Cory's Corner: Patience Is Key
Aaron Rodgers and Packers offensive line face one of their toughest challenges yet vs. a nasty 49ers pass rush.
This will be one of the toughest tests the Packers offensive line faces all year.
And they have to do it without All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari. To make matters worse, Elgton Jenkins, the do-everything offensive line dynamo, may not be able to go on Sunday night because of an ankle injury.
Facing Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Kentavious Street is a tall order anytime, because that quartet has 27 combined quarterback hurries. To put that into perspective, the entire Packers defense has 17 total hurries.
“I see a lot of studs,” said Aaron Rodgers this week. “Having Bosa back obviously helps, he’s a game changer. Looks like he’s moving well. He’s been involved in a lot of plays on defense as he was a couple years ago.”
Throw rookie center Josh Meyers and rookie guard Royce Newman into the mix and things look pretty dicey for the Packers offense.
Rodgers has faced the 49ers three times in the regular season since 2018. He owns a 2-1 record with a completion percentage of 64, with 834 yards, seven touchdowns and no picks. Then there was the 2019 NFC title game where he completed 31 of 39 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns but also two interceptions.
Rodgers will not have a lot of time to survey things. For his own health, he needs to get the ball out quickly. He’s had the luxury of getting the ball out in 2.8 seconds according to Pro Football Focus which ranks him in the top 12 for pocket time.
Quick slants, crossing routes and screen passes would be perfect to stifle the strong San Francisco pass rush.
Jenkins has been a one-man band since he got to Green Bay and if can’t play, there are a few options that coach Matt LaFleur will go with, most notably Billy Turner.
Rodgers has faced a plethora of challenges in his career. But this is a little bit different because it’s like walking into a boxing ring with one hand tied behind your back. Rodgers cannot try to do too much because the pocket will vanish very quickly.
This is a game where we’ll see Rodgers lean on guys that he knows well. Randall Cobb had more of a role last week, especially with a pair of third down completions. I would expect that to continue this week.
This will also be a huge test for a Packers team that is 1-1 but got blown out by the Saints and then beat the lowly Lions. A win on the road against a perennial contender in San Francisco would force people to take the Packers seriously.
Just as long as Rodgers remains patient.
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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 (28)
Fabio
September 25, 2021 at 06:43 am
The Packers also have three stallions (LOL sarcasm) ....
Garoppolo (or any other low-value Q like him) could have so much time available to hurt us ..... and he has weapons to sell ....
egbertsouse
September 25, 2021 at 07:20 am
Patience? I give it one quarter before Rodgers starts playing hero ball. It’s in his DNA.
PeteK
September 25, 2021 at 10:48 am
And the results have been very positive.
PatrickGB
September 26, 2021 at 09:24 am
Much of the time, yes. But he will often overlook other open receivers. He is who he is. But a couple of times during a game I wish that he would just check down.
SanLobo
September 25, 2021 at 10:44 pm
Our O-line will be challenged and Bosa and 49er defense will be a test. That said, our Offense was not slow getting started in the Detroit game. Detroit played cover-2 most of the 1st half. We took what they gave us and scored 2 TDS with the three possessions we had in the first half. That was patient football. Then we capitalized on Detroit’s mistakes in the second.
The “hero ball” narrative on Aaron Rodgers gets a little puzzling since we usually only see it when we are trailing by multiple scores and/or time is critical. Based on post game comments by LaFleur after the Detroit game I don’t think Rodgers goes rogue nearly as often as some believe. But “hero ball” happens when we have no choice but to take greater risks. We watched Rodgers and LaFleur execute the game plan against Detroit which meant mostly runs and short pass plays until the second half, when we could afford a little more risk. It’s a game of risk management. If we’re behind in San Fran we will see lots of hero ball because there won’t be another option but to take greater risks.
stockholder
September 25, 2021 at 07:44 am
I never liked the thought of moving Jenkins, because he'd get hurt. And I never liked the thought of Bahk being signed early, because he'd get hurt. And I never liked the thought of moving Turner, because he'd never become an All-pro. And I never liked the thought of not signing Linsley, because you'd never fix things on the defense. But it is what it is. A OL; that has more holes in it then Swiss cheese. Yet we still look for Rodgers to make up for everything. Even a Bad Defense. Patience has nothing to do with this. Rodger's is No coward. He's the best player the packers have. He knows what he has to do. It's the rest of the team; that must show they know what to do. Just DO IT! Thats what this is about. Rodgers only needs to get the ball out. Where it goes from there, is up to the other 21 not named Rodgers.
NickPerry
September 25, 2021 at 05:50 pm
Hmmmm... I don't know about all of this though I do agree with some of it...
I can both sides moving Jenkins although I don't know who else you put over there. David Bakhtiari has been a rock and DESERVED that contract. He had a freak injury at a HORRIBLE time. I have NO DOUBT the Packers win the SB last year with a healthy DB. Had he not been injured it wouldn't even be a topic
The money paid to Lindsey never made sense for GB and still doesn't. Meyers is rated the 4th rated center according to PFF, Corey Lindsey is 26th and making about 10 times the money not to mention his PFF grades SUCK! NO WAY could have the Packers afforded him, and Aaron Jones will continue to prove HE was the correct signing of the two.
Meyers has a 78.6 pass blocking grade...Lindsey's is 41.2. Meyers has the highest grade of any rookie O-Line, including Creed Humphrey (By a MILE) who was supposed to be the top rated Center coming out. Meyers pass blocking grade is the FORTH highest and those 3 players who rank in front of him in pass blocking grades ALL have LOWER run blocking grades...
Sorry but in NO WAY can you convince me signing Lindsey to a team who's already cash starved was a move that Gute should have made, especially after the first 2 weeks.
packer132
September 25, 2021 at 12:40 pm
Good points Nick; You don't pay a center $12 million a year, especially when you have no money for other players. Myers has really looked good so far. The OL is not swiss cheese as mentioned by someone who doesn't know football. Coaches play the best players, no matter if its a rookie or 10 year vet. Injuries can happen at any time, and the comment by the same guy earlier makes no sense. An injury happened because a player was moved from guard to tackle? Packers have done a very good job of developing OL players and giving Rodgers time to pass. Run blocking also has been decent. Jones was the right guy to sign, though fans questioned the move at the time.
NickPerry
September 25, 2021 at 05:53 pm
Gute was taught by Wolf and the Thompson... NO WAY does Gute give a Center $12 million a year at Lindsey's age. Linsey was a fine Packer and gave them 8 years of excellent play. Very few get a 3rd contract as an O-Lineman, it just wasn't going to happen.
croatpackfan
September 26, 2021 at 03:05 am
Nick, I completely agreed. People very often forgot that no OL is just sum of individuals. If you have one superb player and other 4 are JAGs, superb player will not play in superb manner. OL is "one" player made from 5. If OL have good communication and good synchronization every of the individual will have higher ratings. OL is as good as its worst player...
Packers0808
September 25, 2021 at 08:46 am
Screen passes and delays are probably going to be used some and have some success with the 49er pass rush!
Packers0808
September 25, 2021 at 08:46 am
Screen passes and delays are probably going to be used some and have some success with the 49er pass rush!
Difer
September 25, 2021 at 09:48 am
I expect this game to be essentially a rerun of the 2 2019 matchups between the Pack and Niners (noting that Sunday's Packer's lineup will be significantly weaker than in '19) . SF will dominate both LOS; stuff the run; and put unceasing pressure on Rodgers while jamming the Pack's receivers and doubling/trippling Adams. On offense, the Niners will run the ball down the Pack's throat while managing an efficient passing game. STs will favor the Niners. For the Pack, the most important things will be to manage the offense to keep the defense off the field as much as possible, and minimize injuries as much as possible. In the end, remember that it's only one non- divisional game. Thought: for sports bettors, seems like this would be a great week to bet large on the Niners with such a ridiculously low spread.
justjan
September 27, 2021 at 12:39 pm
How is the crow tasting?
Roadrunner23
September 25, 2021 at 10:24 am
Y’all are making too big a deal about the 49ers. This isn’t the Chicago Bears 1985 defense. You can’t go into a game playing scared, this is football the Packers will come out and play some smash mouth football. The Packers will take this game 35 to 21
ND
PeteK
September 25, 2021 at 10:52 am
Yes, a few quick hitters, some power runs, and a few long completion to Adams and MVS will certainly slow that D down.
TarynsEyes
September 25, 2021 at 11:10 am
The Packers will need to jump out of the gate fast on Offense.
Patience is a virtue that can limit chances.
SF can evaporate the number of chances they make available.
Whose defense will struggle and tire faster playing the patience game?
NickPerry
September 25, 2021 at 11:20 am
Totally agree Taryn. For once I'd like to see the Packers TAKE the ball if they win the coin toss. Get a lead in a game for once.
croatpackfan
September 26, 2021 at 03:11 am
Patience is a virtue that helps always. It is just question how you'll use it. Impatience can help sometime, but probability is that will lead you to mistakes that can be costly. Patience can be implement by taking what is offer, while waiting the opportunity to quickly got big play. That is the recipe.
NickPerry
September 25, 2021 at 11:18 am
The 49ers at this time anyways have a horrible run defense 2 games in. The Packers NEED to use AJ Dillon in this game and should let him TRY to get in a groove with at least 15 carries. Feed Jones too, but this is a game where I'd like to see the Packers run the ball 40 times because I think they'll be able too be effective.
The problem with EVER running it that much is will Rodgers allow it. Hopefully Ego and Hero Ball are left at home, at least for this week. IF the Packers can just be patient and STICK with the run, it's going to pay dividends laster in the game. Slowing the pass rush, keep the safeties peeking in the backfield, and it will open things up for greater things.
fordguy
September 25, 2021 at 05:51 pm
It must be a great privilege to wear one of the headsets or sit in the Packers coaching box and know all of the plays being called.
Since'61
September 25, 2021 at 11:30 am
I agree that patience is a key but patience becomes meaningless if we don’t win the LOS on both sides of the ball.
On offense I would run A. Jones behind Lewis and Deguara and hopefully Jenkins right at Bosa until the 49ers stop them. Take it straight to them from the opening KO.
On defense we need to swarm to the ball against the run and send blitzes from the corners and/or safeties on passing downs. We need to harass Garapolo and he will make mistakes. Preferably we will play with a lead.
Win the LOS and we win the game. GPG! Thanks, Since ‘61
Duneslick
September 25, 2021 at 12:57 pm
Is Deguara playing
Since'61
September 25, 2021 at 01:26 pm
Duneslick, based on the Packers injury report he had light practices on Wednesday and Thursday and full practice on Friday.
I expect him to play since he has been practicing all week but you never know. Thanks, Since ‘61
fordguy
September 25, 2021 at 05:54 pm
Jenkins is out.
jhtobias
September 25, 2021 at 03:41 pm
Why are so so many delusional green bay fans !! Injuries happen to everyone stop whining . The Defensive line is an absolute mess and it is healthy .. That falls on one person go ahead blame petine blame barry blame lafluer .. they don't control personal that is your buddy Gute ..
Please help me out and name one thing he has done in the last two years except giving Kenny Clark a new deal to at least make them average and competitive ?
I hope Rodgers is ready to score 35 a game this year because you could have the reincarnation of Buddy Ryan and he could not stop the run with these jokers ..
Go ahead waiting for the thumbs down but when your defensive line is trash compared to the
Bengals go ahead and shove that thumb where the sun don't shine homer's
croatpackfan
September 26, 2021 at 03:15 am
I like jokers like you. Nobody underestimate 49ers. But, I think Packers has their chances.
sohankhan
September 26, 2021 at 10:48 am
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