Linebacker Jayrone Elliott has pretty much been a disappointment to us in his third season. This was supposed to be the year he really came on. The year he finally got an opportunity and really made an impact.
We’ve seen it from Elliott in the past, mostly in the preseason, when he has at times been a one-man wrecking crew. The ascendence didn’t happen like it was supposed to.
Elliott was such a non-factor throughout camp and the preseason, we questioned whether he should have even made the final roster. Interestingly, the Packers gave Elliott a community service award at their annual Welcome Back luncheon on August 31. Final roster cuts took place just two days later.
Coincidentally, Elliott made the roster despite his no-show on the field and I joked that you can’t cut a guy who you just handed a community service award earlier in the week.
Did that really have something to do with Elliott’s presence on the final roster? Let’s go ahead and assume it didn’t, but what I can tell you is Elliott is now officially more valuable to the Packers off the field than he is on it.
The Packers announced that Elliott is their nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award on Wednesday. It’s league award for community service. Elliott has zero chance of winning the award because the league always gives it to a bigger name player and Elliott is a backup. Players who have won the award in recent seasons include Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, former Bears cornerback Charles Tillman and then 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin.
Not superstars, but all guys who have been to a Pro Bowl.
Elliott, of course, is nowhere near a Pro Bowl. He’s played in nine games for the Packers this season and has 13 tackles and no sacks. What’s probably most telling is Elliott has played just 116 snaps in those nine games, so he still isn’t good enough to put on the field that often in the coaches’ estimation. Pro Football Focus has Elliott graded out at 47.8, which obviously is terrible.
BUT!
Look, we don’t expect Elliott to suddenly come on, but maybe he’ll have a momentary flashback. The Seattle Seahawks are coming to town this week. The last time that happened, Elliott almost single-handedly won the game for the Packers.
Elliott had an interception on Seattle’s second-to-last drive that turned into a field goal and a 10-point lead. He then forced a fumble on Seattle’s final drive to essentially end the game.
These two plays right here.
So what do you say, Jayrone? Feel like showing up on the field this week?
