NFL teams
Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Randall Cobb says role won't change much with Jordy Nelson out

NFL, Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Randall Cobb is the Green Bay Packers' new No. 1 receiver, but he says he's not going to let that go to his head -- and he's not talking about his ego.

He's talking about his psyche.

Cobb admitted he tried too hard early last season to make things happen early in order to prove he was worth a big-money contract, and he said he believes it contributed to his slow start. Once he realized it, Cobb said he put it out of his mind and started to produce. After the season, the contract came, in the form of a four-year, $40 million deal.

It's a lesson he believes he can apply to this year, now that the Packers' leading receiver, Jordy Nelson, has been lost for the season with a torn ACL. Cobb will be expected to step into the role as Aaron Rodgers' go-to receiver, but don't expect that to be a mental hurdle for him.

"I don't think that is an issue," Cobb said Tuesday. "I pressed last year in the beginning of the season, and I'm not going to do that again. There's no need for that. Aaron's going to do his job, he's going to get us the ball. It's my job when I get those opportunities to make things happen."

Cobb caught 91 passes for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. But three weeks into the season, he had only 14 receptions for 126 yards. Cobb's role might not change significantly. While Nelson played mostly on the outside, Cobb typically has been a slot receiver in the Packers' three-wide set. At 5-foot-10, he's better suited to play inside.

"If we're in a three-receiver set, most likely I'll be inside," he said. "If we're in a two-receiver set, I'll obviously be outside. It just depends on what we do. We'll move around. We planned on moving around this year, so I don't think our plan changes. It's just finding that guy that's going to be able to plug in and be able to fit into what we're trying to accomplish."

The bigger issue will be finding players to complement Cobb. In practice on Tuesday, the Packers opened in a three-receiver set that featured second-year Davante Adams and rookie third-round pick Ty Montgomery on the outside with Cobb in the slot. Montgomery also can play in the slot. Second-year pro Jeff Janis, the likely No. 4 receiver, has only played outside.

"We're a couple of weeks out from the season opener now, and we need to know who we can count on," Cobb said. "Who are the guys that are going to step up and make those plays for us in those critical times during the season? We have to find that out. There's not a lot of time. Obviously, me and Davante are going to do everything we can. I think we have the ability between me and him to lead this group, and we're looking forward to the opportunity."

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