Is Aaron Rodgers even good anymore?

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Can you describe the system he’s playing outside of?

Dummy runs a WCO. A-Rod is playing like a Martzist QB.

Off with dummy’s head, and if not J-MAC, if not Norm Chow, if not Ghanghis Khan (current HC of the Turkish national futbol team), then bring in Mike Martz.

Greatest show on hybrid grass!

[pbmax]

Packers running a route concept that the Falcons apparently unveiled in 2016. So McCarthy is adding things to this offense.

I think this is versus the Vikes in Week 2: https://twitter.com/BenFennell_NFL/s...98076376678401

Rodgers is obviously hurt at this point and takes what looks like the first read. If the commenters are correct, this was not a first, Jamaal Williams got stuffed on the next play and it was a FG. Had Rodgers waited, looks like Cobb/Williams uncovers like the other backs as he runs to the pylon.

Falcons, 2016: https://twitter.com/BenFennell_NFL/s...93367985258497

[pbmax]

Packers have traditionally not relied on RBs in the passing game under McCarthy. This one might not be free:

https://247sports.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/Article/Packers-checkdown-passing-125059298/

[pbmax]

Rodgers being more patient and making a better decision with 3 verticals including Jones:

https://twitter.com/BenFennell_NFL/status/1065367804554158080

[pbmax]

Very similar to routes run by James Jones here. But its the TE, he has a safety on him and they are playing man to man outside. Orlovsky keeps saying Cover 1 zone, but no one except the deep safety (starts on offensive left) drops to zones. It looks like man underneath and they are disguising it as Cover 2.

For this to work, the TE has to get open and he does, almost right away. This design is also nice because the DB who is faking Cover 2, is made miserable because there are three receivers in the line of sight for the QB. And the safety jumps up to get close to two of the underneath routes, leaving the outside one on one. Frankly, unless that TE is a world beater or that safety on him cannot play man to man, I'd prefer to leave that guy in single coverage.

I think the Packers have been trying to find mismatch guys (emphasis on TEs recently) but the record is mixed except for Jones. Once again, shoulda kept Cook.

https://twitter.com/danorlovsky7/status/1065209259695243264

[mraynrand]

Once again, shoulda kept Cook.

I keep returning to this too. Unless there was some personal problem (like Cook didn't want to stay under any circumstances or was a malcontent) this might have been one of the straws that broke Murphy's back re: TT. Inexplicable decision after a year of developing chemistry with Rodgers and the playoff run.

[mraynrand]

Oh, and the consensus seems to be that Rodgers is playing within the system, just not very well. Suck on it Wist.

[pbmax]

I keep returning to this too. Unless there was some personal problem (like Cook didn't want to stay under any circumstances or was a malcontent) this might have been one of the straws that broke Murphy's back re: TT. Inexplicable decision after a year of developing chemistry with Rodgers and the playoff run.

Wonder if they were more mad at the agent for shopping the offer or just more intrigued with Bennett's blocking?

[call_me_ishmael]

Said it was 1/100 last week with putting the gimme in the dirt. Did the same thing yesterday.

https://twitter.com/AaronNagler/status/1067073895398813696

He's not good anymore

[yetisnowman]

I've long been critical of Aaron's postseason performances since the super bowl run. The truth is his mechanics, accuracy, and consistency have been in steady decline over the last 3 or 4 seasons. He just always seemed to be able to put it all together for a long enough stretch of the season, and drag the team to victories. Injuries play a role surely. Personnel and scheme don't help. But man his accuracy and decision making have been mediocre this season. Again last night on two key 3rd downs he takes a sack when a check down near the sticks was available. Short hopping easy 5 yard throws. Even on his deep completions to Davante the last few weeks he was short and late on the throws. Turning TDs into long completions. He also seems averse to running for yardage and would rather through a low percentage deep ball than take 5-10 yds by scrambling. I find his play pretty average really. It's hard to stomach that given how we are paying him to be great. Maybe another off-season of healing, a re-tooled staff and scheme will turn it around. But man after what I've seen this year I'm not sure.

[call_me_ishmael]

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/11/26/green-bay-packers-offense-problems-mike-mccarthy-aaron-rodgers?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=themmqb

This is a just read article.

Yes, Rodgers’s unique style, which few QBs have enough talent to call upon, has led to some of his most spectacular plays. But in the aggregate, it also creates the illusion of dysfunction around him. To television viewers, Rodgers runs around because his O-line breaks down. Or because, presumably, receivers aren’t getting open. And they’re not getting open because the scheme isn’t helping them. Sometimes this is the case. But just as often, the glitches aren’t coming from everyone around the quarterback, but from the quarterback himself.

What’s most befuddling: Right when you start to think Rodgers will forever read the field with the choppiness of a rookie, he starts slinging the ball with perfectly disciplined timing and rhythm. When that switch is flipped, Rodgers borders on unstoppable. His greatness reaches such a level that, when the switch is flipped back, you understand why outside observers can’t help but assume the problem is everyone else.

This is where McCarthy is getting victimized. A great illustration of Rodgers’s unevenness came two weeks ago in Green Bay’s win over Miami. The Packers faced a 4th-and-2 near midfield. The Dolphins are a zone D that almost always plays nickel. Knowing their nickel would keep two linebackers on the field, McCarthy put in a fourth receiver and aligned Davante Adams in the backfield, so their top weapon could run his route against those overmatched linebackers. Adams did, breaking open on a short-angle route right in Rodgers’s immediate line of vision. The play worked perfectly. And Rodgers, for reasons not even Sigmund Freud could figure out, tried to break down and extend the play. A quick-strike play like this can’t be extended, though, and naturally, the protection cracked and Rodgers was sacked.

This is so startling accurate. Coach killer? Well, his uneven play the past 3-4 years is why the coach is getting sacked so I guess so technically. I wouldn't want to be the next coach. I don't think this is an attractive job because the expectations will be so high and I am not convinced Aaron can be reigned in. We shall see. I'd put in a call to Peyton and offer him a Gruden. You need someone that the QB will respect enough to get back to basics and stop practicing calculus when a homeboy sucks at basic algebra.

[run pMc]

Yeah I read that SI piece, and agreed with most of it.

During several plays on the 2nd TD drive I caught myself thinking "hey -- that's a good play design/call", and thought Rodgers looked sharp...and after that it went to hell.

Someone commented this on Nagler's feed: "The highest paid player in the nfl should be able to throw an accurate pass 5 yards on target with no pressure 100% of the time." In 2 consecutive weeks, he's failed at this.

Stubby sure ain't perfect, but the players have to run the plays being called. An inaccurate Rodgers throwing to mostly rookie WRs is a bad recipe.
Regardless of what happens with M3 (I think he's gone, FWIW), Rodgers needs to fix his mechanics. They are a mess. I'm optimistic the rookie WR's will come around, but this is a year where they (and the young CB's) take their lumps and learn. I know "wait til next year" is a lame take, but it applies.

M3 has taken this team to 3 NFC Championships, won a Superb Owl, and a 15-1 regular season, and managed to keep this team afloat amidst losing slumps and injuries. He's not a bad coach and will get hired again. Quickly.
I think his time here is about up and a fresh start is needed.

[Bossman641]

Good article... for whatever reason Rodgers just does not want to get the ball out on time with any kind of consistency.

[pbmax]

I've long been critical of Aaron's postseason performances since the super bowl run. The truth is his mechanics, accuracy, and consistency have been in steady decline over the last 3 or 4 seasons. He just always seemed to be able to put it all together for a long enough stretch of the season, and drag the team to victories. Injuries play a role surely. Personnel and scheme don't help. But man his accuracy and decision making have been mediocre this season. Again last night on two key 3rd downs he takes a sack when a check down near the sticks was available. Short hopping easy 5 yard throws. Even on his deep completions to Davante the last few weeks he was short and late on the throws. Turning TDs into long completions. He also seems averse to running for yardage and would rather through a low percentage deep ball than take 5-10 yds by scrambling. I find his play pretty average really. It's hard to stomach that given how we are paying him to be great. Maybe another off-season of healing, a re-tooled staff and scheme will turn it around. But man after what I've seen this year I'm not sure.

I get the criticism, but I'd like to know which of his bad throws went five yards. The one in the dirt on the flat route went 15-20 yards sideways.

[QBME]

I get the criticism, but I'd like to know which of his bad throws went five yards. The one in the dirt on the flat route went 15-20 yards sideways.

You piqued my interest. Went back and watched it again, then did the math. My best sketchy geometry concludes the pass needed 26.45 yards plus proper velocity and elevation for a completion.

Good call. The 5 yard assessment was 90 degrees from the LOS.