Green Bay Packers offense will be complete with Davante Adams

By Keegan Matheson | Oct 16, 2015

The Green Bay Packers looked out of sync on offense in week five against the St. Louis Rams. Another stellar performance from the defensive unit salvaged the game without much issue, but despite their 5-0 start, the Green Bay Packers are still looking to strike the proper balance without Jordy Nelson in the lineup.

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Deep strikes have been few and far between for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers without their Pro Bowler. Jeff Janis remains the truest deep threat on the roster, but his limited usage on offense through five weeks has been telling. Instead of striving towards recreating 2014’s attack, Green Bay may be better served by forging a new identity. At least for this season.

The potential return of wide receiver Davante Adams will bring the Packers some much-needed stability in the passing game, and according to Ryan Wood of Press-Gazette Media, the second-year man returned to practice on Wednesday. He’ll need to string some practices together and even then may need to wait one more week, but he’s on the cusp.

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Randall Cobb could be the primary benefactor of Adams’ comeback, as he struggled to create separation against the Rams excellent defense and was held to 23 yards on three receptions. Green Bay will then be able to move Cobb back into the slot more frequently with Adams and James Jones on the outside, something that’s been limited in recent weeks.

This will also bump Richard Rodgers and Ty Montgomery into more complimentary roles, which will suit them more favourably and give them some more opportune matchups. Both have looked impressive through the early stretch of the season, Montgomery especially, who is already flashing a much more complete game than many evaluators had projected.

Perhaps this buys Green Bay enough time to bring along Janis or develop more creative ways to get Cobb downfield, but the short-and-intermediate game could be their calling card. Adams’ absence seems to have left several players in roles that are just narrowly outside of their comfort zones.

This is not a lesser strategy on offense, just a different one. It could become part of a more playoff-ready Packers roster, too, especially if the running game is able to ramp up. Eddie Lacy is a notoriously slow starter, largely because coach Mike McCarthy chooses to protect him for the late-season run, but an ankle injury seems to be further delaying his annual boom.

Green Bay’s defense is also looking formidable and adopting a brand of football that should play better come January. Clay Matthews has made the transition to a majority-role inside linebacker brilliantly while B.J. Raji has powered a rejuvenated defensive line. In the secondary, rookies Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins have made Ted Thompson look like a genius while Sam Shields continues to play some of his finest football.

With Adams back in the fold, whether that comes this week or following the bye, this offense can return to a machine of efficiency. Instead of doing all the work, perhaps Aaron Rodgers can just do most of it, and when Adams finds himself back in the lineup, that job will get much easier.

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