The Veterans the Packers Moved on From This Past Offseason Have Struggled
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers roster got younger this past offseason. Part of that was the transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. Part of it was the salary cap issues largely caused by Rodgers’ onerous contract and the dead cap hit associated with it. Another cause was GM Brian Gutekunst’s decision to restructure so many veteran contracts to try to win another title for Rodgers in recent years. Eventually, the bill came due. Gute also just wanted the team to get younger and retool.
But at the end of the day, the veterans the Packers moved on from have not done well since leaving Green Bay. In other words, the decision not to bring them back proved to be the right one.
Let’s leave Rodgers out of the equation for now. He has missed nearly the entire season due to injuries. Plus, the relationship between the future Hall of Famer and the front office had broken down and it was time for both sides to move on.
But the other players who weren’t re-signed have almost all struggled since leaving Green Bay.
Safety Adrian Amos joined Rodgers with the New York Jets. He started only three games and played just 34 percent of the Jets defensive snaps before the team decided to release him.
Amos signed with the Houston Texans and has played one game for them thus far. He only appeared on special teams.
Defensive lineman Dean Lowry made a minimal impact after leaving Green Bay. The former Northwestern star started just four games for the Minnesota Vikings. He made 14 tackles and recovered one fumble but did not record a sack, a tackle for loss or a quarterback hit. He is now on injured reserve.
Gutekunst drafted two rookies to replace Lowry on the roster while Devonte Wyatt and T.J. Slaton became full-time starters with the departure of Lowry. Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden have been productive in a rotational role with Brooks recording three sacks thus far in his rookie campaign.
Two wide receivers followed Rodgers to Green Bay. Both have failed to live up to expectations this season.
Veteran Randall Cobb has played in eight games for the Jets and started one. He has caught just four passes for 35 yards on 13 targets.
The Jets added Cobb at Rodgers’ request, just like Gutekunst did in 2021 in Green Bay. His chemistry with Rodgers was a big reason he was added but since the quarterback played just four snaps in Week 1 before getting injured.
The Jets also added free agent Allen Lazard. The Iowa State alum signed a lucrative deal with the Jets but thus far has just 20 catches for 290 yards and one touchdown. Lazard has been targeted 42 times which gives him a career-low 47.6 catch percentage. He has also dropped four passes.
The Packers replaced Cobb and Rodgers with rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. Reed has 48 catches which is double what Cobb and Lazard have combined. Wicks has caught five more passes than the departed duo has, and he has only started three games thus far this season.
Obviously, playing with backup quarterbacks hasn’t helped either Cobb or Lazard but both players have failed to live up to expectations with the Jets thus far. We’ll see how much they improve when Rodgers returns to the lineup.
The Packers also decided to part ways with their top two tight ends from 2022. Both of them signed with the Packers division rivals in Chicago.
Veteran Marcedes Lewis is still primarily a blocker. He caught three passes for 28 yards thus far this season while playing just 26 percent of the Bears offensive snaps. He remains a strong blocker according to his Pro Football Focus grades.
The Bears also signed pass catching tight end Robert Tonyan as a free agent. Tonyan has played in all 13 games thus far for Chicago and started five. He’s caught only seven passes for 58 yards all season and dropped one pass in 10 targets. Essentially, Tonyan has been a non-factor in the Bears offense this season. The Packers rookie replacements, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, have far outshone Tonyan this year.
The only player the Packers chose not to re-sign who has done well this season is defensive lineman Jarran Reed who has six sacks after re-joining the Seahawks.
Overall, the decisions made by Green Bay’s front office seem to have paid off for the team this season. The players that were not brought back have been outshined by their replacements in almost every instance.
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You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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Comments (54)
Leatherhead
December 16, 2023 at 11:09 am
Let's call it the passing game.
Rodgers, Lazard, Cobb, Lewis, Tonyan. Every one of those guys was on the field when the offense stunk it up against SF in the 2021 playoff loss. Not a single one of those guys was on the roster when we started 2023.
Watson, Doubs, Toure, Heath, Musgrave, Kraft, Reed, Wicks. All under contract for the next couple of years.
Since'75
December 16, 2023 at 01:52 pm
LOL LH,
Kind of like when.......Doubs, Toure, Heath, Kraft, Reed, Wicks, Love, Gary, Smith. all stunk it up against the lowly Giants and their rookie udfa QB?
Like that?
*
It's kind of funny how we like to point to others misfortunes while our team is losing.
cdoemel
December 16, 2023 at 06:54 pm
Except for Smith and Gary, all of the players you listed are rookies or 2nd year players, and they’ve ALL shown flashes of being great. So what’s your beef? You’re talking about one game while the article was about 14 weeks of play from former players. Sounds like you just want to bitch about something. So you’re comparing apples and oranges just so you can have something to bitch about? Hahaha. Weak
Gman1976
December 16, 2023 at 04:00 pm
We got a lot faster with our new crew of receivers. In the past, it wasn't unusual to read that our older receivers had a hard time getting open. They were not fame changers.
dblbogey
December 16, 2023 at 09:29 pm
Either the Jets personnel Dept. is inept, or they felt they had to appease Rodgers by signing guys who any Packers fan could have told you was finished. Cobb was 5 years past his prime, Lazard is a guy you might like as your #4 receiver, and we got a #4 comp pick by letting him go. Amos dropped off badly his last year in GB and wasn't getting younger. Terrible signings when they really needed to beef up their OL but didn't. Our first #2 pick from Rodgers deal was Reed. I'd say that was sweet. Let's see who we get with their #2 this next draft. 7 picks in the first 4 rounds!
Qoojo
December 16, 2023 at 11:16 am
Lazard is the only one I would have liked to have kept, but then the price may have been too much. I saw one of those drops by Lazard. This article is really more evidence on why it was such a good thing to let AR go because AR wanted his buddies around, which i can totally understand after working for a place that regularly laid off people.
Leatherhead
December 16, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Qoojo, I think the Packers let AR go because they thought they'd be a better team, with a better future, without him. This would be a big pill for a proud person to swallow, but Rodgers and the club worked together so that he could go someplace and still play.
Of course he wanted his buddies, people he knew, around him. And they made that choice. Lazard, in particular, got a pretty good payday out of it. Had he stayed in Green Bay, every rep he took in practice and games would be one less rep for our young WRs.
I thought Lazard's contributions to the run game, especially, were as good as any WR in the league.
cdoemel
December 16, 2023 at 07:08 pm
I would have liked to keep Cobb or Lazard or Tonyan. Not all of them. I just think a veteran presence for ball catchers would’ve been helpful this season. And yes, MLF would’ve had to manage reps so that the young guys trying to grow got theirs. But that’s doable. I mean, honestly, would you start Cobb or Reed? No-brainer
Bitternotsour
December 16, 2023 at 08:23 pm
I would argue that those contributions to the run game were because Lazard is a tight end, not a wide receiver. If the Jets were smart, that's how they'd use him. (editors note: the jets aren't smart)
SicSemperTyrannis
December 17, 2023 at 11:02 am
Musgrave is also a big bodied receiver, not a TE.
dblbogey
December 16, 2023 at 09:32 pm
I think the price was $11 million - it was enough to get us a #4 comp pick. Or maybe it's MVS who gets $11 million. They both have underperformed their contracts this year.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 17, 2023 at 11:00 am
I would make the case that Mercedes Lewis being here this year for no more than Chicago's paying him would have helped bring our rookie TEs along faster, but that would mean almost using him as a coach rather than a player. Have him do some key blocking on important plays, but that still wouldn't mean the rooks could do what Big Dog can.
Lazard typically had a completion rate above 70%. Used properly means targeting him on the perimeter, placing the ball where only he can get it. Exactly like #10 to #9 against KC :)
Coldworld
December 16, 2023 at 11:25 am
Im not sure Gute chose to extend. I think that was pretty much set in stone when Murphy decided we were having more last dances. Ball, who negotiated the contracts, reports direct to Murphy like LaFleur.
That aside, this just illustrates the idiocy of the since partially aborted 100 million extension of Rodgers after the 2021 season with no cap and that roster. That’s Murphy, no one else.
Leatherhead
December 16, 2023 at 12:53 pm
So it's just the Prez, Murphy? It doesn't matter what Gute, or LaFleur, or Ball think/thought? IMO, that's not the way the organization is supposed to function. More likely is that there was support for keeping Rodgers on another year from at least one of them. Maybe somebody didn't think Love was ready yet, or maybe they didn't want another acrimonious split like we had with Favre,
In any event, next season will be Murphy's last. That means Gute and LaFleur, especially, have jobs that hang on what happens next season. A division title, a playoff run.....they'll probably stay on. A disappointing season, they'll probably all be gone.
Since'75
December 16, 2023 at 02:13 pm
CW is correct LH.......
We all heard the speeches, the press conferences......
Murphy self imposed himself in charge, of all business and football operations, he told us he makes all final decisions.
There is a reason LH.....why Murphy changed the Packers by-laws, taking away the GM's authority over football operations, and making himself final decision maker.
It worked for SB winning GM's like Wolf and Thompson.
I guess Murphy thinks he knows better.
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I wouldn't bet one way or another if Gute and MLF would be gone.....
They 'might' promote Policy or Ball to take Murphy's spot on Murphy's recommandation. and then all bets are off.
No telling what might happen, or not happen.
I wouldn't be surprised if he named Russ Ball the new President since not getting the GM job that Murphy wanted to give him.
That was right before McCarthy discovered that Mark Murphy had no back bone.
Turophile
December 16, 2023 at 03:47 pm
Since '75, this is misleading.
The Queen of the UK (recently deceased, so now it is the King) always made the final decisions on parliamentary bills...............but as soon as she failed to approve a single one, it would have been the end of her reign. She had power, but it was something of a mirage.
In the same way, Murphy could well have listened to all parties and simply agreed with what they wanted. Now THAT doesn't sound like a man who "thinks he knows better", does it........
It's all about how you spin things and your spin is to trash Murphy with no real proof of how things went down. You have an agenda, but it is one based on the loosest shifting sand.
Coldworld
December 16, 2023 at 05:02 pm
Do you read Murphy’s own words or listen to his statements?
He made it extremely clear what his role is and he was overt in his belief that Rodgers was our guy after resolving the issues with Rodgers that led to the return of Cobb etc. He’s the boss, that’s how things work. In the off season before 2022, he predicted another MVP for Rodgers without Adams and pre draft.
No one is making this up. It’s Murphy. As he himself said, if he’s going to take ultimate responsibility then it’s right that his structure gives him actual control. I disagree with him that it was appropriate to merge the two roles of enterprise and football leadership, but that’s expressly what he did. His statements are out there if you care to look.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 17, 2023 at 11:08 am
Yes. And Mr We And Not Idiots sure looks like an idiot.
Remove him from anything connected with football operations and he might be ok? Titletown, sledding hills ... gotta have a relevant team. Football is about winning.
Since'75
December 17, 2023 at 07:08 am
Lol ok......
If what i wrote, didn't happen, then stand up and say so.
Murphy declared himself fully in charge of football operations?
Did i make that up, is that "my spin, or did that actually happen?
Murphy changed the by-laws taking full authority of football operations away from the GM, and made HIMSELF the final authority over football operations. (Silo's)
Did i make that up, is that "my spin, or did that actually happen?
Wolf and Thompson won SB's having full authority as GM's. That was provided to them courtesy of Bob Harlan
by changing the by-laws, thus giving Packer GM's full power over football operations.
Did i make that up, is that "my spin, or did that actually happen?
Loose shifting sand?
Are you on drugs?
You need another drink?
Please....don't waste my time with your nonsense in the future.
If i write something in here as fact, and you disagree, explain why i'm wrong...like an adult.
Don't just sit there with your rattle and binkie and whine that i have an agenda, and i "spin" the facts.
Put down the kool aid, read my comments, and who knows, you might actually learn something, maybe.
Thank you for understanding.
Turophile
December 17, 2023 at 08:38 am
Ok. I'll let the snarkiness pass as it is an understandable reaction to being called out. I'll make things simple for you as you have failed to get the gist of my post.
Does Murphy have the final decision on things in general. Yes. That's easy to answer.
Does he often go along with what others want (like Gute and LaFleur) and rubber-stamp their desires - possibly. That word 'possibly' is what I'm talking about. You think it is all Murphy and while it might be, it might also NOT be.
For example, how much decision making did Murphy exercise in the hiring of Joe Barry. I suggest (it is probably true but not a certainty) that this was LaFleur's call as it is him who has to work closely with Barry and Murphy simply rubber-stamped it. I could say the same thing about Gute and draft picks.
As for me wasting your time with my thoughts, my post, while a response to yours, is not exclusively aimed at you, but at all the posters and readers here.
Coldworld
December 17, 2023 at 09:16 am
Posted, linked to many times, at length, probably too much. At this point, whatever one’s view if the wisdom or lack of it, it should be just understood. If you don’t read or listen to my posts , other posts and copious articles, Murphy’s columns on Packers.com, not my issue. It’s just tedious pulling up quotes and rehashing documented facts ad nauseam years into their existence. So no, go inform yourself at this point.
UdderApocowlipse
December 17, 2023 at 12:07 pm
Packer fans were overestimating Ball's abilities (presumably) when it was time to appoint a GM to follow TT, and I suspect, in this case, you are estimating his abilities to be wider ranging than they actually are. By all accounts I've seen Ball is highly skilled at his job, but I've also not seen any evidence he is prepared for taking and currently in contention for Murphy's position.
Your second to last line has an interesting thought, what if Ball was being groomed for President and THAT'S why he was passed over for GM. What a fun suggestion. Just one not backed by any evidence that I've seen.
ImaPayne
December 16, 2023 at 11:40 am
So much for draft and develop. Apparently they get over developed and arent effective anymore. Look Tonyan, Lizzard and Cobb were okay when they had youth and some speed and Rodgers to make they look better then they were.
These guys wouldnt be starters on any team. good riddance. I hate dead wood and this team still has some left to think about.
dblbogey
December 16, 2023 at 09:36 pm
Cobbs last really good years were 2014, 2015. Never had more than 653 yards as a Packer after that.
LLCHESTY
December 16, 2023 at 11:09 pm
Hopefully we can keep shipping them off to your favorite team and they can wear purple for a year or two.
TarynsEyes
December 16, 2023 at 11:58 am
I've often, in the past, be careful how much adoration one places of layers when their success is based on the QB. What we see is proof that Rodgers made all the mentioned better than most would accept as true. Their failures are based on two distinct reasons.
1) The drastic drop in the QB talent throwing the ball.
2) Their actual ability has been supplanted by lesser in their respective positions.
One of the issues I've had with fellow Packer fans is their desire to place any player in a level way beyond their ability the moment they become a Packer. This makes up most of the blind-optimism of which I spoke of often in the past. Yes, Adams has had decent success in LV, but even his elite play suffered because of who isn't throwing him the ball anymore.
Let's keep this team's young talent in the incubator a little longer, and see if they can grow into true threats no matter, and not a threat based on the talent of another.
lou
December 16, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Agree on initial Packer player talent levels and that is because of the number of Hall of Fame players and Championships the team and players have earned since the team was chartered and only natural. Not only do the fans get caught in that but so does the media who hunger for talent at that level again to write about. We as Packer fans have been blessed like no others.
Since'75
December 16, 2023 at 02:25 pm
"We as Packer fans have been blessed like no others."
EXACTLY!!
cdoemel
December 16, 2023 at 07:21 pm
And as the youth all grows with JL, they will know one another intimately on the football field. ‘25 and ‘26 should be strong.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 17, 2023 at 11:13 am
I'm hoping they're building a culture of winning, that will dominate for a DECADE or more. There are some rough spots that could interfere with that goal.
GPG!
stockholder
December 16, 2023 at 12:10 pm
I'm giving the Credit to MLF.
cdoemel
December 16, 2023 at 07:24 pm
I think MLF falls into the category of ‘the Packers youth” He will continue to grow as a talent evaluator and a play caller. ‘25 and ‘26 should be outstanding.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 17, 2023 at 11:14 am
MLF has been at it how many years?
His weaknesses are unchanged. His strengths are that of an OC. He's not a HC.
splitpea1
December 16, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Well, almost, but we'll get to that later.
Moving on from a lot of the players mentioned was a no-brainer. They were either too old, ineffective, Rodgers-specific, or not worth the money they would have commanded on the market. While I'm not always on board with Gute's philosophies, going all in on the youth movement for the offensive skill players was the right thing to do. He had a very good Day 3, with Brooks and Wicks seeming like steals at this point.
I hope the general theme of this article can be repeated at the same point next season (although I really don't want to see any former player struggle). Decisions loom at RB, safety, and CB loom ahead. What I don't want to see is us trying to cobble together some minimal/patchwork solution at safety--it's time to get this position solidified.
The "almost" part concerns special teams. I would assume that Crosby would have probably been a little more accurate if we had retained him, but once again, moving on was the right thing to do. And most of Whelan's various numbers don't surpass O'Donnell's, particularly when you look at touchbacks and punts downed inside the 20 percentages. But improvement is hopefully in store for both of the young specialists moving forward.
cdoemel
December 16, 2023 at 07:30 pm
I agree. Refreshing to hear optimism here amongst all the bitching and moaning from people who DO NOT know more than a head coach, a general manager or the president of a franchise, but think they do. 🙄
Since'75
December 16, 2023 at 01:19 pm
Boy, this kool aid taste great!!!!!
***************
" Part of it was the salary cap issues largely caused by Rodgers’ onerous contract and the dead cap hit associated with it."
Yes, because the salary cap issues were 'largely' all Rodgers fault!!!! Said nobody with intelligence.
The Green Bay Packers management had absolutely nothing to do with the salary cap issues!!
It was all Rodgers!!!!!..waa waa waaa
***********
Yes, it was Rodgers fault that Gute spent 182 million dollars in two weeks back in 2019.
What Gil Martin?....you didn't see that as a future cap problem?
But that was Rodgers fault, the Packers had nothing to do with it!!
Ain't that right ....Gil
*******
Rodgers contract........
Did Rodgers put a gun to the Packers head and say..."Give me a new contract making me the highest paid player!!!"
Leaving the Packers with no choice, but to give in to his demands because THAT was the ONLY OPTION the Packers had?
Couldn't the Packers have traded Rodgers for a Kings ransom?
That might have been another option, another way to go huh Gil?...Gil
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" Another cause was GM Brian Gutekunst’s decision to restructure so many veteran contracts to try to win another title for Rodgers."
Again.....insinuate it was done....for Rodgers.
It's Rodgers fault?....LOL
Gil, let me get this straight.....
Did Gute restructure all those contracts to win a Title just for Rodgers?
For Rodgers and no one else?....lol
Gil...You make it sound like Gute was really concerned with winning a title for Rodgers
Did Gute try to win a "Title" for Rodgers when he selected a 1st round QB to sit on the bench for years instead of drafting receiver help in the best wide receiver draft in decades?
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The only question now Gil.......
With Rodgers gone, who is running the Green Bay Packers?
Who is making the Packers business decisions now that Rodgers is GONE.
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Oh, wait a damn minute here!!....With Rodgers gone, do the Packers now take responsibility for their own franchise?
What say you Gil?
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Lets get a move on boys, click those thumbs down.
I'm gettin close to 1,300!
Chop Chop!!
GilMartin
December 16, 2023 at 04:27 pm
The Rodgers extension was a bad move. You can blame Gute or Murphy partially and Rodgers partially. The issue in my mind was not giving Rodgers an extension but the horrible way it was structured. I didn't blame Rodgers exclusively for it, just said it was not a good deal the way it was structured. The Packers moved on and I think it was better for all parties. Gute and the front office kept making deals to try to win one more with Rodgers but it never quite worked. They had their chances. You're entitled to your opinion, Since 75 and thanks for commenting.
Coldworld
December 17, 2023 at 09:21 am
Gil, while I don’t disagree with what you say, other than the doubt about it being Murphy’s call, I think the true lunacy was believing it made sense with that roster, no Adams, no cap left till 2024 (post it’s unwinding) and 2026 at best if it had run its course. It’s a shame we never got to see Rodgers this year as I think that would have shed more light on things.
BAMABADGER
December 16, 2023 at 06:20 pm
What makes you think Guty had final decision making on contracts? You are way off base. That was/is the decision of Mr. Ball and Alfred E. Newman.
Since'75
December 17, 2023 at 07:30 am
Did i say that Gut(y) made or had final decision on contracts?
Gut(y) doesn't have final say on anything according to the training wheels Murphy put on him when hired.
Where did i say Gut(y) had 'final decision...on anything?
*************
Reading comprehension is not overrated.
Thank you for understanding.
NickPerry
December 17, 2023 at 06:42 am
LOL....This guy is hilarious.
Since'75
December 16, 2023 at 01:28 pm
Did the Jets really have expectations for a way past his prime Cobb, and Lazard w/out Rodgers?
Maybe they did, idk, it might explain their lack of success the last 50 years.
We can point to how our players have underperformed who have been let go, but last time i checked, the Packers are a losing team.
**************
I know, i know.....😪
It hurts to hear that.
Coldworld
December 17, 2023 at 09:24 am
They gave Lazard a 44 million contract with 22 million fully guaranteed. From that I deduce that they must have. With Hackett there, they should have known what they were getting. Cobb was a one year cheap deal.
LeotisHarris
December 16, 2023 at 02:46 pm
Veterans Vexed and Vying for Vindication Post Packers' Parting.
Don't know how we're gonna get along without Big Dog, Cobby, and Bobby, Those are guys you can win with.
Bitternotsour
December 16, 2023 at 08:26 pm
Let's get the band back together!
SicSemperTyrannis
December 17, 2023 at 11:20 am
Only if it's a mission from God.
Since'61
December 16, 2023 at 03:36 pm
Rodgers did the Packers a huge favor by agreeing to be traded to the Jets. If he retired the Packers would have lost all the players mentioned in the article and would have received very little in return. At least they will have a few picks in return for Rodgers plus comp picks for Lazard and Cobb. I'm not sure if they will receive a comp pick for Amos.
In any case we're into a new Packer era and it's time to move on from the players of the past just as it will be time to move from a few more veteran players when this season is over. Thanks, Since '61
Bitternotsour
December 16, 2023 at 08:29 pm
Rodgers didn't do anyone any favors, his motivations are solely his own. He went to NY to enhance his endorsement opportunities, get a bigger spotlight, and well, continue to get paid.
Ferrari-Driver
December 16, 2023 at 04:03 pm
"It's a young man's game"!
I don't know who came up with that quote, but it fits right in with the NFL "Not for Long" quote that I do remember an old head coach named Jerry Glanville saying when he was with the Atlanta Falcons.
We see those old quotes being verified every year.
DragonSilk
December 16, 2023 at 04:27 pm
Cobb had many huge plays for the Packers, especially for against the Bears, and is still one of my all-time favorites. But at the end all he had left was his connection to ARod. That was good for an occasional much needed 1st down but not much else.
Coldworld
December 17, 2023 at 09:28 am
They dried up about half way through last season. Cobb just hit the wall, with hindsight.
JDH1313
December 16, 2023 at 06:11 pm
Jarran Reed was a good player and proving he still is obviously but it was time to go young and see what these guys can bring, So far it looks like the right thing to do but maybe if Jarran was still here the run defense would look a little better. As for the rest it was time.
TPCheese
December 16, 2023 at 08:19 pm
Lazard was never anything more than a #3. He couldn't even lock up the #2 spot behind Adams when given the chance. Then when Adams left and Gute failed to have a succession plan in place everyone talked like Lazard was magically going to make the jump to #1 WR. Surprise, that didn't work. Lazard has a nice success story being an UDFA who came from Jacksonville's practice squad and became the role player he was, but a top WR worth $40 million he is not.
Cobb had his moments but was never a #1 either. He had a nice year in 2014 and got paid #1 money, but then became a pricey #2/3 who never lived up to that contract. And that was in his prime, let alone 2022.
While I'm not much for Lazard and Cobb, who can blame Rodgers for wanting some familiar faces around when Gute would only pick up late round WR's or UDFA's. Gute has been on the job for six years and he has yet to provide this team with a 1,000 yard WR. Let's hope some of these fresh new faces can change that someday.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 17, 2023 at 11:27 am
JL10 might become more accurate throwing to fewer targets. Without injuries, Reed was clearly #1 because he's open the most, then Musgrave and Wicks depending on who's open. When #9 is on a hot streak he sure could be the #1 read. Mike McCarthy's opening script got touches to all the stars, and MLF has been doing that lately. It's still effective. If #9 goes out there, finds the ball, and catches it securely? Sure, keep going to him as much as you can.
Play the hot hand is an idea I hope to see more of. More throws to #28 and 85, too.