VIDEO Despite missing much of the pre-season with bruised knees, Randall Cobb came firing out in the season opener showing that the playmaker is ready to make a serious contribution. In his first start for the Green Bay Packers, Cobb scored two touchdowns and created some eye-popping highlights.
Cobb tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, breaking several tackles along the way, and ended the game with 139 return yards and a touchdown. He added another 35 yards receiving, including a 32-yard touchdown reception that highlighted his speed and elusiveness.
ProPlayerInsiders spoke with Cobb during the offseason, and he said his greatest strengths lie, “in the return game. Being able to be a factor and help give us good field position from the return game.”
Cobb said before the game, “I want to give us another threat. I want to put us in better field position. But it’s not just going to be me; it’s going to be the blocking scheme and the guys up front getting their job done. Then it’s me getting my job done.”
That was clearly on display in his record-tying kickoff return. After accelerating from deep in his own end zone, Cobb was hit hard at the 22-yard line and spun around, but he kept his balance and steadied himself with one hand on the ground. He then regained his balance and sprinted behind a wall of blockers the remaining 78 yards to the touchdown.
The Packers team that finished last season with a Super Bowl victory has added another dangerous weapon with Cobb in both the return game and the passing game. It was an exceptional start for the rookie’s first game and he’s going to be a fun player to watch this season.
