Q&A with Randall Cobb

Q: What’s the challenge of having a second-year player (Amari Rodgers) and three rookies (Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure) on the receiver depth chart?

A: As we get into the season, the playbook condenses a lot and there’s a wide range of plays that get shrunk down based off of the coverages that we’re going to see vs. the defenses that we’re playing. The playbook will be what it is and it’ll be a lot smaller.

I look forward to those guys having a lot less on their plate during training camp and being able to really dial in on the plan for that week. Every week’s going to be different. Just having all the prep that we have, I think they’re ready to go.

Q: As he enters Year 18, has Aaron Rodgers changed?

A: That man is one of the greatest competitors I’ve ever been around. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing football, if you’re playing cards, he wants to win. It doesn’t matter what it is. He brings that fire every day.

When you go from the preseason to the regular season, the ante ups, you’ve got to put down on the table and really have a laser focus that’s a little different. When we get into certain situations, he expects us to know exactly what we talked about the first week of training camp on any given play. It’s just making sure that we understand what’s before us and where we’re trying to go.

Q: Thinking back to your rookie year in 2011, you had sort of a legendary debut with a couple touchdowns. Leading into that first game, what were you thinking?

A: Yeah, I thought I was getting cut.

Q: No way!

A: I really did. I didn’t know how this worked. I look at it like that every year. You have to have something that drives you. My fear was always getting cut. I’ve always had that fear. You never know in this business.

I’ve seen some crazy things happen. I’ve seen guys get traded right before the season starts. Things happen in this league. You can never take anything for granted.

I remember my rookie year, I had a thigh contusion. I missed a preseason game. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I didn’t know what my role was going to be. I was like, ‘Hey, I’m doing this punt return/kick return thing. I’m going to give my all every time I step on that field when I get an opportunity.’ Because I was only playing eight to 10 plays offensively.

It’s trying to make an impact anyway you can and doing your part and having your 1/11th show up.

Q: So thinking about yourself, what are Watson and Doubs going to be experiencing before opener?

A: I think the biggest thing is understanding that every play matters and you don’t know what play is going to be that play. It could be at any point in the game. Anything can happen. Injuries happen in this league.

You’ve got to train and be prepared like you’re a starter. You’ve got to be prepared and know whatever role that may come up, because I may be thrust into a different position that I haven’t practiced all training camp. So? Don’t nobody care about that.

You’ve got to go out there and you’ve got to compete and you’ve got to know what you’re doing. It’s very important. Those guys know that. That’s been a recurring message throughout training camp and it’s going to be a lot of moving pieces to what we do. Like we said, we talk about potential. Now it’s applying that potential and we’ll see where they take it.

Q: What have you seen from Amari Rodgers and his evolving role in year two?

A: I think you can definitely see a comfort with him. He understands the offense. He understands his role and his role is evolving. He’s lining up in the backfield. He’s taking some handoffs, running punt return. He’s doing some gunner stuff.

It’s a role that’s evolving for him and I think you’re seeing he has a certain ability and they’re trying to find ways to get him the ball and get him on the field.

Q: LeRoy Butler (a new Pro Football Hall of Famer) and Morgan Burnett (who retired as a Packers) spoke to the team. What was that message?

A: I think the recurring message that both of them spoke on was how fast it goes and enjoying every moment of what we do because these are the moments that they look back on, being in the locker room, the team camaraderie, getting together, hanging out, the conversations and banter we have in here, the lunchroom and the cafeteria, the bond that you build and really being present.

That’s what it comes back to is not living in the past, not thinking about the future but being present and being where your feet are, and really appreciating that moment.

Player Bio

Number: 18

Age: 32

Season: 12

College: Kentucky