Green Bay Packers rookie cornerback Kevin King certainly staked his claim to a starting role in week 2.
While Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins were stinking up the joint, King was out there playing like a veteran. The rookie didn’t allow a completion during his time on the field. He was covering Julio Jones much of the time.
Interestingly, Shawn noted it during the podcast. King was the only cornerback out there who didn’t look like he was scared. He was a willing tackler and happily took on the best receiver in the league.
Veteran and supposed No. 1 cornerback Davon House noted the same thing this week.
“The guy is going to be good for us. Real good,” veteran cornerback Davon House said. “The one thing I can say, he’s not scared of anyone — as a rookie, too. I remember him talking about how he wanted to be on Julio the whole game. Usually, most players — not just rookies — aren’t saying that.
“So that’s one thing about him, he’s a dog. And he loves to compete.”
If the Packers are smart, they’ll start King this week and put him on Bengals receiver A.J. Green.
Green isn’t quite Julio Jones, but he’s in the same neighborhood. We certainly don’t trust any of the Packers’ other cornerbacks to slow Green down.
Rollins should be benched. We’d say Randall should be benched too, if there were an obvious option to replace him (LaDarius Gunter). House hasn’t been much better than that pair, but perhaps he’ll be decent as the No. 2 guy.
That’s correct. King should be No. 1.
He’ll probably take some lumps, but he’s the only cornerback on the Packers’ roster we’ve seen anything positive from so far.
He definitely isn’t lacking confidence.
“Just because I haven’t done it before at this level,” King said, “doesn’t mean I can’t. I’ve just got to go out there and prove it.”
That’s part of the battle for a cornerback. We’re not sure if Rollins or Randall have any confidence left. You can see it in the tentative way they play.
Perhaps Randall will fare better in the slot in place of Rollins.
Perhaps not.
The only thing we are certain of when it comes to the Packers’ cornerbacks is this. Kevin King needs to be on the field and should be covering the opponent’s No. 1.
I’m liking this kid more and more every day.
The ceiling is very high with this kid. If he becomes a solid contributor during his rookie contract, that will have been a great play by Ted, for a change. First rounders have so far been busts or very late bloomers, once their rookie contracts were up. Yes, King is not a first rounder, but he was our highest pick, at the beginning of the second. Kenny Clark may change the trend by turning it up this year. Of course, SEA’s Vernon Butler was also available at that time. I wonder which guy will accomplish more.
I think he is the real deal. If he isnt afraid of the challenge then why not give it to him? Oh thats right we have a fat meat head for a head coach.
I agree Rebel
This kid is showing great potential – just needs to avoid injury virus..
As pointed out by Mordy – It’s not like they have many options…
Although one game doesn’t mean shit in this league, He did have game compared to what he looked like in the pre-season. Not sure how he improves that quick, but here’s the thing….
He’s the hottest hand you have back there right now. In other words, compared to the rest of those jokers, he can’t do any worse and will probably be better. So, kinda like House said, if you got a dog that’s not afraid of anyone, let the dog eat.
This isn’t that complicated, we drafted him to start, so start him.
He is the only option real option. When these elite receivers see R and R lined up on the other side they are thinking TD on every play. Julio Jones made them look like they have never played football.
They tended to stand miles away from the line, allegedly due to groin injuries. But that yields an easy 5 or 6 yard completion every time. And god forbid the WR dodging the tackle and gaining half the field in a single play.