Safety Chris Banjo was one of the surprises of training camp for the Green Bay Packers. Now, due to Jerron McMillian’s terrible play in the season opener, the undrafted rookie just might be seeing some time on defense.
With Morgan Burnett sitting out with a hamstring injury, the Packers safeties — McMillian in particular — were burned by San Francisco’s aerial attack in week 1.
According to ProFootballFocus, via ESPN, McMillian allowed six catches for 57 yards and had four missed tackles. Even more telling, is the 49ers targeted McMillian six times. So, basically, if you want to complete a pass against the Packers, throw to the guy Jerron McMillian is covering.
The other starter in week 1, M.D. Jennings, was slightly less terrible, allowing three catches for 39 yards and he didn’t miss any tackles.
Obviously, the Packers would like Burnett back in the starting lineup. He practiced Wednesday on a limited basis, that’s no guarantee that he’ll play. Burnett also practiced last week, but the injury flared up late in the week.
In any case, it looks like Banjo will be taking some snaps away from McMillian.
“Banjo was up last week, so we’re getting the guys that are healthy ready to play,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “As for what, if or when his opportunity comes, that’s what the games are for. We’re definitely getting him ready.”
This could be quite the opportunity for a guy who was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars just before training camp. Yeah, the worst team in the fucking league cut this guy and he’s now on the Packers roster.
Banjo made the most of his second chance in Green Bay, though. He was a terror in the preseason and, granted, he was playing against second and third-team guys, but he looked dominant against those guys.
What will he look like against first-team guys? Probably like an undrafted rookie, but then, he couldn’t really look any worse than McMillian did in the same situation.
That guy is starting to look like another Ted Thompson draft bust.
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A lot of swagger in that picture. Hope the Kidman ball.
I would rather have Banjo than McMillan at this point. I still think MD Jennings can develop into a pretty good player, but I may be delusional.
What I’ve seen repeatedly is that he waits for someone to come to him — just like Hawk. Two or three additional yards are given up by him doing this.
He’s got to move toward the runner, especially if he has help — if the runner moves one way, the buddy has him; if he runs the other way, Jennings has him.
That seems to be a matter of coaching, rather than ability. I am still hopeful re Jennings.
I’m not sure Jerron made a single tackle on Sunday. Banjo at least can do that.
” the worst team in the fucking league cut this guy and he’s now on the Packers roster.”
Nice way of looking at it.
Maybe they are the worst league in the team, in part, because they suck at talent evaluation.
agreed. ie: Dujaun Harris
Me 4 months ago = “I think maybe we should keep Charles Woodson for just 1 more season because of his experience & leadership alone.”
Everyone else = “What are you, crazy? He is old, slow & washed-up.”
I think Chuck would have been better than what we saw on Sunday. IMO only. What he has lost in speed, I think he would have made up for in instincts, from the safety position. He plays the ball very well. I think at the first sign of trouble this week, we should give Banjo a shot. What the hell, could it get worse than 6 for 6 and 4 missed tackles?
Woodson was in the last year of his contract — when salaries inflate to bizarre and unrealistic amounts.
he wasn’t into playing for less
he waited weeks for a good deal from another team
he waited more weeks to play for less, but for a contender
he waited more weeks to play for ~vet minimum, for a non-contender
plus, and a very important plus…
he wasn’t good at playing safety.
Those completed passes and long romps by an opponent, when no Packer is in the frame — those were courtesy of undisciplined safety play. Woodson was into gambling; you can’t gamble at safety.
But at what price Tyko?…Woody was scheduled to make like 10 million. If I remember right, they couldn’t come to agreement on a reduced salary. With that said, I believe Oakland is paying him 2 mill/year.
Yea but he barely found a team (Raiders)
& he was willing to renegotiate his contract with GB. It was very well documented by Monty among others.
I literally came here to tell you to get a jump on this Chris Banjo story since our other safeties not named Morgan Freeman Burnett are inept ballsacs, not ballhawks. Way to be a champ and a journalist and have it already written. I likes.
If this same scenario had played out with Burnett and Hayward in the lineup, then yes, they made a mistake parting with Woodson and/or not chasing after Eric Reid in the draft.
Well, if McMillian was only responsible for 57 yards of completions, I guess the other defenders got off the hook for the other 355 yards of completions. (Tramon skates by another week)
If you want to see Tramon in action…Rewind your DVR back to late in the 4th quarter…9er ball, 4th and 2about 3 min left. Note: Tramon is on the wrong side of the field wondering where to line up…After finally finding Boldin (just in time) Boldin catches a pass separating from Wlliams (easily). Extending the drive and essentially ending the game………..it wasn’t JUST McMillian.
Also extending his arm and pushing off on Tramon. Why don’t you also use your DVR and tell us what Tramon did on the first defensive series.
I think its funny that everyone thinks having burnett out there wouldve made a difference. That guy has looked very bad alot of the time. Cmon ted..go get a real safety! Youve known for 3 years youve needed 2 competent safeties..go get em!
Compared to McMoron and Flemmings, Morgan Burnett looks like Ronnie Lott.
“That guy is starting to look like another Ted Thompson draft bust.”
What the hell did you expect? A 4th round pick from a school in the fucking state of Maine? I’m surprised he made it this far.