Brian Gutekunst liked Christian Watson more than George Pickens in April’s draft. He may be proven right, but the former Georgia star sure looks like the real deal in Pittsburgh. And the Packers could’ve drafted him without giving up a second-round pick. For the sake of the fans, let’s hope they’ll never have to feel the same way watching Pickens score a touchdown as they feel every time another could’ve been Packer turned Steeler sacks a quarterback. Here are a few more Packers-related thoughts that ran through my mind in recent days:
1) Even though Caleb Jones wasn’t expected to be selected until the later rounds, I still spent some time studying his tape before last April’s draft. I was curious to see how one of the largest players in the country held up against elite speed rushers. To be perfectly honest, he looked like a human turnstile. Well, five months later, that same offensive tackle could be a potential steal for Green Bay. A 30 pounds lighter Jones has done a nice job in training camp, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make the final 53-man roster. The former Indiana star won’t play this season, but Gutekunst might not want to expose him to the waiver wire, especially if he fares as well against the Saints and Chiefs as he did against the 49ers last Friday. Jones moved his feet surprisingly well. Along with working on his technique, the newly-svelte 340-pounder will need to control his weight, which ballooned to just under 400 pounds in the autumn of 2020.
2) Watching Darren Rizzi coach the Saints’ special teams the past two days had to make every Packers fan wonder what might’ve been. Matt LaFleur wanted to hire the well-respected coordinator in 2019, but the two sides couldn’t agree on a contract. The much less respected Shawn Mennenga was the backup choice, and he lasted only two seasons. He was replaced by his assistant Maurice Drayton, whose incompetence led to numerous miscues that played a large part in the upset loss to the 49ers in the divisional round last January. Had the Packers closed the deal with Rizzi when they had the chance, it’s more than fair to think the 2021 team would’ve ended its season at SoFi Stadium, not Lambeau Field.
3) Green Bay claimed Travis Fulgham off waivers from the Broncos last night, almost two years ago to the day when Gutekunst released the wide receiver. A couple of months after getting his pink slip, Fulgham became the talk of the National Football League with the Eagles. He had 27 receptions for 378 yards and three TDs during a four-game stretch in the middle of the 2020 season. It sure looked like the Packers made a huge mistake – until defenses had some film to watch and made adjustments. Since turning into Jerry Rice for a month, the former Old Dominion star has caught only nine passes and been cut five times. So while Fulgham’s return is a really nice story, it figures to be short-lived. Green Bay already has several younger and more athletic wide receivers competing for perhaps one opening on the final 53-man roster.
As we head into another exciting football season, it’s once again time to ask you to keep Packers Notes going with a donation. It’s your generosity that’s kept this site online since 2004.
I thought Jones looked good against NO. I know he was facing backups, but he seemed light on his feet for someone so big. I’m thinking he’ll make the 53 because Gutey won’t want to risk another team picking him up.