With first-round cuts Tuesday, Friday’s preseason game against Oakland might have been the last chance for players on the bubble to prove their worth.
This is especially evident in the Green Bay Packers’ deep receiving squad, where young players are learning what they can from the team veterans.
“I think we are doing pretty well,” said Gerrard Sheppard, a first-year Packer. “We are sill learning the system, but at the same time everyone is buying into it. Everyone’s coming down every day and competing.”
Randall Cobb, who has been with the team since 2011, said the new receivers have demonstrated good knowledge of the playbook.
“They all have talent and they all bring something different to this team, so I am just excited to watch them continue to grow,” Cobb said.
Aaron Rodgers said he needs to get more reps in with the young receivers before he feels comfortable using them in a game situation.
“You really have to earn the trust of the coaching staff and me and Mike to see some playing time,” Rodgers said. “For me, that means preparation. If you’re making a lot of mental mistakes out there, it’s going to be hard to trust you with the ball.”
Sheppard, who played his college ball at the University of Connecticut and then Towson, was claimed off waivers from the Ravens in July. He signed with Baltimore as a rookie free agent last year and spent time on the practice squad.
When asked about the Packers’ tradition of not focusing on how players enter the league, Sheppard said he feels it gives players like himself a great chance to prove themselves.
“They just tell you to come out and prepare every day and work hard,” Sheppard said. “You never know where you are going to end up.”
Also fighting for a roster spot is Chris Harper, who was claimed off waivers from San Francisco in October.
Harper played at Kansas State before he was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by Seattle, where he spent time on the practice squad before signing with the 49ers. He said a big part of his philosophy during training camp and the preseason has been to pick up on the techniques of the veterans.
“It’s been good. You get to watch Jordy (Nelson) every day and learn from him,” Harper said.
Myles White, who signed with the Packers as a rookie free agent last year, said the wide receivers are all confident in their abilities, which has created good competition throughout the preseason.
“I am trying to make the most of my opportunities,” White said. “The whole thing just speeds by. It’s a fast train, and either you’re on it or you’re not.”
White played at Northwest Mississippi Community College and Louisiana Tech.
Another familiar face in the mix is Alex Gillett, who was released by the team last year before the start of regular season. Gillett signed as a non-drafted rookie free agent last year out of Eastern Michigan and is a converted quarterback.
“I just try to work hard and make sure I know what I am doing, not to make too many mistakes and be consistent,” Gillett said.
Coach Mike McCarthy said big-play production is going to carry more weight as the team gets closer to making cuts.
One wide receiver who has capitalized on big-play opportunities is Jeff Janis, the 6-foot-3, 219-pound rookie out of Saginaw Valley State.
“I think Jeff Janis has made a play every day he’s been out there,” McCarthy said. “He looks good.”
Janis, who was selected in the seventh round of the draft, outran St. Louis defenders last week for a 34-yard touchdown, showcasing his speed in the open field.
Cobb said Janis has done well in practice and is a different kind of player.
“You look at how big he is, and his speed. I think he is going to get a lot of people who underestimate his speed,” Cobb said.
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