Can you name a current or recent player that you could say was a good tackler? I would say Hawk (even though i was not a fan of his he was a pretty good tackler) or Bishop.
Does anyone know what the CBA regulaion is as far as tackling in practice? I know it is limited but I dont know how much. Does anyone know what the CBA agreement is with player repercussions of piss poor play? Ie can coaches demand a player run the Lambeau field steps instead of or in addition to practice?
Receivers that drop the ball in games If they want to be active for next weeks game, go run the Lambeau field steps after practice and spend an hour after each practice with the Juggs machine. Same with Defensive players who miss tackles. Run the Lambeau steps and hit tackling dummies after practiice.
Since Mike Holmgren left town it has seemed there has been no repercussions for piss poor play.
JonathanSpader
September 28, 2020 at 01:59 pm
Blake Matrinez was a good tackler.
fastmoving
September 28, 2020 at 02:18 pm
Thats not a Rocky movie, its the NFL who is faster then ever before. I doubt Holmgren did what you think. But if he did it would be the reason he never won something after he left the PACKERS.
But he, we know in the good old days was everything worse
Thegreatreynoldo
September 28, 2020 at 10:18 am
So, does anyone think Kamara is worth $15M AAV? Really, his deal is worth less than that. It is;
1yr/$15.833M
2yr/17.833M (plays for peanuts in 2021 like Clark does)
3yr/$29.33M ($18M/24M dead - inj. guaranteed - still so he earns this money).
4yr/$40.33M ($10.1 AAV with $6.2M dead still).
The dead money is just due to the Saints horrific cap situation and the covid cap crisis (I like the alliteration!). His cap numbers are $4M, $5M, $14M, $14.5M.
I'd pay Jones that, somehow, someway.
The Saints only had 5 players inactive while GB had six. I guess having less than 53 on the roster is a thing around the NFL.
jeremyjjbrown
September 28, 2020 at 09:55 am
Kamara possibly earned his 15 million on 1 play last night. I wouldn't be surprised that's more broken tackles than all of the Packers 80s RBs combined.
Coldworld
September 28, 2020 at 10:46 am
Reminded me of that great Donald Driver touchdown in his last year. Still a thing of beauty.
jeremyjjbrown
September 28, 2020 at 09:52 am
Is it a good or bad thing that your rookie draft class doesn't play from scrimmage at all?
IDK.
They are 3-0 so I'm not really complaining. I knew this years class would be at a disadvantage due to lack of preseason.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 28, 2020 at 10:46 am
Well the first rounder wasn't drafted to play this year. The third and fourth pick are both hurt, but both have looked worth the pick before injuries. That just leaves Dillon and we can't know why they didn't use him last night. But he's certain to be used this year. After that, you're talking about 3 developmental 6th round offensive line guys they didn't need last night. And Garvin, who did play some snaps, and Vernon Scott, the 7th round safety.
I'd say the ones they could have used last night were injured and the others weren't needed (yet). Not really a comment on the draft class though. I was surprised they have been used as much as they have given the lack of offseason.
jeremyjjbrown
September 28, 2020 at 01:57 pm
My comment is mostly about how uncommon it is.
PackEyedOptimist
September 28, 2020 at 11:10 am
I feel like we can beat Atlanta with the guys who played last night, so I'm hoping they give the injured guys another two weeks of healing.
stockholder
September 28, 2020 at 11:30 am
1. Lets not baby Dillion. Use him. 2. Keke needs to replace Lowrey. I'd much rather have Lowrey on the other side where he played in college. Time to move Ke Ke 3. Adams ? He actually played. 4. Turner RT over Wagner? 5. The TEs ended any question marks. Well done!
jannesbjornson
September 28, 2020 at 06:54 pm
Montravious knows his job is on the line. Lowry is a better rush five tech than a run stopper/ hold your ground guy. Maybe Winn can take some 1st down snaps, but they paid Lowry to be a starter--I guess.
Sam Freeman
September 28, 2020 at 12:47 pm
Why does it say Lovett instead of Love?
Thegreatreynoldo
September 28, 2020 at 06:47 pm
The NFL lists Lovett as a QB. I don't know why.
Love was inactive and thus had no snaps as he did not play.
frankthefork
September 28, 2020 at 12:50 pm
Thx stat man. No complaints other than mid-field defensive play. I did liked the TE plays this week; big improvement.
Team is looking good so far. Need the ILB and DL to step up or get some new blood soon. GPG
mnbadger
September 28, 2020 at 01:22 pm
N.O. strong safety, Jenkins, is a baller. Wow, how good would our D be if he or someone like him were thumping for us? Packers never seem to draft or sign players with that type of toughness and awareness. GPG
JohnnyLogan
September 29, 2020 at 03:56 pm
We had that guy and better in Woodson. He was a big reason we won the SB. Since he left the middle of the field has been a no-fly zone for our defensive players. Grab, grab, grab...