"One thing that made the Packers' West Coast offense under Favre a little different was the element of the big play via the deep ball. Favre was able to scramble and let his receivers get downfield. Rodgers is not nearly as athletic or mobile, but McCarthy must call for some deep balls in order to keep the defense honest. If not, defenses will start bringing their safeties closer to the line of scrimmage, which would make it more difficult to run a traditional West Coast system because it is more difficult to connect on slants, curls and outs."

A part of Jeremy Green's article on ESPN. This is an insider article, so apparently you have to pay for the deep analysis that points out that Rodgers is less mobile than Favre.

He also calls our Offensive line one of the best in the NFL. A bit of a stretch IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by Dyslexic Dog:
He also calls our Offensive line one of the best in the NFL. A bit of a stretch IMO.

TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL POLISH:
Rodgers is more mobile than Favre. Our OLine sucks.
How's that?

The older I get, the suckier ESPN gets. Of course, I'm no longer in their target audience.

There's a reason why those "experts" are writing for ESPN and not working in the league.

I'm willing to bet they haven't watched Rodgers play - ever.

After he takes off & gains yards running - like he did at Cal & in the Dallas game - they will be the same guys who will be surprised. Then they will probably write how effective a slow guy like Rodgers can be running. I really don't think some of these guys have brains - or they might have remembered a few details or at least did a little research before writing.

Hey may have used teh wrong adjective, but there's no denying Favre had a way of working around teh pocket to buy time and "felt" the rush. Rodgers doesn't have that, at least yet. Many QBs never get it.

"elusive"

Rodgers is more athletic than Favre no doubt, but I have a feeling the Packers sack numbers are gonna take a hit next year. Favre was the master at making the correct pre-snap read and changing protection, not to mention making the free defender miss or simply getting rid of it quickily.

Rodgers will need to learn those traits.

quote:

Originally posted by Packdog:
Rodgers is more athletic than Favre no doubt, but I have a feeling the Packers sack numbers are gonna take a hit next year. Favre was the master at making the correct pre-snap read and changing protection, not to mention making the free defender miss or simply getting rid of it quickily.

Rodgers will need to learn those traits.

This is definitely true. And it's part of why worrying about Rodgers getting hurt isn't just speculation, it's a real and legitimate concern.

The last three seasons, Rodgers has been sacked 9 times in 59 pass attempts -- 15 percent of the time.

In those same three seasons, Favre was sacked 60 times in 1700-plus pass attempts -- 3 percent of the time.

Granted, it's a pretty small sample set, but if you look at Rodgers' preseason numbers they're also pretty high in terms of taking sacks per pass attempts. He's going to have to get rid of the ball quicker or we will see Brohm in the lineup sooner rather than later.

quote:

Originally posted by Max:

quote:

Originally posted by Packdog:
Rodgers is more athletic than Favre no doubt, but I have a feeling the Packers sack numbers are gonna take a hit next year. Favre was the master at making the correct pre-snap read and changing protection, not to mention making the free defender miss or simply getting rid of it quickily.

Rodgers will need to learn those traits.

This is definitely true. And it's part of why worrying about Rodgers getting hurt isn't just speculation, it's a real and legitimate concern.

The last three seasons, Rodgers has been sacked 9 times in 59 pass attempts -- 15 percent of the time.

In those same three seasons, Favre was sacked 60 times in 1700-plus pass attempts -- 3 percent of the time.

Granted, it's a pretty small sample set, but if you look at Rodgers' preseason numbers they're also pretty high in terms of taking sacks per pass attempts. He's going to have to get rid of the ball quicker or we will see Brohm in the lineup sooner rather than later.

And how many times was Rodgers playing behind 2nd and 3rd stringers? Another example of stats not telling the real story.

Probably true, and it's a pretty small sample set regardless. In any case, it makes sense that younger quarterbacks get hit more than older guys for a lot of reasons -- not as experienced in the pocket, plus they run more. Obviously Rodgers would lap Favre in a foot race, but that doesn't mean he won't take more shots in the pocket.

quote:

Originally posted by Max:
Probably true, and it's a pretty small sample set regardless. In any case, it makes sense that younger quarterbacks get hit more than older guys for a lot of reasons -- not as experienced in the pocket, plus they run more. Obviously Rodgers would lap Favre in a foot race, but that doesn't mean he won't take more shots in the pocket.

I don't disagree with that, experience is everything. With that said, that example has too many different variables to give a accurate snapshot of what Rodgers can do in the pocket.

The one time (I know, it's only one time) we did see him in live action he moved very well and extended drives with his feet. While I expect him to take more sacks because of his inexperience, I think his three years preparing and watching are going to really pay off. Regardless of playing time, the guy isn't a rookie. It does make a difference.

Until he gets hurt.

Favre took some horrible beatings early in his career until he gained the experience necessary to get the ball out quickly, same as any QB, and Rodgers will almost undoubtedly have to run the same gamut before he has enough notches on his belt to recognize things earlier. That .5 seconds of faster recognition often makes the difference between a positive play and a sack/hit in the mouth, and as happy as I am to have a QB come in who's been groomed in the proper manner, it's going to take some time for Rodgers to get to that point. He won't be helped at all if the interior OL doesn't get better, as Favre's experience-formulated recognition skills/instincts masked that deficiency in a big way last year, but it will be overtly exposed this year if the protection doesn't improve significantly.

Back to the point of the thread - this guy is a fool, IMHO. He seems to have zero understanding of GB's personnel and doesn't seem to know a thing about Rodgers. Whatever, though - it seems as though actual knowledge isn't nearly as important as generating buzz these days, so it really doesn't come as much of a surprise.

I guess I'm confused? Not being sacked = more athletic?

Marino disagrees

Peyton Manning would join your Dream Team of El-Ka-Bong, Marino and the members of the United Toaster Salesmen of the Western Hemisphere, Bong. Those weirdos in the Eastern Hemisphere just wanna sell their toasters and be left out of the debate, however.