No Favorite to Start At Safety For Packers
The Green Bay Packers have one starting safety penciled in — Morgan Burnett. Apparently, they have no idea whether the other guy will be M.D. Jennings or Jerron McMillian.
Safeties coach Darren Perry says the Packers will have an open competition this summer.
“I don’t think either one of those guys separated themselves in terms of being ‘that guy’ at the end of the last season,” Perry said. “They both made strides and I think they’re going to be fine football players, I really do. But in terms of who distinguishes themselves as ‘the guy,’ we’re just going to have to wait and see and enjoy the competition.”
The leader right now, if there is one, would have to be Jennings. He played in 16 games last season and finished with 52 tackles and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. McMillian also played in all 16 games, but had only 27 tackles and an interception.
That being said, McMillian was a fourth-round draft pick last season (Jennings was undrafted in 2011). That suggests the Packers saw him as a future starter and if he makes the mythical second-year jump, he just might find himself in that role this season.
If we were the betting types, and we are, we’d bet McMillian finds himself lining up opposite Burnett in 2013.
Jennings had a year to learn the system while on the practice squad. His numbers after knowing what he was supposed to do were still not even close to awesome. McMillian is the guy.
McMillan, House, Burnett, Heyward, Sheilds,,,.man TT subtly got the secondary on the rise in a blink.
Any GM can snag headlines with risking big bucks on free agents. And have about a 50/50 chance of free agents being worth the spend.
But real genius is continually keeping the team young, competitive, and lean!
This is another example of how underappreciated the Packers’ front office, And coaching staff are in having the Packers right there in the mix every year!
For the season,,,,Bart Scott..’Can’t Wait’!!!!!!!!!!!
This will all be sorted out once injuries start piling up…knock on wood.
Those who can stay healthy will get significant playing time by default.
Someone must think highly of McMillan, Jennings or both. No other competition , really. Richardson’s neck may be iffy……..McMillan can hit, so he’s my choice.
McMillian.
The Dr. Is undersized and terribly average. Jerron has better measurables and more attractive upside.
Regardless of who starts, as long as the front seven plays as good as it looks on paper, we won’t need any stud safety next to Burnett. Seeing Jolly return, Perry in his second year and the potential of first year player Datone Jones excites me!