When rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs made their NFL debuts last week and veteran Sammy Watkins made his Packers debut, it was only a partial transition to the new era without Lazard as the lead.
“It’s always good to have him out there, the talent,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said of Lazard’s return to practice. “But it’s the leadership part that you miss when it’s not out there.”
Lazard did what he could from the sidelines in Minneapolis, coaching the rookies to play fast and not hesitate with their routes. Because in his experience, it can cause Rodgers to become indecisive, throw off play timing and turn his eyes elsewhere just before someone might leave.
He also tried to keep Watson’s spirits up after dropping a possible 75-yard TD pass on the Packers’ first offensive play. Lazard tried to keep it easy but also real for the second-round speedster in the immediate episode.
“I was like, ‘It’s a drop. Who cares? Stereotypical first game of your NFL career — a go-ball you let go through your hands,'” Lazard said, repeating the tongue-in-cheek comment before getting down to business related message. “‘Yeah, it sucks right now, but you’re going to get a thousand more opportunities to capitalize, so don’t dwell on the moment and stay positive and know that 12 will come back to you.'”
As a receiver that’s always been lower down the depth chart prior to this year, Lazard knows what he’s talking about in terms of being ready whenever Rodgers might come your way.
So he’s gotten where he is, from one game and reception in 2018 to an expected finish now, so there’s no reason to change his approach as we start his new year. He’s also been a #1 recipient before, in high school and college, even when there were question marks about the label back then, so that’s nothing new either.
Consider him as ready as ever as long as his ankle is playing along.
“I think it’s just confidence, never doubting yourself, never making a playoff,” he said. “Never being satisfied with ‘Oh, I’m behind in this play,’ or ‘Oh, he’s just never going to throw it at me in this play.’ Just always expecting it, always wanting the ball, always wanting that moment in play that decides if it’s positive or negative, or going from a 15-yard gain to a touchdown or whatever.
“I’ve always been proud of my work, as I’ve always said, and of doing my best to help the team win.”