Nov 19, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown as Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey (21) reacts during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

After 10 games, 574 receiving yards, 54 catches, and 7 touchdowns, it’s apparent to even the most passive observer that receiver Randall Cobb has become the Packers most dangerous weapon. On its face alone that’s impressive, let alone after Cobb’s impact on the return and running game is factored in.

The second year receiver has been such a revelation that Greg Jennings’ pending free agency, a major preseason storyline, has become a complete afterthought.

And it was so close to not being that way.

Nov 27, 2010; Knoxville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is tackled from behind by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker LaMarcus Thompson (42) at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

Randall Cobb wasn’t an unknown commodity heading into the 2011 draft. Not only had Cobb made an All-SEC first team, but he had done so for the lowly Kentucky Wildcats. His return skills and overall versatility were also widely celebrated. Most draft experts had Cobb projected to go as high as the first round.

Yet Cobb fell, and six receivers were taken before he landed to Green Bay on the final pick of the second round. All but A.J. Green and Julio Jones, both top 10 selections, have been irrefutably inferior to Cobb. While it isn’t news to anyone that players often outperform those drafted ahead of them, or vice versa, it seemed odd at the time that Cobb fell so far. Nowhere is this more apparent than pick 44.

The Detroit Lions, wanting a speedy receiver to take pressure off Calvin Johnson, selected Boise State’s Titus Young. Young’s profile was very similar to Cobb: A somewhat diminutive pass catcher with fantastic speed and quickness who was highly productive in college.

Detroit will be left questioning this decision for quite some time.

While their career numbers are nearly identical at this point – Cobb has 79 catches for 949 yards and 8 TDs while Young has 80 catches for 990 yards and 10 TDs – these are two players moving in opposite directions.

Young hasn’t progressed as a playmaker despite increased opportunities. His production is basically the same as last year, and he hasn’t done anything to make defenses think twice about double-teaming Calvin Johnson.

Cobb on the other hand has been thrust into the role of lead receiver. And he has flourished. In the last six games alone, Cobb has 412 receiving yards and 7 TDs on 36 receptions. That’s more catches, yards, and touchdowns than Young’s entire 2012 season to date.

Now imagine what the Packers offense would look like this year without Cobb. Jennings and Nelson have missed a lot of time, and while James Jones has played great and deserves even more praise than he’s receiving, this team is two or more games worse without Cobb’s play.

It’s early, but the preliminary returns indicate Cobb could go down with Aaron Rodgers as the greatest draft robberies of the Ted Thompson era.

Matt Flynn threw for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Detroit Lions - franchise records. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Matt Flynn … holy cow.

The Green Bay Packers’ backup quarterback’s name will forever be linked with that latter phrase, not only in Packers Nation, but across the NFL.

In fact, his six touchdown passes today will not only be admired by Packers coaches, players and fans, but it no doubt will lead to a big payday in the coming months. That said, it most likely will not be with the Green Bay Packers.

So, what about the game?

Well, to say the Packers’ 45-41 win over the Detroit Lions on this first day of 2012 was a shootout is a vast understatement. Flynn and Matthew Stafford, quarterback of  the playoff-bound Detroit Lions, went toe-to-toe in this one, punching and counterpunching all day long, matching touchdown for touchdown.

In the end, they combined for 1,000 passing yards and 11 touchdowns – an NFL record.

With those numbers, the impression was there was no defense in this one. You could certainly argue that, but in siding with the Packers, they played without linebacker Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson as coach Mike McCarthy reached deep into his bench on that side of the ball to give his starters time to rest and to give the backups some much-needed game experience.

For more about this incredible game, take the jump and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com at Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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