GREEN BAY – The internet came unglued at the sight of Allen Lazard toppling three Miami defenders like dominoes late in the Packers' 26-20 victory over the Dolphins on Sunday.
On Green Bay's sideline, however, it was business as usual – just another vintage play by the Packers' fourth-year receiver, which opened the right side of the field for Aaron Jones on an 18-yard run.
"Our guys, to be honest with you, it wasn't as crazy of a reaction as you'd think because they've seen it over and over and over again," Green Bay receivers coach and passing game coordinator Jason Vrable said. "Every week, it shows up."
Beyond the play's comedic undertones, and Lazard's counting of fallen Fins, the block was a reminder of why the 6-foot-5, 227-pound receiver has fit so well into Head Coach Matt LaFleur's offense for the past four years: He catches passes. He makes blocks. He scores touchdowns.
Four years of growth and maturation have pushed Lazard atop Green Bay's receiving depth chart. He currently leads the team with 688 yards and five TDs on a career-high 51 receptions. His 764 offensive snaps played have been critical considering how banged-up the Packers' receiving corps has been this season. Rookie Romeo Doubs is second among wideouts in playing time with 475 snaps.
For all his success, Lazard still embraces the grittier responsibilities of his job description – most of which are what helped the former undrafted free agent get his foot in the door at Lambeau Field.
"The thing that gets lost a lot of times when you talk wide receiver play is he's an enforcer in the run game," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said of Lazard. "Whether it's blocking the linebackers, obviously DBs, cracking outside linebackers or D-ends. This guy, he can do it all."
Admittedly, Lazard's blocking technique at the beginning was more effort than true fundamentals but he soon put the whole puzzle together. Since signing with the Packers on Dec. 18, 2018, Lazard has fit his prodigious size with the small details.
While Lazard has 33 catches of more than 20 yards and six of more than 40, he's also made a few highlight reels with his blocking, too. Take Sunday for example, when the post-snap adjustments called for Lazard to come from the slot to cut off Dolphins safety Eric Rowe on Jones' 18-yard run.
However, Rowe came out of his gap and bumped into linebacker Elandon Roberts, who was scraping over the top. After defensive lineman Christian Wilkins worked his leverage outside, it created a three-man bunch in Miami's man defense. It was all Lazard from there.
"Honestly, it was kind of a play that we really emphasized that week of the different looks we could get on how my job or assignment could change potentially," Lazard said. "If I wasn't there, probably all three would've been able to be there to stop the play. But because they were in the same gap and close to each other, it was just an easy play for me to make."
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Do-it-all mindset has made Allen Lazard a complete playmaker - Packers.com
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