On Thursday, April 3rd, the Green Bay Packers made a wise decision and signed John Kuhn to a one-year deal worth just over $1 million. Critics of the Packers and skeptical cheeseheads alike were quick to criticize the move, arguing that Kuhn is well past his prime and overrated. Many however, were quick to defend Kuhn and his inclusion on the 2014 team and they are right to do so, but not simply because he is a fan favorite and definitely not for his rushing stats. Kuhn is in fact one of the most complete and knowledgeable blocking fullbacks in the league and the fact that Green Bay was able to re-sign him to a contract worth less than his 2013 salary is amazing value.
There is no question that John Kuhn has not posted fantastic stats in terms of rushing, receiving and touchdowns during his time in the league. However, looking at his other stats, particularly both pass and run blocking are where John Kuhn earns his paycheque. Looking at his rushing stats he really is nothing special. In his career, Kuhn has 12 touchdowns on 165 carries, for 506 yards which unfortunately amounts to 3.1 yards per carry. His receiving yards are not particularly impressive either. In fact, yardage is close, with just 493 yards. He has 72 receptions with a 6.8 yard average and eight total career receiving touchdowns. So yes, if people want to evaluate John Kuhn based purely on his rushing and receiving stats, he’s subpar at best. But as I said, blocking is his business and business is good.
Aaron Rodgers called John Kuhn an unsung hero on one of 2013’s most essential plays for the Packers. Remember that game the Packers had to win, against the Bears in order to secure for themselves a playoff spot? The Packers’ field general credits that game and NFC North winning touchdown at least in part to Kuhn who got a great block on Julius Peppers to give Rodgers an extra fraction of a second with the ball to hit Randall Cobb in the end zone. Was it just Kuhn on the play? No. But it is a well-documented example of the type of play Kuhn makes dozens of times per season. As with the exploits of many fullbacks in the league, he isn’t carrying out the flashiest plays on the field so it is rare that he is drooled upon by the media.
If I may defer to some expert for a moment, John Kuhn received some favorable ratings this year from Profootballfocus.com. Who are they though? You might ask. They’re only a group of experts who analyze not every game or every series, but every single down played in NFL football year in and year out. With regards to the Packers, these expert/fanatics rated John Kuhn as number eight, league wide in terms of pass blocking efficiency. Pass blocking efficiency measures how many times a quarterback is pressured, hurried or sacked in comparison with how often a given running back has to perform pass coverage. Fun fact, Eddie Lacy was number three on that same list. Continuing to examine the praise given to John Kuhn by these football crazed individuals at PFF, he was given the spot of second best overall blocking fullback for 2013.
But enough about what John Kuhn has done for the Packers, I’ll move on to what he can do for the Packers in 2014. Eddie Lacy and James Starks are more than likely going to be the primary running back duo again for the Packers this season. Rightfully so! They amounted to an amazing one-two combo for Mike McCarthy last year and they’re both talented, young backs who functioned well with Kuhn running in front of them.
Finally, did anybody catch what coach McCarthy said the other day about his plans for the Packers’ offense? He said he wanted to continue their passing dominance but also wanted to steer the offense to a state of being more balanced. In the case of Green Bay’s offense, balance means more run plays. If there is going to be a greater focus this year on rushing in conjunction with the pass game, it makes absolute perfect sense to keep a knowledgeable, reliable blocking machine around to open up holes for Lacy and Starks and keep the pass rush off of Rodgers. At a shade over $1 million (significantly less than his earnings last year), John Kuhn is a great investment who will help the Packers’ offense thrive in 2014.
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