I wrote about how you can become a complete receiver in the NFL a few months back. The focus of that article was on how some of the best receivers in Packers history have been completely unselfish players and how the current receivers on our roster model exactly those traits. It takes more than just team-first words and pats on your teammates' backs to be called a team player. You need to spend more than just a few plays blocking for your teammates instead of making big catches, and running dummy routes so that another route is wide open for the catch or it leads defenders away from a run. You need to put aside your own personal stat sheet for the good of the team to win.  The Packers Wide Receivers have done exactly those things the last two weeks.

When you decide at the end of Training Camp to trade for a backup QB and release your other backups with only one returning to the practice squad, and then your starting QB goes down to injury in week 1, it puts you in a bit of a predicament. No matter how talented that backup QB you traded for may be, he's only had two weeks to learn an entire offensive playbook and get familiar with his receivers before he needs to start on Sunday. In a way, Malik Willis has made it look easy going 25/33 for 324 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions in two victories for the Packers. But the thing is, he hasn't done it alone. When Willis hasn't been throwing the ball, his teammates have accounted for 78 rushing attempts. That's 78 rushing attempts compared to 33 passes in two games. In game 1 with Jordan Love, there were 34 passing attempts with just 21 runs. Now of course game situations vary, but the number is still staggering to notice. So, what are the wide receivers doing?

Matt LaFleur has a saying that became famous this season, "no block, no rock." This refers to the Wide Receivers and the fact that they are called upon to block in the run and screen game. If they want to be on the receiving end of targets when passing plays are called, then they need to do their job to pave the way for their teammates when the ball isn't in their hands. Well, in the last two weeks, the Packers receivers have only been targeted 21 times. For reference, in week 1 alone the receivers saw 21 targets. So, what have the receivers been doing when they're not looking for that catch?

In week 2, the Packers had 53 rushes while Malik Willis only had 14 passing attempts. Wide Receiver, Christian Watson was on the field for 41 offensive snaps and never saw a single target. This means for at least a minimum of 66% of the snaps Watson was on the field, he was out there solely to block for his teammates. If you would give that assignment to some of the diva receivers we've seen on other teams in years past, they'd probably make a scene standing around with zero effort. Not Christian Watson, he made block after block for his teammates and was actually given the 3rd highest run-blocking grade among receivers heading in to week 3. This will not go unnoticed. When Jordan Love returns to the Packers offense, Christian Watson, as well as his fellow receivers that have been blocking their tails off the last two weeks, are sure to be rewarded.

Block and Get the Rock

When Jordan Love returns, he might be eased into it a little bit as far as gameplan goes, but I wouldn't count on 35-40 rushing attempts per game. That means passing attempts are going to open up and the receivers will be back in business. Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks have each had their contributions in the passing game the last two games, but it's not up to par with what they are capable of. I have no doubt that if the game situation allows it, Matt LaFleur will be calling some passing plays to benefit his receivers that have been busting their behinds up to this point blocking. 

Outside of the 2-0 record, perhaps the best thing to come out of the offense's performance the last two games is the revelation that this team can run the football. Indianapolis may have been a bit of an easy task given their issues in the run game and the injuries they sustained along their defensive front, but the Titans still boasted a good run defense. I seem to remember Titans defensive lineman, Jeffrey Simmons stating that "Nobody runs on the Titans!" Well, the Packers put up 188 yards on the ground against those Titans. Teams can't just focus on stopping Jordan Love and the Packers' passing game. They will now have to account for Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson coming out of the backfield. Perhaps a little more respect put on the name of the Packers running game will open up the pass more as well. 

Whether Jordan Love returns this coming week at Lambeau Field against the Minnesota Vikings or the following week, the selflessness of these Packers receivers will not go unnoticed. No block no rock? Well, each and every one of those Packers receivers did their part blocking the last two weeks and now it's time for them to get that rock. Their patience in waiting their turn will pay off and I'd look for some big games in store for the Packers receivers.