Maybe the MVS Hype Is Real This Time
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Last summer, potential-packed receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was surrounded by hype from the start of training camp.
This summer, the hype has been late coming to Valdes-Scantling. This time, however, maybe it’s real.
Valdes-Scantling, the anointed No. 2 receiver behind Davante Adams from Day 1 of OTAs last year, saw his second NFL season fall apart following knee and ankle injuries suffered in Week 6 against Detroit. Six days later against the Raiders, Valdes-Scantling turned his two receptions into a 49-yard gain and 74-yard touchdown.
However, in the final nine regular-season games, he caught 5-of-19 passes for 36 yards. His 0.32 yards per pass route and catch rate of 26.3 percent were last among the 105 receivers with at least 19 targets during that span, according to Pro Football Focus.
While he hasn’t had a lot of big catches aside from a bomb from Tim Boyle on Day 1 of training camp, he’s consistently strung together one catch after another. The exclamation mark came at Sunday’s scrimmage in Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers threw four passes to Valdes-Scantling on third down. All four were completed; all four moved the chains.
“I would say that the receiver that I’ve been most impressed with, especially the last week, 10 days of camp, is Marquez,” Rodgers said after Wednesday’s practice. “I think he has had some really good practices in a row, and started to lay down some good practice fundamentals that he can lean on. At the same time, I know Matt (LaFleur) said this at one point, this is the new standard for MVS. I’m proud of the way that he’s gone about his business. I thought he had a fantastic Sunday and made a bunch of plays, some heady plays, and just some plays he’s supposed to make.”
The lingering nature of last year’s ankle injury took the bite out of Valdes-Scantling’s game. He said the injury – the first time he had played through an injury – didn’t rob him of his confidence, even though that was the case in LaFleur’s eyes.
“Obviously, I’m a competitor, so I’m always going to want to go out and play if I can,” Valdes-Scantling said two weeks ago. “And, obviously, I didn’t do myself a service by going out and not being 100 percent, but I’m always going to be competitive and go out and play if I can. I just want to go out and battle for my teammates. That’s what my mind-set was – if I can go, I’m going to go. That’s how I’ve always been growing up.”
This offseason, Valdes-Scantling wasn’t able to work out with Randy Moss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, he bought a JUGS machine and caught extra passes.
The hard work seems to be paying off. His ability to stretch the field will continue to get him on the field. Consistency will keep him on the field.
“He’s now making the catches he’s expected to make, and he’s adding some extra plays in there where he’s doing some smart things and showing the growth,” Rodgers said. “So, I’m really proud of MVS. It’s been nice to see Marquez – especially the last seven, 10 days – really turn it on.”
