Week 6 Big Time Packers Player of the Game: Robert Tonyan
The Packers player of the game in week six is Robert Tonyan. He finished the game with a stat line of 10 receptions on 12 targets and 90 yards. He played on 63% of snaps, which was his highest percentage all season. Four of his 10 receptions were first downs. This was one of Tonyan’s best games in his career; his 10 catches on 12 catches were career highs for both stats and his 90 receiving yards were his second-highest.
The Indiana State University alumnus came into the league undrafted in 2017. Tonyan was re-signed off of the Packers practice squad in 2018. His most productive season came in 2020, in which he was one of Rodgers’ favorite targets in the end zone, scoring 11 touchdowns. Tonyan tore his left ACL while planting on a nice catch and run in 2021, which caused him to miss the remainder of the season. He managed his rehab successfully and is now stepping into an important role for the Packers.
Things are a little weird in Green Bay currently. The offense isn’t moving the ball, the defense isn’t adjusting, and the special teams are being special. Randall Cobb has just gone down to injury so Rodgers truly needs a friend right now. Aaron Rodgers has an average QB rating of 127.6 when throwing to Tonyan from 2018-2021. The sure-handed Tonyan has only had one drop in his 57 games played and that was in his rookie year. Tonyan will certainly step up to become Rodgers’ safety valve when things go awry.
So in short, Robert Tonyan is the perfect example of a player playing his way into a starting lineup. He went from an undrafted practice squad player to the Green Bay Packers’ starting tight end. Tonyan is already playing at a high level in 2022; he has caught 10 first-down passes so far in six games. His snap count and target share are on the rise. With an inexperienced and injured wide receiver group, Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packers will look to lean on proven success and production in the form of Robert Tonyan. Packers fans, rejoice; it looks like Big Bobby T is back.
Big Time Packers Player Play of the Game
3rd and 4, 31-yard line, 5:08 on the clock, 2nd quarter
The Packers line up in a 3WR 1RB 1TE set with Rodgers taking the snap in the shotgun. Doubs and Cobb are on the left and Lazard and Tonyan are on the right. Jones goes into motion to the left side before the ball is snapped.
Almost immediately after the ball is snapped, Royce Newman gets blown over and Rodgers is under pressure. Tonyan, who was running downfield, breaks off of his route and returns to Rodgers when he sees that the quarterback is under duress. He finds a soft spot near the sideline where Rodgers can find him. Rodgers escapes pressure and rolls right. Rodgers spots Tonyan and zips it in between two defenders for a 17-yard first down. Tonyan catches the ball and goes out of bounds, stopping the clock.
This play displayed a few things. First, it showed Tonyan’s awareness to come to his quarterback’s rescue when there is pressure. Second, it showed that Rodgers is looking to Robert Tonyan when things get dicey. Finally, it showed that Tonyan can cut short his route and drive back to the ball, indicating that his knee is good and healthy.
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