Rob DemovskyESPN , Staff Writer
Geronimo Allison might not play 43 snaps in this Sunday’s NFC North title game against the Detroit Lions, but if the Green Bay Packers need the rookie receiver to do it again, his coach won’t hesitate.
Nor would Mike McCarthy be surprised if Allison has another game like he did last Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings.
With Randall Cobb inactive because of a lingering ankle injury, Allison stepped in as the No. 3 receiver and caught four passes for 66 yards in the most productive game of his rookie season. Only Jordy Nelson (with nine catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns) was targeted more than Allison. Both Allison and Davante Adams (four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown) had seven balls thrown their way.
Before Saturday, Allison had never played more than 19 snaps in an NFL game, and that came way back on Oct. 30 against the Atlanta Falcons in his pro debut after he was promoted from the practice squad.
“We try to preach to our young kids right off the bat that if you’re not playing right away, don’t get frustrated,” Nelson said. “As a guy that came off the practice squad, continued to develop, he’s getting a lot of practice reps and he’s able to make some plays for us. And it’s big.
“Every year, there’s young guys that come down the stretch that make big plays for us. You look two years ago, it was Davante in the playoffs. Randall was that way when he was a rookie. It’s one of those things that you’ve got to just grind it out and it’s fun to watch those guys make those plays because they put in a lot of work.”
Much like against the Falcons, when Allison caught a 4-yard touchdown on his first career NFL reception, Aaron Rodgers got him involved early against the Vikings. Rodgers hit Allison for a 15-yarder on the second series and then found him wide open for a 32-yard completion late in the final minute of the second quarter to set up another touchdown.
“Each snap, your job is to get open no matter how you do it,” Allison said. “Know your route, know your adjustments and get open. So when you hit that soft spot in the defense, snap your head around and get open and make a play and be prepared.
“I think it just speaks to my preparation week in and week out. God blessed me today with the opportunity to go out there and make plays. And I was ready to do my part and do my job and do my job to the best of my ability.”
NFL Playoff Machine
Allison was impressive from the start of his NFL career this past spring. An NFL scout picked him among the top three undrafted free agents in the Packers' class and despite a strong training camp, the Packers cut him because they were loaded at receiver, keeping seven on the opening day roster.
That Allison got the call against the Vikings -- and not Trevor Davis (zero snaps) or Jeff Janis (seven snaps) -- shows just how much the Packers like the undrafted free agent from Illinois.
“Geronimo has done a really good job,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “Going back to Atlanta, when he gets an opportunity he gets in there and makes plays. I can’t really say enough about him, really what your young players need to do.”
The Packers gambled by holding out Cobb against the Vikings, hoping his ankle injury would benefit from a game off, and there was no drop-off in their offense, in part, because of Allison.
“I don’t think he could’ve had a better game,” Cobb said. “He was where he needed to be, when he was supposed to be there. He made plays and he did a great job.”
Geronimo Allison might not play 43 snaps in this Sunday’s NFC North title game against the Detroit Lions, but if the Green Bay Packers need the rookie receiver to do it again, his coach won’t hesitate.
Nor would Mike McCarthy be surprised if Allison has another game like he did last Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings.
With Randall Cobb inactive because of a lingering ankle injury, Allison stepped in as the No. 3 receiver and caught four passes for 66 yards in the most productive game of his rookie season. Only Jordy Nelson (with nine catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns) was targeted more than Allison. Both Allison and Davante Adams (four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown) had seven balls thrown their way.
Before Saturday, Allison had never played more than 19 snaps in an NFL game, and that came way back on Oct. 30 against the Atlanta Falcons in his pro debut after he was promoted from the practice squad.
“We try to preach to our young kids right off the bat that if you’re not playing right away, don’t get frustrated,” Nelson said. “As a guy that came off the practice squad, continued to develop, he’s getting a lot of practice reps and he’s able to make some plays for us. And it’s big.
“Every year, there’s young guys that come down the stretch that make big plays for us. You look two years ago, it was Davante in the playoffs. Randall was that way when he was a rookie. It’s one of those things that you’ve got to just grind it out and it’s fun to watch those guys make those plays because they put in a lot of work.”
Much like against the Falcons, when Allison caught a 4-yard touchdown on his first career NFL reception, Aaron Rodgers got him involved early against the Vikings. Rodgers hit Allison for a 15-yarder on the second series and then found him wide open for a 32-yard completion late in the final minute of the second quarter to set up another touchdown.
“Each snap, your job is to get open no matter how you do it,” Allison said. “Know your route, know your adjustments and get open. So when you hit that soft spot in the defense, snap your head around and get open and make a play and be prepared.
“I think it just speaks to my preparation week in and week out. God blessed me today with the opportunity to go out there and make plays. And I was ready to do my part and do my job and do my job to the best of my ability.”
NFL Playoff Machine
Allison was impressive from the start of his NFL career this past spring. An NFL scout picked him among the top three undrafted free agents in the Packers' class and despite a strong training camp, the Packers cut him because they were loaded at receiver, keeping seven on the opening day roster.
That Allison got the call against the Vikings -- and not Trevor Davis (zero snaps) or Jeff Janis (seven snaps) -- shows just how much the Packers like the undrafted free agent from Illinois.
“Geronimo has done a really good job,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “Going back to Atlanta, when he gets an opportunity he gets in there and makes plays. I can’t really say enough about him, really what your young players need to do.”
The Packers gambled by holding out Cobb against the Vikings, hoping his ankle injury would benefit from a game off, and there was no drop-off in their offense, in part, because of Allison.
“I don’t think he could’ve had a better game,” Cobb said. “He was where he needed to be, when he was supposed to be there. He made plays and he did a great job.”
