NFC Notes: Keenan Allen, J.J. McCarthy, Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears

Bears HC Matt Eberflus said veteran WR Keenan Allen is a โ€œcraftyโ€ route-runner and has an innate ability to get open.

โ€œAll the NFL coaches have seen Keenan for a lot of years, and the first thing that comes to mind is that heโ€™s crafty,โ€ Eberflus said, via Gabby Hadjuk of the teamโ€™s site. โ€œHe is so crafty with his route running. It seems like heโ€™s always open, even when I used to double-cover him โ€ฆ He understands his body and understands his way. Heโ€™s really friendly to the quarterback because heโ€™s a really big target and heโ€™s very good at what he does.โ€

Allen considers route-running to be an art form and is always trying to disguise his routes. 

โ€œI think it means your technique and the ways youโ€™re able to perform are an art,โ€ Allen said. โ€œYouโ€™re able to just make things look different. Youโ€™re probably doing the same things, but it looks a little different. Youโ€™re able to get to it different ways. And itโ€™s kind of special the way you draw it up.โ€

Bears TE Cole Kmet called Allen an inspiration to players in the locker room. 

โ€œWhenever you have a veteran like that, itโ€™s a great thing for younger guys to look to,โ€ Kmet said. โ€œEven guys like myself. Just the way he works, comes in and takes care of his business, and the way heโ€™s survived and thrived in this league up to this point is really impressive. As heโ€™s aged heโ€™s still been able to produce. Those are the things you look at when youโ€™re a player in this league and you try to model some of the habits that heโ€™s brought in. Heโ€™s obviously a very special player.โ€

Packers

Packers LB Quay Walker has been impressed with second-round LB Edgerrin Cooper through the early parts of offseason workouts.

โ€œHeโ€™s showing flashes, getting downhill, playing, flying around,โ€ Walker said, via Mike Spofford of the teamโ€™s website. โ€œI just tell him, โ€˜Donโ€™t do no thinking, bro. Just fly around. If you mess up, it is what it is. You a rookie. Just take what you can learn โ€ฆ and go from there.'โ€

Green Bay HC Matt LaFleur also noted how Cooper has stood out thanks to a great IQ and work ethic.

โ€œI thought for sure we were going to get him on (it), and he did a heck of a job,โ€ LaFleur added. โ€œI was kind of teasing the other coaches, โ€˜Did you preview him for that play?โ€™ And they did not.โ€

โ€œSo, thatโ€™s a credit to him and just how engaged heโ€™s been and how locked in heโ€™s been throughout the course of the offseason.โ€

Vikings

When appearing on the Jim Rome Show, Vikings LB Blake Cashman said first-round QB J.J. McCarthy is already showing leadership qualities. 

โ€œYeah, 21 years old but a great young man,โ€ Cashman said. โ€œHeโ€™s a leader. He is eager to learn. A lot of young guys, sometimes they can come in, be a little timid or shy. But heโ€™s walking round the locker room, big smile on his face, shaking hands, getting to know everybody.โ€

Cashman wasnโ€™t aware of McCarthyโ€™s arm strength coming out of Michigan and has been impressed by his power in their offseason program. 

โ€œI didnโ€™t know much about his game before, and I knew he was an outstanding quarterback, winning followed him at Michigan. But I didnโ€™t realize how much heat he could put on the ball. Heโ€™s got a great long ball. And even those tight windows, which close fast at the next level โ€” he can zip the ball past a linebacker or safetyโ€™s head and squeeze it in those tight windows. And thatโ€™s very promising to see.โ€

Cashman is eager to see what kind of player McCarthy can become 

โ€œHeโ€™s going to be a great player for a long time,โ€ Cashman said. โ€œI canโ€™t wait to continue to see his growth โ€” not only his development as a quarterback [and] the skills, but also become an even smarter player.โ€

Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?

Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on X.com and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!

Leave a Reply