Greg Jennings appeared to have lost a step in his Minnesota Vikings debut last season, as his per-game average dropped from 74.9 yards over a five-year span with the Green Bay Packers to just 53.6 in 2013.
Although he's averaging 51.0 yards across four games of the 2014 season, Packers cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. is adamant that the 2010-2011 version of Jennings has returned.
"Greg is back. OK?" Whitt said this week, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I don't know if he was hurt or what happened last year. He looks like the old Greg Jennings. He's fast, he's quick, he's elusive, he's really creative in his route-running. He's fun to watch run routes. The quarterback can get him the ball. So we really have a challenge."
Is Whitt simply pumping Jennings up so his defensive backs don't underestimate the Vikings' offense this week?
After watching Jennings on Game Rewind we're not ready to put him in the Pro Bowl, but he does seem to be moving better than he did last September.
"He looks like the Greg Jenningsof three years ago right now from what I see on film," Whitt continued. "I'm really impressed with how he's playing."
As the Vikings' slot receiver, Jennings should be a primary beneficiary of the move to rookie Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback.
Offensive coordinator Norv Turner's game plan versus the Falcons called for clear primary reads on play-action, curls, bubble screens and in-turning routes such as slants and crossers. Bridgewater, in turn, showed impressive ball placement on throws inside the numbers.
If Whitt's assessment is correct, it could be Jennings -- not Week 4 heroJarius Wright or talented young breakout candidateCordarrelle Patterson -- who emerges as Bridgewater's favorite target.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps every game from Week 4 and picks the best player in the NFL. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL Now.
