Cheese Curds, 6/9: Packers’ Cobb & Barclay look to reverse the narratives

Let’s face it: as sports fans, we love to criticize players on our teams who are not performing well. Everybody does it regardless of team affiliation, probably because vocalizing our frustrations with struggling players is a bit cathartic.

Of course, the truth is often far more complicated than a player simply regressing or not being any good. That was certainly the case with a couple of Green Bay Packers last season, as we will examine in today’s Cheese Curds. Wide receiver Randall Cobb had his worst statistical season since his rookie year (excluding 2013 due to a broken leg), while offensive lineman Don Barclay had some struggles when asked to fill in at a couple of different positions on the line.

However, both players have some significant mitigating factors that suggest that they should be improved in 2017 if they are able to stay healthy. While Packers fans would probably prefer that Barclay, the versatile backup, not see the field, the fact is that he does provide valuable insurance at multiple positions. With the departure of JC Tretter in free agency, that will be a critical point of emphasis for him this season, as he puts in his work quietly and tunes out the critics.

Don't call it a bounce-back year for Packers receiver Randall Cobb - ESPN
Perhaps we should be looking at Cobb's 2016 season a bit like Davante Adams' 2015. Both players were fighting through injuries much of the season, but showed some sparks during the few games when they were relatively healthy.

Throwback Thursday: Remembering the 2007 Green Bay Packers | Packers Wire
Not only will 2017 be Aaron Rodgers' tenth year as a starter, but it also marks the 10-year anniversary of the Packers' trip to the NFC title game. That 2007 campaign came on the heels of a 4-game winning streak that closed the 2006 season and gave Green Bay fans hope for further improvement.

Backup center Barclay benefiting from starter’s reps | Packersnews.com
As always, Don Barclay’s greatest value to the Packers comes in his ability to play multiple positions. The fact that he can fill in for Corey Linsley at center (along with backing up both guard spots) means that he will almost certainly be on the 53-man roster this season.

The Packers' deflating injuries of the 1970s & '80s | Packers.com
Soldier Field has claimed far too many Packers players over the years, including promising running back Eddie Lee Ivery in 1979.

Saints' Adrian Peterson wants to play until he's '37, 38' - NFL.com
In that case, he had better learn to catch the ball out of the backfield and pass-block effectively. Let's just say I'm skeptical.

NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL Unions Prepare for Sports Gambling | The MMQB with Peter King
The four players' unions see gambling as an inevitability, and they are looking at putting "the right infrastructure in place" to make sure that the players do not get involved.

Uber driver thought he was taking Shareece Wright to Buffalo Wild Wings, not Buffalo, N.Y. - SBNation.com
This didn't happen when a pair of Packers fans picked up Davon House in Minneapolis.

Oh, and don’t forget to give David Bakhtiari some love on Twitter on this June 9th, his favorite day of the year.