GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)
The Green Bay Packers have maybe the deepest and maximum talentedgroup of receivers in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers yet has Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, JamesJones and Jordy Nelson behind from last year’s Super Bowl-winningsquad. Playmaking firm end Jermichael Finley is returning from aknee harm and is prepared to make a big push for a current contract.Then the Packers took likely Kentucky wide recipient Randall Cobbin the second circular of the draft.
There just doesn’t seem to be anybody room above the roster because ChastinWest – but that isn’t stopping the unheralded wideout from statinghis circumstance.
West caught a 97-yard touchdown pass from export quarterbackMatt Flynn in the Packers’ 28-20 preseason victory over Arizona atLambeau Field on Friday, adding to what already has been ahead-turning performance in training camp.
”I’m arrogant of Chastin,” Rodgers said of West, who spent lastseason on the Packers’ practice squad. ”I muse everybody sawtoward the end of final annual what kind of player he was becoming. Hemakes a muscular case to be on this team. He’s been production it sincelast year.”
West is trying to triumph a roster spot, but knows nobody isguaranteed.
”I’ve just got to reserve grinding,” West said. ”That’s been mymotto since the 1st week of camp.”
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said West looks like one NFL player,and his huge play Friday only solidified that.
”I think Chastin’s having a good camp,” McCarthy said. ”Hewas in the league last year, so I wouldn’t have any reason to thinkhe wouldn’t be in this year. That’ll definitely help. It was just athree-step drip and Chastin did a good job of running anadjustment, and (Flynn) gave him a good pellet and he finishedit.”
West, an undrafted free proxy out of Fresno State, signed withthe Packers last April. He was renounced in the final round of rostercuts and then joined to the practice squad.
Rodgers began his Packers career working with practice squadplayers on the scout group in practice, and still enjoys watchingthose unheralded athletes certify themselves.
”I’m very happy for him,” Rodgers said. ”It’s fine whenyou’ve got a fellow like him making those big-time plays. He ran awayfrom that lad.”
Packers coaches already knew West could run routes and catch theball, but he showed something new Friday – an unexpected burst ofbreakaway speed that got the best of a former academy teammate.
”I don’t feel wrong, but it was on a sometime teammate,” Westsaid, referring to former Fresno State cornerback Desia Dunn. ”Itold him after the game, `Sorry I had to flee away from you.’ I’venever had a opportunity to sprint out in the open field like that before.So I told him my speed hits in after the 40-yard dash.”
West said he hasn’t made a play very like that since his PopWarner days.
”In Pop Warner I had a 99-yarder but namely wasn’t as exciting,”West said. ”That might have been in front of six folk. They hada gated fence there so I might have gotten some lacerations whether Iwould’ve done the `Lambeau Leap’ there.”
All three Packers quarterbacks waded away from Friday night’sgame impressed with West, including the one who threw him theball.
”Chastin’s had a great camp, and it showed,” Flynn said. ”Hedid a good job and showed some speed that we didn’t know hehad.”
Graham Harrell said West has made a meaningful bound since lastseason.
”Chastin’s had a great camp, and today was not different,”Harrell said. ”He’s a truly good player who’s gotten a entire lotbetter from last year. He’s played well for us.”
And meantime West’s solid camp extravaganza could earn him a shotwith distinct team if he doesn’t make the Packers’ terminal roster, hewants to stay in Green Bay.
”It’s a great union here,” West said. ”It’s only myfirst union but there’s no answer it’s one of the bestorganizations in the alliance.”
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Connect with AP Sports Writer Chris Jenkins:www.twitter.com/ByChrisJenkins
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