Can Amari Rodgers Take a Big Step Forward in Year Two?
By GilMartin
There is no doubt that Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers had a disappointing rookie season. The third-round pick out of Clemson saw only limited action on offense and played only 10 percent of the offensive snaps for the Packers.
Rodgers finished the season with only four catches for 45 yards and did not score a touchdown. On special teams, he struggled to judge and field punts and when to return kickoffs. His average per punt returns was a pedestrian 8.3-yards per runback while on kick returns, he averaged only 18.1-yards per try.
There were forces working against Amari Rodgers last year. After the Packers drafted him, GM Brian Gutekunst traded for Randall Cobb at the request of Aaron Rodgers. Cobb and Amari Rodgers are receivers with similar builds and skill sets and are both best suited for slot duty.
Then, you add the fact that Aaron Rodgers struggles to trust rookie receivers. Newcomers need to earn the quarterback’s trust by demonstrating that they will be in the right place at the right time. Historically this has not been easy to do.
Despite these factors, wide receivers coach Jason Vrable doesn’t believe Cobb’s presence is an excuse for Amari Rodgers’ disappointing first season in the NFL. “I don’t give Amari the out that [Cobb] was here,” Vrable told reporters this week. “It’s your job to beat Randall out or beat our Z out. Even though he plays slot, I’ve got him working out at Z and he’s done that before. His performance just wasn’t on their level. That’s just the reality of it, right? It wasn’t that he was bad, but he wasn’t doing the high-level things that Randall was doing or the Z, Lazard.”
Many NFL players take a step forward in their second and third seasons in the league. For Packers receivers like Jordy Nelson, Cobb and Davante Adams, it took a couple of seasons before they learned what it takes to succeed at the highest level of football.
Amari Rodgers seems to be putting in the time to improve his game this offseason. “Biggest thing we worked on, I talked to him in the offseason, how do you get your confidence? Well, you work and train harder than you ever did,” Vrable explained. “So, if you were to see him right now, he already looks faster and stronger than he ever did. He’s in the best shape of his life. His mindset is, ‘I’m going to be the No. 1 guy at all three positions.’ He has that going for him.”
Both Vrable and Cobb see progress from Amari Rodgers heading into OTAs this spring. “His route-running is already cleaner and crisper,” Vrable said. “I feel really good about Amari. Cobby bumped me the other day and was like ‘Yo, you can feel it from him.’ And I just smiled and was like ‘It’s just the start right now. We’ll see where it’s at when the pads come on and the lights go on.”
The opportunity is certainly there. The Packers will not have their top receiver from 2021 back now that Adams has been traded to the Raiders. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was also a top-three wideout for Green Bay last year, signed a free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. That presents the receivers on the present roster an opportunity to take on a bigger role this season. And there is plenty of competition with Allen Lazard and Cobb also returning. The Packers also signed veteran Sammy Watkins and drafted Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure this year.
Cobb can also serve as a mentor for Amari Rodgers. Just before the draft last month, Cobb preached patience with the former Clemson star. “What we do is not easy and for anybody to think that you can just walk into a place and become great … it's a process,” Cobb said. “So, just give it time. Some people take a little longer to blossom. It's about me helping him understand and build confidence and know who he is and allowing him to continue to grow.”
Adams and Nelson started to really blossom in their third season. Cobb broke out in his second year when he had 80 catches for 954 yards and eight touchdown catches. In the past, rookies had more established receivers ahead of them on the depth chart in their second season. With the departure of Adams and MVS, the depth chart is more wide-open for Amari Rodgers this season.
The opportunity is there is Amari Rodgers can seize it. If he can, he still has a bright future ahead of him.
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Comments (66)
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 01:02 pm
I agree with you, Gil. Nice work.
Amari Rodgers is not an easy subject to tackle. I think he may be fighting the greatest uphill battle of any of the WRs on this team. Gutekunst trading up for him left a mark. Much was expected as a result, even though Amari was considered a strong R2 prospect in last year’s draft. He just didn’t get legit touches/Targets from AR, and you could see the pressure mount in every aspect of his play in 2021.
Maybe Aaron Rodgers gives Amari a little more encouragement and opportunity this year. Confidence is built. His was literally shredded last year.
While there’s probably 200 or so more Targets to spread around with DA & MVS out of the picture, those could easily find themselves spoken for between Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure. Add in more for both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon?
I could EASILY see Gutekunst signing TE Jared Cook in FA once the dust settles, pulling even more of those away. Good friends with Aaron. Great history with the team. I’d love to see that move, myself. With Tonyan starting the year on the PUP? Easy.
I wish Amari all the best in turning it around in 2022. He’s a player who is going to have to be SWITCHED ON! (If you’ve never heard that album by Stereolab, you might want to give her a whirl).
Oppy
May 21, 2022 at 12:38 pm
Aaron Rodgers stifled Amari Rodgers' growth in year one.
When the HoF QB flatly states he "doesn't have time to teach a WR how to play the slot", what he's saying is "I am not going to be bothered to waste my time helping develop the rookie."
Everyone better pray that Rodgers has a change of heart accompanying that massive guaranteed contract extension he signed, because if he doesn't help develop rookie WRs in 2022, it's gonna be a long year.
Amari had a disappointing rookie season as a return man, no question, that's on Amari.
He never was given a legitimate chance to succeed as a WR in 2021.
Hope this kid has a break out season and forces Rodgers to take the podium and pretend like he was helping mold Amari into the player he always knew he could be with "tough love".
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 12:48 pm
A bazillion % dead on the money, Opps.
SanLobo
May 21, 2022 at 02:44 pm
We can blame 12, or the coaches, but the bottom line is Amari Rodgers had opportunities and he failed to capitalize on them. I hope he shines this season and plays brilliantly, but he has to seize the opportunities he is given.
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 05:15 pm
Amari Rodgers only had 7 Catchable Targets for the entire season. He dropped 1.
I’d hardly characterize that as Amari having “had opportunities.” Do you agree, San Lobo? Over the course of a 17 game season?
Fair?
Characterizing the situation as, “Amari Rodgers had extremely limited opportunities,” would be more representative of the hand he was dealt in 2021.
Who the hell can be expected to develop under such conditions?
Can you imagine how this place would explode with outrage if Christian Watson or Romeo Doubs were to only receive 7 Catchable Targets in 2022?
Target Accuracy was only 6.9, a figure that falls into the category of “fairly inaccurate,” in terms of those pass attempts by Aaron Rodgers when throwing to Amari Rodgers. (On a scale of 1-10, 8.0 and above are considered “highly accurate targets.” — per Player Profiler).
Now, THAT jibes entirely with what I recall seeing throughout last season with regards to this player. Amari really wasn’t given much opportunity whatsoever, under great pressure to produce.
I’d like to see Amari get a fair shake to show his wares this season.
SanLobo
May 21, 2022 at 06:04 pm
Did you get a chance to see the movie American Underdog about Kurt Warner? The scene where Warner is at Packers training camp. Coach Mariucci tells him he’s up and to go in. Warner replys he doesn’t know the playbook yet. The next day Warner was cut. Was that fair? The NFL is cut throat, it seems to have a different definition of fair.
Amari was targeted 8 times and caught 4, for a 50% reception rate. We can go back and look at why he didn’t catch the other four…they were throwaways, he didn’t run his route accurately, he didn’t recover from defensive pressure…etc. But in the NFL if the ball comes your way, you have to catch it.
I’m not anti-Amari, but I suspect he had plenty of balls thrown his way in practice. We don’t know what 12 thought of him during practice, but if 12 doesn’t think he can count on Amari to catch it he won’t throw it his way. It’s on Amari to prove himself to 12.
LLCHESTY
May 21, 2022 at 06:37 pm
True. There's a reason he played 10% of the snaps on offense and saw 1% of the targets. If he would have been open Rodgers would've noticed him on film and started looking his way. If he doesn't take a big step he won't see 103 snaps this year.
Oppy
May 21, 2022 at 06:38 pm
Are we going to ignore the fact that Rodgers literally stood at the podium, and said with disdain, in plain english, that he's not interested in teaching a WR how to play the slot? In a year where the Packers drafted a slot WR? A WR named Amari Rodgers?
It's not like there isn't a history of Rodgers icing out WRs.
Again, I reiterate, we better hope Rodgers has a change of heart in 2022.
Coldworld
May 21, 2022 at 08:16 pm
Rodgers would never ignore an open receiver …
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 08:23 pm
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
MainePackFan
May 21, 2022 at 08:52 pm
Friggin' Aaron Rodgers!!! If only we could get rid of him, Amari would be a star, and the Packers would win Super Bowls every year.
I get that some of you hate Aaron Rodgers, but I am pretty sure if Amari was doing what he was supposed to do he would have gotten the football. I'm pretty sure it wasn't Aaron Rodger's fault that Amari sucked at kick returns too.
I like Amari Rodgers, and I think he will make the adjustments in year two, but put the blame where the blame belongs. The kid didn't get it done in year one. That's fine, most rookies don't.
Lazard, an undrafted free agent, was able to earn Rodgers trust in year one. Why do you suppose ARod threw him the ball?
Hint, perhaps it was because Lazard was where he was supposed to be, when he was supposed to be there.
Nah, Aaron Rodgers is a Diva. "Rodgers literally stood at the podium, and said with disdain". Really? SMH!!
pantz_bURp
May 21, 2022 at 09:28 pm
Thanks for your opinion/insight MainePack.
"Friggin' Aaron Rodgers!!! If only we could get rid of him, Amari would be a star, and the Packers would win Super Bowls every year." I want to address this...I don't feel getting rid of #12 will make Amari a star. I also don't feel the Packers will win Super Bowls every year w/o him (or with him for that matter). #12 brought this upon himself by his actions/words that put the Packer organization in the cross-hairs. That is his right and he succeeded by getting a contract that reflects his past two regular season successes and to remain the starting QB. I don't hate him because I don't know him personally. What he puts out there by his actions is what I attempt to psychoanalyze. If I could take what he says at face value, would make it easier to understand his angle. I don't respect how he went about his business and he shouldn't give a damn what my opinion is. I don't believe in winning at all costs and again, that is probably my down fall...so be it. I don't agree with your blanket statement but I don't blame you for writing down what you feel or believe. Rather, I respect you for sharing it in the first place and having a passion for the Green Bay Packers, so thanks! #12 is in a unique position to be a leader for the team and face of the Packer organization...he hasn't taken full advantage of that responsibility/opportunity in my opinion. Now, if he helps the players behind the scenes...I owe him an apology on that one.
MainePackFan
May 22, 2022 at 05:36 am
I appreciate the feedback Pantz. GPG!!
pantz_bURp
May 22, 2022 at 09:37 am
Thanks MainePack! I have learned from your opinions and appreciate you...you da Maine Man! 👍
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 09:38 pm
Respectfully, MainePackFan, I think the bigger point is Aaron Rodgers did say those things. There are other things we’ve seen happen that can’t be denied.
He’s been known to do what he wants, under two different HCs, and both HCs have acquiesced.
Who holds Aaron Rodgers accountable? Apparently, no one.
MainePackFan
May 22, 2022 at 08:41 am
Thanks for your friendly input GG, I always appreciate your take.
My issue is, too often there are statements in here attributed to ARod that have been taken out of context, misquoted, or not said at all.
I understand that some folks in here don't like Arod, I get it, but I find it counter productive that some want to turn every article into an opportunity to bash Aaron Rodgers unnecessarily.
Don't get me wrong, I respect everyone's opinion, and I enjoy the commentary :-)
Oppy
May 23, 2022 at 01:12 am
I'm glad you're not talking about me when you say some folks, because what I attributed to Aaron Rodgers is in context, pretty darn close to his exact words, and he definitely said them.
MainePackFan
May 23, 2022 at 07:31 pm
"Rodgers literally stood at the podium, and said with disdain, in plain english, that he's not interested in teaching a WR how to play the slot"
Oppy, with all due respect, your post does lack context. Your post suggests that AR was dissing his rookie receiver. I watch the vast majority AR podium conversations and I have never seen him do what your post suggests, but I willing to admit i have not seen them all.
I tried to find the particular interview that your post quotes, and I haven't been able to find it. Do you mind providing a link? If I missed it, I apologize.
My guess is that you simply do not like the man. That's fair. We are all entitled to our opinions. However, those of us who do not share your feelings about AR take exception with that post.
Oppy
May 23, 2022 at 07:55 pm
I can't find it either. But then, I also can't find the clip of Brett Favre saying it's not his job to help teach Aaron Rodgers, either- but he said it.
Maine, I've been around CHTV for around 15 years I guess, that's basically the beginning, and for a while before that over at Jersey Al's (not as long as some, though) and with all due respect, you're basically a new guy and have zero idea how strongly I have supported Aaron Rodgers over years gone by. Hell, at one time I was asked if I'd consider writing the occasional article or two around here (I think everyone involved is glad I declined, in retrospect lol )
That said, I've watched as Rodgers has continually manipulated the media to intentionally lay blame on others around him for years now. I don't like the man, he's become a self-centered fraud.
Despite my clear dislike of Rodgers and my belief that it would serve the best interests of the GBP's long-term health to be rid of him, one thing I believe most of those around here who have been around a minute or two would agree with, is that I don't just willy-nilly make shit up and I'm relatively credible. Sure, I make mistakes from time to time, but when I do, I own up to it. I don't just make stuff up. I don't know who you are or who you think I am, but I'm fairly certain most of stalwarts around here, even if they don't agree with my opinions on everything, would at least say I'm a generally honorable and relatively well-informed poster.
The last near decade I haven't been as active around here as I once was because life is busier than I'd like it to be. I see you've racked up about 250 posts. That's a pretty short term presence around here. Just know that the snap shot you have decided to base your opinion of me on is minuscule and there's more to me than your limited experience from the past, what, year and a half you've been popping around.
As I stated: Rodgers said what I said he said. He said it with a irritated tone. It was said without doubt in reference to Amari Rodgers. If I'm not mistaken, he made the comments on his first day reporting to camp in 2021, which was July 27th. The Packers signed Cobb the following day. You make your own judgements.
MainePackFan
May 24, 2022 at 06:03 am
Thanks for the response Oppy.
I think you may have misconstrued the meaning of my post. I was not questioning whether or not AR made the statement. As a matter of fact I seem to recall him saying something to that affect. I'm certainly not questioning your knowledge or sincerity regarding the Packers. I appreciate your insight and long history at CHTV. I assure you that I meant no disrespect.
I guess the point I was trying to make is that you and I see AR quite differently. When you post about him, your dislike for him sometimes outweighs your objectivity. You see a fraud, I see an imperfect human being (like all of us are) who wanted clarity from the team he wanted to finish his career with.
Lastly, I am relatively new here, but I do my best to be respectful when I post. If my post comes off differently than I intended, I offer my sincere apologies.
When it comes to AR, we can agree to disagree :) Thanks again for your feedback.
barutanseijin
May 21, 2022 at 10:30 pm
It’s not hate. QB1 doesn’t cut it. Year after after he shows you why: poor decisions, timidity, lack of leadership skills,, and now a loss of accuracy on deeper throws. But he’s the “Goat” yadda yadda yadda.
greengold
May 22, 2022 at 04:39 am
I agree 100%.
Sammy Watkins. Christian Watson. Romeo Doubs. Samori Toure. — Aaron Rodgers had better be working on his deep ball accuracy.
Aaron Rodgers’ target accuracy was a lowly 6.0 on a scale of 1-10 when throwing to MVS last year. Only 56.4% Catchable Targets (31 out of his 55 total Targets were Catchable Targets).
LLCHESTY
May 21, 2022 at 11:42 pm
If only he would have thrown to Amari he could have been the MVP to end all MVPs! Why they'd be embarrassed to ever give out another MVP after the season Rodgers could have had!
Just pure silliness. Cobb missed 5 games but Amari never got a fair shot? Simple answer, he wasn't good enough to receive more targets. Apparently nobody read the earlier article that quotes his position coach as saying he needs to play faster with more confidence this year and his route running is already cleaner and crisper. Sounds like a guy that wasn't ready to produce to me. But let's get bitched up about the MVP instead.
greengold
May 22, 2022 at 04:49 am
What part of Aaron Rodgers stat pumping with his buddy Davante Adams in 2021 is lost on you, LLCHESTY?
In his first presser at TC, AR’s stated goal for 2021 was to win another MVP. He didn’t mention winning another Super Bowl.
“Pure silliness,” is ignoring all this shit.
LLCHESTY
May 22, 2022 at 06:15 pm
So you want him to take targets from an All Pro WR and give them to a guy whose own coach said this week was slow, lacked confidence and is already running crisper routes in OTAs than he did last year? Yeah, I guess that makes a lot of sense. 🙄
Oppy
May 23, 2022 at 01:10 am
" but I am pretty sure if Amari was doing what he was supposed to do he would have gotten the football."
Go watch quarters 2-4 of last year's playoff loss, then get right back to me about how sure you are that if a WR is doing what he's supposed to be doing, Rodgers will definitely get him the ball.
And yes, Rodgers literally stood at the podium, and said with disdain, he's not interested in teaching a WR how to play the slot. Sorry you didn't witness it. He said it with a curt tone and a smug expression.
GatorJason
May 23, 2022 at 05:12 pm
He'd get more "catchable balls" if he ran the routes correctly. Rodgers is correct that it's not his job to teach him how to run routes. It's the WR coach's job to do that. On a simple out to the flat, Amari ran it three yards deeper that he should have and one of those "uncatchable balls" was throw to where he should have been. If it were thrown to where he ran, it could have been intercepted due to the closer proximity of his coverage guy. His lack of basic route running skills and field awareness hurt him more than anything.
Watson, Watkins, Doubs and even Toure will blow by him on the depth chart if he doesn't improve radically from what little he showed us last year.
greengold
May 24, 2022 at 07:30 am
I just can’t imagine a rookie running an incorrect route. Wild.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 23, 2022 at 05:01 am
Correct. We can blame Amari Rodgers, as well as alternative universes.
LLCHESTY
May 21, 2022 at 06:29 pm
Or it could be Rodgers thinking I don't think this kid is going to make it and I'm going to focus on players that are going to get playing time. NFL players talk all the time about how you can tell if rookies have "it" or not. Who knows if Amari becomes a bigger part of the offense this year or not. But bagging on the MVP because he didn't give a rookie that looked slow more targets makes no sense to me. Amari played 103 snaps on offense last year, he had his chances.
ReaganRulz
May 21, 2022 at 01:10 pm
Man, I hope that he can step it up in his second year. I’m really nervous about this position. I decided to take a look at some of SWatkins highlights from last year. Yikes. I’m certainly no expert, but Watkins was basically a possession receiver with nothing after the catch. While we need possession guys, we already have that. We need game changers. I hope that Amari can provide some of that along with Watson and maybe another FA pick-up.
Johnblood27
May 21, 2022 at 05:50 pm
what in the hell is wrong with a possession receiver who catches what is thrown to him and moves the chains?
Fantasy shit has ruined football.
the instant gratification crowd just clambors for TD-Right Now!! I would rather move the ball down the field and keep the opponent offense off the field and ultimately stick it in the end zone after 5 - 9 minutes. That's winning football, not a couple of bombs over the course of 60-70 mostly ineffective plays.
LLCHESTY
May 21, 2022 at 06:35 pm
Kind of, but it's been proven big plays win football games. It's hard to maintain longer drives in today's NFL. It's been proven that teams that have 2(or more) more explosive plays than their opponents win over 80% of the time.
Johnblood27
May 22, 2022 at 06:49 am
Here is a nugget to keep with you at all times...
CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION.
I am a PhD scientist with a lot of statistical evaluation in my background, believe me when I say that the above statement should accompany all correlative statistical evaluations.
Correlation is a great first step to recognition that something may be going on that indicates dependent relationships. Further investigation is needed to sort out the true nature of those relationships.
Sports data is very often manipulated by statistical massaging to support eyeball observations. Moreso in this new era of analytics gone crazy. New relationships will be discovered in every sport utilizing analytics, but all initial observations will not turn out to reflect laws previously gone undiscovered.
pantz_bURp
May 22, 2022 at 09:48 am
Geez JBlood...a PhD Scientist?! I wish you would have shared that nugget before all my smack talking at ya. You have a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs and I come armed with a slingshot using soggy peas...
Truly, very cool!👍
Johnblood27
May 22, 2022 at 09:21 pm
its just a piece of paper until you do something with it.
dobber
May 23, 2022 at 08:30 am
Watkins can still run. I'm not concerned about that part. His first 6 weeks last season were decent, but Baltimore's QB situation ran hot and cold throwing the ball, and as soon as Jackson got hurt, Watkins fell off the map.
We shouldn't expect that he's going to be Davante Adams 2.0. He's not been a #1 WR for a long time (if ever) in the league. He is what he is: a veteran receiver who has played a lot of football (and is a good blocker), is familiar with some of the Packers' coaching staff, who stabilizes the WR position at low cost. It could be with a more accurate thrower and a chance to play a lot of snaps, he might have a very nice year...but he's got to stay on the field and seize the chance.
GregC
May 21, 2022 at 01:46 pm
What bothered me most about Amari Rodgers' rookie season was that he didn't show any flash. I don't recall a single play in which he looked fast or twitchy. It makes me wonder if he's just not physically gifted enough to succeed in the NFL. But we'll see. He may have just lacked confidence and was overthinking. Hopefully for everyone, his career as a kick returner is over, and he can focus solely on his WR duties.
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 02:42 pm
That’ll happen when you receive LESS THAN ONE TARGET every TWO games…
Aaron Rodgers pumped up his friend Davante Adams for his contract year, to the detriment of team interests, including Amari Rodgers’ development.
I am not a fan of Prima Donas, anywhere in this life. If this joker can’t make it work with these FOUR new WRs this year, he’s no MVP in my book. I’m willing to support him should he decide to do so this season.
Show me you’re truly an MVP, Aaron Rodgers. Act the part of a Champion, ***and a team player.
The only trophy YOU need to focus on is the Lombardi
—-
Side note, GregC, I think there’s an equal chance Amari Rodgers EXPLODES onto the scene this year. If Rich Bisaccia wants Amari as a returner, by all means. He’ll coach him up right, and will put him in his best possible position to succeed.
Figure, Amari has been preparing feverishly for this season, and he’ll be WAY ahead of the 3 rookie WRs in understanding the playbook, and his responsibilities. He’s a talented player, and could prove to be highly valuable in LaFleur’s stated system.
Duneslick
May 21, 2022 at 03:18 pm
He wasnt good enough to play and get playing time. He looked slow
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 03:44 pm
Based on the 8 Targets you saw last year? Oh, I’m sorry…
LLCHESTY
May 21, 2022 at 06:09 pm
Exactly. There's a reason he didn't play more when Cobb went down. Opportunities are earned and he did nothing to earn more targets. 3rd rounders bust all the time(especially for the Packers) and they have plenty of others that can take slot snaps if he doesn't take a big step this year. It's not a big deal, they can replace him next year if he can't get in the rotation.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 21, 2022 at 05:31 pm
GG,
I am totally with you about Amari! He did not get many opportunities last year and I am sure there were multiple reasons why. I had read he wanted to slim down over the offseason to be quicker and was working harder than he has ever before. I fully expect him to come back and push ARod and the coaches to play him. I am expecting him to be greatly improved and be a contributor to the GBP's. Anyone who has written Amari off will be disappointed when they see his improvement.
pantz_bURp
May 21, 2022 at 05:33 pm
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power" - Abraham Lincoln
Well, the Packer organization gave #12 power (and money). True buy-in to the team and what is best for the team will be revealed one way or the other by #12.
Go Pack Go! And Amari, give it all you got, good luck sir!!
Johnblood27
May 21, 2022 at 05:54 pm
MLF's system?
AR would need to buy in before MLF's system can have any effect.
I have hope (very tempered and very little) that AR will see what is happening all around him and do what he should as a veteran capable QB in this system under this coach and buy the F in completely, build a confident and competent offense including the new young WR, and succeed as a TEAM.
i live near Disney World, but it isn't FANTASY LAND!!!
Coldworld
May 21, 2022 at 07:44 pm
Let’s hope he has time to work with Watson, Doubs and the rest this year.
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 08:13 pm
… Ahem,… uh, “stated system…”
LOL
I put that in there exclusively for you.
C’mon, man! Get with the program!
AR is going to be AR. He’s going to be throwing that ball all over the place. He’s not going to have any choice but to work with these young receivers. I think he will.
Yeah, I don’t foresee us employing LaFleur’s “stated system,” either. I mean, shit, I MAY have seen a JET concept once… a couple years ago, with… Tayvon Austin…??? Like you, I’ll believe it when I see it.
2022 is gonna be a Can-O-Spray-Cheese gone wild.
Who knows? Maybe we do see it. The Packers certainly will have a lot of time to try out some of those JET concepts with the players they have now, and a DEFENSE handing them the ball back, over & over, saying, “Do it again!”
Turophile
May 21, 2022 at 02:22 pm
Yeah, I agree with that. No real flashes. You don't expect a rookie to blow the doors off in his rookie season (or if you do you are unrealistic), but it is not unreasonable to expect a flash or two.
Maybe it's partly on Aaron Rodgers, partly on the rookie with his head spinning with all he has to learn. It might even be on coaches who just put too much on his plate. I'm not for dismissing him out of hand, because we probably WILL know what the Packers have in him, after this year. If he shows very little this year he won't get another year, so 2022 is crucial for him.
GregC
May 21, 2022 at 04:51 pm
I contrast him with Equanimeous St. Brown, who did show some flashes as a rookie. In four seasons, he never quite put it all together, but I had hope for him all along because of a handful of plays where he looked really good.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 21, 2022 at 05:28 pm
I suspect you are going to see ESB have better stats in Chicago than you ever saw here in GB. Time will tell but with injuries aside I just don't think Rodgers would look for him and when he did I recall many throws were not catchable. ESB has a future in this league and I think we may be surprised how well he does.
LLCHESTY
May 21, 2022 at 06:23 pm
Given the Bears WR room it would be shocking if ESB didn't have better stats. That doesn't mean he's suddenly a good WR.
Coldworld
May 21, 2022 at 07:50 pm
Meanwhile we gave him the snaps and targets we could have given to Rodgers and got next to nothing from ESB while taking up the sort of plays Rodgers ran in college. I think LaFleur handled Rodgers poorly. Get him in space and let him run. Thats what hit him drafted and yet something we never saw. Nuts. If Rodgers hasn’t got it, ESB certainly didn’t have it last year. I’m sure the Bears appreciate the extra experience, but I truly hope LaFleur learns from that.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 23, 2022 at 05:48 am
The hate for AR is palpable on CHTV.
ESB got 1 target per 12.8 snaps (9.94 as a rookie).
Amari got 1 target per 12.85 snaps.
MVS 1 every 12.8 snaps as a rookie. 10.4 in GB.
Trevor Davis at one target every 12.85.
Lazard = 1/10.49 for his career in GB.
Surprised Abbrederis came in a 9.6 (6.4 as a rookie) and Trevor Davis at 7.7 in GB. Davante was at 1/11.18 snaps in 2014/rookie yr. (1/6.4 in GB overall).
I am not really seeing it here.
greengold
May 23, 2022 at 06:26 am
Hate for Aaron Rodgers?
I think there’s real, palpable dislike for some of the things he does, and rightly so. “Hate,” implies he’s being unfairly victimized.
He’s a volume thrower. Favre was a volume thrower. How many Super Bowls did we leave on the table because Brett Favre checked out of running plays for Ahman Green, choosing instead to sling it during the Mike Sherman era?
I happen to see the same things happening with what should be the NFL’s top rushing attack in Aaron Jones & AJ Dillon never getting their rightly deserved touches.
If the stated goal by your QB1 is to win MVP to start a season, well… one can easily surmise what might happen.
Is THAT in the best interests of the TEAM?
—
If you were referring to “Hate,” for Amari Rodgers, yes. I can see many members have written Amari off here at CHTV. Wrongly so.
The man had 7 Catchable Targets for an entire season. “He wasn’t ready!!!” Wow…
Thegreatreynoldo
May 25, 2022 at 04:23 am
There is some hate for Amari. That said, he simply showed no speed, quickness or suddeness, and had ball security issues. There were no flashes. He played for Clemson, so it is unlikely that he is anything other than a plus athlete. He just showed zero as a 3rd round pick. I think that is a house opinion. He might show better athleticism when he is more comfortable and/or become a nice route runner or learns to have a great release. It isn't hopeless, there just is only college tape off which to project. I haven't written him off, but I do decline to project him as a solid slot receiver for 2022.
AR is not a big volume thrower except in the sense that the Packers have passed the ball on a percentage basis more than most teams, as well they should.
AR averages 34.27 attempts per game (excludes first three years that featured partial games and mop-ups).
Brady = 36.09 att/game (exc. his first 2 seasons).
Brees is at 36.8 attempts/game.
Favre finished at 34.01 att/gm; his teams played a blocking fullback and had Dorsey Levens, Edgar Bennett, and Ahman Green.
Matt Ryan averages 36.7 attempts/game.
Russell Wilson is the outlier at 30.57, though he had Marshawn Lynch, some iffy OLs, and many very good defenses.
Mahomes is 37.25 att/gm.
Josh Allen is at 34.26 in Buffalo.
Stafford is at 37.58 att/gm.
Justin Herbert in two years is at 39.59 att/gm.
Derek Carr is at 34.74 att/game.
Not seeing it. AR's volume is normal for an upper tier QB.
Leatherhead
May 21, 2022 at 05:41 pm
Over at Packers.com, they had a little video of Vrabel (the receivers coach) talking about Rodgers. I understand that Vrabel has everything to gain and nothing to lose by publicly praising Amari Rodgers. You're trying to build confidence.
So, with that grain of salt, what he said in the interview is that Rodgers is doing real well and is quite a bit farther along than a year ago. That's easy for me to believe. If he's been working with a strength and conditioning guy he should be bigger and stronger, and strength gives you confidence.
He led the conference....a very good conference...in receptions. That wasn't luck, or poor competition, that's getting it done. He had a rough rookie year, mishandling two punts , but did not have any turnovers. Malik Taylor let the ball touch his foot once, and Cobb, of all people, just flat blew another. By the end of the season, he was handling both kick return and punt return duties for the team. He did his job well in our playoff loss.
He got very few snaps on offense, and I understand why. Are you going to take touches away from Davante or Jones or Dillon just so you can throw to Amari? Or maybe we should take those targets away from Lazard, MVS, and Cobb?
He'll certainly get more targets this year than last, and I think some of you will be pleasantly surprised at the way he runs with the ball in his hands. He's definitely a threat to take a short pass a long way, and that's exactly what we're trying to do.
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 07:39 pm
Yep. I couldn’t agree more, LH.
Amari’s so much further along than any of the 3 rookies coming into TC. He had 77 Rec for 1020 yds and 7 TDs at Clemson. As shafted as he was his rookie year in GB, he still wound up with 11.2 YPR on his 4 catches on 7 Catchable Targets for the year. Amari Rodgers is a true Slot WR, and a true volume WR, which means he brings with him legit credentials. Power 5 credentials, no less.
Watkins is probably going to have a career year if he can stay healthy. All indications are that he’s got his legs under him this year, certainly wasn’t overused in BAL, and, paired with his old WR coach from BUF, Vrabel, along with AR throwing to him, should feel rejuvenated. This has to be a very exciting opportunity for Sammy Watkins.
Lazard ought to walk into TC with the new contract extension. He’ll definitely get his. He’s my pick for the big money announcement to start camp this year.
Then, figure Gutekunst will likely hedge his bets at TE with the signing of Jared Cook, returning him into the Packers fold with AR… being Tonyan will probably start the season on the PUP.
Anybody think Aaron Rodgers wants Jared Cook to throw to? Yeah, me too.
Aaron Rodgers had 531 Passing Attempts last year. DA/MVS consumed roughly 220 of those Targets.
The most AR has thrown in a season is 601…? We won’t be running more. WITH THIS DEFENSE??? I could easily see AR eclipsing 600 Passing Attempts, with him getting the ball back more. Way more…!!!
Let’s assume 300 targets are likely to be spread amongst Watkins, Amari, Watson, Doubs, Toure, maybe others added to Lazard and at TE/RB.
Figure too, those vets might all get some mid season rest to give these kids a chance, after they show the rookies the way for 4-6 games.
Amari should get a good number of Targets to show what he can do, along with Watson, Doubs, and Toure. Guessing they keep 7 WR this year. Why not? They can afford to swing that.
Looks like this could be really, really fun. This is gonna be an Aerial Renaissance.
Talk about your Spray Cheese! Wow.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 22, 2022 at 02:36 pm
GG,
You get a thumbs up for no other reason than your enthusiasm, and the effort you put into the post. LOL!
greengold
May 22, 2022 at 04:29 pm
Ha! Well, ALL OF IT about to play out in front of us shortly. I didn’t think legit opportunities to challenge for the Lombardi Trophy were possible after losing to SF, but much has changed. I find the adept personnel additions by the Packers this offseason, players & coaches alike, encouraging.
Talent adds up the WAZOO! Personally, I don’t see how any of this could have gone better.
We’ll see.
Coldworld
May 21, 2022 at 07:51 pm
Look at what Rodgers did in college and how he did it. Exactly not what we tried to get him to do last year. Inexplicable.
greengold
May 21, 2022 at 09:07 pm
“Inexplicable,” is right - under normal conditions.
That 7 Catchable Targets thing Amari received? For the entire season?
Imagine if that’s all Christian Watson gets this year, or Romeo Doubs… how would that be received around here?
Perspective.
Matt LaFleur needs to pull his head out of his ass and start leading his team, including Aaron Rodgers. How does a HC fail to develop a player of Amari Rodgers’ quality? How does a HC fail to employ his own Offensive scheme concepts?
Is it really “inexplicable?”
I still can’t reconcile AR throwing only to DA for an entire 3Q… exclusively. I don’t know what to expect other than a record number passing attempts by Aaron Rodgers in 2022. Maybe it works, especially with this new defense in GB.
Seems pretty clear what we’ve signed up for.
We’ll see.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 22, 2022 at 02:33 pm
Well said LH!
So many always want to write rookie and sophomore players off whether Adam's, Jones, Gary, Amari, or Jordan Love.
Runamuck
May 21, 2022 at 05:54 pm
The ONLY thing we learned about Amari was that He isn't too good at punts. literally thats it.
HawkPacker
May 22, 2022 at 06:53 am
However, I do think he did a pretty good job in our last game against SF.
LLCHESTY
May 21, 2022 at 06:00 pm
Not really that concerned about Rodgers this year. If he improves and can be a bigger part of the offense great. If not Lazard plays quite a bit in the slot, Cobb will get his opportunities if healthy and I'd imagine Doubs will see snaps there too. Slot is a good place for rookies to get their feet wet without having to deal with press coverage. Rebuilding the WR group is a two year project so it's no biggie if Rodgers bombs, they can try again next year.
Speaking of Doubs it sounds like he might be a gym rat which can only help his chance to get playing opportunities this fall.
https://twitter.com/mattschneidman/status/1527333909419024395?t=ZWSkzKW2...
PackfanNY
May 22, 2022 at 07:00 am
Amari Rodgers is a tough topic to discuss for the average fan. Let’s face it, he didn’t play a whole lot. The article mentions he was on the field about 10% of the time which was barely over 100 plays. In the limited time he was on the field not much happened for him. Now, did the Packers bring him along slowly or did they see something missing? I’ll leave that up to LaFleur and the coaches because as a “fan” we just don’t know enough. We don’t see him in practice either. Maybe this is the year we find out more from what seemed to be a hopeful draft pick at the time? I’ll be rooting for him to emerge this season. This is his chance. We have some nice young talent that hopefully will push him.