Cory's Corner: Rodgers Better Than Perfect?

We've seen Aaron Rodgers carve up defenses before.

But he's never been perfect.

On Sunday, Rodgers had the precision of a surgeon by going 25-for-31 for 429 yards, five passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. For the first time in his career he had a perfect passer rating of 158.3.

"I feel like this has been coming," said Rodgers, whose last game with a 150 passer rating was in 2016. "I feel like we've been building. I know I've been feeling a lot more comfortable and Matt (LaFleur) has been more comfortable as far as knowing when to be aggressive and when to pull back."

That's a scary quote and it is putting the rest of the league on notice. Rodgers didn't play a snap in the preseason and it took him a little while for him to get his sea legs. He threw for 215 yards during the first three games. At times, he looked pretty average.

But, with all things, there is a learning curve when you're doing something new. And after seven games, Rodgers looks like he's ready to graduate. And remember, Davante Adams was out and Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling had their snaps watched very closely.

No problem. Rodgers completed passes to eight different receivers with the running back position catching 10 balls.

But even LaFleur hit on how far Rodgers has advanced in this new scheme. Many national pundits thought that there would be friction between Rodgers and LaFleur but Rodgers has put both of his arms around this offense and it's showing.

"The progression -- that's what you want to have happen," LaFleur said, who is easily the best of the rookie class of coaches. "You want it to progress and get a little bit better each week, but we know there's a lot of football left out in front of us. It's one game and the only way it's going to continue to improve is that you've got to get back to work and clean up the little mistakes. I think we're starting to learn our players a little better, what they do well. The communication has been on point between coaches and players, and today it came together."

Rodgers was throwing guys open on Sunday. Aaron Jones made an excellent grab to turn the other way for a score, somehow Jake Kumerow stayed inbounds (I honestly thought he was out), Jimmy Graham might be making a believer out of me and Valdes-Scantling is even faster than I thought.

And to think that Rodgers is still progressing? If Rodgers can get better than perfect, I don't know how the Packers aren't the best team in the NFC.

 

 

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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)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Houndog's picture

October 22, 2019 at 08:47 am

No question, it was fun to watch him dissect the Raiders, they're still learning the new offensive system, there's still room to improve, and the Pack is 6-1. What's not to like?

Then, last night we watched the Pats slaughter the Jets and then after the game make a trade for Mohammed Sanu, the type of move that keeps them at or near the top annually. And, despite being at the top, they ALWAYS pull the trigger on some kind of move that makes them better.
I hope Gutekunst was watching, this is the type of move that could supply another Lombardi trophy.

I've seen a lot of comments about the Pack trading for another receiver and I wouldn't disagree. However, I for one am more concerned about the defense. I love Martinez, but the Packers haven't had a "Thumper" in the middle since Bishop was injured years ago, and they could use one. Imagine that, with the Smith Bros. on the outside and their group of (good) young DB's. Priceless!
Who's available, it's a move that could make the season!

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cheesehead1's picture

October 22, 2019 at 10:01 am

Couldn’t agree more. The Patriots always look to improve. Hope Gute is trying to improve us as well. Our D is definitely better but they still get torched by good QB’S.

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Favreisgod's picture

October 22, 2019 at 09:12 am

Rodgers played great! He's always been good outside the pocket and he's getting more opportunities to do that this year. It would be nice to get another WR but I think it's going to cost too much in a trade and it's hard to work a guy into a new system. Signing Jordy Nelson (I know people hate that idea) could be the best answer because he wouldn't cost us a draft pick AND he has history with Rodgers. It would also allow us to bolster the middle of the defense in a trade

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Lphill's picture

October 22, 2019 at 10:15 am

I think Gute makes a deal to help the defense not the offense, D lineman or linebacker.

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stockholder's picture

October 22, 2019 at 11:08 am

I hope Gute doesn't make a deal. Look how Kizer turned out. Even Morrison. And look how many DTs were brought in by TT. The best way is the FA way. Gute is perfect there. Even if people have trouble with Graham. ( Buy what you need!) The packers are scoring points. Bringing in a head case or poison, can have an adverse effect. Swapping quality picks, can wreck the Beauty of looking for future help. Look around the league. More failures then winners.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 22, 2019 at 07:46 pm

I hope your right.

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Leatherhead's picture

October 22, 2019 at 10:22 am

The offensive line is doing a great job, run and pass. Our receivers are making some excellent catches. Rodgers is healthy , throwing accurately and protecting the ball. We should be a 30 points offense if people don’t get banged up. .

I love using the backs to move the ball and I wish we had one more horse in the backfield.k

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JohnnyLogan's picture

October 22, 2019 at 10:56 am

I love how each week we go back and forth, one week the offense needs to improve but the defense is great, the following week the offense is great but need to shore up the D. This is a good football team but there are obvious weak spots that after seven games I'm sure Gute is aware of; ILB, WR (despite this week's output), run-stuffing DL (Adams and Clark for some reason aren't getting it done.) Mostly road games coming up. Hard to win on the road. Won't get the refs calls. Playing against good offenses (KC, LAC, Panthers, 49's). LaFleur has overcome the challenge of playing against really good defenses so far. Now the test will be how he does on the road. Buckle your seatbelts.

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4thand1's picture

October 22, 2019 at 03:56 pm

Clark is banged up and Adams may be a little rusty.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 22, 2019 at 11:32 am

I tweeted this a day ago...

Replying to
@CoryJennerjohn
If they can beat KC in KC, whether with or without Mahomes, there is no way this team cannot be considered the favorite to be the SB entrant from the NFC....Yes I said it...the one most accused of being negative when GB dictated in negativity.

I don't agree with Vegas making GB a 4.5 pt favorite here,unless they know for sure that Adams will play and is 100%.

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JDK52's picture

October 22, 2019 at 12:59 pm

Never thought I'd see it. Truly it's a new day here in Green Bay!

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dobber's picture

October 22, 2019 at 02:02 pm

With Drew Brees coming back, the Saints have a lot to say about that. Most complete team in the NFC.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 22, 2019 at 02:08 pm

Sure they do...but I'm not listening at the moment.

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4thand1's picture

October 22, 2019 at 04:02 pm

The KC game will be interesting because of the noise factor. It'll be a test for the young guys to be on the same page with AR. Getting a nice lead would help. In GB you can hear AR barking out all the signals, that ain't gonna happen in KC. I see a lot of running plays for GB, 30+ touches for Williams and Jones combined.

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Lofton82's picture

October 23, 2019 at 04:07 am

Nobody is perfect, but Rodgers gets closer than anybody else. If he played for New England he'd need more fingers for the rings he'd have. Thank God he doesn't.

Oh and I agree that we do need an ILB more than an WR.
We have some promising depth at WR but more importantly, the best QB in the game making them better and /or covering for any lack of experience or quality. We're so weak at ILB that we're hoping for the return of a hybrid DB to shore it up.
Get that one good ILB and this team starts making waves. Maybe Gary can retrain?

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Houndog's picture

October 23, 2019 at 08:09 am

Hmmmm, now there's a thought, retraining Gary. If he's the kind of "Football Guy" Ron Wolf used to talk about it might work. Question is, does he have the speed to play sideline to sideline?
I can't remember Gary's draft stats, but I do remember CMIII making the ProBowl as an ILB when he younger?
With getting torched the past few games it should be worth a try.

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Lofton82's picture

October 23, 2019 at 09:51 am

I would definitely say he has the speed. I've no doubt we'll persist with him as an Edge in support of the Smiths, but needs must and there's no harm getting him involved elsewhere to see what he's got.

As much as Greene is a hybrid DB / ILB, Gary could be a hybrid DE / ILB.

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