All Hail Aaron Rodgers

Charles Woodson is getting all the accolades after yesterday's game, and for good reason - but I simply can not say enough about the two big-time third down throws Rodgers made, first to Greg Jennings and then to Donald Lee, on the deciding drive. Those two throws are the ones that people have been hammering him for not making and he flat-out stuck them last night. Both Jennings and Lee were well covered and Rodgers, ice water flowing in his veins, put the ball exactly where it needed to be - where only his guy could catch it.

People will no doubt look at the stats, or even rewatch the game, and come away thinking Rodgers had a fair-to-good game. Nothing could be further from the truth. That was a big-time performance on a big-time stage. The fact that McCarthy revealed afterwards how much additional responsibility was put in Rodgers' hands when it comes to the protection aspects only adds to the impressiveness of the accomplishment.

I have given Rodgers a lot of grief, both over the course of the offseason and the last few weeks, for many of his game's deficiencies. Last night, with the game and SEASON on the line - Rodgers delivered. Big time.

 

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Comments (37)

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Packnic's picture

November 16, 2009 at 09:10 am

after the unnecessary beating Arod has taken both on and off the field. he played huge and deserves credit.

That throw to Lee on third down. Freaking Wow. I hit the DVR back and watched it maybe 10 times and never once saw it as a viable option. The camera view they gave from behind Rodgers, was perfect. It was such a small window covered in front by a LB and smothered from behind by the safety and Rodgers slammed it into about a 3" opening. Great snag by Lee but i dont know of too many people that can put the ball where Rodgers did on that play...especially with 41 sacks fresh in the back of his mind.

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Andyman's picture

November 16, 2009 at 09:25 am

Agreed with Packnic - they replayed it a couple times and all I could say was "How did he get that in there?!"

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Holly's picture

November 16, 2009 at 09:28 am

I love that, on the throw to Lee, even McCarren was speechless. No one expected Rodgers to get it in there, but it was oh-so-lovely to watch. Glad to see Rodgers grow as a quarterback and game manager. Hope that he continues to work on his internal clock and pocket awareness.

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PackersRS's picture

November 16, 2009 at 09:30 am

This time Rodgers didn't need to win the game by himself. He just had to complement what the D did. So there was no need for him to air it out. Just play smart. He's capable of both. Not yet to do what Manning did yesterday, but that'll come in time.
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Right now, he's keeping us in every game. Soon enough, he'll start winning games for us. That's my take.

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CSS's picture

November 16, 2009 at 09:45 am

So now that they won he's not a 'stats guy'? (sarcasim at the notion in general)

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Aaron Rogders's picture

November 16, 2009 at 09:58 am

Do you think that one of the reasons the defense looked good is because the team couldn't expose Kampman's huge cover weakness?

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Chitown Packfan's picture

November 16, 2009 at 10:14 am

Rodgers did what he needed to do-manage the situation that was presented to him and deliver enough to win the game. The 8 minute plus drive showed the ball control we have not seen all year. The third down pass completions showed Rodgers, when given time, can complete the necessary passes, rather than always looking 20+ yards downfield. Anytime the defense holds the opposition to 7 points (a shutout for 59 1/2 minutes) the offense doesnt need to play catch up. Just play well enough to score and let the defense win the game.

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Ruppert's picture

November 16, 2009 at 11:02 am

I want to touch on something I complained about last year---the development curve that McCarthy has Rodgers on. Three years on the bench, and 24 games as a starter, and McCarthy STILL isn't putting "additional responsibility... ...in his hands" every week? Man...he's got enough experience now to where McCarthy still shouldn't be holding things back from him. Let him loose.
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Otherwise, agree that Rodgers was great yesterday, especially on that TD drive. Love it.

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Dilligaff's picture

November 16, 2009 at 11:18 am

IMO MM finally called a game where he protected field position and time of possession. This helped A-rod by not putting him in unreal situations all the time with an average O-line. So on plays like the one to Lee was just icing on the cake. I just hope MM does not have short term memory and get over confident. That was good play calling backed up with smart and sound QB play, to hell with stats, I will go with smart play all day, in the end the stats will take care of themselves

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greenbaypackerbob's picture

November 16, 2009 at 11:48 am

AR was good and did what he needed to do... not make mistakes (like 3 int at Tampa) and let his team mates help him make some plays (which they did!). I do agree he had one excellent 2nd half drive but the defense was still fearless and will have to continue to step up to the plate to help keep the offense from being one sided (e.g. run and pass).
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As for AR stats, what was (MM?) call for Aaron to run a QB sneak at the goal line with Grant, Green and others in the backfield???? ... hasn't Aaron been hit enough this year to not warrant a risk of more injury? (e.g. thought he had a sprained ankle?). Protect the QB and don't take unnecessary risks. Crazy things happen around the goal line.

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Dilligaff's picture

November 16, 2009 at 11:54 am

That QB sneak just shows how much of a must win this game was to MM.

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Pack66's picture

November 16, 2009 at 12:18 pm

I'd say, the "penalties" on Dallas kept those drives alive more than anything else, Aaron...and I'd be RIGHT!

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denniseckersley's picture

November 16, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Play of the game was in the 3rd quarter when he threw it away at jennings feet after scrambling through a collapsed pocket. He took the sack in that situation 100% of the previous opportunities.

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foundinidaho's picture

November 16, 2009 at 12:28 pm

In addition to what Dilligaff said, I would note I think this game meant enough to ARod he was willing to risk the ankle. This is a monkey off the Packers' back that's been around for many years now and I'm sure it feels good to him that he led the team that did it.

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PackerAaron's picture

November 16, 2009 at 01:07 pm

Pack66 - "the “penalties” on Dallas kept those drives alive more than anything else, Aaron…and I’d be RIGHT!"
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Of course you would - but even after that, after all your hatred for Thompson and Rodgers - he still made those two, big, big-time throws. For first downs. No penalties on either play. Big. Time. Throws. And no amount of trying to deflect it by you will ever take them away. Again - suck it.

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Jim in DC's picture

November 16, 2009 at 01:19 pm

Vike66 just can't stop hating the Packers.

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Ron La Canne's picture

November 16, 2009 at 02:23 pm

For the first time, an opponent had as many penalties and almost as much penalty yardage as the Packers. So, impact on the game = Zero (almoat). Under relentless pressure Aaron Rodgers kept his cool. No mistakes in the first half allowed the more productive second half to take place. A more reckless QB, oh let me think, like say Bent would have fired away and had GB down by 21 going into the second half. (NOTE: see GB vs. Cowboys in 2007 for affirmation.)
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For all you Rodgers haters, how many offers from other teams would he draw if he was made available. That is the true measure of potential for an NFL QB. No one here, that I am aware of, has ever said he is perfect. As he demonstrated yesterday, that potential is beginning to become more and more apparent each game.

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Pack66's picture

November 16, 2009 at 03:37 pm

Favre's been making those throws going on about 20 years now...

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PACKERS's picture

November 16, 2009 at 03:43 pm

Amen. Rodgers is going to be one of if not the best quarterback in the league in a few years. He's still got a few problems to work out, but he's improving

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PackerAaron's picture

November 16, 2009 at 03:46 pm

"Favre’s been making those throws going on about 20 years now…" - yep, and WON'T be 5 years from now. Rodgers will.

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Jim in DC's picture

November 16, 2009 at 03:55 pm

Favre's been making those throws to Dallas defenders for going on 20 years now. ;^)

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ctSharpeCheddar's picture

November 16, 2009 at 03:59 pm

Pack66 is really Vikings 88(Alan Page)

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Pack66's picture

November 16, 2009 at 04:09 pm

"Favre’s been making those throws going on about 20 years now…” – yep, and WON’T be 5 years from now. Rodgers will."

Yeah..but for what team? He'll probably be out of the NFL by then....

..and Ted and Mike will be long gone from Green Bay..thank GOD!

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mopak65's picture

November 16, 2009 at 05:09 pm

I appreciate the comments by Troy Aikeman during the Fox broadcast, to the effect: given time, Rogers is as a good a quarter back as any of them in this league - HE IS SMART AND ACCURATE. GB has a great QB and if the O-line can measure up to its potential GB has another great QB in its hall of fame! That pass to Lee - POW!!!!

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bomdad's picture

November 16, 2009 at 05:12 pm

Pack66, are you content with playoff appearances and no title? Probably not or your would be Pack96. We wont ever hear again about the reason we didnt win it all was because TT didnt get Randy Moss.

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Ron La Canne's picture

November 16, 2009 at 05:27 pm

As I said 66, check the film on the Packer - Dallas game in 2007.
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By the way, stop bringing disgrace to Ray Nitchke's number. You are not good enough to hide behind it.

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nerdmann's picture

November 16, 2009 at 07:02 pm

Every single drive that was killed in this game was killed due to at least one penalty.
Rodgers looks good, but he's got to overcome alot of BS on a routine basis in order even look as good as he is.

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PackerAaron's picture

November 16, 2009 at 07:21 pm

Pack66 - That may or may not happen but one thing we know for sure: Favre will be retired.

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Pack66's picture

November 16, 2009 at 07:27 pm

Aaron...People have been saying that since '04-'05, and Favre's still here.

Hell, if Ted would have just gotten the talent, the Superbowls would be here by now. With ARodge...you never know what's going to happen.

That's the problem I have with it.

Hell, Favre may get there...this year...with the VIKINGS!

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C.D. Angeli's picture

November 16, 2009 at 08:21 pm

Rodgers is always statistically accurate. Give some kudos to the line for giving him a little more time than usual, and his receiver for not dropping as many as usual. As always, its a team game.

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Jim in DC's picture

November 16, 2009 at 08:28 pm

Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre, Favre...whatever.

Vike66, he's a Vike, go worship him there.

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mopak65's picture

November 16, 2009 at 09:48 pm

Jim in DC - AMEN!!

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Asshalo's picture

November 17, 2009 at 12:41 am

Great point. 41 Sacks? He's managed to avoid INTs and put up pretty damn good numbers despite being far and away the most pressured QB in the game. Wonder how so called great QBs do in a comparable situation? Look at Romo's performance Sunday.
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Can't wait til we improve the OL in the offseason through whatever changes occur. Hoping for a free agent Tackle and drafting a franchise LT in the first round. Watching Brady and Manning last night I thought, "Oh yeah, that's what a deep ball looks like." Despite overthrowing some, he had some pretty looking deep balls last year. Again, can't wait until he has a line that gives him some versatility.

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nerdmann's picture

November 17, 2009 at 12:52 am

is Pack66 actually saying that Favre is a more consistent QB than Rodgers!? The Favre I always watched played on adrenaline, emotion.
Rodgers is more of a Joe Montana/"ice in the veins" type of guy, imo.

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Phil Hanrahan's picture

November 17, 2009 at 11:30 am

Aaron,

Couldn't agree more about those two Rodgers throws. Windows the size of portholes on passenger planes - the size of a hardcover book - and he whistled the ball right through. Bigtime lasers, and in the clutch. Even more striking after watching Brady Quinn last night throw behind receivers on 5-yard slants with a clear throwing lane. Not to mention consecutive long balls the equivalent of a golf drive slicing into the adjoining fairway (and conking someone in the head - twice). So yeah, good stuff from #12, fer sure.

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fish's picture

November 17, 2009 at 11:46 am

Sacks vs Interceptions. I bet Cutler wishes he had a game getting sacked 6 times instead of 6 interceptions. That was just sad, (Which made me happy...)

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greenbaypackerbob's picture

November 17, 2009 at 12:59 pm

I would prefer not to compare Rodgers to Favre or Montana. There's no need after one big game (that's not fair to Rodgers). He may be in the future (if he doesn't get killed behind the OL first) but don't put unrealistic expectations and demands on the poor guy. Montana has his rings, Favre has his SBs, MVPs and is currently the league leader with a 107 passer rating. But both these guys played for years to get to that level.
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If we keep it balanced then when Tampa like games hit (and all QB's eventually have them) he will not be back on the block for not being Favre or Montana like.
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The Pack beat Dallas because the Defense played very well and that helped give AR the number of drives he needed to get one in for a score. Except for the one unnecessary and risky QB sneak, the calls were balanced and did not center on Rodger carrying the team alone (forget the stats).

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