Aaron Rodgers Makes It Easy To Forget About You-Know-Who

Aaron Rodgers starts his first playoff game and, really, his legacy Sunday against the Cardinals. The postseason is where careers are cemented; Peyton Manning was seen as merely a good quarterback because he fell apart in big games before finally winning the Super Bowl. Dan Marino is quickly fading because of his lack of success.

Which is why I would love to have Rodgers win his first playoff game. It would start his career off with a bang, instilling “We’ve been here before” attitude and confidence for the next few years. While his first two seasons need no extra spice to validate currently being a top 10 quarterback, a playoff win would be special. 

So Sunday may be Rodgers’ first game where, if he loses he goes home. But it is far from the first of being in the spotlight. Hell, his first game ever as a starter was on Monday Night Football against a conference rival; with everyone tuning in and gushing about how he would (or could) replace You-Know-Who.

Rodgers completed 18 of 22 that night, threw for one touchdown and ran for another.

Has any other player started eight games and endured the scrutiny, either on Monday, Thursday, or Sunday Night Football in their first two years? Throw in the Cowboys game when he came in relief for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and that makes nine times in his career playing on prime time.

Arizona may be just the third most hyped up game of his career, behind “The Return” and Rodgers’ first start. 

The one criticism Rodgers had coming into the season was that he couldn’t close games, that he couldn’t muster a fourth quarter comeback. I’ll be the first to defend him on this front as Crosby and the run defense should have held the brunt of the attack in 2008. Anyway, Rodgers said screw it, led the Packers from behind in the fourth quarter in the opener, then did it to the Bears again 13 weeks later.

For those who haven’t followed Rodgers, or seen him play, watch Sunday night. He is as fearless as his predecessor (I’m running out of substitutes) without the recklessness. Rodgers will bomb it on third and short, refuse to let a defensive lineman make him throw it away, and still only toss seven interceptions on over 540 attempts.

There was much criticism of Rodgers for holding the ball too long earlier in the season; which was somewhat justified, especially since those sacks killed the Packers. But now that he actually has an average offensive line in front of him, those plays will turn into big gains.

In fact, Rodgers probably learned more from the offensive sucking the first half (beyond the fact that a 300 lineman hurts when they crush you at full speed) than he did when they had a decent line. He knows the longevity of plays, and reacts better to the blitz. Of course, it’s nice to say that now because Rodgers can still stand.

But watch him. He plays with an absolute coolness.

(Side-note: This “championship belt” celebration Rodgers has, which can be seen here at 1:10, is definitely not cool. It’s incredibly dorky, to say the least. That being said, I wouldn’t mind seeing it a couple of times Sunday.)

By far, the best kept secret Rodgers has is that he tears apart defenses with his legs. Rodgers has rushed for five touchdowns and only David Garrard rushed for more yards this season, slightly edging him out 323 to 316. Rodgers sustained drives and rushed for 25 first downs, with a 43% first down rate! No one ever talks about this.

Perhaps most importantly, he doesn’t give the ball away. Mike McCarthy constantly preaches about turnovers on both sides of the ball, and Rodgers adheres to it. His seven interceptions are the fewest in the league, which is partly due to his decision making and partly due to his excellent arm.

Best of all, Packer fans have embraced the man. You’d think it wouldn’t be too hard considering the unprecedented numbers he has put up in the last two seasons, but we all know Green Bay loved Brett (There. I said it.). We loved him for bringing back the Lombardi trophy and later for his personality. As of now, Rodgers has the latter down.

If you watch Rodgers in any interview, he has a sly grin half of the time. He is soft-spoken, very calm, and jokes around with reporters. It has been a relatively smooth transition (did I really just say that?) from Favre to Rodgers as far as the likability factor.

There was a link over at CheeseheadTV, documenting Rodgers’ humorous quest of making the captain’s photo before each game.

Could you imagine Philip Rivers or even Tom Brady in Green Bay? They would be way too serious for Green Bay. We would love the numbers, but Brady’s robot personality doesn’t hold a flame to Favre or Rodgers.

So far, Rodgers has carried the offense for the past two seasons. He has been instrumental in turning the players with a 6-10 record into an 11-5 playoff team.

Sunday, Rodgers can close the healing process a little further.

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My Green Bay Packers Wish List: What I Want for Christmas

The holiday season is here and, evidently, so are the Packers. Their five-game win streak has been largely ignored by everyone outside of Wisconsin—although, the Chargers have had the same treatment for the last eight—as the defense has been a terrible monster for opposing offenses.

Aaron Rodgers might actually have a legitimate running back behind him and a superstar tight end in the making. Charles Woodson is making his case for Defensive Player of the Year, and Clay Matthews is making offensive linemen look absolutely silly.

However, I am going to be greedy this holiday season. I want a Super Bowl, and this is what it’s going to take for the Packers to make the trip to Miami.

So Santa, this is what I want for Christmas (or even by Jan. 3, when they end their regular season. No rush).

5. Do not let this team get complacent

The Packers are not in the playoffs.

Three games are left, and wild-card spots are still there for the taking. The Packers have hit their longest winning streak since 2007 and now is not the time to let off the gas. Green Bay has a tendency to slow things down once they’re ahead, or play to the level of their opponent. Case in point—Tampa Bay.

Many fans were worried about Chicago being a trap game, which to me is ridiculous because I can never see a divisional game as a trap game. Even against the Lions.

I am worried about the Steelers and Seahawks. I don’t know if the Steelers are mathematically eliminated yet, but it won’t matter because Tomlin is a coach who looks like he could care less.

Pittsburgh is the perfect trap game because: A) You can see the playoff light at the end of the tunnel, B) The Steelers have lost five straight games, and C) The Packers just got done from a brutal divisional game in which they beat the Bears on the road.

I do not want the Packers to lose close to the Steelers and then play half-heartedly at Lambeau against the Seahawks, because those two are really the games they have left. I think the Packers-Cardinals double-header is going to happen which shortens the season to 15 games and hurts the Packers, because I am sure there is more to Capers defense of which we have yet to have down pat.

This has kind of busted things out of the water now that Chillar got a contract—who saw that coming? I wish they would wait on this until after the season.

It won’t necessarily affect play on the field, but you have to think Collins, who was already seeing dollar signs before the season, has to be thinking why he isn’t getting one. Ted is not cheap—look at Jennings’ and Grant’s contracts—and players will be paid, but will he be put off by this and go somewhere else? Maybe.

Look at Walker, McKenzie, Sharper, and others who walked away because they did not get their paycheck when they wanted it. The Packers have a solid young nucleus to work with, and Collins is a part of that. Green Bay should retain him, and pay him well—he has played well for a second straight year to earn this paycheck.

3. Keep Pickett, Raji and Jenkins healthy. Oh, and keep Jolly out of jail

The most under-appreciated players on the team. I know plenty have pointed out their merits to the team from time to time, but they go unnoticed for the most part.

Last year, it was unbelievably frustrating watching the Packers collapse as they let every opposing running back mow them down in the fourth quarter. This year, it has become a strength—the Packers have the second best rush defense only allowing 85 yards a game.

They haven’t taken on bad running backs either—they’ve taken on the second, third (twice), eighth, and ninth highest yardage gainers this year.

Although Pickett was out last week, he does look better , and there couldn’t be better news for the Packers. Sure, Green Bay held Chicago down last week, but it is Chicago. And while Raji looked good, we need as many big men as possible for the playoffs.

Clay Matthews and Brad Jones have opened some eyes, but those big men are gobbling up the rest of the offensive linemen to give others better lanes to the quarterback.

Jolly is another situation. While I doubt he goes to jail—I mean come on, he is an NFL player—his trial is in Texas, which makes things a bit more dicey. Texas—at least the law enforcement part of it—does not take too kindly to druggies.

Jolly’s sentence could be between two and 20 years if convicted, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, and his defense will most likely be that the 200 grams of codeine wasn’t his.

All I know is that these big guys need to stay healthy, because everything starts at the line of scrimmage. Woodson, Collins, and the rest of secondary can thank the line for forcing bad throws and freeing up lanes for a sack.

2. Fix Mason Crosby’s leg

If there one problem so blindingly bright, it’s this.

At the beginning of the season, we were looking for Mason to rebound after a dismal 2008. Fans were wondering, “What happened to 2007 Crosby that led the league in scoring?” Of course, with all that scoring made us overlook his 80 percent kicking percentage, putting him in the bottom half of kickers. He put up an encore of that in 2008 with 79 percent.

Now, McCarthy screwed with those stats because he had Mason jack up kicks from anywhere on the field, including the hilarious 69-yarder McCarthy gave him at Detroit last year.

But, the problem this year has creeped closer and closer to the yellow uprights, even into the 30-39 range. In the last three games, Crosby is 2-for-5 outside of 30(!) yards. He hasn’t even made a 50-plus yarder since Week One, and Crosby has a cannon of a leg. Add all that together, and Crosby is 75 percent for the season. The worst part is, winter has barely touched down to affect his kicking. 

Before the season, Crosby “figured out” what he was doing wrong as to pushing the ball. Now, for the last three games the last three misses have all been to the right and it appears the problem is still there.

Maybe Rodgers needs to stall more drives into the red zone in these upcoming weeks. Hell, since we’re playing Arizona two weeks in a row, we can give Crosby plenty of practice. Don’t even try to get a touchdown, just strategically place the ball to get practice from all distances.

Okay, this one is kind of weird, but let me explain. Since the Packers can no longer win the North, I want the Vikings to think they are God’s team so the Packers can kick them off their throne. There would be nothing more satisfying than seeing the Packers exact revenge for what happened in the regular season in the playoffs.

I want to elaborate so much more on this, but it is for another time.

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Clay Matthews’ Roar Making Waves For The Green Bay Packer Defense

For a defense in the middle of a transition, perhaps it makes sense a rookie has thrived early in the new system.

Clay Matthews did not have an official start until the game against Detroit Sunday, but he already leads the team in sacks. Matthews also provided a huge emotional boost early for the Packers.

Bursting out of the gates, Matthews tackled Lions running back Kevin Smith for losses on the first two plays. Matthews sacked Culpepper on the Lions next possession, and came up big when he was the first Packer on Smith on a crucial Lions fourth and one.

Then the first quarter ended.

At a position where the Packers have a couple of converted defensive ends (Kampman, Thompson), two backup linebackers (Poppinga, Jones), Matthews has stepped up into a role which was an unknown before the season started.

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Donald Driver’s Perserverance Just Part Of The Job

When Ron Wolf held the 213th pick in 1999 Draft, he might have known he was getting a special player. Wolf probably did not expect that player, however, to break records held by the 90-year-old franchise.

Once the ball softly rests in Donald Driver’s hands for the first time Sunday, he will break the record for the most receptions in Packer history. The reception, which will be number 596, will move him ahead of Sterling Sharpe.

The game against the Detroit Lions will be Driver’s 150th game, all of them as a Packer.

Through those 149 games, he has become a fan favorite by playing with heart. At a position where others are outspoken and out of control, Driver has been a steady companion to his quarterback.

Driver fights for yards instead of with teammates, and his showboating is held a small first down celebration. It is obvious he plays with great passion, passion kindled during Driver’s childhood in Houston.

Donald Jerome Driver grew up in harsh conditions with his mother and four siblings. So despite how hard a middle linebacker lays into him on the field, he has already experienced the worst off of it.

“There’s nothing out there that can hurt me worse than what I went through as a kid,” Driver said in a 2007 interview with ESPN. “Living in U-Haul trucks in and out of hotels…sleeping on the street. I know how that feels.”

He told ESPN he made a promise to his brothers and family he would pull them out of poverty. Driver kept the focus through college before making his way to the Green Bay Packers. 

Driver actually had a more accomplished track and field resume than he did in football while at Alcorn State. He could have qualified for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney as a high jumper. While Driver lettered in football as well as track and field, he only had 88 receptions while at the university.

Somehow through those 88 receptions, Wolf took notice and used one of their seventh round picks to nab the six-foot-wide receiver.

“When the Green Bay Packers called on the phone, that was maybe the biggest turning point in my life because I knew now I had the opportunity to do something no one else in my family could do,” Driver said.

Driver’s career started out like most other seventh round draft picks, accumulating 37 receptions through his first three years, and making little impact. After Antonio Freeman and Bill Schroeder left the Packers, however, Driver stepped into a leading role with a 1000 plus yard season in 2002.

Since then, he has steadily been a force. Driver has never had 100 receptions in a season, but if he holds pace in 2009, it will mark the seventh year of a 1000 plus yard season.

Throughout his career, Driver assets have proved invaluable. He has never complained about his situation, even when young studs like Javon Walker and Greg Jennings saw more passes their way. Instead, he has mentored those young wideouts, and set the mentality of the position for the team.

In 2007, media took notice of the hunger of the Packers receivers in their yards after catch. Koren Robinson lauded the veteran Driver as the best in cranking out a few more yards.

“I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I’m pretty nice,” Robinson said. “But I would say Drive.”

“Those are my boys. They’re watching out for the old man,” said Driver.

The mentality to never give up has not escaped Driver off the field, either. He founded the Donald Driver Foundation in 2000, which helps homeless families and the education problems they face. Driver’s mother, Faye, has been his inspiration to never give up.

“Never give up because of what people say,” Driver said to ESPN. “Because I look at my mom and she never gave up. You have to survive.”

So when Aaron Rodgers reaches back to fire the ball today toward Double D’s direction, it will be more than a number. It is a statement, and an echo of perseverance of what Donald Driver has been about in his life.

It could not have happened to a better person.

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Green Bay’s Selection of Clay Matthews Four Years in the Making

Clay Matthews may not know how special he is.

After four years of trading down in the draft, Ted Thompson actually moved up into the first round. It was only the second time he has ever traded up since becoming the Packers general manager.

To the surprise, and seemingly approval of most Packer fans, Thompson’s moves on Day One give the team the opportunity to add two early impact players on defense.

It is all a result of the previous years of trading down and providing depth.

Looking at the recent swap with the Patriots, it seems the Packers gave up quite a bit. Just to move up 15 spots, Green Bay traded their second-round pick and both their third rounders to grab Clay Matthews.

When I first saw the details of the trade, I was horrified. But one thing that always keeps me calm is knowing Dom Capers is the draft room; if Capers thought it was worth getting Matthews, then that was good enough for me.

Of course, also consoling is the fact that the roster that Thompson has put together is filled with players from previous drafts: Pat Lee, Jordy Nelson, Josh Sitton, Brandon Jackson, the list goes on and on. The hit taken with Matthews can be absorbed considering the years of build-up through previous drafts.

Do I think the Packers gave up too much to get to Matthews? On paper, and right now, yes. But we have no idea how good Matthews will be. Considering what they gave up to get them, Clay will certainly be under intense scrutiny from the Packer faithful.

I hope Thompson moved up solely to fill a couple of those final holes rather than because he was in a panic after the 6-10 year. There was no doubt another OLB was needed; I guess the question is whether or not we could have picked up one with our original second-round pick.

Matthews does bring another element to the Packers. He was selected Co-Special Teams Player for three seasons in a row at USC, and that probably played into the decision as well.

And consider this one last factor, which I’ll admit borders on conspiracy theory: Thompson may have wanted to trade away the third rounder the Packers received for Brett Favre.

Whatever.

Back to the filling holes argument, the Packers are only a year removed from a 13-3 season. In ’08, Green Bay suffered injuries to Cullen Jenkins, Nick Barnett, Atari Bigby, Al Harris, and, of course, Justin Harrell. Assuming those players can come back to health, adding B.J. Raji and Matthews to the defense makes them look very formidable.

Matthews will most likely have a huge weight upon his shoulders in 2009. If he wins the outside linebacker spot opposite Aaron Kampman, there will be huge expectations.

An outside linebacker has incredible responsibility in the 3-4. He needs the power to combat defensive linemen and the speed to cover running backs in the secondary.

Now for the four-month wait to see if all this was worth it.

Aren Dow’s Packer Draft Contest Picks

I know I can’t win the contest. But I at least want to win bragging rights after these picks go two—for—two.

The first player selected by the Packers in the 2009 NFL draft will be: Michael Oher (OT), Mississippi.

Reasons and explanation: Way, way back on January 15th, I wrote this article about the Packers draft options, concluding that they will take B.J. Raji.

At the time, he was flying under the radar but I liked the big man. Now that he has gone mainstream (I sound like some bitter indie-rock band wannabe), I think he might be gone before number nine.

During that article, I only looked at defense and I’ve since changed my opinion. Green Bay needs tackles.

Badly.

Oher is a high-character guy, which is something Thompson (and I) definitely like. Tauscher could be gone, and Cliffy is old. Oher would be great here. Look at that picture; He is hungry for defensive lineman.

I could see Tyson Jackson here as well.

The second player selected by the Packers in the 2009 NFL draft will be: Alex Mack (C), California.

Reasons and explanation: I’m not going to lie. I don’t watch much college football. I know the top 32 prospects because that is what ESPN tells me. I know a couple more defensive tackles and ends because Packers fans want those positions.

I know what you’re thinking: this contest entry is the worst I’ve seen! Two offensive lineman with their first two picks?

Oh yeah, that’s right. Mack and Oher are going to solidify this line for years to come.

Man, I wish I was the GM of the Packers…

Tie-breaker questions:

Will the Packers make a draft-day trade involving their first round pick? I really want to say yes, but history says NO

Will the Packers’ third selection in the draft be an offensive player or a defensive player? DEFENSIVE

Will the Packers use any of their draft choices (day one or two) to take a punter? YES

B/R Packers Draft Contest: Only Four Days Left

If you are a Packers fan, you know Ted Thompson loves his drafts. We know he lives to trade down and amass a small army every year.

Now, we want you to get inside Thompson’s head and figure out what is going on in there. Answer the questions below and you have a chance to win a Cheesehead and a B/R T-shirt!

Yeah, all you have to do is show why you should be on ESPN with your predicting skills, rather than Mel Kiper Jr., and you can walk away smug and garner some sweet prizes. There are only four days left, so make sure you get your entry in.

Your contest submission will be in the form of an article. Here are the guidelines:

Article to be between 200-400 words.

Title of the article should be:

{yourname}’s Packer Draft Contest Picks

For the body of the article, copy and paste the text below between the ####s. Then, answer the questions and give your reasons and rational.

##########################################

The first player selected by the Packers in the 2009 NFL draft will be:
Reasons and explanation:

The second player selected by the Packers in the 2009 NFL draft will be:
Reasons and explanation:

Tie-breaker questions:

• Will the Packers make a draft-day trade involving their first round No. 9 pick? (answer “yes” or “no”)
• Will the Packers’ third selection in the draft be an offensive player or a defensive player? (answer “offense” or “defense”) 
• Will the Packers use any of their draft choices (day one or two) to take a punter? (answer “yes” or “no”)

Additional comments or predictions:

#########################################

Contest Rules:

• You must be a Green Bay Packer Community member to enter the contest.
• B/R Packers community leaders can submit an entry but are not eligible for the prize. 
• Trades or changing draft positions will not affect your choices. You are predicting the first two players taken by the Packers, regardless of in what round or what selection number they end up being taken.
• The four Green Bay Packer Community leaders will analyze the entries and select the winner. If there is no obvious winner or more than one winner, we will use the tie-breaking questions to help determine a single winner. If still undecided, then we will consider the explanations and additional comments given for your selections. 
• Decision of the judges is FINAL! 
• Limit of one entry per person.
• Entries must be submitted by 12 p.m. EDT, Friday, April 24.

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