Packers Stock Report Week 8
This week's stock report highlights players that shined in Kansas City and exposes players who have not showed up this year.
The Packers found themselves in a dog fight against the Pat Mahomes-less Chiefs on Sunday Night football, and I have to confess, I was pretty pissed off. The Packers jumped out to a 14-0 lead by dominating on both sides of the ball, which I expected. What I did not expect, was for the Packers to briefly lose their focus, and for the wheels to come off in such a short amount of time. Before you knew it, four letter words were being thrown around like candy and the Packers were down 17-14. Thankfully, in what has come to be the new norm, the Packers made halftime adjustments, forced a turnover, and made plays with the game on the line.
Buy, Buy, Buying Sunday's Performance:
1. Aaron Jones:
Aaron Jones has been the offensive MVP to this point in the season. It seems like everytime the Packers need a first down, or a touchdown, Aaron Jones comes to the rescue. His final touchdown was a play of brilliance that showcased all of his talent, and his work on the Packers final drive showed us his killer instinct to secure a victory for the Packers by running for tough yards and picking up the game ending first down. Sunday Night's performance of 226 scrimmage yards and 2 touchdowns earned Aaron Jones the NFC's offensive player of the week. For the season, Jones has 466 rushing yards, 34 receptions for 355 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns. If Jones is able to keep this pace up, he could have 1,700 scrimmage yards and over 20 total touchdowns. Ladies and Gentlemen, Aaron Jones is the Green Bay Packers MVP through the first half of the season.
2. Aaron Rodgers:
Aaron Rodgers is beginning to heat up. Over his last two contests Aaron has thrown for 734 yards and has 9 total touchdowns. Sunday Night, he mesmerized the viewing audience with two amazing throws. One that kept a drive alive and another that capped off a drive with a touchdown. Aaron's stock is certainly rising the more he gets comfortable inside of the offense. He is healthy and starting to feel more confident in what he is doing out there. My second half projection would be for him to at least double his 16 touchdown 2 INT output from the first half of the season. When all is said and done, I think Aaron will end up with 35-40 total touchdowns in 2019.
3. Za'Darius Smith:
In my opinion, Za'Darius was the signing that completely changed the culture of the Green Bay Packers. From day 1, you just got the sense that he wanted to be in Green Bay and was going to reshape the defense and the locker room. Sunday Night in a game where stops were hard to come by, Smith managed to come up with 2 sacks and make plays whenever the team needed him the most. Captain Z has been the defensive MVP of the Packers as he is the unquestioned leader of this resurgent unit with 8 sacks.
First Half Fire Sale:
Sell, Sell, Sell
1. Josh Jackson:
It has gotten so bad that I actually saw some members of the Packers media suggesting the Packers may have been looking to move Jackson at the deadline to provide him with a change of scenery. If his poor play continues, his days in Green Bay will be numbered, it's as simple as that.
2. Darrius Shepherd:
Let me preface what I am about to say by reminding you that hindsight is 20-20. Having said that, the Packers would have been better off hanging on to Trevor Davis. I know Trevor Davis certainly had his faults, but Shepherd's regular season play was nothing short of an unmitigated disaster. In my opinion, Brian Gutekunst made the right move by releasing him. Peace out Shep!
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David Michalski is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @kilbas27dave
Comments (19)
Lphill
October 30, 2019 at 11:19 am
Trevor Davis was another pre season star but I agree I would rather have Davis than Shepherd.
DeathByCheese
October 30, 2019 at 11:31 am
IMO at this point a very fast KR/CB fills more team needs than a WR/KR. I like bringing up Travon Smith (another smith!) . As much as I hate to say this, I see Tramon Williams trailing his guy more than not.
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 30, 2019 at 02:17 pm
Although, I will wait and see what Gutey does with the draft pick he got for Davis. Because he wasn't getting any return if he played out his contract and just left. Too marginal a player to even get a comp pick.
Guam
October 30, 2019 at 02:30 pm
Good point WCP. Davis was a marginal player and to get a 6th rounder for him was outstanding. Shepard simply did not work out - too many mistakes and not enough gain from his punt returns. There are other KR's out there and Gute will find one.
BoCallahan
October 30, 2019 at 05:57 pm
I believe MLF was listening to Old School and told Shep to fair catch everything outside of the 10 yard line. When he messed up on that he was released. It sure seemed like the brakes were applied to him or he totally lost his confidence after that muffed punt.
4thand1
October 30, 2019 at 04:49 pm
A change of scenery helped Davis.
ricky
October 30, 2019 at 11:53 am
Davis was bad, Shepherd was worse. What is missing is the "buy" on Lazard, who seems to be building some chemistry with Rodgers. And maybe a "sell" on Allison, who seems to be the next Jarett Boykin. And when is someone going to notice all the positive things that Jamaal Williams is doing for the team? This is a major cog of the offense that goes underappreciated by far too many.
blacke00
October 30, 2019 at 11:53 am
Totally disagree on Shepherd. He made two errors returning punts. We saw what they were. The interception was a poor throw by Rodgers case closed. He didn't deserve to be the "goat" on that play.
The remainder of our punt and kick return teams stink! No blocking!
The kid needs to be placed on the PS and learn more, I still think he has talent.
I think the TE Bayliss has some talent as well. He needs to be given more chances.
Bernie
October 30, 2019 at 01:23 pm
So what you are saying is even though he is paid as a receiver in the NFL he can only catch perfect passes?
Bure9620
October 30, 2019 at 08:34 pm
Not sure what game you are watching. Rodgers was throwing back shoulder as the defender had good coverage. Darrius shepard missed the ball and it hit him in the facemask, a perfect set for the pick. NOT on Rodgers
Empacadores_89
October 30, 2019 at 12:20 pm
This defense is the best we've had in a while and overall very balanced team. Both offense and defense are playing great, ready for this Sundays game I'm expecting 80 percent Packer fans when I go to the Chargers stadium.
Hematite
October 30, 2019 at 12:24 pm
I guess some folks have forgotten Davis' myriad of miscues in the return game.
I didn't feel bad about letting him go, I felt that Shepherd could do at least as well as Davis as both a return man and receiver.
Turns out not to be the case!
I still think that Shepherd could have a decent NFL career but it might take a couple of more years of development for his talent to come to fruition.
Daren726
October 31, 2019 at 05:52 am
I agree on shepherd. I was hoping we would put him on the practice squad and give him another year to develop. Some guys just take longer than others.
Megh77
October 30, 2019 at 01:04 pm
Good article I enjoyed this!
stockholder
October 30, 2019 at 02:15 pm
I would add Jenkins to the Buy.
ALLGASNOBRAKES
October 31, 2019 at 07:46 am
Amen to that Stockholder...Jenkins has been absolutely great. I can only imagine what this kid will be like in another year or two after more experience and time in an NFL weight room.
ShooterMcGee
October 31, 2019 at 10:19 pm
I hear all the great things about Jenkins but personally cannot see it while watching the game. Just too many things going on in a live game. I would love to see a break down of his play by 1 of the cheesehead analysts.
Special Teams should be stock down with our return teams being horrendous. We can't even return the ball to the 20 yard line. Tremon Smith has to be an improvement. Our coverage teams need improvement too. We lack a reliable gunner like, dare I say, Jeff Janis. Who on this roster can fill that role? Is Tremon Smith a gunner as well as returner? He has the speed for it.
ThxJackVainisi
October 31, 2019 at 11:52 pm
Record the games if you are able & zero in on individual players. I'm impressed with Jenkins - particularly his run blocking. It looks like that was a great 2nd round pick.
BoCallahan
October 30, 2019 at 08:41 pm
I generally depart when 4 lettered words are flying like candy.