There was a silver lining to the Green Bay Packers' Week 10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
As we pointed out on Wednesday's "Around The League Podcast," Green Bay's ability to develop young players, such as wide receiver Jarrett Boykin and tight end Brandon Bostick, will serve the Packers well in January if they can hold the fort until Aaron Rodgers returns.
I thought Boykin was Green Bay's most impressive performer against the Eagles. Marc Sessler noted that Boykin made the catch of the day in high-pointing a deep sideline pass from first-time starter Scott Tolzien. After studying film, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's venerable beat writer, Bob McGinn, agreed on both counts.
Even when Randall Cobb returns from his fractured fibula in mid-December, coach Mike McCarthy will have to run more four-wide receiver sets to keep Boykin's playmaking ability on the field.
Although coaches caution that Bostick remains a work in progress, the former Newbury College (S.C.) hoopster flashed his athleticism on a 22-yard touchdown catch, in which he lowered the boom on cornerback Roc Carmichael.
Bostick drew attention from other teams over the summer after flashing eye-opening potential as a downfield threat on the Packers' practice squad last year.
His 16 routes run on a career-high 29 snaps last week suggest the Packers plan for him to assume a portion of Jermichael Finley's role in the passing game, while Andrew Quarless handles run-blocking chores.
With a healthy Rodgers, the Packers still have the potential to reach the Super Bowl. Until their leader returns, however, it will be on young players such as Boykin, Bostick and Tolzien to keep Green Bay within shouting distance of the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.
* The latest "Around The League Podcast" previewed every Week 11 game. *
