Originally Posted by
Patler
Yes, here we go again. You start it with a snide question to me about what I "know", and when I respond directly to your condescending question you act as if you are the offended one. (Yawn.)
Laboring to run, yes, but on the previous play he was still able to run from the left hash mark to the right sideline, while picking up 12 yards up field and a first down. On the first down play to Lacy, he had already run from the pocket at the 44 to near the numbers at about the 40. I'm not questioning if he could have run for a touchdown, just if he could have turned up field from there, picked up a few yards, and slid or gotten out of bounds again. Just something positive on the play, at least.
I agree with your take on Lacy in the play on first down. It still hurts watching that again (which I just did). Complete the pass to Lacy, and he picks up positive yardage, maybe even a first down as he was running away from would be tacklers, and who knows how much after that? Once he gets rolling in the open field it often takes a bunch of tacklers over a significant distance to get him down. Alternatively, a healthy Rodgers runs a long way on that play.
As for 2nd down, where ever I read that AR had running room, was wrong, under the circumstances. A healthy Rodgers, maybe; but he was surrounded in a small pocket. If he could have gotten out, there was room, but only a healthy AR and a few other QBs could get out of that tight pocket. What he did miss was a wide open receiver on the left. Two lined up wide and crossed. Both DBs went with the one lined up inside when he went out. The outside receiver came in, with no one on him. Could have had a few easy yards anyway.
Just a few yards on first and/or second down, and third down becomes more makable for a 1st down. Did AR get as much out of those two plays as he could have? I don't know, but if the qustion is, "Did he deliver?" its easy to come to a conclusion of "No."
Third down - the entire right side of the field looked like it opened up, particularly if the receivers on that side were going deep. AR got out of the pocket and had no one visible on the screen in front of him. Could/should he have ran, in spite of his calf? I don't know, but it is something to discuss. Did he deliver?
As I said, I don't know the answers at all to these questions, but there was great fame and recognition right there to be had. AR didn't get it, that's a fact. Whether or not he could/should have is anyones guess.