Donald Driver has been in the NFL for 14 years and has made four Pro Bowls while being one of Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite targets. But the emergence of fellow wideout Randall Cobb is not lost on the veteran, and that was clear Sunday.
With a third-and-goal from the Cardinals’ 13-yard line, Packers coach Mike McCarthy called a play that had Driver lining up wide with Cobb in the slot. The goal was to hit Driver on a quick slant while Cobb threw some blocks. But Driver decided it was the young guy’s turn.
“When we broke the huddle, I was getting ready to line up,” Cobb said, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “[Driver] pushed me and said, ‘Go ahead and go get it, kid.'”
The two players switched places — something that likely threw off Rodgers for a second — and executed the play perfectly. Cobb caught the slant, and Driver provided a nice block on cornerback William Gay en route to the touchdown.
Technically speaking, Cobb is the team’s No. 4 receiver behind Driver, Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. But through the first half of the season, Cobb leads the team with 45 catches and is second in both touchdowns (six) and receiving yards (500).
McCarthy has been one of Cobb’s biggest supporters and says any time he can get the ball is good for the Packers.
“Randall Cobb’s a playmaker,” McCarthy said. “That’s how we view him. Playmakers need the ball in their hands. Once again, we have to be smart with how many times we get the ball in his hands, but we are making a conscious effort to do that.”
McCarthy, Driver and the rest of the Packers have taken notice of Cobb’s unique ability to make plays. Now the onus is on opposing defensive coordinators to stop him.
