Rodgers Early Rhythm
By PackerAaron
Lost amongst the euphoria of the Packers capturing a playoff berth after a feel-good blowout win is the fact that the Packers once again came out completely out of sync on offense. In particular, Aaron Rodgers took a good three series before really settling into any kind of a rhythm.
Look at the play below. This is a 3rd down on the opening drive. Rodgers, at any other time in the game a quick-to-pull-the-trigger marksman, sees Jennings underneath for the first down. The corner, playing zone, even has his hips turned with his back to Jennings, making a completion there an easy first down. But for whatever reason, Rodgers stares, comes off Jennings, inexplicably steps up in the pocket and then falls victim to the three...man...rush. (sigh)
Pelissero has it just about perfectly:
...the one sack allowed — against a three-man rush in the first quarter — was a play the ball should have come out.
Now, I don't know why the above always seems to be the norm rather than the exception when it comes to the opening stanza and Aaron Rodgers. I do know that Rodgers has been very inconsistent over the course of the last month when it comes to the opening couple of drives - and that's something that could really come back to bite the team in the playoffs. McCarthy has got to get a handle on his openers - roll Rodgers out a few times, get some easy completions and get him in a rhythm right from the start. (It's now long forgotten, but McCarthy used this exact tactic to start the NFC Championship game, calling back-to-back roll-outs for Favre on the first offensive series)
None of this, of course, can take away Rodgers' brilliant play during the rest of the game and season. But it's a real concern heading into the playoffs. Any one of the offenses the Packers will potentially be playing could have the Packers down by three touchdowns by the time the Packers' third offensive series comes around. McCarthy and the Packers can't afford to wait for Rodgers to 'warm up'.
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Comments (9)
December 29, 2009 at 10:17 am
Slow starts were my only concern lately, but this play looks like the O-Line has the slow start and collapses. Rodgers should have rolled out but got trapped. I think Rodgers and the O-Line combined with poor rhythm opening receiving routes contribute to the slow starts.
December 29, 2009 at 10:38 am
I like the roll out idea. I think there has been some dropped passes early too.
December 29, 2009 at 10:40 am
my initial reaction to this title and your twitter comments was: Oh good God Aaron, quit looking for tiny problems that don't need to exist. We are winning, its not a real issue.
-But after reading the article, yeah I agree. Arizona especially, could ambush Bell or Bush in the first few series and have us down for the count before we even get our gloves up. Not to mention I find it odd, even if you arent scripting plays, your first few series should be of plays you think will kill from film review. Definitely one of the many things we need to get shaped up before the playoffs start.
PackerAaron
December 29, 2009 at 10:45 am
That's why I like you Packnic - you will at least hear me out before jumping down my throat. Many others are not so kind ;)
December 29, 2009 at 12:10 pm
It might actually be a simple fix. If Rodgers needs 10 more minutes to warm up, he just has to get to the stadium earlier. Boom, solved.
December 29, 2009 at 01:26 pm
I seem to recall that when Favre was young, he would be mostly useless the first couple drives because he was so keyed up he was liable to throw the ball in the stands while trying to complete a screen. In fact, I think he did almost hit the crowd once in a game against the creamsicle Bucs when he overthrew a "go" route so badly. This is real.
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I like the rollout idea. Or maybe a super quick screen-type lateral throw to the slot receiver if he's lined up off the line. I think it's worth trying something. Or better yet, do pre-game whatever they did before the 2nd half last week, since we actually scored on the 1st drive of the 2nd half!!!
December 29, 2009 at 07:12 pm
Looks like he was locked in on FINLEY, not Jennings!
December 30, 2009 at 02:31 am
I agree that the slow starts are concerning, but the slow starts are more the result of subpar OL play than ARodgers. I believe that Rodgers first read is James Jones based on the down and distance, Jones is doubled, Rodgers pats the ball to go through his progressions, but instantly feels the inside rush from the DE that Chad Clifton was supposed to block for more than 2 seconds. After watching Rodgers get abused by other teams for several weeks and get up every time, I can only hope that I get to watch him lead the Pack for years, regardless of his team's slow starts.
December 30, 2009 at 05:29 pm
This is one of the biggest problems the Pack should be working on preparing for the playoffs. Maybe they should change his warm-up routine or something.