Receiver Jeff Janis was a surprise scratch from Wednesday’s practice because of a thigh injury. He was back on Thursday and that’s when we found out he suffered a thigh bruise while returning a kickoff against the Giants.
Janis, who finished that game despite the injury, is expected to be available and ready for the Cowboys this week. That’s good news for the Green Bay Packers.
Janis turned in arguably his best special teams performance of the season last week. He had two big special teams stops and averaged 25.7 on three kickoff returns, with a long of 33. That was really the first time this season Janis has looked like the special teams ace he was in 2015. There’s a guy playing well at the right time.
For a change, Janis may actually see an expansive role somewhere other than on special teams this week. With Jordy Nelson likely sidelined, Janis will surely get an increased dose of offensive snaps. He played 16 last week, which is the most he’s played since back in week 9.
Interestingly, Janis’ offensive snaps have increased each of the past three weeks. In week 15, he played just one offensive snap, but then played seven, 12 and 16 through the last three games. The increase should continue this week.
And while Janis has clearly been surpassed on the depth chart by rookie Geronimo Allison, the Packers could do worse than trying to get the speedster the ball against Dallas. We all remember what happened last year in Arizona.
Maybe Jeff Janis only bothers to show up for playoff games. Maybe the Packers should test that theory out.
Keep in mind, 101 of Jeff Janis’s receiving yards came on just two plays, way deep down field, which is all he’s good for. As far as running routes, the slot or the slant, Janis really isn’t capable of doing much. Much as I love Janis, there’s a reason Aaron Rodgers just doesn’t trust him. If we’re lucky maybe he’ll have an exceptional day.
Ya, receivers who catch the ball “way deep down field” really don’t add much to a team’s passing
attack. What you want are those short five yard catches; they really scare the defenses.
There are people, higher up than Rodgers, deciding what Nelson’s role on this team will be.
I don’t know how many different reports need to come out of Green Bay from various sources, that convey that Janis just doesn’t get it, enough to be featured. That fans may actually think….hey, maybe all those coaches who decide, are right. Seeing as they coach and watch him almost everyday.
Because regardless of how good that might be, it’s utterly predictable, and every time the Packers have tried to randomly throw in the deep ball to Janis, it has never worked because defenses know to simply keep him from being able to go deep. You need someone who can’t be so easily predictable, why is that such an insufferable opinion to have?
Janis has been wide open a half dozen times on deep routes where ARodge missed the throw by 3 yards or didn’t throw it at all. Rodgers isn’t going to miss him this season the way he’s playing. I look for Janis to make at least one big play as a WR on Sunday and maybe more.
You play to his strengths and look what happened he produced a record effort 7 grabs 145 yds 2 scores.
I believe that Janis is truly a gifted athlete, but for some reason his natural gifts have not fully materialized. When he does get the ball in his hands he has potential for good things. I trust that this will happen for him when we need him.
While re-watching several games this season, I’ve noticed more than a few instances where Janis was coming/had come open, but AR was locked onto Jordy and went to the guy he knew and trusted. Let’s hope that with Jordy sidelined, Janis can get open deep and that he and AR have resolved their trust issues.
Janis’ day will come. I refuse to give up on this guy because there’s just too much raw talent and speed there. One of these days he’ll start lighting people up. Sunday would be a good day to start.
Reminds me of the bears and cutler.
Except millions of dollars cheaper and not nearly as big of an embarrassment if proving unsuccessful.
I’m afraid without Nelson, this offense is going to regress significantly. If any defensive coordinator looked at the film, historically he’s the guy they game plan for, he’s the guy lately who has dominated.
If he’s not on the field, I see a return to a mediocre offense.
Like the second half last week. Got it.
Giants didn’t game plan for just Cobb and Adams. Remember when defenses pulled up a safety, took away all the short routes and Rodgers was afraid to throw it? They stopped doing that as Nelson got healthy. They will go right back to it.