It’s only one OTA practice in late May, and the pads aren’t even on. However, if there was a standout performer for the Green Bay Packers at Wednesday’s practice, it was second-year wide receiver Romeo Doubs.
Practice was cut slightly short due to some incoming rain, but before then, Doubs was a go-to target of Jordan Love’s. His first noteworthy play came on a third and 10 drill with Love buying time as the pocket collapsed. During the scramble-like drill, Doubs found the soft spot down the left sideline between the cornerback and safety, giving Love a wide enough window to drop the ball into for a completion.
“Going into Year 2, I’m playing a lot faster,'” said Doubs after practice. “So I don’t want to say comfortable, because I know being comfortable comes with some sort of complacent area. But just humbly speaking, I’m playing a lot faster.”
Knowing the why translates to playing freely.
“Just understanding the plays more,” Doubs later added. “Not only do I get to understand the play, but why the play is being ran. Everything else just becomes natural and reactionary.”
To end the practice, the Packers ran a two-minute drill, with the situation being that the score was tied. On that drive, Doubs caught four passes, including several quick slants with some yards after the catch and an out route towards the sidelines. The offense ended up within the opponent’s 10-yard line and had a field goal opportunity to win the game with eight seconds left.
Doubs spent time during the offseason working out with Love on several occasions. He is also familiar and has spent time with Steve Calhoun, Love’s long-time quarterback coach. On Wednesday, we saw the early dividends of that time spent together, which to some degree, has helped develop some chemistry between the two. Doubs’ route running ability helped him create space, Love was often looking in his direction, and the timing was precise.
“I’ve been working with Jordan as well this offseason,” Doubs said. “I got with him plenty of times. I met Steve (Calhoun) going into my senior year of college, so I’ve been around him for quite a while.”
Will the time together help develop chemistry?
“I believe so,” said Doubs. “You work with him and know what he likes. But, yes, to answer that question I do believe there is chemistry.”
In part, out of necessity, but also because of Doubs’ ability to run a variety of routes, something Matt LaFleur discussed earlier this offseason, his role is drastically going to expand this season, despite being a fairly inexperienced player himself. With just 529 career snaps and 42 receptions, Doubs is now the most experienced receiver on this Packers team in those regards.
All of this not only means that it’s important for him to make a big leap in his second NFL season from a production standpoint but that he also takes on a leadership role and does his best to help the rookie pass-catchers get up to speed as quickly as they can, so they can begin making an impact sooner than later.
“Just being a better receiver and being there for the rookies,” said Doubs when discussing what he’s focusing on. “Which is the most important part for me as well because I would be wrong doing everything solo, and I know coming in, they (the rookies) might not get the concepts. Or they might not know what the depth of the route is. That’s up to my responsibility to help them out so they can go out there and be a better version of themselves.”
