Cory's Corner: Double tight end formation is more efficient
All eyes have remained on the mysterious third receiver job as Packers’ training camp unfolds.
But is a third wide receiver Green Bay’s best option?
The Packers have Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb locked in as the top two passing targets. And with Ty Montgomery just coming back from an ankle injury he suffered a year ago and Jeff Janis missing 4-6 weeks while nursing a broken hand, the Packers could best served by playing in a two tight end set most of the time.
The Packers employed a double tight end formation early on in the preseason opener vs. the Browns and it paid dividends.
Why not do it more often?
Jared Cook, who is the most athletic tight end on the roster, could be split wide and use his strength to shed press coverage while the combination of Richard Rodgers and Justin Perillo man the other more traditional tight end role.
Perillo has arguably been the most consistent player at camp thus far. He is the best blocker among the tight ends and he rarely drops a pass. Granted, Perillo isn’t going to get many yards after the catch, but then again, neither is Richard Rodgers.
“You just have to be ready to make plays and build that confidence with whoever is in at quarterback,” Perillo said after catching 5 of 7 targets for a team-high 52 yards vs. Cleveland.
After Nelson went down in the preseason last year, nobody stepped up to beat press coverage and stretch the field. That’s why general manager Ted Thompson dipped his toe into the free agent pool and got Cook. His speed has been compared to former Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, who was the last dynamic tight end for the Packers.
Cook can’t just beat press coverage but he will abuse it. He will outmuscle a defensive back and blow by a linebacker. That will leave the middle of the field free for Richard Rodgers and Perillo to roam.
The double tight end formation will also help Eddie Lacy more. If teams start to respect the pass, Aaron Rodgers can bring both tight ends in to block and Lacy should see large running lanes.
It’s not worth it to trot Davante Adams into the No. 3 wide receiver job, if he’s going to struggle with the yips again. He has been very inconsistent in camp thus far, but may have had a breakthrough by being the best receiver on the field at Sunday’s practice.
I still like the double tight end. It allows for plenty of variations and puts an extra blocker on the field — something that might come in handy if a pass rush is pushing Aaron Rodgers all over the field.
Essentially, what you gain in a third wideout is matched by Cook. And what Cook isn’t good at — blocking — is covered up by Richard Rodgers and Perillo. Teams can no longer sit in a Cover 2, because now Cook and Nelson can beat them to the pylon.
Three wide receivers look sexy on paper. But this offense needs consistency that can move the chains on 3rd and 7 and come up with big blocks to kick-start a huge gain.
Cook’s best season was in 2011 when he averaged just 47 yards receiving a game, but that was in Matt Hasselback’s final year of being the season starter. Now, he’s got the game’s best passer and excellent weapons alongside him, which will make his job a lot easier.
A consistent double tight end formation is more efficient and it makes the offense more versatile.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (34)
RCPackerFan
August 16, 2016 at 06:46 am
I think the 2 TE set will become a bigger part of the offense this year. With Rodgers and Cook both being good receiving options it will provide different options for the offense.
Similar to Finley, Cook can spread out wide and provide a true threat on the outside, allowing the offense to spread the field while the defense is in more of a base type of defense.
Having 2 TE's on the field at the same time gives the team a lot of flexibility.
I won't be surprised if the 2 TE sets is one of the most used formations on offense this year.
lucky953
August 16, 2016 at 07:28 am
I agree with you about offensive flexibility and that we're going to see this package more often. Against Cleveland, I saw they were able to seal the edge as blockers well enough that our RBs were able to get to the corner and upfield a couple times. That was encouraging. I believe the new coach, Angelicho, is a better instructor of technique than Fontenot. I'm really excited to see improved production from this group. The Packers should be highly effective in the red zone this year.
RCPackerFan
August 16, 2016 at 08:03 am
You just mentioned something that hasn't been brought up a lot. 'I believe the new coach, Angelicho, is a better instructor of technique than Fontenot'
He has done some great work with TE's in the past. Having him I believe will improve our TE's.
And I agree that the red zone is an area which could really benefit from having multiple TE's. Cook is a size mismatch, and Rodgers is just a dependable receiver.
John Galt III
August 16, 2016 at 09:39 pm
Hasn't been brought up a lot?
You must be new here. I have said it a dozen times.
John Galt III
August 16, 2016 at 09:39 pm
Hasn't been brought up a lot?
You must be new here. I have said it a dozen times.
TKWorldWide
August 17, 2016 at 09:16 am
Two dozen.
Handsback
August 16, 2016 at 07:18 am
Hard to argue and the best point made: No viable outstanding 3rd receiver. You have......
1.Adams inconsistent
2.Monty getting over ankle injury
3.Abby's durability question but has earned it at this point
4. Janis broken hand
5. Davis too green
6. Geronimo may be cleanest prospect for 3rd receiver but a rookie UDFA
Shows depth, but real lack of strong #3.
NickPerry
August 16, 2016 at 07:37 am
The Packers were horrible in 3rd down percentage last season finishing 27th in the league, down over 12 percentage points down from 2014. They were equally as bad at home as on the road. I like the idea of a 2 TE set especially now that the Packers have a TE like Cook. Rodgers has Great hands and Perillo seems to have some pretty good hands himself. With 2 of those guys, Nelson, Cobb or Montgomery in the backfield and other in slot, the Packers will have several options working the middle on any given play to convert and keep the chains moving.
...If Adams starts to be "The best receiver on the field" on game day, then I'm going to get excited. I'm really pulling for the guy and think he could be a excellent #3 WR. But it's time to put up or shut up and be consistent when it counts.
RCPackerFan
August 16, 2016 at 07:32 am
'The Packers were horrible in 3rd down percentage last season finishing 27th in the league, down over 12 percentage points down from 2014.'
Just curious did you look into the stats anymore then that?
What I'm curious about is what was their average yards gained on first down. And what was their average yards needed to gain on 3rd down?
1 thing that I think will greatly help that this year is a stronger running game on early downs to make shorter 3rd down.
NickPerry
August 16, 2016 at 07:41 am
I was looking for a breakdown on that RC but didn't find one. I tried (But looked quickly) to find a breakdown for example on 3rd and 2...3rd and 5...3rd and 7 or longer but didn't find it. I'll bet our friend TGR will have that info though and hopefully provides it.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 16, 2016 at 11:26 am
Green Bay was last (32nd) in average gain on 1st down for rushing and passing combined (5.13 yds). We tied for 27th (4.73) in rushing on first down.
We tied for last in passing, averaging just 5.51 yards when passing on first down.
You know I hate rankings: the alarming thing is that we were really bad when we passed on first down in terms of actual yards - the average team gained well over a yard more than we did when passing, and it was arguably worse with rushing on a percentage basis.
There ya go, Nick. I'll look for the average distance needed on 3rd down when I have more time.
http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/team-yards-per-first-down-attemp...
NickPerry
August 17, 2016 at 05:27 am
Thanks TGR!!
RCPackerFan
August 17, 2016 at 07:15 am
Thanks TGR.
You were Right Nick. He did provide us the info.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 17, 2016 at 11:14 am
Sorry, this took awhile, but I found GB's average amount of yards needed to gain to convert a third down (6.98 yards - which is good - 10th in the NFL for least yards needed - 7.18 is the median for the NFL) and the number of yards we actually averaged gaining on third down (4.38 yds) which is godawful - 30th in the NFL, where the median is 5.54 yds. This imbalance leads to a bad 3rd down conversion rate of 34.10%, 28th in the NFL, where 38.90% is the median and 39.2% is the average.
However, the article linked below is fascinating. There is some statistical significance between having fewer yards to go on 3rd down and a good conversion %, but actually, there is a greater statistical significance between gaining a lot of yards on 3rd down and the conversion %.
It is a great article. Trust me, Nick and RC, you will like reading it!
http://www.offcoverage.com/measuring-net-third-down-yards/
NickPerry
August 18, 2016 at 06:14 am
Awesome, Thanks TGR!!
stockholder
August 16, 2016 at 08:15 am
A-Rod should have gone to the TE's more last year and didn't. But A-Rod was trying to prove Adams was best. Adams is not the best WR and will never be a middle of the field WR. There is no intensity with Adams. Never will be. He's still dropping passes. Our best bet is Montgomery. My feeling is Davis is needed more than we know. The BEST #3 and #4 should be Monty and Davis. Intensity is what we have to have from our WRs. Who can CATCH!
al bundy
August 16, 2016 at 06:34 pm
Lacy left lacy right pass. How hard ia that to defend? Of course third down success was horrid, its mental mikes play calling
EdsLaces
August 16, 2016 at 07:29 am
In my 20 years of being a pack fan I can't remember being as disappointed in a player as I am in Adam's. He showed such promise then just fell flat. I think the two TE set is the way to go. Rich Rod and Cook are just too good to leave on the bench. Having said that even being an out of state fan I am full on 100% on the Abby train! Until someone breaks him in half we need to play him as much as possible kids a baller!
NickPerry
August 16, 2016 at 07:46 am
Here's to hoping the "Extra Muscle" Abby put on this Off Season keeps him in one piece!!
Thegreatreynoldo
August 16, 2016 at 11:53 am
Rich Rod isn't too good to sit on the bench. He is, IMO, terrible, and should have been the #2 TE behind Perillo last year. This year, he should be the #3, maybe #4, TE.
EdsLaces
August 16, 2016 at 03:10 pm
You don't catch 8 tds if you are terrible. He's slow...but effective.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 16, 2016 at 04:12 pm
I'd prefer to start Cook and Perillo. RR can play when we are in the red zone, and sit the rest of the time.
holmesmd
August 16, 2016 at 07:43 am
Might I point out that Cook is considerably faster than Finley was? JC can run like a friggin deer! :)
Big Moe
August 16, 2016 at 07:45 am
Potentially the best two tightend package since the Ed West-Jackie Harris days, Go Pack!!
Handsback
August 16, 2016 at 08:05 am
One missed aspect from last year because of his weight, using Lacy as a 3rd down back. He can catch the ball and if the LB that goes to cover him allows him to catch it...it will be a first down. Last year he didn't show any speed to get out in front of the pass to make those first downs. May not be the case this year.
Since'61
August 16, 2016 at 08:28 am
If this offense can stay healthy they will drive opposing DCs crazy. 2 TE sets, empty backfield, Cobb and Montgomery in the backfield together. Power running with Rip leading Lacy in the 2 TE set. The variations could be mind boggling. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
RCPackerFan
August 16, 2016 at 09:37 am
Love it.
that is the key though. They have to stay healthy.
The potential with this offense is unlimited.
staffordsneckfat
August 16, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Every time they line Cobb up in the backfield to match him up on some poor ILB I thank the good Lord he made me a Packers fan.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 16, 2016 at 11:59 am
Cook is actually an above average run blocking TE. As far as 2 TE sets (first reaction: sigh), if we can find someone other than Cook who can run block, I am all for it.
staffordsneckfat
August 16, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Hey Great Reynoldo, its your old friend Stafford's Neckfat here,
Admittedly I did not watch much Rams football last season so I am not the resident expert on this, but what leads you to believe Cook's run blocking is above average? Everything (One ProFootballFocus article) I have read has suggested he is average to mediocre. Isn't run blocking largely an effort thing? And isn't the knock on Cook is that he is kind of lazy?
I think we will see Cook in the same role Jermichael (Stafford Neckfat's favorite Packer of all time) had, spending 60-70% snaps on the outside dominating little corners.
Hope all is well,
Matty Fat Cheeks
Thegreatreynoldo
August 16, 2016 at 05:16 pm
To answer your question, I read the SB nation blog turf show times and went through their reviews of each game. I noticed they frequently mentioned his run blocking positively. It would be akin to checking McGinn's review each week of the last packer game. Admittedly, more games than not the Rams blog did not mention his blocking either way, but when it was mentioned, it was pretty positive.
I also base it on a PFF article that ranked Cook 13th in the NFL in run blocking efficiency, IIRC. There is the infamous play and gif where Cook whiffs on an DE or LB, - his whiff didn't seem to bother him - and that led to some comment, and a notion that his effort is lacking sometimes. I have no opinion on his effort l- I am thinking this might be his last chance for a big contract as sufficient motivation. See the link below for that gif - but also notice that the commenters split on Cook's blocking ability.
Or I could use a Cover32 article that noted his improvement at run blocking: "Cook’s biggest area of improvement, though? His contributions to the running game. Cook has notably improved in his run blocking efforts, with particularly strong outings against Philadelphia and San Francisco earlier this season. That’s an improvement over last season, when Cook was up-and-down at best in run blocking attempts. If you subscribe to Pro Football Focus’ grading methodology, they make Cook’s improvements crystal clear. Last year he finished the season as the site’s 34th ranked run blocking tight end. Through 10 games this season, he’s eighth."
I think sometimes players get pigeon-holed early, and gain reputations that they later outgrow. Not unlike the notion that Starks was bad as a receiver out of the backfield. Now, he still doesn't look natural sometimes doing it, but 43 receptions on 53 targets for a decent 9.1 yd. average in 2015 suggests to me that he has largely overcome his issues.
I also think Cook will be split outside fairly often. If no outside WR emerges from the muddle of candidates, Cook can play X or flanker, IMO.
In any event, Cook should be a sizable upgrade over RR's blocking - PFF: "Rodgers’ caught two-of-four targets for 16 yards, with only 3 yards coming after the catch, but it was his run blocking (-2.6) and pass blocking (-1.4) that really led to his low grade. He didn’t make a single positively-graded play when run blocking, instead getting blown up a few times, leading either to run stops or completely changing the run’s point of attack. He also allowed the sack to LB DeMarcus Ware that led to the Broncos’ safety.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/worst-players-at-every-position-for-wee...
Read more at http://cover32.com/2014/11/19/jared-cook-is-quietly-having-a-strong-seas...
http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2014/11/7/7173233/jared-cook-is-the-nfl-s-m...
staffordsneckfat
August 17, 2016 at 08:13 am
Impressive insight as always Reynoldo.
DrealynWilliams
August 16, 2016 at 01:11 pm
I llike the idea of using the TE formation more often, but whoever goes out there have to be able to effectively run block. Maybe since it was just a preseason game, but I didnt see any TE run block well. Cook wasn't interested at all and Rodgers just barely does enough but is still wildly inconsistent.
Yooper
August 16, 2016 at 04:21 pm
With Jordy not able to play last year R. Cobb had a poor 2015 season. Adams had an even worse one. Cook has a lot to live up to this year as do the rookie wide receivers on the team who have never played a down for the Packers in a regular season game The bright spots on last years team were Abby and Janis and we all should be praying for the healthy return of Jordy and Montgomery or who really knows how this season will tun out!!:^)