Kuuuuuuuuuuuuhn! not going anywhere

wpr
Preferred Member Topic Starter

10 years ago

GREEN BAY — From what running backs coach Alex Van Pelt said Tuesday, Green Bay Packers fans can plan on still yelling Kuuuuuuuuuuuuhn! to their hearts content this season.

While there are very few certainties when it comes to the 53-man roster, Van Pelt all but guaranteed that John Kuhn, the team's veteran fullback, will have a spot on the roster.

"You never go in without a fullback," Van Pelt said after practice Tuesday. "So even though we're more of a three-wide (receiver), two-tight end team right now, there is always a place for a fullback in this offense."

Some had suggested that the team has so many running backs — rookies Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin, incumbent starter DuJuan Harris and veteran holdovers Alex Green and James Starks — that perhaps the Packers would steal an extra running back spot on the 53-man roster by cutting Kuhn and using one of their tight ends as a lead blocker in his stead.

That's not realistic, Van Pelt said.

"I don't think you want to. Tight ends, guys can do both, but having a true fullback is definitely a benefit," Van Pelt said. Asked what situations require a fullback, Van Pelt cited goal line, short yardage, backed up situations, as well as the four-minute offense when a team in the lead tried to bleed the clock with the run late in the game.

Kuhn, 30, is entering his eighth NFL season and set to earn a base salary of $1.8 million in the final year of a three-year, $7.5 million deal he signed in 2011. While Kuhn only carried 23 times for 63 yards in the regular season last year while catching 15 passes for 148 yards, Van Pelt said no player in his room knows the offense as well as Kuhn, who is limited as a pass catcher and running threat on third down but is the team's best pass protector.

"John's been around for a long time. Obviously he can make all the calls the offensive line can make," Van Pelt said. "He's in tune with the quarterbacks and there's more value there. And once again, he is our best third-down protector. He does a great job of that. He still has a lot of value."

Jason Wilde wrote:

Wanna join the discussion?! Login to your PACKERSHOME forum account or Register a new forum account

wpr
Preferred Member Topic Starter

10 years ago

wow. I am surprised. First that he calls Kuhn (and I love John and his heart.) a true fullback. I always thought he was a RB who wasn't big or fast enough so they made him lineup at FB. I am also surprised that there are not 2-3 other guys who will make the team that can do what he does. He may be a better pass protector than some of them but I don't see him as being a better all around player than others.

olds70supreme
Member

10 years ago

I'm surprised too, but than again I'm not a professional NFL talent evaluator. On the flip side, the article title takes the liberty of definitively saying he is staying, while Van Pelt really only goes so far as to say that Kuhn has value in the offense. On top of that, I'm not sure Van Pelt has the final say in who stays and goes.

blank

wpr
Preferred Member Topic Starter

10 years ago

well said olds.

DoddPower
Veteran Member

10 years ago

I can see why he stays, at least for awhile. Protecting Aaron Rodgers is paramount, and until the other running backs show that they are better than Kuhn at doing so, Kuhn's roster spot is probably safe, especially with questions along the offensive line. Also, he's a really good special teams player, knows the offense incredibly well which helps the young players, and has some utility in the offense. Overall, he contributes to the team in several ways, more so than several other players. I'm not sure any young player, especially a rookie, can fill the void Kuhn provides this season. Perhaps later in the season if there's a guy coming off the PUP list and Lacy, Franklin, et al. have really picked up the offense and pass blocking, but that's probably the only way.

It will probably be a close call, but I think Kuhn sticks around for one more season. Hopefully the younger players have grown enough to make him expendable next season (if he's even under contract then).

DarkaneRules
Veteran Member

10 years ago

With the current staff in place, I don't see him going anywhere until someone else at his specific position shows enough promise in blocking and catching. Gotta love his dependability too. I know I do.

Circular Arguments: They are a heck of an annoyance

Important Information:

The PACKERSHOME uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More Details Close

Fan Shout

packerfanoutwest (4m) : having a great long snapper is gold

Zero2Cool (5h) : LaFleur looking like he had some weight. Coachin will do that lol

Zero2Cool (7h) : Thanks Mucky and whomever created topcos for each pick!

Zero2Cool (7h) : Insane about Kingsley

dfosterf (9h) : Putring it here so Mucky sees it. He was our guy!

dfosterf (10h) : Bowden long snapper Wisconsin. Consensus best LS in college.

dfosterf (10h) : We got Peter Bowde

dfosterf (10h) : I personally interpret that as a partial tear that can be recovered from with rehab

dfosterf (10h) : MLF said Kingsley Enagbare did NOT tear his ACL and did NOT require surgery, and that he is "looking good" for the 2024 season!

beast (21h) : T.O. son signs with the 49ers

Mucky Tundra (23h) : damn those vikings

beast (23h) : UDFA Vikings sign TE – Trey Knox, South Carolina

beast (23h) : Kitchen was all high from Miami, he was more lucky than talented in 2022 and it showed in 2023

beast (23h) : Reportedly Packers have UDFAs Jennings and Jones

beast (23h) : OL – Donovan Jennings, USF OT – Trente Jones, Michigan

TheKanataThrilla (23h) : Interesting draft. A bit shocked that we didn't select an early CB. Definitely have Safety help. Pretty happy overall.

dhazer (27-Apr) : wow the last 2 picks are really stupid and probably will be special teams players Top 10 draft pick next year book it

TheKanataThrilla (27-Apr) : I think he ended up with a terrible RAS score

dhazer (27-Apr) : Anyone know what went on with Kitchens from Florida? At 1 point he was to be the Packers 1st round and he is way down the board now

Martha Careful (27-Apr) : Z, could you please combine my thread with yours please. I obviously did not see it when I Created it

Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Re: 'Kool-Aid' McKinstry. Other than Icky Woods, has there ever been a good NFLer with a childish nickname?

Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Packers looking to trade up

Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Flag?

Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Sag?

Nonstopdrivel (26-Apr) : It rhymes with "bag."

beast (26-Apr) : Family? That's Deadpool's F word

Nonstopdrivel (26-Apr) : Not THAT f-word.

Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : fuck

beast (25-Apr) : 49ers are Cap Tight

beast (25-Apr) : Fuck

Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : Kanata, I will be when I'm on my lunch later

TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Love you NSD

Nonstopdrivel (25-Apr) : Huh. I guess the F-word is censored in this fan shout.

Nonstopdrivel (25-Apr) : Anyone who doesn't hang out in the chat probably smokes pole.

TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : GoPackGo Thinking CB is the pick tonight

TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Anyone hanging out in the chat tonight?

Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : whoa...49ers have had trade conversations about both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk

Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : I hope they take a Punter at 9th overall. Be bold!

Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : I may end up eating those words but I think they need a lot more talent then their 4 picks can provide

Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : I really hope they stand pat and Draft a WR

Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : @DMRussini

Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : The Chicago Bears are very open for business at 9 and telling teams they are ready to move for the right price, per source

buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : Lions extend Penei Soul 4yrs - 112mil

buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : Lions extend St. Brown 4 years 120mil and

Mucky Tundra (24-Apr) : Now look, trading up to 13 to take a TE might not seem like a good idea later but it will be later!

dfosterf (24-Apr) : (Your trade up mock post)

dfosterf (24-Apr) : Mucky- The only thing fun to watch would be me flipping the f out if Gute goes up to 13 and grabs Brock Bowers, lol

beast (24-Apr) : DT Byron Murphy II, Texas... whom some believe is the next Aaron Donald (or the closest thing to Donald)

Zero2Cool (24-Apr) : What? And who?

Mucky Tundra (24-Apr) : *sad Mucky noises*

Please sign in to use Fan Shout

2023 Packers Schedule

Sunday, Sep 10 @ 3:25 PM

Bears

38 - 20

Sunday, Sep 17 @ 12:00 PM

Falcons

24 - 25

Sunday, Sep 24 @ 12:00 PM

SAINTS

18 - 17

Thursday, Sep 28 @ 7:15 PM

LIONS

20 - 34

Monday, Oct 9 @ 7:15 PM

Raiders

13 - 17

Sunday, Oct 22 @ 3:25 PM

Broncos

17 - 19

Sunday, Oct 29 @ 12:00 PM

VIKINGS

10 - 24

Sunday, Nov 5 @ 12:00 PM

RAMS

20 - 3

Sunday, Nov 12 @ 12:00 PM

Steelers

19 - 23

Sunday, Nov 19 @ 12:00 PM

CHARGERS

23 - 20

Thursday, Nov 23 @ 11:30 AM

Lions

29 - 22

Sunday, Dec 3 @ 7:20 PM

CHIEFS

27 - 19

Monday, Dec 11 @ 7:15 PM

Giants

22 - 24

Sunday, Dec 17 @ 12:00 PM

BUCCANEERS

20 - 34

Sunday, Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM

Panthers

33 - 30

Sunday, Dec 31 @ 7:20 PM

Vikings

33 - 10

Sunday, Jan 7 @ 3:25 PM

BEARS

17 - 9

Sunday, Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM

Cowboys

48 - 32

Saturday, Jan 20 @ 7:15 PM

49ers

21 - 24