On Monday Night Football, the Green Bay Packers came from behind to beat the Detroit Lions 23-22. There are several interesting stories to come from the game. The referees, led by Clete Blakeman, grabbed most of the national media attention. But there was one player for the Packers offense that drew our attention. Wide receiver Allen Lazard made the most of his opportunities on Monday night.
Allen Lazard Makes Most of His Snaps
It is highly doubtful that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was expecting much from Allen Lazard on Monday night. But injuries to the Packers wide receiver group pushed Lazard into the spotlight.
The Packers entered the game without the services of their top wide receiver Davante Adams. Adams missed his second consecutive game because of a turf toe injury he suffered in the Packers game against the Philadelphia Eagles. During the game on Monday night, they also lost fellow wide receivers Marques Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison to injuries.
Valdes-Scantling’s injury wasn’t too severe and was able to re-enter the game. The same can’t be said for Allison. He suffered a head/neck injury while trying to make a diving catch early in the third quarter. The injury forced him to leave the game and not return. Prior to the injury, Allison was having a pretty rough game. He once again dropped several key passes at crucial times.
With both players missing time, little-used wide receivers Darrius Shepherd and Lazard were forced into action. It appears that Shepherd wasn’t ready for his opportunity. The former North Dakota State product not only fumbled a punt return, but he also dropped a crucial pass in the fourth quarter. Aaron Rodgers‘ fourth-quarter pass hit Shepherd in the face mask. The pass bounced off his face and into the hands of a Lions defensive back for an interception.
But for Allen Lazard, he was ready for when his name was called upon. When Lazard entered the game in the second half, he proceeded to haul in four passes for 65 yards. One of those catches was a 35-yard touchdown reception from Rodgers.
Productive Collegiate Career
There are a lot of reasons why college players go undrafted. In some cases, the player might have played at a lower level of college or never reached their potential while at a bigger university. For Allen Lazard, neither was the case.
Lazard was a standout wide receiver at Iowa State. He put up some big numbers playing in the Big 12, a power five football conference. During his four year career, playing with some lesser caliber quarterbacks, he hauled in 241 receptions for 3,360 yards with 26 touchdown receptions. He was named All-Big 12 in his junior and senior seasons.
Still, even with the big numbers at Iowa State, Lazard went undrafted. While Lazard has the height NFL scouts covet, 6’5″, many worried about his slow forty yard dash time. He was clocked in the forty-yard dash at 4.55 seconds. That led many to wonder if he would be better off as a move tight end at the next level. But his lack of bulk, 227 lbs, and not having a history as a blocker, it put an end to that talk.
The Journey of an Undrafted Free Agent
After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He didn’t make the Jaguars opening 53 man roster and was signed to their practice squad. The Packers signed him off the Jaguars practice squad in December of 2018.
Lazard had a strong training camp for the Packers this season. But it wasn’t enough to make the Packers 2019 opening day roster. Interesting enough, the Packers went with Shepherd, the same player that struggled in the game that Lazard stood out in, instead of Lazard.
He was signed to the Packers practice squad but was eventually elevated to the 53 man roster in early September. Leading up to the Lions game, Lazard was used primarily on special teams.
Gaining the Confidence of the Quarterback
For a Packers wide receiver, it just isn’t enough to be big and fast. When you play with Aaron Rodgers, a former two time NFL MVP, you have to be at your best. That just isn’t on game day, you have to practice the same way you would play in a game. It appears that Allen Lazard has gained the confidence of his veteran quarterback.
After the game, it was reported that Rodgers lobbied wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted to get Lazard into the game. Giving proof to how much Rodgers believes in Allen Lazard. Gaining Rodgers’ confidence isn’t an easy task. Just ask former Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis about that.
With the backing of his star quarterback and coming off a productive game, Lazard will look to build on that. Realistically, the chances of Lazard becoming a star is remote. But there is a chance that he can be a productive piece in the Packers offense. With the injuries that the Packers are currently dealing with at wide receiver, Lazard will have a chance to show that he is capable of seizing the opportunity.
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