M
Mark Eckel
Guest
By BOB McGINN
This is the eighth of a nine-part series in which the 67 players on the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster and reserve/injured list at the end of the season are graded. Playing-time percentages are from offense and defense only.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (15)
KENTRELL BRICE (27.4%): When healthy, he was the No. 3 safety ahead of Josh Jones. Groin and ankle injuries, however, cost him 10 games. Played more middle-of-the-field safety than as a rookie and struggled with route recognition and attacking the ball. Probably a better athlete than player after two seasons. Despite his speed (4.43). still has problems matching up with wide receivers and faster tight ends. Explosive, violent hitter exhibits some concentration lapses. Missed six tackles, twice as many as last year. Game hasn’t slowed down for him. Athletic gifts and striking ability give him a chance to play at a higher level. Led safeties with passes defensed per snap with one every 72.3. Grade: D-plus.
DONATELLO BROWN (0.1%): Green as grass but probably should have played some late in the season given as bad as the team was at cornerback. Undrafted rookie from Valdosta State (Ga.) spent the first seven weeks on the practice squad and the last 10 on the 53. Showed a play-making knack in the second half of training camp. Started college late, will be 26 in May. Nice size (5-11 ½, 190), adequate speed (4.50) and prefers press coverage. Grade: Incomplete.
MORGAN BURNETT (69%): Veteran approaching ninth season seeking a rare third contract from the Packers. Hamstring and groin injuries cost him four full games and portions of two others. Injuries have increasingly cropped up in the last few years. Runs the show from the back end. Understated leader. Unselfish, team player. Demonstrated tremendous versatility in 2017, easily playing more snaps as a nickel back in the slot and as a full-fledged ILB than he did as a strong safety. Shouldn’t be able to hold up covering down inside but did. Declining athlete has distinct problems in space. Better against tight ends than wide receivers. Lacks ideal range as an over-the-top safety but maximizes the range he has left. Probably not as physical in the box as he once was but more than willing to stick his nose in there. Missed just three tackles, a career low and representative of vast improvement from 2013 (17 misses) and 2014 (14). Had worst season as a blitzer with just one pressure every 16.7 blitzes. Grade: B-minus.
HA HA CLINTON-DIX (99.2%): Completely fell apart in his fourth season. Other than showing up to practice every day and playing every game, his contributions were minimal. Appallingly bad for much of the second half, especially the finale in Detroit when he just went through the motions. Probably just isn’t that good of a player. Straight-line athlete with average change of direction and agility. Lacks the speed to match with top wide receivers deep and the quickness to cover from the slot. Blew way too many assignments for someone with more than 3,500 career snaps. Couldn’t handle the responsibility of wearing the helmet headset and communicating the call to teammates in Game 7. Little or no urgency as a tackler. Second on the team in missed tackles with 13, 10 more than a year ago. Ranked merely fifth among the six safeties in tackles per snap (one every 12.2). Seems almost delusional regarding his value and role on the team. He’ll get one more season to prove worthy of receiving another contract. Grade: D.
MARWIN EVANS (13.9%): If he wasn’t the top player on special teams he certainly ranked among the top three or four. Registered 14 tackles, eight more anyone else. Played substantially from scrimmage for an injured Morgan Burnett at mid-year, failed to impress and got just eight snaps in the last six games. Late reactor. Speed (4.48) and athletic ability are good but he has to get with the speed of the game. Jarring, tenacious tackler. Grade: D-plus.
DEMETRI GOODSON (0.0%): Never played a down, leaving him with just 219 snaps from scrimmage in four-year career as a sixth-round draft choice. Returned Dec. 6 from reconstructive knee surgery in November 2016. At some point Goodson must have pulled a hamstring in practice because after two games on the 53 he was placed on injured reserve. Performed competently in two of his three starts in mid-2016 before his career was dead-ended by knee surgery. Will be an unrestricted free agent. Grade: Incomplete.
JOSH HAWKINS (38.5%): Played 30 or more snaps in six games, more than enough exposure to know if he can play or not. Based on talent alone, he should be able to. He can run (4.39). He has the skill and technique to play press. He’s not afraid. One admires his feistiness. He gives effort. His low level of performance, then, doesn’t quite compute. He allowed more touchdown passes (four) than anyone on the roster. Part of the problem is he’s small (5-10 ½, 189). He also doesn’t appear to think well on his feet (his score on the Wonderlic intelligence test was 7). He plays the ball OK. Hawkins is an underachiever. Not yet 25, he’s worth one more chance. Grade: D.
DAVON HOUSE (62.4%): House’s return to his original team began going south when he suffered a hamstring injury Aug. 5 that cost him all but three snaps of the exhibition season. Later would come the thigh, shoulder and back injuries that, in effect, prevented him from being in form all season. Still, at 28, no team would count on House again. Despite playing less than two-thirds of the snaps he allowed 5 ½ plays of 20 yards or more and three TD passes. House has lost considerable speed over his seven seasons. He’s a big press corner who has lost his legs, at least this season, and it’s anyone’s guess if he could ever get them back. At times he came across as almost too casual at the top of routes and at the ball. Among the six CBs, he ranked fifth in passes defensed per snap (one every 73.2) and sixth in tackles per snap (one every 13.5). The Packers need to rebuild this position and re-signing House, who is a good team guy, shouldn’t be part of the equation. Grade: D.
JOSH JONES (69.6%): The Packers asked Jones to play deep safety, in-the-box safety, inside linebacker and dime plus a heavy load of special teams. He short-circuited, due in part to assignment overload, and turned in an abysmal rookie season. Time after time he was out of position because he couldn’t or wouldn’t follow directions. Probably the majority of his team-high total of nine plays allowed of 20 yards or more were the result of missed assignments. He screwed up constantly, repeatedly undermining the defense. On special teams, Jones was so unreliable that he was benched not long after drawing an unprecedented three penalties against New Orleans. Just 31 of his 155 snaps on special teams came after the Saints debacle. Jones has physical traits or the Packers wouldn’t have drafted him in the second round. He’s big (6-1 ½, 220) and fast (4.40), and he loves to hit. Jones is an impulsive player who wants to run through everything that he sees. He missed seven tackles. His speed, however, is straight-line speed. At this point he can’t drop his hips, change direction and actually cover someone. He’s deficient in space. Maybe he could play in the box and cover a predetermined man without having to process things. At this stage, he’s wholly undependable. Grade: F.
KEVIN KING (36.2%): Drafted as damaged goods atop the second round. Reported for rookie orientation with a left shoulder problem and eventually had labrum surgery Dec. 12. Despite playing one-armed in his nine games King looked like the team’s best corner. Allowed 6 ½ plays of 20 yards or more and a pair of TDs. Flashed feet, burst and change of direction. Went after receivers across the middle and showed toughness coming up to tackle. Labors just a little coming out of his backpedal, which is the downside playing the position at 6-3. If his second surgery really is a panacea for the shoulder, King should use that height to win 50-50 balls and defend passes. His future is tied to the medical. Grade: C-minus.
LENZY PIPKINS (11.6%): Played the second half of a game at Louisiana State in 2013 after suffering a broken forearm in the first half. That type of resolve was noticeable during a rookie season in which he played 98 of his 122 snaps in two games (Minnesota on Oct. 15, Detroit on Dec. 31). Played with tremendous heart as an undrafted rookie from Oklahoma State (and Louisiana-Monroe before that). Has the temperament, size (6-0, 200) and speed (4.46) to play press. Demonstrative, fiery player given to on-field antics at times. Should be well above Hawkins on the pecking order for 2018. Grade: D.
DAMARIOUS RANDALL (68.3%): Bounced back from a terrible season and poor first month to perform respectably. Moves easily from outside to the slot. Used terrific ball skills for a team-high four interceptions; finished second to Kevin King among CBs in passes defensed per snap (one every 55.5). Led DBs in tackles for loss (five). His five turnover-producing plays led the team. Missed nine tackles, third highest on the team and the same number as last season. Has the speed, feet and nerve to challenge and/or match top receivers. Just can’t rely on him. Takes himself out of games at the slightest indication of injury, and sat out Games 15-16 after being listed as questionable (knee). Banished to the locker room by Mike McCarthy in the first Bears game after his response to a halftime benching. High-strung, emotional player seems more wrapped up with himself than the team. Allowed six plays of 20 yards or more and 3 ½ TD passes. Was beat several times because he wasn’t violent at the ball. Wildly inconsistent tackler. Grade: C-plus.
QUINTEN ROLLINS (13.2%): Third season ended in Game 6 with a torn Achilles’ tendon. He’s just too slow to play outside. Might have been finding a home in the slot when injured. Was the most successful pressure player off the edge among the corners. Willing to strike a blow but doesn’t break down well and missed a career-high eight tackles. Second-round draft choice was struggling to overcome his speed shortcomings even before the injury. Even with a speedy, complication-free recovery, Rollins might have played his last regular-season down. Grade: D-minus.
HERB WATERS (0.0%): Was opening some eyes in the spring when he suffered a shoulder injury that ended his season. Projected to make the team and possibly a significant contribution. Shifted from WR to CB upon being cut in September 2016 and seemed to be a natural on defense. Has adequate size (5-11 ½, 188) and speed (4.50) to go with a 38 ½-inch vertical jump. Mystery man deserves a long look in 2018. Grade: Incomplete.
JERMAINE WHITEHEAD (11.6%): One of many free agents promoted from the practice squad during the Ted Thompson years. Injuries thinned the depth in the secondary and Whitehead actually served as the dime back for the last five games. Has been hard to coach dating to his years at Auburn (2011-’14). Little bit of a tweener, Not really fast enough (4.53) for corner and not really big enough (5-11, 195) for safety. Primary attribute might be intelligence (Wonderlic of 27). Marginal in coverage. Worth bringing to camp. Grade: D.
The post Final Grades: Defensive Backs appeared first on Bob McGinn Football.
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This is the eighth of a nine-part series in which the 67 players on the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster and reserve/injured list at the end of the season are graded. Playing-time percentages are from offense and defense only.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (15)
KENTRELL BRICE (27.4%): When healthy, he was the No. 3 safety ahead of Josh Jones. Groin and ankle injuries, however, cost him 10 games. Played more middle-of-the-field safety than as a rookie and struggled with route recognition and attacking the ball. Probably a better athlete than player after two seasons. Despite his speed (4.43). still has problems matching up with wide receivers and faster tight ends. Explosive, violent hitter exhibits some concentration lapses. Missed six tackles, twice as many as last year. Game hasn’t slowed down for him. Athletic gifts and striking ability give him a chance to play at a higher level. Led safeties with passes defensed per snap with one every 72.3. Grade: D-plus.
DONATELLO BROWN (0.1%): Green as grass but probably should have played some late in the season given as bad as the team was at cornerback. Undrafted rookie from Valdosta State (Ga.) spent the first seven weeks on the practice squad and the last 10 on the 53. Showed a play-making knack in the second half of training camp. Started college late, will be 26 in May. Nice size (5-11 ½, 190), adequate speed (4.50) and prefers press coverage. Grade: Incomplete.
MORGAN BURNETT (69%): Veteran approaching ninth season seeking a rare third contract from the Packers. Hamstring and groin injuries cost him four full games and portions of two others. Injuries have increasingly cropped up in the last few years. Runs the show from the back end. Understated leader. Unselfish, team player. Demonstrated tremendous versatility in 2017, easily playing more snaps as a nickel back in the slot and as a full-fledged ILB than he did as a strong safety. Shouldn’t be able to hold up covering down inside but did. Declining athlete has distinct problems in space. Better against tight ends than wide receivers. Lacks ideal range as an over-the-top safety but maximizes the range he has left. Probably not as physical in the box as he once was but more than willing to stick his nose in there. Missed just three tackles, a career low and representative of vast improvement from 2013 (17 misses) and 2014 (14). Had worst season as a blitzer with just one pressure every 16.7 blitzes. Grade: B-minus.
HA HA CLINTON-DIX (99.2%): Completely fell apart in his fourth season. Other than showing up to practice every day and playing every game, his contributions were minimal. Appallingly bad for much of the second half, especially the finale in Detroit when he just went through the motions. Probably just isn’t that good of a player. Straight-line athlete with average change of direction and agility. Lacks the speed to match with top wide receivers deep and the quickness to cover from the slot. Blew way too many assignments for someone with more than 3,500 career snaps. Couldn’t handle the responsibility of wearing the helmet headset and communicating the call to teammates in Game 7. Little or no urgency as a tackler. Second on the team in missed tackles with 13, 10 more than a year ago. Ranked merely fifth among the six safeties in tackles per snap (one every 12.2). Seems almost delusional regarding his value and role on the team. He’ll get one more season to prove worthy of receiving another contract. Grade: D.
MARWIN EVANS (13.9%): If he wasn’t the top player on special teams he certainly ranked among the top three or four. Registered 14 tackles, eight more anyone else. Played substantially from scrimmage for an injured Morgan Burnett at mid-year, failed to impress and got just eight snaps in the last six games. Late reactor. Speed (4.48) and athletic ability are good but he has to get with the speed of the game. Jarring, tenacious tackler. Grade: D-plus.
DEMETRI GOODSON (0.0%): Never played a down, leaving him with just 219 snaps from scrimmage in four-year career as a sixth-round draft choice. Returned Dec. 6 from reconstructive knee surgery in November 2016. At some point Goodson must have pulled a hamstring in practice because after two games on the 53 he was placed on injured reserve. Performed competently in two of his three starts in mid-2016 before his career was dead-ended by knee surgery. Will be an unrestricted free agent. Grade: Incomplete.
JOSH HAWKINS (38.5%): Played 30 or more snaps in six games, more than enough exposure to know if he can play or not. Based on talent alone, he should be able to. He can run (4.39). He has the skill and technique to play press. He’s not afraid. One admires his feistiness. He gives effort. His low level of performance, then, doesn’t quite compute. He allowed more touchdown passes (four) than anyone on the roster. Part of the problem is he’s small (5-10 ½, 189). He also doesn’t appear to think well on his feet (his score on the Wonderlic intelligence test was 7). He plays the ball OK. Hawkins is an underachiever. Not yet 25, he’s worth one more chance. Grade: D.
DAVON HOUSE (62.4%): House’s return to his original team began going south when he suffered a hamstring injury Aug. 5 that cost him all but three snaps of the exhibition season. Later would come the thigh, shoulder and back injuries that, in effect, prevented him from being in form all season. Still, at 28, no team would count on House again. Despite playing less than two-thirds of the snaps he allowed 5 ½ plays of 20 yards or more and three TD passes. House has lost considerable speed over his seven seasons. He’s a big press corner who has lost his legs, at least this season, and it’s anyone’s guess if he could ever get them back. At times he came across as almost too casual at the top of routes and at the ball. Among the six CBs, he ranked fifth in passes defensed per snap (one every 73.2) and sixth in tackles per snap (one every 13.5). The Packers need to rebuild this position and re-signing House, who is a good team guy, shouldn’t be part of the equation. Grade: D.
JOSH JONES (69.6%): The Packers asked Jones to play deep safety, in-the-box safety, inside linebacker and dime plus a heavy load of special teams. He short-circuited, due in part to assignment overload, and turned in an abysmal rookie season. Time after time he was out of position because he couldn’t or wouldn’t follow directions. Probably the majority of his team-high total of nine plays allowed of 20 yards or more were the result of missed assignments. He screwed up constantly, repeatedly undermining the defense. On special teams, Jones was so unreliable that he was benched not long after drawing an unprecedented three penalties against New Orleans. Just 31 of his 155 snaps on special teams came after the Saints debacle. Jones has physical traits or the Packers wouldn’t have drafted him in the second round. He’s big (6-1 ½, 220) and fast (4.40), and he loves to hit. Jones is an impulsive player who wants to run through everything that he sees. He missed seven tackles. His speed, however, is straight-line speed. At this point he can’t drop his hips, change direction and actually cover someone. He’s deficient in space. Maybe he could play in the box and cover a predetermined man without having to process things. At this stage, he’s wholly undependable. Grade: F.
KEVIN KING (36.2%): Drafted as damaged goods atop the second round. Reported for rookie orientation with a left shoulder problem and eventually had labrum surgery Dec. 12. Despite playing one-armed in his nine games King looked like the team’s best corner. Allowed 6 ½ plays of 20 yards or more and a pair of TDs. Flashed feet, burst and change of direction. Went after receivers across the middle and showed toughness coming up to tackle. Labors just a little coming out of his backpedal, which is the downside playing the position at 6-3. If his second surgery really is a panacea for the shoulder, King should use that height to win 50-50 balls and defend passes. His future is tied to the medical. Grade: C-minus.
LENZY PIPKINS (11.6%): Played the second half of a game at Louisiana State in 2013 after suffering a broken forearm in the first half. That type of resolve was noticeable during a rookie season in which he played 98 of his 122 snaps in two games (Minnesota on Oct. 15, Detroit on Dec. 31). Played with tremendous heart as an undrafted rookie from Oklahoma State (and Louisiana-Monroe before that). Has the temperament, size (6-0, 200) and speed (4.46) to play press. Demonstrative, fiery player given to on-field antics at times. Should be well above Hawkins on the pecking order for 2018. Grade: D.
DAMARIOUS RANDALL (68.3%): Bounced back from a terrible season and poor first month to perform respectably. Moves easily from outside to the slot. Used terrific ball skills for a team-high four interceptions; finished second to Kevin King among CBs in passes defensed per snap (one every 55.5). Led DBs in tackles for loss (five). His five turnover-producing plays led the team. Missed nine tackles, third highest on the team and the same number as last season. Has the speed, feet and nerve to challenge and/or match top receivers. Just can’t rely on him. Takes himself out of games at the slightest indication of injury, and sat out Games 15-16 after being listed as questionable (knee). Banished to the locker room by Mike McCarthy in the first Bears game after his response to a halftime benching. High-strung, emotional player seems more wrapped up with himself than the team. Allowed six plays of 20 yards or more and 3 ½ TD passes. Was beat several times because he wasn’t violent at the ball. Wildly inconsistent tackler. Grade: C-plus.
QUINTEN ROLLINS (13.2%): Third season ended in Game 6 with a torn Achilles’ tendon. He’s just too slow to play outside. Might have been finding a home in the slot when injured. Was the most successful pressure player off the edge among the corners. Willing to strike a blow but doesn’t break down well and missed a career-high eight tackles. Second-round draft choice was struggling to overcome his speed shortcomings even before the injury. Even with a speedy, complication-free recovery, Rollins might have played his last regular-season down. Grade: D-minus.
HERB WATERS (0.0%): Was opening some eyes in the spring when he suffered a shoulder injury that ended his season. Projected to make the team and possibly a significant contribution. Shifted from WR to CB upon being cut in September 2016 and seemed to be a natural on defense. Has adequate size (5-11 ½, 188) and speed (4.50) to go with a 38 ½-inch vertical jump. Mystery man deserves a long look in 2018. Grade: Incomplete.
JERMAINE WHITEHEAD (11.6%): One of many free agents promoted from the practice squad during the Ted Thompson years. Injuries thinned the depth in the secondary and Whitehead actually served as the dime back for the last five games. Has been hard to coach dating to his years at Auburn (2011-’14). Little bit of a tweener, Not really fast enough (4.53) for corner and not really big enough (5-11, 195) for safety. Primary attribute might be intelligence (Wonderlic of 27). Marginal in coverage. Worth bringing to camp. Grade: D.
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