Packers Question of the Day: Allison = Game-Changer?
Once the Packers shipped off LaDarius Gunter in favor of Geronimo Allison, who has returned from serving his one-game suspension, I didn't personally think much of the role he would play on Sunday against the Falcons.
That was before I really thought about it.
The Packers are throwing an extra receiver into the mix; a receiver whose first career touchdown came against Dan Quinn's Falcons. A receiver who has the ability to line up at multiple positions in the offense and could create a variety of potential match-up problems.
Could Allison returning in time for Sunday night's NFC Championship game rematch be a game-changer?
__________________________
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].
Comments (36)
LayingTheLawe
September 14, 2017 at 10:38 am
There have already been long discussions here in the preseason about Allison's position on the team. The consensus appears to be that he is not a player we ever expect to become a number one level receiver who could flourish against the attention a number one receiver sees. But he has shown an ability to succeed as a number 4 receiver and to be able to take advantage of the coverage a number 4 receiver gets, which makes him someone who can get your team first downs. So he's a piece that can help but he's not a star.
rdent
September 14, 2017 at 10:48 am
For some reason I thought McCaffery would have been a bit of an upgrade over Allison.
Finwiz
September 14, 2017 at 10:57 am
At one time I might have agreed with you, but Allison looked spectacular in preseason. Far more dynamic than McCaffrey, not to mention bigger, plus he looked quicker this preseason like he's been really working on his game. He might really surprise us this year.
rdent
September 14, 2017 at 11:05 am
Pretty similar in size to Allison both seem to have good hands, McCaffery has more speed, I wish GB could have kept him but TT and MM must have seen improvement in Allison, hope he will surprise us this season, plus doesn't speed with weed in his car.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 14, 2017 at 11:20 am
I would have kept both.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 14, 2017 at 07:48 pm
Allison looked really good getting off the line. Runs a nice slant. I'd like to see him at flanker or in the slot for 10 to 12 snaps. I think his return means Davis returns punts only. I really should watch the regular season game against Atlanta again to get a better feel for the match-ups.
Dzehren
September 15, 2017 at 09:21 pm
Exactly. He is an upgrade over Janis & Davis offensively.
MarkinMadison
September 14, 2017 at 10:32 am
I doubt it. Allison is an interesting piece but there are a ton of interesting pieces on the offensive roster right now.
Personally, with Bulaga and Bakh both being questionable right now, I'm thinking we are going to see a ton of 2 TE sets. I'm not sure how much Allison will see the field.
rdent
September 14, 2017 at 10:43 am
Hard to say if he will be a difference maker in this game, at least he was able to practice during the preseason.
flackcatcher
September 14, 2017 at 11:40 am
Thinking pretty much the same thing. With Bakh even if it is a slight pull, he loses that critical quickness needed in pass protection. I guess it will all depend on how he feels on game day. I agree, not two, but maybe three TE sets for both OT. On the other hand, this is MM. He could come out with five wide just to force Atlanta to go dime. But my gut says we won't see much of Allison on Sunday. Or it could be the flu. One never knows.
MarkinMadison
September 14, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Agreed.
BTW folks, I don't remember who was involved here, but one poster mocked another yesterday for suggesting that the unknown extent of injuries played a role in the decision to promote Panko (or whatever his name is). And I checked another site and found that the Bulaga and Bakh injuries were being reported. I guess my point is this: don't be a d!@k because you may end up looking like an @$$.
jeremyjjbrown
September 14, 2017 at 11:48 am
I was very happy to see that MM did this last week and also sent the RB to help out Murphy with chip blocks.
It's great that MM and TT are starting to move beyong there previous stubborn hangups that kept this team from reaching the next level. I don't know what triggered it, maybe Mark Murphy bought them a counselor.
TarynsEyes
September 14, 2017 at 10:38 am
Isn't ' GERONIMO ' what one yells when leaping into a more likely non winning, daring, here goes nothing situation?
Handsback
September 14, 2017 at 11:13 am
Funny, but I would never say non-winning but more as a close-to-impossible situation.
Geronimo can be a great asset. He's tall, rangy, good hands and route running ability. Not a great amount of speed but enough to get downfield. He could be a difference maker in maybe 2-3 years, but right now he's a great 4th receiver, very good 3rd receiver, and acceptable 2nd receiver.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 14, 2017 at 11:19 am
I'm not sure on "2nd receiver," but I otherwise applaud everything you wrote.
Dude's ready to rock.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 14, 2017 at 10:57 am
Having shown superior route-running and blitz recognition over Trevor Davis, I think Geronimo steps right in as a big problem for Atlanta's nickel corners.
But here's the bigger question: On a fast turf, shouldn't we replace Jamaal Williams with Aaron Jones?
Jones could bust loose on limited snaps behind Montgomery, IMO.
cuervo
September 14, 2017 at 11:11 am
That's a very good point...sadly the answer will be no. I have held the belief for a long time that McCarthy either does not like or simply doesn't know how to use a back that has that kind of "shiftiness".
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 14, 2017 at 11:14 am
Hope you're wrong, but I fear you're right.
Jones not only has more explosiveness and "shiftiness" than other backup Packers running backs, but he has better vision as well.
Much better, from what I saw in preseason.
Give him the ball, MM.
flackcatcher
September 14, 2017 at 11:56 am
Your right about Jones, but he is really lousy at pass blocking. Packers have been very clear to their offensive skill players. You can't block, you don't play. Packers drafted Williams for his ability to pass block in their system. Jones is a more talented back, but he can't pass block at the pro level, yet. At some point in this season, Jones will see time in this offense, just not on this Sunday.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 14, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Pass-blocking is critical, but Jones was supposedly looking much better toward the end of preseason.
As for Williams, I'm sorry, but he just shows little vision and even less explosion. When he's on the field, the defense barely has to account for him, except as a sure-handed receiving outlet.
Finwiz
September 14, 2017 at 12:33 pm
ALP - I agree on Williams. My eye test says he isn't really anything special - even what I saw on college video.
He can pass block, and is a good receiver out of the backfield, so I'm sure that's why they like him.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 14, 2017 at 11:16 am
Speaking of receivers, out of all the guys on all the practice squads (including ours) in the NFL, Jacksonville pounced on Max McCaffrey.
Smart team.
SpudRapids
September 14, 2017 at 11:44 am
This may be the first time anyone has ever said the Jaguars are a smart team.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 14, 2017 at 11:51 am
Hey, it's a new day. They're building something worth watching for once.
JohnnyLogan
September 14, 2017 at 11:37 am
I think McCaffery has big upside and was really sorry to see him go. Big, fast, smart... don't get it. I'd have tried to keep both as well and suggested as much in another forum, saying we should cut Gunter because he was too slow to play CB. I was called some pretty colorful names, but now Gunter is gone and so is McCaffery. I predict the kid will be an outstanding NFL WR.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 14, 2017 at 07:52 pm
I thinkg Max will have a long NFL career, probably as a solid, not great, player and a pretty good punt returner.
CAG123
September 14, 2017 at 11:39 am
Max McCaffery isn't Wes Welker or even Julian Edelman stop it.
PackEyedOptimist
September 14, 2017 at 12:39 pm
The guy that Geronimo has reminded me of, both in his college highlights and in his play this preseason, is former All-Pro Chris Carter of the Vikings. Carter was 6'3" and had that same slippery, smart, style of play that was always a thorn in the Packer's side. Carter didn't have speed as a major component to his game, yet he burned the Packers deep regularly.
I'm not saying GerMo IS Chris Carter, but frankly, I could easily see him becoming that kind of possession receiver that "just makes plays."
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 14, 2017 at 01:57 pm
That's a very good comparison. A bit optimistic, but very good.
dobber
September 14, 2017 at 01:49 pm
The Packers played their "4th WR" (the combo of Janis and Davis) a grand total of--I think--8 snaps against the Seahawks. Just 8. They played Lance Kendricks 21 snaps (about 25%) and Bennett somewhere close to 85% of the snaps. So the "4th WR" last week was essentially Kendricks.
The question is: does Allison supplant Kendricks and play 20% of the offensive snaps? I don't really see a terribly different offensive game plan against Atlanta as they used against Seattle. Very similar styles, but Atlanta lacks the quality safeties and strength on the DL. I wouldn't be surprised if Allison isn't on the field very much. That doesn't mean he won't make plays.
I think we'll learn a lot about how the Packers view their skill position guys on Sunday night.
Razer
September 14, 2017 at 01:57 pm
Good assessment of the 4th WR reality.
I would have liked to see the addition of a receiver who could really stretch the field. Trevor Davis was suppose to be that guy but we have yet to see it.
RCPackerFan
September 15, 2017 at 09:56 am
While this is true. I do think they feel Allison is far better then Davis and Janis.
I don't feel Allison will supplant Kendricks but will get rotated in more often then what Davis and Janis were.
MarkAlan
September 14, 2017 at 07:40 pm
Id like to see the improved Janis get a few more snaps
Brandon Fisher
September 15, 2017 at 09:08 am
Lmao at people still bringing up McCaffrey...it's sad honestly that people actually think he's more than JAG
Finwiz
September 15, 2017 at 09:16 am
Yes. I didn't see him making big flash plays in preseason playing against 2nd and 3rd stringers, did you?
Thegreatreynoldo
September 15, 2017 at 10:33 am
I foresee Brandon winning "Most Civil Poster" awards here on CHTV.