The Packer Pundit

Offense, Rodgers make a good first impression
By Bob McGinn / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 4, 2007 / Story Link
Green Bay - The widely doubted offense of the Green Bay Packers, especially quarterback Aaron Rodgers, had every reason to leave Lambeau Field on Saturday night feeling rather bullish about itself. For one of the first times in his career, Rodgers offered some tangible evidence that he is improving and might one day be a suitable successor to Brett Favre, and the offense moved the ball pretty much at will other than a pair of end-zone interceptions. With a crowd of 59,362 watching the intrasquad scrimmage on a beautiful midsummer night, Rodgers completed 12 of 21 passes for 138 yards in one of his best moments since arriving in the first round in 2005.

The evaluation process, however, was skewed. Quarterbacks weren't allowed to be touched, and the threat of physical violence can make all the difference in the world at that position. Still, any National Football League scout that paid for an $8 ticket to the event probably would have come away thinking Rodgers looks like a somewhat different player than the skittish youngster of the last two exhibition seasons. In general, coach Mike McCarthy saw reasons for optimism in the first exposure to live tackling for his second team in Green Bay. "I'll tell you this," McCarthy said. "I feel a lot better about our football team tonight than I did when I stood here last year."

Rodgers was far from perfect. Directing the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense, he was able to generate just two first downs and 16 yards in two possessions totaling 12 plays. He had a pass batted down at the line and he threw wildly to Carlyle Holiday on a ball that was nearly intercepted by safety Atari Bigby, but he also was under constant pressure. On his third possession, Rodgers drove the No. 2 offense 71 yards in nine plays to set up a 23-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. He faced a blend of first- and second-string defenders on that series. In that drive, Rodgers threw a 20-yard completion to the closely covered Holiday on a bootleg, hit James Jones in a stride on a crossing route for 21 and found Ruvell Martin for 11 on a slant.

When the scrimmage shifted to two-minute drills, Rodgers led the No. 2 offense on a nine-play, 66-yard sortie against mostly a backup defense. Rodgers opened by coming off his second read and finding Holiday in the middle for 12. He zipped an out to Robert Ferguson for 11. On second and 10, he refused to vacate the pocket prematurely and, at the last instant, swung the ball out in the left flat to the wide-open Brandon Jackson for 23. Rodgers gunned a 9-yard touchdown pass to Martin in the back of the end zone, but it was nullified when Martin was penalized for pushing off. A holding penalty against tackle Orrin Thompson set up a second-and-27 at the 29 when Rodgers threw his interception.

Instead of looking elsewhere, Rodgers stayed with his favorite target, Martin, on a go route on the left side. Martin was alone against cornerback Traman Williams, but Williams came back for the interception. "Maybe more on the receiver," McCarthy said. "It was a one-on-one situation. Two guys went up for the ball. It was a two-minute situation and we had to have a touchdown. It really was more the result of penalties." Rodgers was more poised and decisive than in the past. He threw a live ball and generally was on target. And his body language was more that of a confident leader than someone who at times looked as if he were attempting to transfer blame. "He threw the ball very well," McCarthy said. "Aaron looked sharp. On the one sack he may have come out a little early. He threw the ball into tight spots. Our first two quarterbacks were very sharp." By the time Rodgers took the field, the No. 1 offense had two touchdowns in a rather startling performance.

Brett Favre, who missed five practices last week after the death of his wife's stepfather, was on fire, completing 13 of 15 passes for 157 yards and one touchdown. On a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by Donald Driver's 11-yard scoring catch, Favre simply carved up the No. 2 defense. The pattern continued on the next possession when Favre put a long ball right on the money to Driver for 33 on a fade against Frank Walker. Then, he spotted Jackson flying down the left seam a step or two ahead of linebacker Tracy White and put it on him for 25 yards to the 1. Jackson powered over on the next play.

Favre produced four first downs but then, on third and 1 at the 13, he looked left and then came right into the end zone for Driver against Will Blackmon. But safety Nick Collins was in the throwing lane, intercepted 3 yards deep and returned it 63 yards. "I'd say that was more of an underthrow," McCarthy said. "Brett had a play at the line. They were not on the same page." On the injury front, McCarthy listed fullback Brandon Miree (stinger), running back P.J. Pope (knee) and two players, linebacker Abdul Hodge and Bigby, with dislocated fingers.




Additional Articles on Family Night --

Saturday camp report
Notes: Rayner, Crosby put best feet forward
Favre, No. 1 Offense Nearly Flawless
Backup Receivers Share The Wealth
Blackmon, Bush distinguish selves