The Green Bay Packers’ new tight ends wasted no time contributing to the team’s success when the 2017 regular season got underway. New additions Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks joined veteran Packer Richard Rodgers this offseason to form the core of the team’s tight end group, and that trio now stacks up against any group at that position in the NFL.
What they did in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks demonstrates the value of a deep, talented set of players at that position.
As we look through our curds on this Wednesday morning, we start with a look at the impact that each of those players had on offense, which goes well beyond their own receiving stats. They are opening running lanes with their blocking abilities, and their presence is drawing coverage away from other Packers receivers like Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. It should be a fun week in the film room for that trio, and position coach Brian Angelichio should have plenty of good things to emphasize when looking at the tape.
What You Might've Missed: Traction at tight end | Packers.com
Mike Spofford's film review series is back for another year, and this week it takes a look at the impact that all three of the Packers' tight ends made, both in the running and the passing games. Martellus Bennett in particular had a number of big blocks, including paving the way for Ty Montgomery on the first touchdown of the game.
Randall Cobb on target for bigger role in Packers’ passing attack | Packersnews.com
The Packers still used a lot of three-wide receiver personnel on Sunday against Seattle, meaning Cobb played in his typical slot alignment frequently. He led the Packers in targets with 13 and receptions with nine, and a healthy Cobb should be a great target for Aaron Rodgers on third downs.
Appreciating LaDarius Gunter’s savior role to Packers’ 2016 season | Packers Wire
Although Gunter is now looking for a job, it's worth remembering how critical he was for the Packers' defense last season when the cornerback unit was ravaged by injuries.
Packers' 'nitro' defense gives Falcons something new to think about - ESPN
The Packers tried out a 4-3 alignment in 2014 in secrecy and it failed miserably. In 2017, the Nitro package has been a storyline throughout camp and the team used it on nearly every snap in the season opener...and it was a smashing success. Now, Atlanta has tape to review to prepare for it -- but will they be able to do the job?
NFL - Seahawks CB Jeremy Lane should not have been ejected - ESPN
An NFL writer not affiliated with either the Packers or Seahawks said that both penalties on the would-be pick-six on Sunday were questionable, and he mentions the non-call on Jimmy Graham in the end zone, but there still has been no mention of the pass interference that wasn't called against Seattle, when Davante Adams got mugged on a deep ball.
Former Packers WR Max McCaffrey signed by Jaguars | Packers Wire
McCaffrey, who had been on the Saints' practice squad, just got the call to Jacksonville in light of Allen Robinson's torn ACL.