Cory's Corner: On The Offensive
Aaron Rodgers is calling on his offensive teammates to assemble for the final stretch run.
Baker Mayfield cannot possibly sprinkle pixie dust again can he?
He was in Los Angeles for less than 48 hours before leading a 98-yard touchdown drive in the closing moments of the fourth quarter to beat the Raiders 17-16 last week.
If there is one team that has been more disappointing this season than the Packers, it’s the Rams. It seems like LA is light years from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Matthew Stafford has been hurt, Von Miller is gone and the offense is dead last in the NFL by averaging 283 yards a game.
But, of course, the Rams aren’t in this party alone. The Packers RSVP’d weeks ago. For the majority of the season, nobody knew what the Packers were going to bring every week. This week all of the Packers wideouts are expected to play for the first time since Week 1.
“We’ve got to score points,” said Aaron Rodgers this week. “We need to be in the 30s moving forward. Regardless of what our defense does, (if) we score 30 points, we should win those games. Whatever it takes for us on offense.”
I absolutely love this. He’s putting the onus on himself. At this point it’s not a secret anymore. Green Bay’s defense has been about as terrifying as a teddy bear. They cannot tackle consistently, they refuse to play press man coverage and the unit is without its top player in Rashan Gary.
Rodgers knows that the defense is hobbling on one leg. He knows that it cannot get off the field and he knows that the best way to win games from here on out is just to outscore them. Look for Rodgers to put on his cowboy boots and start gunslinging like a former Packers quarterback.
If you have ever wanted Rodgers to take more risks, now is that time. If you’ve ever wanted Rodgers to just thread the needle, your wait is nearly over.
Rodgers, the 39-year-old quarterback with four MVP awards, knows what this team needs. A 5-8 team doesn’t need someone to be careful about precision throws. It needs someone to grip it and rip it — while trusting that the wideouts will go and make a play for him.
And oddly enough, I think Rodgers can do it. This season, Rodgers has been very un-Rodgers like with nine interceptions and throws that have been off.
But as long as he gets the ball out quickly and doesn’t try to do too much, there’s no reason to think that he cannot carve up a defensive backfield.
Now, it isn’t going to be all passing because Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon need to be used in order to sell the play-action attack. But I would also like to see Jones and Dillon catch more balls out of the backfield, causing matchup problems.
The Packers defense has been leaking oil practically all season and I would suspect that moments after the season is over, defensive coordinator Joe Barry will be fired for being too cautious.
That’s why I applaud Rodgers for putting the pressure on the offense. He knows they can get it done and it also says that he has faith in his supporting cast to get it done.
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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 (59)
Savage57
December 17, 2022 at 06:42 am
The day after the season, players who see Joe Barry be like, "dead man walking here, dead man walking."
SensualInfluence
December 17, 2022 at 11:35 am
Get a life, Geriatric57
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 18, 2022 at 11:55 am
Joe Barry burner account has been found.
stockholder
December 17, 2022 at 06:58 am
Comparing Mayfield to tinker bell. LOL. Couldn't agree more with your opinion.
Coldworld
December 17, 2022 at 07:40 am
In reality, the part of “all of the Packers wideouts” that generated interest is Watson and Doubs. A healthy Cobb is nice, as is Lazard, but honestly they are not the source of real uplift or thrill. Play Toure a bit more (actually running aggressive routes), and this O would have further interest and options and threat. But we won’t.
If you can’t score 30 on the Rams with a top QB and Jones/Dillon (they are Bear bad against the run), then your O really isn’t impressive. This is a team we should be able to run on at will and play action to younger, speedier players at will, if LaFleur doesn’t shoot us in the foot.
Johnblood27
December 17, 2022 at 09:31 am
MLF has the Packers feet looking like swiss cheese... just sayin'...
mrtundra
December 17, 2022 at 07:55 am
We need our TEs to be more involved in the pass game, besides blocking. Tonyan can be a difference maker on this team, if he can catch the ball. I think Tonyan, DeGuara can move the chains for us. Davis and Lewis seem destined to be known as blockers, for our run game. Using Watson, Doubs, Toure along with Lazard and Cobb, effectively, can bring us a victory on Monday Night. I want to see MLF and ARod open up the offense by using our young WRs, TEs and RBs to their full extent. Dillon on a wheel route is the thing dreams are made of.
Johnblood27
December 17, 2022 at 09:33 am
on that note... Watkins snaps should be very minimal so long as injuries are not ravaging the WR room...
Let's hope that MLF gets the memo that our YOUNG receivers should lead the passing game.
jannesbjornson
December 17, 2022 at 11:40 am
The TEs are too slow. When they use Deguara, they get results. A bit too complicated for LaFleur to figure out. The offense should have been in hurry-up mode since the Giants debacle in Londinium. If they can get into full production and put up points, it would be a good time to relieve Barry of his headset and let the subs call a non-stop aggressive package of stunts and blitzes. Try to create turnovers. We all see the results of his conservative and tepid gamesmanship.
croatpackfan
December 18, 2022 at 02:04 am
I agree with you regarding TEs. But I do not think it is MLF who avoids Deguara, I believe it is ACR. And that was like that from day 1.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 18, 2022 at 11:59 am
Agreed. MLF offense (Shanahan offense) is famous for utilizing tight ends. Its why Tonyan got 11 tds in 2020. That offense mostly got scrapped after Aaronstotle's holdout in '21. Now they keep unsiccessfully running Tonyan deep over the middle like hes 2010 Greg Jennings in the super bowl because reasons.
Geezzzhead
December 17, 2022 at 08:01 am
Like Rodgers says,teams come to Lambeau, and it brings out the best in them..it's been like that for a while. What makes me mad.is all these reports of a Rodgers trade.why do they want to make the packers bad. They did the same thing with Farve.or they push for retirement.. Jealousy is all it is.. the small market team has been kicking butt for a long time. Packers are the Rodney Dangerfields ,
Always a packer fan.no matter what.
Now go kick the rams butt. All 4 quarters please.
Go Pack Go
PackyCheese500
December 17, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Would trading Rodgers make the Packers bad? Perhaps in the very short term, but how good would we be anyway? On the other hand, it could yield some handsome draft capital.
Also, is Love really a downgrade from Rodgers in his current injured state? As time goes on, Love is only going to get better, while Rodgers will eventually decline with age.
We traded Favre, and yes, while he went to (and lost) the NFCCSG with the Vikings, we won the Super Bowl one year later with Rodgers! I think we had the better outcome by sticking to Rodgers, don't you? Try the same here; we don't have anything to lose, we're not going anywhere this year or next with the current trajectory of our roster.
PhantomII
December 18, 2022 at 10:18 pm
AR lost 2-NFCC games and last years playoffs at home. I would say we were missing a good TE and a #2 WR...but that's plenty of tries with no positive outcome for AR. I'm good moving on if the CAP does not drown the team.
Oppy
December 17, 2022 at 08:25 am
Hey, did any one here see the article that Corey B. posted a link to on twitter?
It was an article written about how Aaron Rodgers expects his rookie WRs to learn upwards of 30 hand signals that alter or modify routes. Not even the coaches understand them all. Apparently, they have a weekly meeting on Saturday where they drill the offensive skill position players on the signals. Everyone hates it. It's rare anyone ever gets them all right during the quiz.
Turns out they don't have a written list or video montage of them, either. They don't actually 'teach' them. the Players are just expected to figure out what they mean or ask other players if they know what a signal they haven't seen before means. Apparently, this is a Rodgers things that goes way, way back.
Players are on the record saying there's two different systems the Packers run on offense. There's LaFleur's offense, and then there's Rodgers' extra hand signal offense.
Remember when Rodgers got in front of the media after the offense shit the bed yet again a few weeks ago and basically implied LaFleur's offense is too complicated for young guys and they need to simplify to improve performance?
What a douche. I can't wait until this guy is long gone.
Oppy
December 17, 2022 at 08:30 am
Here's the link to the article. If you get a paywall that doesn't allow you to read the article without a subscription, just use your browsers "reader" mode and you'll be able to scroll the article without the pop up in your way.
https://theathletic.com/4002003/2022/12/16/aaron-rodgers-packers-rookies/
Johnblood27
December 17, 2022 at 09:36 am
thanks Oppy...
ummmm.... whats a 'reader mode'?
I'm asking for a friend...
Oppy
December 17, 2022 at 12:24 pm
I would do a google search for "How do I enable reader mode in (Microsoft Edge, FireFox, Google Chrome- whichever browser you use), it varies depending on your browser.
It's usually an icon that looks like a printed page somewhere in or near the address bar on your browser.
It basically just takes most of the graphics, pop ups, and other items off of a webpage so there's only text left behind to make for easier, less obstructed reading.
Guam
December 17, 2022 at 09:30 am
Thanks for the link and information Oppy! Many of us have believed for some time that this is not MLF's offense. The article from Corey B. confirms that belief. I too would like to see the Packers move on from QB12. It is time.
Coldworld
December 17, 2022 at 12:27 pm
MLF is even less of a head coach if this is true and long established.
PackyCheese500
December 17, 2022 at 12:53 pm
He is not a good enough leader, but I think he is a good playcaller. Moving on may negatively affect Love's development with having to learn a new offense, but it would reinvigorate this team to play hard. What to do, I don't know. I trust Gutekunst
Since'75
December 17, 2022 at 11:10 am
Rodgers is a terrible QB who doesn't have a clue what he's doing.
I doubt he'll ever be any good.
We should stone him to death, maybe he has a dog we can make disappear.
What a douche.
Oppy
December 17, 2022 at 12:21 pm
You're like the king of straw man fallacy.
Since'75
December 17, 2022 at 02:10 pm
Read my other post, i'm a realist who knows the Green Bay Packers, and the NFL.
Yes, i was around way before Brett Favre, and before a lot of you were getting your diapers changed.
.
My post above, is sarcasm Opie.
Don't get it twisted.
Some people get the dog reference, some people.
jannesbjornson
December 17, 2022 at 11:46 am
No different than a Pro Baseball Player learning the signs for a particular game. As the article also mentioned, Randall Cobb opining, they are getting paid now to be Professionals. It is their job to Learn the plays and the sign offs. If the rookie WRs screwed up under Holmgren, Gruden was given the 5th degree and the greenhorns sat the bench.
Oppy
December 17, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Maybe you missed the part of the article that pointed to the loss of productivity from young WRs compared to the rest of the NFL with backing data.
Like I've said before, No top flight QB in the league does less with the talent around him than Aaron Rodgers.
Herein lies the root of this guy's trust issues.
Moreover, I can't believe this tool attempted (yet again) to 'massage' the message to the media.. attempting to direct blame at LaFleur's offense for being too complicated and in need of 'simplifying' in order to get the young guys up to speed- when he has to know damn well he's adding in an entire layer of needless complexity that WRs struggle with for the first few years of their careers in Green Bay.
Lastly, if the rookie WRs screwed up under Holmgren, Gruden may have been given the 5th degree and the greenhorns sat, but then again, Gruden was probably 100% versed in all the techniques Holmgren wanted the WRs to utilize. But nobody actually knows all of Rodgers secret handshakes, they're not written down, or taught by the coaches. For that matter, they aren't a part of the actual offense.
I can't wait for Rodgers to be gone so we can go back to having a TEAM again.
I also can't wait for the Rodgers apologists to go find someone new to make excuses for.
Since'75
December 17, 2022 at 02:46 pm
"Like I've said before, No top flight QB in the league does less with the talent around him than Aaron Rodgers." - Opie
Like i've said before, no team starts a season having to rely on two rookie receivers to be successful.
Real football fans understand it.
How is Gute doing Opie? Is he doin his job well?
Giving the team all the tools they need?
Since'75
December 17, 2022 at 02:50 pm
Ya know what Opie....i apologize, i didn't know who i was dealing with.
So far i've seen you call Rodgers a tool, and a douche.
I should know better than to pick on you.
Tell ya what Gomer.....get back in touch with me after you get your drivers license and we'll go grab some ice cream and chat up some football.
Oppy
December 17, 2022 at 06:09 pm
I’m older than you, “since 75”
Since'75
December 17, 2022 at 09:12 pm
Well now, i just feel sad for you.
Oppy
December 18, 2022 at 04:23 am
If you didn’t read the article, why would you challenge my assement of Rodgers’ under utilization or inefficient use of WRs?
If you did read the article, and your argument is still that Rodgers had to rely on a bunch of young WRs in 2022 while other QBs have not, either your reading comprehension or your ability to reason is sorely lacking (or both), I am the one who is left feeling sorry for you.
I don’t have time to play chess with pigeons.
Since'75
December 18, 2022 at 08:35 pm
"If you didn’t read the article, why would you challenge my assement of Rodgers’ under utilization or inefficient use of WRs?"
(It's assessment, Mr. Chess Player. Two more s's and you would have nailed it.)
Because..i'm fully capable of doing my own thinking, and i'd never have it any other way.
I gotta go feed the pigeons now Opie.
Thanks for understanding
croatpackfan
December 18, 2022 at 03:24 am
Well, one top flight QB was able to reach the SB. And keep team in it for victory to the very end. If you ask me who? It was Joe Burrow and Chase on the Bengals. So, it shows it is possible when your QB is not old, stubborn and arrogant person. That kind of QB can never reach that level of competition with young personel.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 18, 2022 at 12:06 pm
You're right. Gute didnt give them the tools they need. He gave them an overpaid clownshow for a leader who plays keepaway from his own teammates. Great idol you got there '75.
Swisch
December 17, 2022 at 02:18 pm
Thanks for the article recommendation and the link, Oppy, and in so providing you've done a valuable service for Packers fans.
Rodgers may be one of the most de-motivational quarterbacks -- one of the most oppressive and maniacal and miserable -- to ever play in the NFL.
The next time he gives "a little death stare" during a game, it may be a good thing if the recipient gave him a hard shove onto his ass right on the field.
***
Rodgers isn't the coach; he's a teammate -- and apparently one of the worst teammates possible.
He seems to be a poison that is sucking the life out of the whole team, and that has been so very depressing to me over the last couple of seasons.
More and more, I'm wondering if Rodgers has been dragging down the Packers for a much longer time.
In the balance over the years, his superb talent may be significantly outweighed by his arrogant attitude -- and this may be by far the main reason for no Super Bowls for the Packers in about a dozen seasons.
So many heartbreaks for us fans possibly caused by superstar who on the job is mostly an egotistical jerk.
croatpackfan
December 18, 2022 at 03:14 am
Hi Swisch. I noted that you were not posted for a while here. I hope everything was OK with you.
Swisch
December 18, 2022 at 09:27 am
Thanks for the nice note, croatpackfan.
Things are good with me overall.
For the most part, I don't know what's more to say about the current state of the Packers; but I have been checking in at CHTV to read staff articles and fan comments.
A Merry Christmas to you!!!
croatpackfan
December 18, 2022 at 09:56 am
Same to you my "internet" friend! Keep well.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 18, 2022 at 12:11 pm
Excellent post as usual Swisch. This article confirms everything we've talked about for a long time. I just hope it ends soon. It has to end soon, right?
Swisch
December 18, 2022 at 01:01 pm
We can hope and even pray for a good outcome -- a return to sanity -- for all concerned, including us fans.
Merry Christmas, RTS!
marpag1
December 18, 2022 at 04:58 am
Every star QB in the league does some version of this same thing. It's hard to believe people who claim to know football would be in the dark about it.
Tom Brady was just "accused" of exactly the same thing. That was all of two days ago.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tom-brady-irked-at-report-that-he-alt...
Oppy
December 18, 2022 at 12:44 pm
"Every star QB in the league does some version of this same thing. It's hard to believe people who claim to know football would be in the dark about it."
I'd like to think that NFL players probably like to think they know football, and if you read the article, there's NFL players who have played for multiple teams that say Rodgers' 'hand signals system' is uniquely complicated and they haven't seen anything like it elsewhere in their NFL career.
The statistical breakdown of young WRs early careers in GB vs. the league averages during the course of Rodgers' career as a starter- which also accounts for draft status in an attempt to compare similar talent level young players for an apples-to-apples comparision- is further evidence that there's probably something that's not typical with the way the Packers conduct their business when it comes to the QB utilizing young talent.
Rodgers gets less out of the talent around him than other QBs around the league. Rodgers gets in front of media and uses specific, carefully phrased language in order to suggest others around him are culpable for difficulties or failures that he should probably be taking responsibility for. These are the two main points I'm driving home here. This article provides some evidence that supports those points.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 18, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Been trying to tell people this for years.
LambeauPlain
December 17, 2022 at 09:03 am
This Packers D reminds me of the 2011 Capers coached sieve. Neither squad gave any confidence they could get a stop and the best defense was the Offense keeping the D off the field.
In 2011 the O was unstoppable even without a decent run game. But Capers D was dead last in the NFL in yards given up. The O scored 24 or more points in every game except for one (14 pts in a loss to the Chiefs) and put up over 40 pts in 6 games. But like Barry's D, you just knew, after a score, the D would let the opponent get first down after first down. All year. No adjustments. Just try to hang on.
I would be fun to back into the playoffs by beating the Rams, Vikings, and Detroit...and Miami. But with this team's D...one and done, most likely. Just like the 15-1 2011 team.
Defense wins championships.
Johnblood27
December 17, 2022 at 09:42 am
just to be fair...
the 2011 team had early and large leads almost every week.
the defense played a LOT of zone prevent and gave up a lot of yards in second halves of games already won.
back in 2012 I did a deep dive into the yards given up and the score and time of the games when the yards were given up. It was ugly,, but mostly didn't impact the winning of games. In other words, the offense wasn't great because they needed to be with that defense, the defense was bad (in terms of yards given up) because the offense was so very effective early and often in the games.
the playoff loss to the Giants after going 15-1 in the regular season wasn't so much on the defense as it was on the uncharacteristic turnovers and the malaise over the entire team cast by the death and funeral of coach Philbin's son. IMO
LambeauPlain
December 17, 2022 at 10:56 am
Also to be fair...2011 was the Capers D that would be in operation for the next several years until he was finally fired. Exotic looks, constant subbing, trying to confuse the opponent but mostly Capers just confused his own guys. He insisted his D players, regardless of their skills and talents, run his scheme no matter what.
And ironically, Capers D became very predictable...every O coordinator knew his down and distance tendencies. I recall Jon Gruden in the booth when the opponent had a 3rd and 7, Gruden said "the book on Capers here with 3rd and long is to run a screen pass because he will play a soft zone." Result? Soft zone, screen for 9. First down.
Oppy
December 17, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Sounds like Capers and Rodgers might have the same life coach.
PackyCheese500
December 17, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Very true. The best teams play complimentary football. The Eagles, the best team in the NFL, not only have the best offense but also lead the NFL in sacks and turnover differential.
Since'75
December 17, 2022 at 01:09 pm
Also to be fair, concerning the 2011 offense....
Rodgers didn't have to rely on rookie receivers from the draft.
He had...
Nelson
Jennings
J. Jones
Finley
Driver
Cobb
That offense averaged 35 PPG
Believe it or not: The defense had 31 interceptions.
They loved to gamble.
Fun Facts: Even though the defense was 32nd in 2011, they only gave up 22.4 PPG which is actually incredible considering.
This years defensive scoring so far is 23.2PPG
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 18, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Whoa this defense is nowhere near as bad as the 2011 defense.
Johnblood27
December 17, 2022 at 09:30 am
Nice article Corey, I like your approach of taking Rodgers statement and weaving it into a narrative for the
Packers through the end of the season.
Again... nicely done and well written.
TarynsEyes
December 17, 2022 at 10:46 am
I get the want to win, but.
Winning out secures Rodgers' return.
His trade value rises.
The qualified teams for a trade dwindles.
Love is now likely to be traded.
The future has no QB after 1-2 years.
The FO again tries to refute Einsteins Insanity definition.'
MLF is again thought as a genius, regardless of knowing otherwise.
And from the mouth of Seinfeld's Soup Nazi, NO SUPER BOWL FOR YOU!!!
The last four games are A Tale of Two Destinies' for the Packers, and neither end with success.
Ferrari-Driver
December 17, 2022 at 11:46 am
Cory, you seem to contradict yourself.
On one hand you say that Rodgers needs to go out there like our former quarterback and grip it and rip it, while trusting that the wideouts will go and make a play for him.
Then you say "But as long as he gets the ball out quickly and doesn’t try to do too much, there’s no reason to think that he cannot carve up a defensive backfield."
Swisch
December 17, 2022 at 12:04 pm
Is this just Rodgers really saying slyly and arrogantly -- and regardless of what his head coach wants -- that he's going to keep playing hero ball?
If so, the misery of this season will only continue for me with the ongoing repulsiveness of a domineering quarterback and a submissive head coach -- because this seems to be the dysfunctional dynamic that is disintegrating the team and bringing the Packers to ruin.
***
Now if Love was out there running the authentic LaFleur offense, and a different defensive coordinator was running a more aggressive defense (that also displayed some unpredictability and adaptability), I'd sit up with a renewed enthusiasm.
As it is, I'm only hopeful for scraps of enjoyment here and there from any players on the Packers who are able to rise above the miasma of Aaron Rodgers and show some spark on the field.
EnemyTerritory
December 17, 2022 at 02:22 pm
“ I would suspect that moments after the season is over, defensive coordinator Joe Barry will be fired for being too cautious. “. I am not so optimistic. We hung on to Amari Rodgers as a returner and as a WR and as a packer for too many years. Same with Special Teams coach which arguably cost a SB. Maybe just one more year with Barry so he can show his genius. After all he has shown I perform his stint in Detroit.
EnemyTerritory
December 17, 2022 at 02:23 pm
Improvement from his stint in Detroit…
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 18, 2022 at 12:20 pm
FWIW, it only took Amari Rodgers 2 games to score a td for the Texans, and they have the worst passing game in football. Packers misused Amari from day 1. Completely ignoted what he can do and kept forcing him to do what he cannot. And that started with 12 when he demanded they trade for Cobb just a couple months after Amari was drafted. This is why players should not be invovled in personnel.
Coldworld
December 18, 2022 at 06:34 pm
Just think what a guy like Toure could have done with those chances … we persisted with Watkins. LaFleur is like an anchor.
White92
December 18, 2022 at 08:57 pm
I really don't see this game as a lock. Joe Barry will make this joker look like Joe Montana. The Pack may win, but it won't be the cakewalk some think.