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It’s Time to Blame Aaron Rodgers

By Frank Sumrall

Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back to pas during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back to pas during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Green Bay has ran out of excuses to not blame Aaron Rodgers for their stagnant offensive.

Aaron Rodgers has a poor offensive line. Jordy Nelson is out. Their defense is mediocre. Eddie Lacy is overweight and out of shape.

These excuses hold no value anymore. Pro Football Focus ranks the Green Bay offensive line as one of the best and they showed it last night against the New York Giants. Ranked at No. 2 through five weeks, this unit is arguably the best for pass blocking. Rodgers was pressured just seven times on his 50 dropbacks. His offensive line gave Rodgers an average of 3.28 seconds per attempt. He had an eternity to throw the pigskin.

Rodgers has been heralded as a master of avoiding pressure, which he is. But once he got a throw off against New York after holding it for 2.5 seconds, he went 13/29 for 151 yards and a passer rating of 40.9.

And the offense has little to no excuse now fo poor play. Along with an elite offensive line, Nelson has returned to form a dynamic duo with Randall Cobb. Cobb had a masterful game against the Giants, making tough grabs, converting third downs to first downs, and eventually racked up 108 yards on 9 receptions. Nelson recorded his fifth touchdown in four games.

Eddie Lacy is back in rhythm after a frustrating 2015 campaign. A perfect complement to Green Bay’s ariel attack, the power back is No. 12 in the league for rushing yards in a game at 73.8. With 5.5 yards per carry and a first down percentage of over 22 percent, Lacy is having a quality start to the year.

Now the defense remains to be the weak part of the roster. But, Green Bay does rank 9th in total yards allowed and 12th in points allowed with just over 20 per game. With such a high octane offense on paper with arguably the best quarterback in the league, this defense does more than enough to hold off opponents.

On top of this, Green Bay’s opponents have gone a modest 10-9, but Minnesota’s terrific 5-0 start are huge contributors to that. Their schedule ranked as the easiest before the season began which should only boost their dominance.

Time to turn to Rodgers. His season stat line follows; 219 yards per game (29th in the league) with nine touchdowns (8th in the league) and three interceptions for a passer rating of 87.7 (25th in the league). The likes of Cody Kessler and Derek Anderson have better passer ratings. His worst stat is his completion percentage where he ranks 36th in the league at 56.1%.

Time to blame Mike McCarthy right?

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After McCarthy swore off of playcalling which led to a down offensive year, he picked it right back up. This is the same duo that won the Super Bowl six seasons ago.

Yes, both coach and quarterback are to blame, but McCarthy should not shoulder over it. Aaron Rodgers’ 69.0 passer rating in the second half this season is proof enough that his performances this season are far from elite.

With Minnesota developing into a force to be reckoned with for years to come, Green Bay needs the two-time league MVP to play at peak level. Green Bay stands at a strong 3-1, but they still need to gain ground on the Vikings.

Rodgers needs the criticism, let’s see if he can turn thins around. Green Bay hosts the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday for their Week 6 matchup.

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