Randall Cobb is a football Renaissance Man. So far, he’s been a jack of all trades at training camp, but the rookie most likely will get his start as a punt returner.
He was recruited as a quarterback before being switched to wide receiver at University of Kentucky; he’s a punt returner, and a self proclaimed football geek.
After Saturday’s Family Night of training camp, Head Coach Mike McCarthy said, “Randall has excellent ball skills. If you had an opportunity just to sit there and watch him catch kickoffs and punts, he’s exceptional. He reminds me a lot of [Packers cornerback] Charles Woodson. It’s very natural to him. It’s effortless; there’s no struggle. He’s been doing it a long time.”
Cobb seems happy to go where Coach Mike McCarthy puts him, “I want to make an impact in any way I can and get us back to the Super Bowl…If that includes receiver, I’m happy to do it.” Cobb’s competition at WR includes veterans Donald Driver, James Jones, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Brett Swain. Green Bay’s depth chart at this position goes deeper than an ocean trench. Donald Driver became a Packer at the 1999 NFL Draft when Cobb, the youngest player on the roster, was 9 years old. Today, Driver is the most productive Packer of the past decade.
After leaving last year’s Super Bowl with a sprained ankle, Driver was in a boot for a full two months. Now, he’s anxious to get back to the game. Frustrated with the shortened practice Saturday due to the weather, Driver said, ““I need the reps. You want to get as many reps as possible, get into the flow of the game, because you know the season’s going to be started. We have to all be on the same page if we want to go back to where we finished last year.”
Cobb is on the same Super Bowl page. He’s willing to do whatever the veterans ask of him, and he is sure to enjoy the ride.
