By now, we all know about the logjam the Green Bay Packers have at receiver. In addition to their established first five, they have second-year players Diondre Borel and Tori Gurley — both practice squad players last season — ready to push for a roster spot and playing time.
Borel, who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tried to poach last season, got a nice endorsement that can only help his chances of making the team, this week. It came from none other than the NFL’s No. 1 player, Aaron Rodgers.
“I think Diondre has made as big a jump as anybody from Year 1 to 2,” Rodgers said during the team’s offseason programs. “He really made the most of his reps on the scout team last year. He’s a great teammate, a hard worker and he really understands the game.
“Diondre, I think, has had one of the top springs out of the guys who you were looking for to make a jump.”
Normally, we wouldn’t think much of such a statement, but Rodgers isn’t known for going out of his way to praise someone in the media. The last time we can remember him saying something like this is when he said he wanted then-free agent James Jones back. The Packers subsequently re-signed him.
Does this mean Borel is going to make the team? Not necessarily, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. We all know the Packers want to keep Rodgers happy.
I still think Gurley gets the nod unless he comes out at training camp and sucks assholes. Its too bad they can’t keep them both, although I am probably buying into the hype a little bit too much. I once thought Derrick Mayes would be a star.
I know what you mean, Mayes sure seemed like a good bet back then. I would like Gurley as well simply on the height but if Borel runs better routes then he’s the guy I guess.
I’m still waiting for Javon Walker to live up to his potential as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk_B7IJlTtc
That’s HIGH Praise!
Trade Jones for a pick – any pick, and promote Gurley or Borel.