The second-year jump has apparently turned into the third-year jump for receiver Davante Adams and tight end Richard Rodgers.
At least that’s what Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy is left to hope.
It’s talked about every offseason. They mythical jump forward certain players appear to be making. Oftentimes, that offseason jump turns into jack squat when the season rolls around.
It’s slightly different for players entering their second season, however.
After adjusting to the NFL game during their rookie campaigns, players are expected to kick it up a notch in their second season. Those who don’t usually find themselves out of the league shortly thereafter.
And that brings us back to Adams and Rodgers, both of whom were massive disappointments in their second season.
The Packers raved about Adams all offseason and then he somehow went out and got worse during his sophomore campaign. Adams caught 50 balls for 483 yards and one touchdown. While doing so, he became most noteworthy for dropping passes and not being able to gain separation or make plays.
Rodgers didn’t get worse statistically. He ended up blowing away his rookie numbers, as is the case with almost every tight end in history. However, his numbers (58 catches, 510 yards, 8.8 per reception) were underwhelming to say the least.
Although sure handed, Rodgers seemed like he couldn’t put any distance between himself and the defense if a paper bag were covering him. And here was a guy being covered by linebackers, who aren’t known for their coverage skills.
But that’s all in the past.
Because unlike most players, these two are special.
They’re skipping the second-year jump altogether and they’re saving their ample talents to make the third-year jump!
“They both had similar years as far as their performance, and it’s that challenge of the second year,” McCarthy said. “You always talk about a guy taking that jump from the first year to the second year, but with that it’s even a bigger challenge when their responsibility is increased,too. Both of those guys have a lot more responsibility, Richard and Davante last year, and so they met tougher challenges and they’ll be better next year for it.”
Are you buying that?
We’re not.
Very few players suddenly become great — or even progress from below average to good — in their third season. Unfortunately for the Packers, they likely now have what they have.
In Rodgers, they have a sure-handed, but slow-footed target who, like Andrew Quarless before him, probably isn’t going to be anything other than just a guy.
Rodgers’ best bet to be successful was if he were paired with a tight end who could stretch the middle of the field. The Packers don’t seem to want to acquire that guy, though.
In Adams, they have an average No. 3 receiver, at best.
In fact, McCarthy admitted that, this week.
“You look at his rookie year, he was drawing the third guy a lot of the time and had a lot of success,” McCarthy said. “Now you get out there and you’re drawing the first or second guy, it’s a different battle.”
Translation: Davante Adams cannot beat the coverage of a No. 1 or 2 NFL cornerback. Thus, he has no chance of being a No. 1 or 2 receiver.
The good news, if you’re a Davante Adams fan — and we know there are still four or five of you out there — is that the return of Jordy Nelson will move Adams back down the depth chart where he belongs, in 2016.
That should allow him to at least best the awful showing he had in 2015.
Unfortunately, the reality is, these look like two more wasted draft picks by the mad genius, Ted Thompson.
Adams was a second-round pick and Rodgers was a third rounder.
When you draft a receiver in the second round, you’re not hoping he turns into a No. 3 who gives you 500 yards a season. You’re hoping he turns into a No. 1 or 2, like second rounders Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson did before him.
Same story with Rodgers. He wasn’t drafted in the third round to be Andrew Quarless. He was drafted there just like the guy he was supposed to make everyone forget, Jermichael Finley.
We can say with almost certainty, neither of these guys are going to live up to their predecessors’ standards.
Oh, but they’re both going to make the third-year jump! We almost forgot!