Criticizing Aaron Rodgers
If you're going criticise the Packers starting quarterback, at least know what the hell you're talking about.
By PackerAaron
Where to begin?
Well, I guess we can start with this nonsense from Colin Cowherd from earlier in the week.
He holds the ball too long? He's not the greatest leader? Is it 2009?
Obviously, Cowherd knows what he's doing. He knows people, namely Packers fans, will see this stupidity, like a Bat-Signal shooting across the Internet, and come running to their quarterback's defense. Hell, this very post is giving Cowherd exactly what he wants with those comments - namely, attention.
For the most part, I gave up engaging in this kind of stuff a long time ago. I used to run to the blog and fire off some missive every time a national media figure dared rip the Packers or one of their players. But time moves on, we grow up (at least a little bit) and we stop responding to every little slight. Life is too short.
However, this time around I noticed a funny thing - Packers fans in my Twitter feed agreeing with Cowherd.
Now, don't get me wrong, these folks were in a vast minority. But there were a handful of followers who made it known they felt Cowherd was, mostly, right.
And that just floors me.
First, let's address the "He isn't a leader" crap that always seems to get thrown out when people feel the need to criticize Rodgers.
Look, I get the Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, etc have come out after playing with Rodgers and said some things. I also know that those players were never as good without Rodgers as they were with him. Which is a leader's job, no? To get the best out of his teammates? It's not Rodgers' job to have everyone on the team like him. Its his job to get them to play for him, and play for him to the best of their ability.
Is he "moody"? Is he "cocky"? Is he "aloof"? I don't care. And even if he is, so what? All that matters is that his teammates play their hearts out for him, and near as I can tell, that's exactly what they do.
The other component of Cowherd's (and, apparently, some Packers fans) criticism comes on the field, which there actually IS something you can criticize Rodgers for, though it's not the mind-numbingly tired "he holds the ball too long" nonsense people like to drag out every now and then.
Luckily, Cian Fahey recently completed a Film Room post for Football Outsiders on Rodgers (I'm pretty sure he began this project prior to Cowherd's comments, as he had been posting GIFs of various Packers plays last week) and he does a great job breaking down Rodgers' game.
Every Packers fan should read the entire thing, but here's the money quote:
When a great quarterback is consistently great but doesn't win multiple Super Bowls, we go in search of fabricated reasons why. It can never simply be that football is a team game and the quarterback has limited control over the outcome of results; it must always be an inherent flaw in that individual's make-up if his team underachieves. Leadership, personality, and ability in the clutch are the pillows into which these analysts fall back.
Like I say, the whole thing is worth your time.
(For the record, I don't agree with everything Cian posits here, especially when he continually characterizes the Packers receivers as "incompetent" - but for the most part, the piece is excellent.)
Fahey also does a great job of pointing out something that anyone who followed me on Twitter throughout the 2015 season will recognize: The legit criticism about Rodgers' mechanics occasionally falling apart in favor of his desire to get a ball out quickly.
Rodgers' struggles with his accuracy stem from the one legitimate criticism you can make of his performances over the course of his career. Rodgers purposely chooses not to set his feet on short throws. He relies solely on arm strength so he can get rid of the ball more quickly. Sacrificing his mechanics for speed is a bad approach, as it causes Rodgers to misplace too many passes that should be automatic for him.
Two things here.
Cian notes this as a problem Rodgers has had "over the course of his career" but I would say it's become MUCH more of an issue the last two seasons, especially this last one.
Secondly, while this tendency does tend to rob Rodgers of a few throws, it can also produce some truly jaw-dropping moments.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
You get the idea.
Unfortunately, it is undoubtedly BECAUSE of success on plays like the ones above, that Rodgers has a bad habit of doing things like this:
Plays like the ones above are few and far between, but you can't deny their existence. And as you can see above, this leaves a pretty substantial gain on the field, if not a touchdown. In a game that was was decided by one score, that's a real gut punch.
Remember last summer when Rodgers told Peter King "I desperately want to be coached"? With this bad habit repeatedly showing up on tape, it would seem to suggest Rodgers either isn't being coached, at least not as hard as he should be, or he's simply disregarding whatever coaching he is getting in fundamentals.
All of which is not "holding the ball too long" or "being aloof and not a good leader."
I mean, if you're going to lob surface-level, unsupported nonsense at one of the greatest quarterbacks in the game Cowherd, just be upfront that you're doing so because said quarterback's public persona bugs you. That's clearly what's going on, but rather than be upfront about it, you want to couch it in these absurdly tangential criticisms that mean next to nothing.
I think Cian put it perfectly when he closed his piece with the below:
Let's criticize Rodgers more. Let's also point out how unrealistic Shawshank Redemption was while we're at it. The Harry Potter books? Some of those were pretty childish. The Golden State Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves when they won 73 games this year, and Muhammad Ali lost a fight or two during his time.
If you're not going to do the work, Colin, just stick to what it is YOU do best. Whatever that is.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Comments (24)
lebowski
June 10, 2016 at 11:50 am
I kinda wanted Adams to stand up after that horrible throw, put his hands on his hips and glare at Rodgers. That's my only gripe with him, the on-field displays of displeasure with young receivers. I'm sure it's frustrating, but I wish he'd approach them on the sideline and go over things instead of making sure the whole world knows it wasn't his fault. Because sometimes it is.
DrealynWilliams
June 10, 2016 at 03:30 pm
It's easier for the (star) QB to say the WR should have adjusted his route (according to coverage, down and distance...etc) than a WR to say the pass was just bad.
I don't think the WRs were AS BAD as a lot of people think, but I do feel Aaron Rodgers isn't getting enough of the blame. The same with the O-Line. Yes, I know Rodgers' pocket awareness and play extension is 2nd to none, he covers up a lot of the Offense's blemishes and he's probably the only QB that could have kept us remotely close in a lot of our ugly games last season, but I'm sure the receivers were just as frustrated with him as he showed after plays.
Just an example:
3rd & 5
https://gfycat.com/CalculatingWarmheartedCony
1) Should this have been a routine catch? Yes. Absolutely
2) BUT, look at the route, it ended as an out-route. Why was the ball placed above him and back inside? If Adams ran the wrong route then the ball would have been under thrown.
3) Watch Cobb. (Remember, it's 3rd & 5)
RobinsonDavis
June 13, 2016 at 07:48 pm
I am in agreement with Lebowski, Dre, and Tundra. Nice article Aaron and proper perspective! I have a wish list for Rodgers:
1) work with ALL the receivers during the preseason & show humility
2) Never make a comment again about the pre-season games, when your teammates are busting their behinds.
3) HAVE FUN AGAIN!!
Tundraboy
June 10, 2016 at 11:00 pm
Totally agree.
PackerAaron
June 10, 2016 at 12:11 pm
You slept through both of their playoff games last year? That was dumb.
4thand1
June 11, 2016 at 08:25 am
Stats are for losers, you suck UD.
ray nichkee
June 10, 2016 at 01:06 pm
Where is 4th and 1 to say you suck?
PETER MAIZ
June 12, 2016 at 11:45 pm
He's deadly accurate and doesn't throw interceptions. If he's not "great" then we can't really qualify anyone that's played his position as great. Remember, you're only as good as the guys around you and when all is said and done, nobody's perfect.
Handsback
June 10, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Quite a few years ago <20, >10 I sat next to Chan Gailey on an airplane. We got into QBs and Dan Marino. I asked him if Dan really was that good of a QB. His response was very insightful and eye opening to me.
If you went by talent, Dan Marino had a great release and accuracy. That alone was a primary reason for his success during his rookie year. Why he never won a SB, had more to do with his team and timing. As Coach Gailey said, you can't point to the QB as the problem the Dolphins never won the SB w/ Marino. If as everyone in the football universe states that Don Shula was either the 2nd or 3rd best coach ever in the NFL at least in the top 5. (Remember the timing) Then coaching wasn't the issue.
So according to Gailey, you have to have a very complete team to get to and win the SB. He said you needed a team that had two main components, a defense that leads or near the top in scoring defense. The second component would be an offense that has a high precentage of their drives within their opponnet's 40 yard line end with TDs. He was under the opinion that a pure passing team can get to the 40, but end up kicking a lot of FGs vs. Tds.
I think of his discussion often and realize that Green Bay hasn't had a team good enough to win the SB except for the 2011 and 2014 seasons. A healthy Rodgers in 2014 and they win in Seattle and overcome the special team snafus. The 2011 team played w/o emotion against the Giants and the results were predictable. It would have been an anomoly for them to win in 2011, but I think they could have done it.
So if Rodgers is only good enough for one SB win, then he must be 10 times better then Marino who had no wins in the SB.
ray nichkee
June 10, 2016 at 01:16 pm
Good points aaron. Mike heller discussed this topic in his radio show too. Cowherd has successfully become the rush Limbaugh of sports radio. Niether beleive half of what they say but say it for ratings.
marpag1
June 10, 2016 at 02:08 pm
Cowherd was stupid before stupid was invented.
Why people listen to these radio desk-jockeys who are not, and have never been, coaches, players or experts about anything.... I just don't get it.
To each his own, I guess.
PortlandMark
June 10, 2016 at 02:33 pm
Cowherd used to be a local Portland sportscaster. I can't understand why anyone takes him seriously and I haven't listened to him in years. My advice, turn him off. He says controversial things and apparently gets ratings which make him rich. But there's no use in getting mad at him. He's laughing all the way to the bank.
TarynsEyes
June 10, 2016 at 02:49 pm
Cowherd does his job very well and if his ratings drop harshly or slowly over a few weeks he always has the Rodgers card in his pocket to get the surge back in his ratings and Packers fans love it as they get the attention that is so regularly given to the two coasts or the NFL rehab prison known as Dallas.
Rodgers is a great QB and only a moron would attempt legitimate counter. Last season going into the KC game, it was already apparent via hindsight, that the passing game was short of deep play by the number of completions under 10 and closer to mere 5 yarders as he seemed compelled to take the ' check down ' title away from Alex Smith.
However, the offense in the planning room prior to games after week 10 when collapse was present time visual, needed to limit the fear of using other(s) and Rodgers simply accepting Adams would likely not play to preseason prediction and work with the other (s) with determination instead of feeding his distrust.
If it's broke, fix it and apparently there was the all purpose duct tape available as seen used a tad to late.
The Stat sheet offers a season many other QB would cherish but the issue for Rodgers lesser play was more a behind the scene, less the knee, than the need for his actual play being autopsied. : )
Since'61
June 10, 2016 at 04:03 pm
Dissecting Rodgers fundamentals is not really relevant. What matters for QBs are Wins and Losses, and TDs versus Ints. Also, the answer to the question does the QB play hurt the team. In the case of Rodgers we know his won/loss recomd is excellent and we know that his TD/Intl ratio is the best ever. The answer to the question is that Rodgers play very rarely hurts his team. In that way he is like Bart Starr whose play rarely hurt Lombardi's Packers. While we can question Rodgers fundamentals when he throws on the run he is the best QB I have ever seen at throwing on the move and that includes Rodger Staubach and Joe Montana. Yes, we can all find individual plays where he could have executed better but the fact is that if the rest of his team, offense and defense executed their roles as well as Rodgers does and as consistently the Packers would easily have those 2-3 Super Bowls everyone is so upset about. I think that the Packers have much bigger concerns than the play of Aaron Rodgers. Thanks, Since '61
Tundraboy
June 10, 2016 at 11:13 pm
Superb, Since 61, Absolutely superb post
Since'61
June 11, 2016 at 08:08 am
Thanks Tundra! I appreciate your feedback. Since '61
Dr.Rodgers
June 10, 2016 at 04:15 pm
"However, the offense in the planning room prior to games after week 10 when collapse was present time visual, needed to limit the fear of using other(s) and Rodgers simply accepting Adams would likely not play to preseason prediction and work with the other (s) with determination instead of feeding his distrust."
I think I know what you mean here. So Rodgers stuck with Adams past week 10 when he should have been determined to work with Janis, Abby, Cobb, Jones, etc.?
TarynsEyes
June 10, 2016 at 05:07 pm
Two of the four you mention certainly would not have been hampered by the use of the other two more than Adams already was doing.
Haywood - Bay in Oakland couldn't catch a cold naked in freezer box but you still need to cover the deep route. The Pack receivers were being blanketed and squeezed to short field passes and Janis could have eased that just enough and add some more Abby and who knows....but it couldn't be worse and experience would have been gained and that is a win even in a loss.
Perhaps we wouldn't have limped into the playoffs and even been more in tune offensively if only the game plan toolbox was opened earlier. If you're preferred wrench doesn't work use vice grips and power the bolt free especially if it's already stripped...Adams was stripped bolt last season.
egbertsouse
June 10, 2016 at 05:21 pm
This is about the millionth article I've seen on this topic. It seems to me that Cowherd is pretty good at his job,which is get media hits and ratings.
PackerAaron
June 10, 2016 at 06:17 pm
Right, but this is the only one with a discussion about momentum and fundamentals in the comments section. :)
NickPerry
June 11, 2016 at 08:52 am
Cowherd is looking for viewers and people to listen to his show. Skip Bayless is nothing but a "Shock Jock" on TV. Cowherd has reverted to the same tactics, they'll say ANYTHING to get a rise in ratings and people to pay attention to them. I never see or hear Cowherd anymore since the move from ESPN. Obviously if I read or watched Fox Sports or Fox Sports 1 (Isn't that where he is now?) I'd see him but I never watch those channels. Personally I've never cared for him, he's a USC cheerleader more than anything.
I rewatch Packers games in the Offseason, (only the wins) but I can't begin to tell you how many throws Rodgers missed last year, far more than any season I can remember. The game at Minnesota for example Rodgers missed so many receivers it was crazy. Missed a wide open Cobb on a 3rd down where he was moving to his right and missed Cobb who didn't have a defender closer than 5 yards from him. Another pass to the left corner of the endzone where Cobb had 3 steps on his man and Rodgers missed him by 3 or 4 yards. That's just 2 examples, 2 of many.
The last 11 games of the season, from the Chargers game on Rodgers completed over 60% of his passes only 4 times, that's very Un-Rodgers like. He also threw an interception in 5 of his last 6 gamse and we ALL know his passer rating dipped below 100 the last 10 games of the regular season. Blame the WR's all you want but Rodgers has got to be better than that. I mean how many times did we watch a 40 yard pass downfield along the sidelines miss the target by 10 yards or have it go out of bounds? At least once or twice a game.
Personally I think Rodgers will find that "Giant Chip" on his shoulder again and have one of his MVP type seasons. One like 2014 when he dominated opposing defenses so thoroughly there was really no one else to give the MVP to at the end of the season.
4thand1
June 11, 2016 at 08:31 am
Cowherd is morphing into Skip Clueless. Negative attention builds up ratings. Hmmmm, negative attention, could cow be cowherd posting here just for kicks? Skippy sucks, Cowherd sucks, and we all know how the udder disaster cow sucks.
lucky953
June 11, 2016 at 09:37 am
Lots of really good posts here. Everyone is suffering some degree of Super Bowl disappointment. McCarthy recently said he gave up play calling essentially because "most games come down to two or three plays". Like him, all of us desperately want those plays to be made. Could it be AR? Of course, but it might be CM3 (remember his fade out in the Seattle game), or Daniels with a strip/sack, or Cobb with a diving circus catch, or Lacy grinding out first downs to kill the game. Just win and all the finger pointing and nay saying evaporates. This team, this year, can win it all. We're just a couple of plays away.
PETER MAIZ
June 12, 2016 at 11:20 pm
Let me say this about Rodgers. He can be a little aloof. Normally, he is very coherent and intelligent. He is a perfectionist and sometimes carries the team on his back. He is one of the best quarterbacks that has played the game or do we forget that he hardly throws interceptions?
In fact, aliens from outer space are so intrigued by his abilities, that they have been known to stalk the poor man.