Every year or two, Green Bay Packers fans (like any fan base) find a player they want removed. Someone the team trusts and wants to keep around, but the fans think is a bum. In the circle of Packers fans, there are some recent “hated” players who have stood out. Here are the candidates who have received random hate from fans, and have been deemed the most hated Green Bay Packers Players.
Candidates for the Most Hated Green Bay Packers Players
James Jones, 2009
Wide receiver James Jones got the full brunt of fan vitriol when he dropped six passes in 2009. He was the second or third option on most of the Packers rosters he played on.
The anger ignored that Jones was dealing with several injuries throughout the season. Also, he was second to Donald Driver in drops on the team, and second to Jordy Nelson in drop rate. Jones never really shed his drops label even though he bounced back. In 2012, Jones had 14 touchdowns (second in the NFL). At least he is now remembered for coming back to help the Packers after his short tenure in Oakland Raiders.
Mason Crosby, 2012
In his sixth season, kicker Mason Crosby had a low (63.6%) field goal percentage. It drove fans crazy. There were calls to cut Crosby and draft a new kicker, resulting in anger that persisted for years.
In reality, that year was surrounded by seasons where he had much higher field goal percentages (85.7% and 89.2%). Even with the one terrible season, his career average is 80.4% (essentially the same as Sebastian Janikowski).
Further making the hate random is the fact by removing the 2012 season, his average is raised toward 82.2%. The other aspect of these raw numbers was the fact that Crosby kicked mostly long field goals. The Packers were so good in the red zone that year, Crosby attempted no field goals less than 20 yards. He was ten for 12 inside 40 yards (83.3%) and 19 for 24 inside 50 (79.2%). It was the two for nine from beyond 50 yards that did him in. Only Blair Walsh and Greg Zuerlien had more 50 yard attempts that year.
Mason Crosby finally got a little love after kicking a 51 yard game winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys in 2016.
Davante Adams, 2015
Davante Adams got Packers fans excited with a 38 catch 446 yard rookie season. However, he drew the ire of Packers fans for dropping too many passes. Adams had six drops, but the 6.4% drop rate was better than Amari Cooper and Mike Evans. Adams increased his catches to 50 in the 2015 campaign, but his touchdowns dropped from three to one.
There were plenty of calls to cut Adams. There is even a twitter account dedicated to how much Adams needs to go (@dontthrowto17). Understandably, it has not posted anything since 2015.
In 2016, Adams had a very good season. He had 75 catches (28th in NFL) for 997 yards (25th in the NFL) and 12 touchdowns (second in the NFL). There are still arguments that he drops too many passes. The 2015 season was very much like the 2009 season of James Jones; Adams had to play through ankle injuries which he received no credit for.
Damarious Randall, 2016
Well, this one has not resolved yet. Damarious Randall has had a bounce back camp, but his story is not yet finished. Randall is another player who got hurt while fans assumed he just got awful. Randall was only able to start nine and play ten games in 2016. Yet, this one is really weird because he still managed three interceptions and 33 tackles. That is just 20 less tackles, but a much smaller drop in tackles per game (3.5 to 3.3).
Candidates for Next Hated Player
This would have to be someone that was loved or liked and then had a drop off. So, here are some recently successful people who might have decreases. The issue tends to be an unpredictable injury.
Jason Spriggs
This one might be showing itself already. Last year Jason Spriggs got plenty of playing time as he stepped in for injured linemen. He got lots of time stepping in for T.J. Lang. Head coach Mike McCarthy had to fend off questions about Spriggs starting at tackle this year. Spriggs has struggled some in the preseason in his pass blocking. He has been back at his natural tackle position. Most likely, he will figure things out again with more repetitions. Moving him around might have something to do with this.
Dean Lowry
This one might be an injury issue. Dean Lowry had two sacks last year as a second tier rotational lineman. Lowry was looking very good in camp and had some success in preseason action. Then, Lowry had a knee injury. Thankfully it was not found to be a serious injury, but if it slows him down at all it could affect his pass rush.
Jake Ryan
Jake Ryan has been a very solid tackler and has good instincts, but he is not the fastest. He lacks the electric, play making ability of other linebackers. He has been gaining more and more time and is now the clear leader of this inside linebacker corps. Blake Martinez is coming off an injury-plagued season and might surpass Ryan. Also, Joe Thomas is the best pass coverage linebacker. Ryan’s difficulties in covering running backs and tight ends might cause him to step back in the group.
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