Cory's Corner: DuBose Is Showing His Heart
Last year's practice squad player is looking to make his mark this year.
If you didn’t know who Grant DuBose was before the weekend, you certainly know him now.
He made a very strong argument to not just make the team but also have a strong role on this team as a wideout.
We always talk about motivation with players. DuBose, 23, has a chip the size of Montana on his shoulder. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 draft. He spent the entire season relegated to the practice squad before getting elevated to the 53-man roster ahead of the season finale vs. Chicago.
But there was one problem — he was a healthy scratch in the Packers 17-9 win.
It’s clear that DuBose doesn’t want to run routes for another season as a practice squad player. Because the way that he was playing in Cleveland this past weekend, he showed what an NFL receiver looked like. He was making hard cuts, he was being a leader and he made an amazing toe-tapping catch on the sideline.
What’s even more amazing is that DuBose caught four balls from Sean Clifford and one from Michael Pratt. Those are the two guys fighting for the backup job behind Jordan Love. They are both OK, but they don’t have the presnap intellect, arm ability or confidence under pressure. And he still made those guys look good.
Now I want to see DuBose in a preseason game catching balls from Love. Because if he can tally a game-high five catches for 66 yards without, what the heck can do with him?
The biggest problem for DuBose is that Green Bay has the most crowded wide receiver room in the NFL. There are so many quality pass catchers that can do so many different things. Just being able to stand out in that room is cause for celebration.
But if there’s one guy that is going to stand out, it’s DuBose. Nobody gave the 6-foot-2, 201-pound wideout from Charlotte much of a chance to do anything in this league. He was taken with the 256th pick of 259. The fact that he’s still in the league is half a miracle.
I’ve always said, there’s one thing that you cannot measure, and that’s heart. DuBose is proving that he has a huge heart, and he’s just waiting to show it off.
2nd year wide receiver Grant DuBose with an impressive first preseason game. He ended up leading the #Packers with 5 grabs for 66 yards. Here are those receptions. pic.twitter.com/0g9vSxO6pI
— John Miller (@JohnMillerNBC26) August 10, 2024
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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 (52)
GregC
August 13, 2024 at 06:26 am
Lots of exaggeration here (chip on his shoulder, nobody gave him much of a chance), but the highlight clip is a reminder not only of how many catches DuBose made on Saturday, but how good he looked when making those catches. He moves well and is playing with a lot of confidence. I really don't think it would be a huge upset for a former 7th round pick to beat out an undrafted player (Malik Heath) for the #6 receiver spot. The more interesting question at this point is if DuBose can not only make the team but also compete with Bo Melton for playing time as the #5 WR option. They are different kinds of players, though, so they would probably both get some playing time. We'll see what happens in the next couple weeks.
marpag1
August 13, 2024 at 07:01 am
Yeah, if you're looking for trite cliches, and lots of them, you will very predictably find them here in this little 'corner' of the internet.
I don't really give a crap about someone's perception of a player's "heart" - whatever the hell that means. DuBose looks like someone who can make an NFL roster.
barutanseijin
August 13, 2024 at 08:41 am
Hey, don’t knock football clichés. Just look at the mileage Duh Coach and Dan Campbell have gotten from them.
T7Steve
August 13, 2024 at 07:57 am
If he replaces Heath or anyone else for that matter, it will be because of blocking and special teams. They have pass catchers and rout runners. This will come down to all around contributors.
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 08:09 am
If all are healthy, neither Dubose nor Melton will be starting. We have 4 other obvious “starters” for likely a 3 slot default offense. Therefore Dubose and Melton may not even both be active for any particular game, absent a heightened ST role. When they are it will be for situational matchups against the opponent in question. However, WRs miss games regularly. Injuries are to be expected. Between Melton and Dubose, we would appear to have a guy capable of covering each of the WR roles occupied by the top 4 in this D. Neither one credibly offers that individually.
WD
August 13, 2024 at 01:38 pm
Dubose looked good in the first preseason game with the second string teams on both sides. I think most probably agree who the top five are so he likely will compete with Heath and Toure for the 6 and 7 spots. Moreover, the three balls that Melton did not come up with were portly thrown behind him as well as the opposite direction he was running. C'mon man. Melton has proved his worth in the real games that count. Don't even think about cutting him. Franky it is not obvious that DuBose is better than Malik or Toure at this point. It will be a tough decision. But, a crowded WR room is a wonderful problem to have.
Cheezehead72
August 13, 2024 at 06:30 am
The top four WRs are set. Barring any injuries there will probably be three main WRs fighting for the final two positions. Yes we might have seven WRs. The main contenders are Melton, Heath, and DeBose. What it will come down to is their contribution on STs. Right now I do not see Toure making the cut unless he is a special ST player.
T7Steve
August 13, 2024 at 07:59 am
Should have read down one more comment before I (opened my mouth?) commented.
NickPerry
August 13, 2024 at 06:52 am
"What’s even more amazing is that DuBose caught four balls from Sean Clifford and one from Michael Pratt. Those are the two guys fighting for the backup job behind Jordan Love. They are both OK, but they don’t have the presnap intellect, arm ability or confidence under pressure. And he still made those guys look good."
I also thought DuBose played a hell of a game. Yes, he was catching balls from Clifford and Pratt, but he was also playing nothing but 2nd and 3rd stringers so lets not get too crazy.
I still like Melton for the 5th WR because of his speed. The Packers are going to have some tough decisions to make when they have to make cuts. I mean you only carry so many WRs. Like any Packers fan I want them ALL to stay in GB but some will be cut.
It's amazing how this WR room has transformed into the DEEPEST in the NFL after being a one man show for the last few years prior. Nice job Gutey!
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 08:16 am
These two players aren’t interchangeable. It’s 5a and 5b if both do make it and there are no injuries. This “who is 5th or 6th” debate is as inane as that over whether we have a 1. The valid debate is how many will we keep and who.
I believe 6 and that the last 2 will be Melton and Dubose and that potentially only one will be active each week and who that is will change by opponent until such time when one of the 4 “starters” is unavailable. Then it’s a matter of which role is open as to which of the two fills it.
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 09:06 am
Even if you believe that neither Clifford nor Pratt are NFL caliber, they are both capable of throwing catchable balls and have done so 100s of times which have been caught by probably a lot less talented players. It’s not a miraculous feat to catch balls from them. The hyperbole here is stupendous, dwarfing even the heart of Dubose.
GregC
August 13, 2024 at 10:11 am
Yeah, that was a weird take by Cory, stating that it is somehow harder to catch passes from Clifford and Pratt than from Love. They all looked like good throws to me!
Tundraboy
August 13, 2024 at 11:38 am
I must confess I certainly wonder what Rodgers
thinks of that!
WD
August 13, 2024 at 01:42 pm
Thank you! Melton is definitely in the top five and not necessarily in that order. And yes, speed matters!
Packitin
August 13, 2024 at 06:58 am
If we're apt to lose one WR (Heath or DuBose), I'd advocate trading him to an AFC team that we're not playing this year, even if it nets only a future conditional 7th-rounder. I do not want to see him in Vikings purple or Chicago orange or Detroit blue via a waiver claim or PS poach.
Also: When Deguara was drafted, he was supposed to be GB's Kyle Jusczek. Isn't AJ Dillon a better candidate for that role? Keep him in Deguara's spot, with Wilson as RB3. Ben Sims might get claimed or poached, but he's the best shot to be stashed on the PS.
Lastly: Caleb Jones should be kept over Dillard, and Monk over Newman.
marpag1
August 13, 2024 at 07:05 am
To an AFC team? One we're not playing this year? If we want to trade him, how about we trade him to anyone who is willing to give us something? Yeah, it looks like maybe DuBose can play, but the idea that the Packers will not want to endure the horrors of facing Grant DuBose might be taking things a little far. Get what you can from whomever you can. He's not Tyreek.
Packitin
August 13, 2024 at 07:23 am
I'm just tired of facing former Packers in Division games.
We can agree to disagree on this one. Actually, I'm more interested in your thoughts on using Dillon in the Jusczek role, and on Caleb Jones.
Cheezehead72
August 13, 2024 at 07:42 am
You may not have asked for my thoughts but Dillon is a RB not a FB. MLF offense is not conducive to a FB as a true FB. This offense uses a HB which TEs can fill. I would like to see at least on FB on the roster but would we actually have a FB on the game day roster.
Dillon being a RB does not mean we do not line him up with Jacobs in the backfield but that is for specific plays and not that he would be a FB.
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 08:22 am
From camp, it looks very likely that Davis will fill the F or H Back role that remains as well as playing STs and as the 3/4 TE (I suspect 4th). With Krafts emergence the H back role had shrunk considerably by late last year though.
T7Steve
August 13, 2024 at 08:03 am
I don't think anyone will trade for a cut candidate when all they have to do is wait. There will be some from every team available to choose from.
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 08:26 am
My guess is that Heath would have no issue getting to our PS if we wanted that. Personally, the only WR I think we should prioritize there for the future is Hicks at this point, so having Heath as PS depth is plausible. I think Toure would probably try to find another opportunity in a PS with less youth or talent ahead of him. Of the rest, none have yet staked a claim.
atundraman
August 13, 2024 at 09:19 am
I remember the Refrigerator. Let's keep Caleb as our FB!
barutanseijin
August 13, 2024 at 09:27 am
Oh noes!!! The Packers might have to line up against Josh Degaura or Bobby Tonyan or Cole Van Lanen or Ty Summers!! And in the playoffs maybe Jon Runyan or Ka’dar Hollman!!!! Woe is us!!!
WestCoastPackerBacker
August 13, 2024 at 01:48 pm
Why would anyone trade anything for a 7th rounder who has barely seen the field? They would just wait until GB waives him at final cuts and sign him then before GB puts him on the practice squad. Or, sign him off the practice squad. Most teams have their own low draft picks and undrafted guys that they actually know vs another team's castoffs.
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 04:50 pm
Sometimes you get player swaps or conditionals before cuts because teams lower on the waiver list want a particular player, typically for a specific role and are willing to give up a conditional or a player surplus to their needs for one they want or which only costs if the player works out.
stockholder
August 13, 2024 at 07:41 am
Grant DeBose is not a speed demon.
I don't see him winning games if he can't
get on the field.
We need weapons at WR.
And if you can't find a left handed D .Adams.
You find a Jordy Nelson.
Gute had trouble getting TE's.
He ended up with big Wrs.
Love can only target so many receivers.
Grant DuBose heart won't be enough.
Oppy
August 13, 2024 at 08:22 am
There's numerous highlight clips of Davante Adams making one-handed catches with his right hand. It's almost like he's right-handed. I know it's a long-standing theory of yours that Adams is left handed and that he only 'became good' because the Packers lined him up on the left side of the field so he could make left handed catches, but.. you were wrong then, and are wrong now.
Oppy
August 13, 2024 at 08:24 am
Also, I'm not sure where the "trouble getting TEs" comes from.
barutanseijin
August 13, 2024 at 08:58 am
Maybe he’s saying that Kraft & Musgrave are really big receivers . Or considering that he used the past tense, maybe he’s just saying that the TEs drafted before last year (Sternberger & Degaura) were no good, which is kinda true.
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 09:18 am
He’s just trying find an angle to criticize Gute as another pick seems to be proving to be promising.
As to being a big WR, Kraft has proved much more of a true TE already and that may have been an approximation of the plan with Musgrave, at least in the sense of having the capability to run routes traditionally within the WR sphere effectively. That of course is not what he was getting at.
stockholder
August 13, 2024 at 02:26 pm
You are correct B**N.
Oppy
August 13, 2024 at 05:52 pm
Sternberger was obviously a bust. Deguara was drafted with the express intention to play as an H-Back type, not a true TE. I would agree he did not work out at any rate.
Robert Tonyan, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft is a pretty good resume' for TEs.. 3 good TEs in 6 drafts isn't a bad record in a world where most NFL draft picks fail to make it to their 4th year in the league.
stockholder
August 13, 2024 at 08:05 pm
Oppy - I was referring to how many failed before
Musgrave and Kraft.
And that the bigger WR/TE type came into play.
Tonyan did work out later for #12. ( FA-)
But Lazard was considered a possibility at TE.
(Which didn't happen.)
Mercedes Lewis wasn't a true threat.
The biggest mistakes were at TE
It was a revolving door since J. Finley.
LeotisHarris
August 13, 2024 at 08:39 am
If you have a huge heart and a Montana-sized chip on your shoulder, ask your doctor if Hyperbolex is right for you. In clinical trials, Hyperbolex was found to help four out of five dentists limit manufactured drama and reduced the incidence of low-information word usage.
Do not take Hyperbolex if you're able to sit upright as it may cause bruxing and loose stools. If you need assistance paying for Hyperbolex, consider collecting aluminum cans or selling your old clothes on eBay.
marpag1
August 13, 2024 at 08:50 am
Testimonial: I took Hyperbolex a few years ago, and three days later, Jeff Janis went away and never came back. I love Hyperbolex!!!
PS - I thought it was spelled "Hyper-bullocks" though, right?
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 10:24 am
only in England
CheeseEdWest2
August 13, 2024 at 09:54 am
Looks like we have a Practice Squad writer ready to emerge onto the stage. You are one funny cat.
LLCHESTY
August 13, 2024 at 12:27 pm
You're right about the side effects. When I was a kid we used to give that to the cows and you walked behind them at your peril for a couple days after that. One or two could have set records for distance.
CheeseEdWest2
August 13, 2024 at 09:58 am
He's got good hands--he rescued a couple of dying ducks from bench warmers. He's a smooth route runner. He can block. He's got the presence of mind to tap his toes. Look forward to more, though we probably won't see him and Love on the field a the same time, and he hasn't faced a first string D, I'd put him above Toure and at least even with Heath. Stay tuna-ed.
LambeauPlain
August 13, 2024 at 10:34 am
Run great routes, catch your catchable targets, block effectively and efficiently, be consistent.
DuBose seems ready to go. He keeps this up, he's on the 53...somewhere. I believe it will be catching passes and blocking for Matt's IOC offense. No waiver wire for him.
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 10:41 am
that first sentence seems like a recipe to have a career in the NFL. I mean, as long as you're 6-1" and run a sub 4.5 forty.
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 10:58 am
I knew there was a catch.
More seriously, I think sub 4.6 is closer to the cut off, but the slower a player is the more elite something else has to be. Foot speed (Adams), size and strength, short area burst or agility and so on. Technical proficiency alone probably doesn’t get one there. Having or developing it goes a long way to keeping a player in the league though and certainly in making one great.
I think of the strides made by Driver and Adams as being good examples of how far effort to hone technique can take a player if he has elite physical attributes coming in.
The average 50 time per the nfl combine is 4.48 for NFL wide receivers, so even at 4.5 you have to have some other elite physical and mental attributes to stand out. The average for CBs and RBs is essentially the same.
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 11:37 am
as you are no doubt aware, i love it when you get technical...
LLCHESTY
August 13, 2024 at 12:42 pm
I think the one caveat to that is the smaller guys have to be fast or extremely agile. Running precise routes doesn't mean as much when every bump can throw you off stride.
WR is kind of a strange position in that every top one is really good at one physical trait at the least but they can be very different traits.
Tundraboy
August 13, 2024 at 11:36 am
=Heart. They have to find a way to keep him. Without mentioning names there's two or three guys that we could easily part with.
Packers0808
August 13, 2024 at 03:40 pm
Reading articles today where Packers are thinking bringing Bakh back with the poor showings of Dillard. Would be a reliable back up at tackle and needless to say Packers in back up there is weak.
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 04:12 pm
those articles are clickbait
Coldworld
August 13, 2024 at 05:00 pm
If they are click bait, they aren’t very effective. I just searched and found none.
Packers0808
August 13, 2024 at 05:31 pm
Read AtoZ Sports story is located there.
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 06:58 pm
I didn't say they were effective, i intimated that they weren't reputable.
LeotisHarris
August 13, 2024 at 08:38 pm
CHTV won't allow me to post a link. It seems Wendell Ferreria's speculation within the privacy of his own head spilled onto then internet, and some readers have taken "could, should, might" as something more than the nothing it is.
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 08:42 pm
ah. more than i anticipated regarding authorship, but exactly as anticipated in regards to vapor.