Top 10 Players in 2009: #2 WR Greg Jennings

by Brandon on Jul 13, 2009 11:00 AM CDT

It's been a quick rise up the list for WR Greg Jennings. And I'm not talking about the payroll list, although he's near the top when you consider his fat new contract extension. I'm talking about his importance to the team.

He got off to quick start to his career in 2006, averaging 5 catches and 90 yards in his first 4 starts. But he came back too soon from a hamstring injury, and the 2nd half of his rookie season was a disaster. The final straw was the week 16 game vs. Minnesota when he caught only 1 pass for 2 yards, although nearly a dozen passes were thrown his way. The week after, he sat out the season finale in Chicago.

He missed the first two games of 2007, but made up for it the rest of the year. At first, opponents spent too much time focused on WR Donald Driver and often left Jennings in single coverage. But even after defenses adjusted, he was hard to stop. He could have taken the Pro Bowl spot away from Driver that season, and it wouldn't have been a shock.

In 2008, he became the heart of the offense. When he isn't involved, they struggle to keep drives alive. For example, in the loss last season at Jacksonville, the 60 yard TD drive (the only one of the game) was all QB Aaron Rodgers to Jennings. He had 3 receptions on that drive and zero the rest of the game. When Rodgers struggled to find him open, the offense was lucky to string together a field goal drive.

Which brings up a good point about Jennings. As good as he has been over the past two seasons, he's not the best in the NFL (or NFC). Rodgers can't just force the ball in to him and expect good things to happen. He can still get better. He and Rodgers should continue to improve the longer they are teammates, which as of right now is contractually for at least the next four seasons. His best is yet to come.

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Last part

The last part is true. Jennings is good, but isn’t godly yet. But, I do see some big things from him this season. I also see a big year for nelson as jennings and driver draw a lot of coverage away.

by Tim V on Jul 13, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

Jones

Nelson is good, but he’ll have to beat out James Jones!!! Fans seem to forget that Jones had a much better rookie season than Nelson last year!!!

It’ll be a competition for sure!!! But my guess is that Jones is the #3 WR, and Nelson #4… though I do think they’ll both have good seasons, in 09!

by Strohman on Jul 13, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Jones

Is going to be a stud. He was great his rookie year, and this year should be a breakout one for him.

by packallday555 on Jul 13, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions

w00t

I love jennings. he may not be a physical phenom but I’d much rather have a guy who plays like jennings all of the time instead of moss when he feels like it.

talking about jordy… I think he’s being limited by the slot. if he gets to rotate around he could be a break out.

by mossdog427 on Jul 13, 2009 5:00 PM CDT reply actions

Jordy

yeah i think he is limited in the slot, but I think he is a true slot WR a Wes Welker type. Eventhough Jordy has really good size for the outside I think he is best suited for that slot.

Also expect to see more of all 4 WRs and 5 WRs out there this year. I am hoping and expecting MM will open the play book a bit more now Rodgers has a season under his belt ’07 was such a great year because we did open the field up. Unfortunately we had to pass to open the run up instead of the other way around. But with the running game struggling last year hopefully MM will utilize the depth at WR this year

by bizzle4 on Jul 13, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Nelson and Jones

This is a big season for both of them. I expect one of them to emerge ahead of the other, but I can see it going either way. While neither has blazing speed, they both have enough to get separation. And they each have enough size (Jones 6’1", Nelson 6’3") to cause problems for typically shorter cornerbacks. I’ve seen both of them make great catches in the slot and deep down the sidelines. This is a great offense for either of them.

by Brandon on Jul 13, 2009 10:24 PM CDT reply actions

Brandon...It was not just his hamstring

Yes the hamstring plagued him for a month or so.

But the main reason for his drop-off was the really bad ankle sprain Jennings suffered against Buffalo – that terrible game where we got inside the Bills 5-yard line 3 times and failed to score (2 bad snaps, INT) – that derailed his 2006 season.

Jennings took a Favre pass deep down the middle on a post and the safety laid out in a desperate attempt at a TD-saving tackle and came down on one of Greg’s ankles as Jennings was pushing off on it. He sucked after that for the rest of the year.

It bothered him far more all year than his hamstring. Remember the grapefruit-sized tape job he wore later that year?

I just wanted to note that his ankle was the REAL issue in ’06.

Anyway, I agree next to Rodgers that Jennings is vital. Nice write-up!

by Diamonds Too on Jul 14, 2009 12:11 AM CDT reply actions