All aboard! To ride or not ride the Packers’ hype train

Now that minicamp is over for the Green Bay Packers,the Packers Hype Train is leaving the station. It’s time to decide if you’ll get on board or wave goodbye from the platform as several Packers Hype Train cars pull away.

This kind of thing happens every offseason after minicamp. Coaches,fans and media get a glimpse of the team and certain players or team units are pegged to break out during the upcoming season. This time around,the hype train seemed to center on second-year WR Davante Adams,the defensive line,CB Quinten Rollins and,of course,WR Jeff Janis.

Packers defensive line
I have to admit,when I started seeing people claiming that the Packers’ defensive line could be a strength this season,I was skeptical. No way I was buying a ticket for that hype train.

But the more I thought about it,the more I began changing my mind. Now,I’ve got my ticket for the defensive-line hype train and I might even buy a few drinks after I climb on board. Here’s why:

Mike Daniels is already an excellent player. B.J. Raji will be returning to his old nose-tackle position and Letroy Guion will be looking to have another above-expectations season after missing out on a big contract following his offseason arrest.

Datone Jones ane Josh Boyd are entering their third seasons,which is the year when you often see young defensive linemen “get it.” Both of those players also probably realize that they’re approaching put up or shut up time if they hope to earn a nice big fat raise in their second NFL contracts.

The Packers defensive line has a lot to prove,both individually and as a unit. That extra motivation,combined with Jones and Boyd entering a season where,if healthy,should have plenty of opportunites to put it all together,will lead to good things up front.

Davante Adams
When I went to buy my Davante Adams hype train ticket,they were already sold out. Apparently,Packers fans stormed the box office after Mike McCarthy had nothing but glowing things to say about Adams at a recent minicamp press conference.

I’m fine with missing the Adams hype train this season. Honestly,I don’t think it’ll be a completely smooth ride. There are going to be a few mechanical issues,the food in the dining cart will be hit or miss and the bar staff probably won’t know how to make a good Old Fashioned. 

I think next year is when you’ll want a first-class seat on the Adams hype train. That’s why,when I saw tickets for this season were gone,I snatched up a seat for next year at a discounted price.

I don’t doubt McCarthy or Aaron Rodgers when they say Adams has what it takes to be great. I just don’t think greatness will happen in 2015. We’ll see improvement,but not enough to match the recent hype.

Quinten Rollins
Me buying a seat on the Quinten Rollins hype train is the equivalent of me buying shares in Google before Google was Google.

The very best-case scenario for the Packers is Rollins turning into the cheesehead version of Google. But even if he doesn’t turn into an all-world corner,he still has the raw talent to be a contributor for several seaons. That’s why I feel comfortable buying low on Rollins at this time. I think he’ll be a player and give me some return on my investment,even if he might not make me rich enough to buy all the cheese curds in Ellsworth,Wis.

Also,the Packers will likely need contributions from one of their rookie corners this season. I’m putting my money on Rollins being that guy.

Jeff Janis
I have no idea where the Jeff Janis hype train is headed. It might travel all the way to the promised land. Or it might drive straight into the river.

Normally,I’d steer clear of a train if I couldn’t figure it out where it was going. But McCarthy is one of the people adding coal to the Janis hype train. If the coach is saying good things about a player,there must be something behind the hype.

That said,I’m still going to give up my seat on the Janis hype train. If the Janis hype train ends up being legit,at least I’ll have a good view from the platform to watch it pick up speed.