Outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott was one of those guys who tore it up during the preseason for the Green Bay Packers last year.
As an undrafted free agent, Elliott racked up five sacks in the span of three preseason games. That got him a roster spot, but not much else. Elliott played in 13 games for the Packers as a rookie, but the large majority of that time was spent on special teams.
In 13 games, Elliott accumulated 14 tackles.
Not particularly noteworthy, but Elliott has goals, you see.
Very, very specific goals.
“Pro Bowl for special teams,” Elliott said. “I don’t want to set (my goal) too high, but you’ve got to set a goal. I see guys like (former special teams Pro Bowler) Eric Weems from Atlanta, disruptive on film. I feel like I can do the same things he does.”
Well, that’s somewhere between make the roster and lock down a starting spot.
The Packers have plenty of outside linebackers that range from game-changing (Julius Peppers) to good at one thing (Nick Perry, Mike Neal) to non-factor (Nate Palmer, Andy Mulumba). There’s also Clay Matthews, who we all know would LOVE to move back to outside linebacker from the inside linebacker position he occupied so well last season.
In other words, Elliott probably doesn’t have a chance to start anyway and he’s certainly no lock to make the roster either.
The Packers have been harping on special teams all offseason. There’s obviously a renewed focus there. They also dropped their best special teams player in Jarrett Bush, so there’s definitely a void to fill.
So carve out a niche for yourself, son!
Frankly, we’d be surprised if Elliott accomplished his stated goal. We’ll be pulling for him to make the team though because we’d love to see him get some action as a situational pass rusher on defense.
3 Comments
I’m a lil tired of all the off season talk. Because that’s all it is, is talk. Shit like this guy looked like a beast in camp (before he got injured). Or…My other favorite…This guy had a great showing in pre-season games. (most likely against players that never made an NFL team.
This is why people love the start of the regular season so much, because all the talking is over, and the shit gets real.
Bring on the 2015 season!!
I wouldn’t say it’s odd. I’d call it very realistic. He can’t really say out loud that his goal is to make the team now can he?
I liked what I saw from Elliott, even in his limited regular season snaps. Realistically though, unless he makes a massive leap his second year and bypasses the likes of Mike Neal and Nick Perry, he’s just not going to see that many snaps.
Is this goal of his an admission that he doesn’t think he’s good enough to bypass the names mentioned above? Maybe it is, but unless either one of those or someone even higher up the food chain goes down, being a Pro Bowl special teamer might be the ceiling…for THIS season.
I’d like to see Elliott get some playing time in season. Let’s see what this dude has to bring to the table.