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Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. In 2011, he was the best, hands down, as he had the most prolific season by a pro passer in league history. However, the Packers failed to win a playoff game that season and got trounced by the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round this year. If Greg Jennings is allowed to leave, the Green Bay Packers‘ offense could be in big trouble in 2013 and beyond, no matter how well Rodgers plays.
There’s really no pattern to how the Packers fared when Jennings played and when he didn’t in 2012 as he missed eight games–literally half the season–due to injury. However, he really opens up the Packers’ passing game because he demands so much attention from opposing defenses. Even when he’s not catching passes, if he’s opening things up for teammates Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb.
When he’s able to spread the ball around wherever he wants, Rodgers is at his best. During his tremendous 2011 season, he had touchdown passes to a dozen different players and Nelson was his top receiver along with occasional standout performances by Jones and Cobb. That’s when the Packers were at their best and they finished the regular season 15-1. The playoff loss was just one of those things because the New York Giants were really hot, so you can’t really hold that against the Packers.
Rodgers is a superb quarterback and when it’s all said and done, he might be considered one of the best to ever play the game. However, the Packers could ruin that if they lean on him too hard. He needs weapons around him–not to mention a decent running game–to relieve some of the pressure. Green Bay’s best is ahead of it if the Packers play their cards right with Rodgers and his offense.
Jeric Griffin is the Director of Content for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JericGriffin, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
