As the Green Bay Packers enter into the 2013-14 season, they have several new pieces in place and several marquee names long gone after summer departures. The most noticeable changes fall on the wide receivers group as long-time Packers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are no longer there. Two of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets will not be back this year, leaving the door open for younger players to step up.
"Not having those two and a good friend of mine, Charles Woodson, who I played with for a long time just like those guys-that's different," Rodgers said toUSA Today. "So, we're a different football team. Lacking a little in the experience part, but making up for it in the talent and the young guys that we brought in."
Driver only pulled in eight receptions last season and had been on a slow decline for about the last four seasons. He played a mentor role more than anything. Jennings played most of last season injured, but recorded nine touchdowns in 2011 and was a key member of the 2010 Super Bowl team. Now, it is 'next man up' time for the Packers and Randall Cobb is about to reap the benefits.
Cobb exploded onto the scene his rookie year in 2011, proving to be a reliable kick return specialist, but he has always taken a backseat as a wide receiver. All of that changes this season. Now in his third season with the team, Rodgers will rely heavily on Cobb to be the top target. While stepping in for both Driver and Jennings last season, Cobb recorded 954 yards and eight touchdowns. No longer having others to take his spot at the top, Cobb is almost guaranteed over 1,000 yards this season.
Tight end Jermichael Finley will be the other Packer expected to step up into a larger role this season. Finley has been a ball of inconsistency since starting out in 2008 and Green Bay is hoping he capitalizes off a 2012 season where h put up 667 yards and two touchdowns. He has the size and speed to be a big threat if he can get over the dropped passes.
Jordy Nelson and James Jones will fill out the main receiving rotation. The key with the group in training camp is to build up trust with Rodgers, the kind he had with the veterans. As the group builds chemistry, the ground game will help bail Rodgers out. Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin will help balance out the offense and Rodgers goes to work in the air.
