-- The hype train rolls on.
Training camp darling and preseason standout Jake Kumerow is slowly but surely becoming a fixture in the Green Bay Packers' offense. He's gone well beyond the realm of simply stacking success -- instead, he's embodied the term itself.
"I just try to do my job when I'm out there," Kumerow said after the Packers' preseason loss to the Ravens in Baltimore Thursday night. "I try to just be efficient for the QB, not waste any time at the line and get running on my route."
It hasn't mattered who has been throwing to Kumerow. Whether it's Aaron Rodgers in practice, or DeShone Kizer and Tim Boyle in an exhibition atmosphere, all he's done is capitalize on his opportunities.
That's why it wouldn't be a stretch to say he may very well be a lock for the team's final 53-man roster, which will be finalized during the last week of August.
But whether or not he's in the Packers' long-term plans isn't something that fazes Kumerow -- nor should it be. He's made it a point to tune out any of the outside commotions he comes across, i.e., any skeptics dismissing his role on the roster.
"I just don't hear it so I don't have to black it out, I guess," Kumerow said. "I try not to read up on much and try no tot hear a lot of the outside noise. I just try to keep my head down and keep driving that train straight and make plays each and every day."
The Packers first brought Kumerow aboard their practice squad in December 2017, inking him to a reserve/future contract a week later. He stuck around for the 2018 campaign, but after a promising preseason, opened the year on injured reserve. He didn't see the field until nearly a year after initially being signed to the team's practice squad.
He scored his first career touchdown three weeks later against the New York Jets. There were limited regular-season reps that the Packers had to base their evaluations off of, but his flashes of reliability further incentivized the decision to re-sign him in March.
Now, Kumerow is in the mix as one of Rodgers' favorite receiving targets. The 27-year-old journeyman has 79 yards on five catches under his belt through two preseason games -- including three catches for 52 yards against the Ravens Thursday night -- and continues to reel in the praise from his colleagues and head coach.
A secret weapon? Hardly. But in an offense featuring the masterful technician that is Davante Adams, the speedy downfield threat of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the sure-handed Geronimo Allison, Kumerow has quite the supporting cast to gather intel from.
"Having a couple of years under my belt now, the experience of being out there, it definitely helps. We got a bunch of good guys on offense that play right beside me, so that helps having your buddies next to you that you can trust and count on."
A month ago, it seemed like Kumerow was battling for a spot at the bottom of the Packers' depth chart with either one of J'Mon Moore, Trevor Davis or whoever else you may prefer. While each receiver offers different assets both offensively and on special teams, Kumerow has certainly leapfrogged the bunch by now.
https://www.cheeseheadtv.com/blog/kumerow-leapfrogging-the-rest-of-the-packers-wr-competition-427
2019-08-16 09:01:42Z
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