|
Packers: Aaron Rodgers might just have to live with Romeo Doubs and his drops. The rookie receiver makes too many other plays. He did so again Friday night against the Saints with three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown. His other two targets, however, were drops -- including a deep ball on the opening drive in which he appeared to get turned out or misplayed.
Rodgers expressed his frustration with the young receivers, although he lumped them into a group and didn't mention anyone by name. But Doubs, a fourth-round pick, also had two drops and a touchdown in last week's preseason opener at the 49ers.
In all, the Packers had four drops by first- or second-year receivers (the two by Doubs, one by Samori Toure on a well-placed deep ball and one by Amari Rodgers down the seam). Several drops would have been explosive plays, hurting Jordan Love's numbers (12-of-24 for 113 yards and one touchdown), but at least they didn't turn into interceptions like they did last week.
"It's not going to be perfect," coach Matt LaFleur said about Doubs. "There's going to be some lessons along the way. He's a guy that is pretty resilient. He doesn't get fazed by a negative play. He just keeps on playing. That's what excites you about him. You see a guy with really good feet. He's gotten really good in his transition. He's got a burst. He's been able to separate, which is something that's tough to coach. Guys can either do it or they can't. There's stuff to clean up, for certain, but he's a guy that we are excited about it."
Doubs makes plays that not every receiver on the Packers' roster can make. He perfectly timed a 4-yard fade for a touchdown catch, outjumping Saints safety Brian Allen. He caught a 17-yard deep out and had another 17-yarder wiped out by a penalty. At this point, Doubs is probably the Packers' fourth receiver behind Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins -- none of whom have played in preseason games. -- Rob Demovsky
|