GREEN BAY, Wis. — To working backs, YAC means yards after contact. For Inexperienced Bay Packers working again Josh Jacobs it means way more.
“For me, man, it is simply not giving up on a play,” he stated. “It is attempting to go on the market and provides every part that I’ve and by no means feeling like I did not strive.”
In his first 9 video games with the Packers, that a lot has been apparent. He ranks second within the NFL behind solely the bruising Derrick Henry in speeding yards after contact, in keeping with ESPN Analysis, however Henry’s Baltimore Ravens have not had their bye but, so he has another sport underneath his belt.
However once more, it isn’t concerning the numbers.
“I would not be capable to are available in right here and look these guys within the eye if I really feel like I did not give every part that I had,” Jacobs stated. “And I really feel like I could not ask that out of them if I wasn’t displaying it or giving it. In order that’s simply the factor that I kinda take into consideration each time I step on that subject. I do know my brother is straining for me to get a block or reduce off a DB and issues like that, so I simply attempt to play my half.”
There are different numbers that illustrate what Jacobs has meant to the Packers and why they signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract to go away the Raiders in free company. Amongst them, Jacobs is third in complete speeding yards, behind Henry and the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley, and he’s tied for fifth in rushes of 10-plus yards and is tenth amongst all backs in complete yards from scrimmage. Seven of the gamers forward of him have performed another sport as a result of they have not had their bye.
Clearly the Packers have been happy with the addition.
“I am unable to say sufficient nice issues about him,” coach Matt LaFleur stated.
The Packers zeroed in on Jacobs as quickly as they realized long-time starter Aaron Jones was not amenable to a pay reduce. They bought youthful and presumably extra sturdy shifting on from Jones, who missed six video games final season. Apart from a minor ankle tweak on the finish of the Week 8 win over the Jaguars that didn’t impression him the next week, Jacobs has not had any points this season.
As productive as Jones was, his speeding type was extra dizzying than harmful.
“He simply brings a distinct dynamic,” Packers defensive sort out Kenny Clark stated of the 5-foot-10, 223-pound Jacobs. “He is a real every-down again. Simply taking part in towards him and having that have towards him, the primary three quarters he will take these hits — he does a terrific job at bouncing out and in of the gaps — however that fourth quarter comes round, it is laborious to maintain tackling that huge dude.”
In that sense, Jacobs has channeled one thing Packers tight finish Tucker Kraft stated earlier this 12 months. Kraft’s self-imposed rule is that he refuses to get tackled by a defensive again.
“I all the time attempt to inform myself if I get tackled, both they are going to really feel me once they sort out me, or I will make them work for it,” Jacobs stated. “Once they shoestring sort out me and I get tackled generally, these are those I hate probably the most.”
Heading into Sunday’s post-bye sport on the Chicago Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox), the Packers (6-3) are third in speeding yards per sport (154.8) and fourth in yards per rush (5.0). Inexperienced Bay has completed inside the highest 10 in speeding twice up to now 20 seasons.
The Packers might need one other working again within the combine quickly. Rookie third-round choose MarShawn Lloyd is predicted to be activated off injured reserve Wednesday, opening his 21-day apply window.
Jacobs has served as a mentor to Lloyd. He rides with the rookie from the stadium to apply day by day and has tried to maintain Lloyd’s spirits up by means of myriad accidents. He missed a big a part of coaching camp because of hip and hamstring accidents. Then, after making his NFL debut in Week 2, he sustained an ankle damage that landed him on injured reserve.
“He kinda bought a little bit down when he bought harm once more,” Jacobs stated. “And he is like, ‘Man, I am coping with this once more.’ I simply advised him, ‘Man, be affected person. When your time comes, simply let your presence be felt. You may solely management what you may management.’
“He’ll be a superb working again on this league. I am excited to see him go this week.”
