One reason is that Nelson lost his legs in 2017 and averaged a pedestrian 2.30 yards after the catch. “I don’t know why you’d cut Jordy and bring in Dez,” Rodgers told reporters. Rodgers was asked Tuesday about Green Bay potentially signing Bryant. The Packers could use another veteran receiver and have been linked to former Dallas standout Dez Bryant in recent weeks. But Nelson fell off the grid in 2017 when he had 53 receptions and six touchdowns and averaged a career-low 9.1 yards per catch. Nelson played 10 years with Rodgers and finishes third in franchise history in receptions (550), fifth in receiving yards (7,848) and second in touchdowns (69). There will never be another quite like white lightning.” Definitely a sad day and the toughest part of this business. From living in GB full time, his incredible contributions to the city, state, and region, to his consistent, reliable play on the field. No teammate exemplified what it means to be a Packer quite like him. He took to social media and wrote: “Hard to find the right words today to express what 87 means to me. Rodgers was saddened after the Packers released Nelson in March. At some time I’m sure it will be addressed, but for the time being, the guys we have here are the guys who have to hold up their end of the bargain.” “Sometimes I’m sure it doesn’t work out the way in which (the front office wants), and obviously they only get so many picks and only have so much cap money to spend. “You can look a couple years ago when we had Mike Neal and Julius (Peppers) here, Datone (Jones) as well. “You look around the league, a lot of times they’re rotating in pass rushers,” Matthews told reporters. Instead he seems to be focusing on becoming a key special teams contributor.Despite a glaring lack of depth behind Matthews and Perry, the only outside linebacker Gutekunst selected was Kendall Donnerson of Southeast Missouri State in the seventh round. It is unlikely that Ripkowski would not have learned from that scenario. That’s the kind of mishap fans won’t soon forget, but players mature and learn from mistakes. During that miserable 44-21 loss against Atlanta in the NFC Championship last season, Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins stripped Ripkowski of the ball and recovered the fumble in the Falcons’ end zone. This is not to say he’s never slipped up. Just as importantly, much like his predecessors, he’s grown into the guy that epitomizes the Green Bay Packers. Ripkowski gives the offense an advantage the team needs, that edge, or the much needed upper hand. In terms of per play effectiveness, the Ripkowski, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Jeff Janis line has done exceedingly well to date. Hopefully Ripkowski will continue to provide consistency in the backfield this season, too. But while the fullback typically fills that blocking role, as opposed to a rushing or receiving one, Ripkowski has become known for his ability to not only carry the ball, but to continue for extra yards after contact. With Kuhn’s exit from the team, Ripkowski found a way to fill the veteran’s shoes. The Packers picked him up in the sixth round of the 2015 draft. Back then, he was a very efficient run blocker in one of the most effective offensive formations in the Big 12 in recent time, the Sooners “Belldozer” formation. Ripkowski impressed the scouts playing fullback for the Oklahoma Sooners. Hitting the opponent over and over and over again is a fullback’s bread and butter. Today, though, the fullback position is all about blocking. Using a fullback, as opposed to tight ends, means being able to make runs to either side of the line. Aaron Ripkowski: Continuing the Green Bay Packers Fullback Legacy Fullback Position, Aaron Ripkowski Style Presumably Ripkowski will be on the Packer roster again this season. More recently it was John Kuhn who served as Aaron Rodgers personal bodyguard for nine seasons before passing the torch to Ripkowski. Coach Mike McCarthy has made a point of keeping at least one (preferably two) fullback on the Packers’ roster. As a matter of fact, having a fullback that represents the heart of the team has become their “thing.” Historically, it’s been the likes of Ted Fritsch, Clark Hinkle, Jim Taylor, John Brockington, and William Henderson. The Green Bay Packers, though, love their fullbacks and stick them up on their very own pedestal. Gone are the days when every team had at least one of them to line up in an I-formation. Fewer and fewer NFL franchises actually employ a fullback. Perhaps it’s because he’s a dying breed, or rather, he’s playing a dying position.
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