Cory’s Corner: This is Aaron Rodgers’ toughest test

The offensive line has been decimated with injuries. And now one of the Packers’ elite wide receivers tears an ACL. Aaron Rodgers is back to square one.

The best quarterback in the league has always been blessed with capable pass-catchers. Now it’s time for Rodgers to put this all-world offense and more importantly, this team, on his 6-foot-2 shoulders. There’s no doubt what Rodgers can do on a football field. He has excellent esacapabilty, he has pinpoint precision on the run and he has a rocket arm. That’s all rolled into one of the sharpest minds on a football field. However, there have been critics that question if it’s the passer or the receiver.

Ever since Rodgers started in 2008, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb have been the Packers’ leading receivers. Juxtapose that with Brett Favre and you get guys like Robert Brooks, Bill Schroeder and Javon Walker. I’m not picking one over the other. But think about it the other way. How would Favre have fared with at least one consistent Pro Bowl receiver? Rodgers has had plenty of tests in his seven-year stint as the Packers’ starter. The offensive line has played musical chairs, he has battled a string of injuries and he has dealt with stinging playoff losses. All five defeats of his 12 career playoff games were by one possession. But Rodgers has always had the luxury of reliable pass catchers. Jermichael Finley’s tweet on Aug. 23 really ticked off Packer Nation, but it also made me think.

You know something? He’s right. We will find out. This will be the ultimate test. I think it’s safe to say that the reason most people put Tom Brady as the best quarterback of all-time is because he won four rings with guys like Troy Brown, Deion Branch and David Givens. Rodgers turns 32 on December 2.

This season is crucial for myriad of reasons. It cements Mike McCarthy’s decision to become a team CEO and delegator instead of just an offensive guru and it proves that Julius Peppers still has something left in the tank. But most of all, it proves that Rodgers can put a team on his back.

This season was a huge moment of urgency the moment the second half happened in Seattle last winter. And Rodgers is smart enough to know this. He knows that time is running short and he has to do all he can. So if that means spending more time with young receivers trying to nail down nonverbal communication or the mastering unguardable back-shoulder throw, he’s going to do it.

We already know that Rodgers absolutely detests the turnover. He would rather play in Crocs than throw an iffy pass in traffic. But we don’t know how Rodgers will handle imperfection from a young corps of receivers. With Cobb expected to see a lot of double coverage this year, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jeff Janis will be asked to figure things out rather quickly. It was obvious last year that Rodgers only trusted two receivers. And one of those was Nelson for the early portion of the season. He cannot afford to only trust two guys this year, because the only way the passing game succeeds is if he spreads the wealth.

The question is, can it and will it happen?

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (17)

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croatpackfan's picture

August 29, 2015 at 01:25 pm

Cory, I bet that Janis will not make 46 this year for more than 3 games...
I'm really tired to telling people there is other good and very good receivers besides Janis who can not run routes correctly! And who can not catch the ball with hands consistently...
Regarding opportunities, I bet this year on Packer D to carry the team...
Only problems I see with ST, but I hope they will surprise me pleasently...
EDIT: I suggest TT to sign Usain Bolt. He is tall, strong and the fastest guy on the planet. Who cares he do not know how to run routes and how to catch. He is similar to Janis, just higher, stronger and faster than Janis!

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NewNikeShoes's picture

August 29, 2015 at 01:38 pm

The thing is, who'll take Janis's place when he's cut?
Abby? Too injured. Pinkard? Too much of a rookie. Free Agent? Hahaha, no.
I think White and Janis both make the final roster AND are active cause of Nelson's injury. GB usually always carries 5 WRs and makes em active. Pinkard goes to PS, hopefully Abby plays soon so we can see how good he is, or he's probably cut and or stashed on the PQ.
Agree with D, lets see how good they really are. LOL at Bolt btw.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 29, 2015 at 04:46 pm

Your absolutely correct Nike. Janis and White both make the roster and I think they both will play a lot of snaps. Packers will have to use more 2 RB sets also, that means Lacy gets more snaps/carries and Kuhn gets more snaps. Packers will have to work Janis, White and Montgomery into the WR and all will have to make some plays, but they'll be platooned more, instead of just one of them getting all the #3 WR reps. WR by committee, as it were.

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TarynsEyes's picture

August 29, 2015 at 01:30 pm

Many a CB will be in position to make names for themselves as or close to 'shut down' guys,deserved or not, when they play the Packers.

The run game had best dictate an over maned box or the two safety look will be even more depressing than ever before for our WR's and Rodgers.

If ever there is a season for Rodgers to do the Clark Kent goes into phone booth and doesn't come out as Clark Kent still...this is it. :)

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 29, 2015 at 04:06 pm

Without Jordys deep threat teams will be much less likely to play 2 deep safeties. More than likely they will start bringing a safety down into the box more often. Obviously Rodgers still commands alot of respect so I dont see single safeties regularly either. But definitely more defenders in the short/intermediate zones. Rodgers and Lacy are both going to find it more difficult to gain positive yards.

The offense as a whole will have to individually raise the level of play, in my expert opinion.

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 29, 2015 at 05:07 pm

The one thing Janis can do is go deep. I'm not panicked at all. For the last two off-seasons TT has been drafting like he was expecting to lose either Cobb or Jordy. With one on the wrong side of 30 and the other being smallish, it was a smart, smart move. Yes, these young guys will test 12's patience, but I think it works itself out by November.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 29, 2015 at 01:46 pm

My only pet peeve with Rodgers is his penchant to ignore WRs and especially TEs even if they're open in favor of the dynamic duo. It seems likely that he is not going to be able to do that this year if GB is to be successful.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 29, 2015 at 02:21 pm

I tend to agree with you. aaron is the best in the business and now is the time to show to the world why he is the best. I believe in him!

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Tommyboy's picture

August 29, 2015 at 03:00 pm

We're really not sure how good the two- time NFL MVP and Super Bowl winner is at this point? We think being down Jordy Nelson and some offensive linemen will put Rodgers on some test that years of film hasn't already answered?

I'm guessing the Packers will play really well and win games. I'm guessing that the running game will help. I'm guessing Rodgers, in the middle of his prime, will continue to piss off defenses.

I love this site because it doesn't do articles this generic and thin. Cmon man....referencing logic from Finley, ol'
buttermits himself?

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Tommyboy's picture

August 29, 2015 at 03:00 pm

We're really not sure how good the two- time NFL MVP and Super Bowl winner is at this point? We think being down Jordy Nelson and some offensive linemen will put Rodgers on some test that years of film hasn't already answered?

I'm guessing the Packers will play really well and win games. I'm guessing that the running game will help. I'm guessing Rodgers, in the middle of his prime, will continue to piss off defenses.

I love this site because it doesn't do articles this generic and thin. Cmon man....referencing logic from Finley, ol'
buttermits himself?

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

August 29, 2015 at 05:43 pm

Tolzein is out there he might play.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 29, 2015 at 06:50 pm

I think some of you are overreacting to how the Packers and opposing defenses will adjust to life with Jordy.

There's no way to really shut this offense down. The offense can only hurt themselves.

Take the TD drive (when Jordy went down) for example. Didn't the Pack make it look easy? It was scripted including Jordy.

For teams loading the box, Rodgers will get in shotgun or just scan the field and adjust accordingly. 2 plays before Lacy's rushing TD ( it was 2nd and 12) the Steelers had 7 in the box (2 DL,4 LB and a Safety dropped down). A HB draw gained 10.

The TD run was against 7 in the box and Lacy was untouched.

The 2-point conversion proved that Cobb would be double teamed and everyone else would be single covered. I like the chances of Adams or Janis winning jump balls or Quarless/Rodgers beating a LB. If not passing, how about having the RB walk in for 2?

If a team doesn't have a damn good D-Line or MLBs I don't see anyone having much success against the Pack in the Red Zone this go round.

Teams who want to throw more 7 in the box looks might want to think twice. Remember, this is Aaron Rodgers.

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sheppercheeser's picture

August 30, 2015 at 06:52 am

I think if A-Rod and the coaching staff account for this new group of receivers and get the ball out quick, we'll optimize the talents of these guys and be in the mix- post season? Not so sure.

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sheppercheeser's picture

August 30, 2015 at 06:53 am

P.S.- I was totally impressed with Hundley, once he settled down. Packers haven't been this comfortable in the QB department in a long time.

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Imma Fubared's picture

August 30, 2015 at 10:36 pm

From the little I've seen of this team, living here in Minny, I think this could be a long season. My gutt says the pass defense will be so pourous it will open the running game up as well and we will see and onslaught of quick scores that even Rogers won't make up.
You can't put your whole season in the hands of a first and second round picks, guys who did not practice a lot due to nagging injuries.
Pea brain Mike's, if we run Lacy all the time we keep our D off the field and we have the great Rogers to put up more points than the other teams so we win. Ya that don't work this year

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Chad Lundberg's picture

August 31, 2015 at 11:21 pm

All receiver who have left Green Bay have had far less significant numbers when they left, and Rodgers made the nobody Jarrett Boykin a star for a season, and he's been discarded by every other team. The debate is already settle.

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Dan Stodola's picture

September 01, 2015 at 01:09 am

Actually it was Flynn who made Boykin look really good. He got the vast majority of his numbers in '13 when Rodgers was out and Flynn and to a lesser degree Tolzien were his QB's. In '14 w/ Rodgers at QB again he flopped and lost his job in a hurry to Adams. But otherwise your point is well taken, ie see Jenning and Jones as exhibits 1 and 1a.

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