Aaron Rodgers: 

Numbers might be down but greatness is soaring

Although it is playoff time in the NFL and we seem to continue to see the same quarterbacks leading their teams to the post season, I am starting to wonder why Aaron Rodgers is underrated when it comes to great quarterbacks to ever play the game. When it comes to legends in the NFL right now, of course the sheriff, Peyton Manning comes to mind, although his playoff woes have stuck with him throughout his career. Tom Brady is another one and rightfully so, he has plugged in skill players his whole career and continued to win at a high rate. However, Rodgers is doing something this year that can only be considered as “greatness.” Willing his team to win with most of his weapons off the field or just not showing up to play. Randall Cobb is one of his only targets back from last year that is still suiting up, James Jones was brought back to fill a void, but as everyone knows nobody wins vs. age. The run game has been nowhere to be found in the majority of the games. The offensive line is bad to put it nicely and somehow, someway Rodgers still led his team to a ten win season with 31 touchdowns and quarterback rating of 92.

In years past Rodgers has had good defenses, explosive receivers, and a run game, but he is doing exactly what Tom Brady has done in years past. They can be compared in the way that they both have slot receivers to get the ball too, but the real difference is that when things get rough, Brady tosses the ball to Gronk and Gronk rumbles over some people. When watching Rodgers, it is obvious that most of his throws gets his receivers open, as they cannot create space on their own. While doing this under tremendous pressure, being sacked 46 times this season (2^nd most in the NFL), the numbers of years past are not there but the winning ways continue.

Although the Packers have created a tough draw if they wish to make a run to the Super Bowl this year, the year that Rodgers has had should be ranked as one of the most impressive in his career. The will to win and the drive to continue on course must have been put to a test this year, but Rodgers has succeeded with flying colors. Even if the post season comes up as a disappointment to the Packers organization this year, everyone involved has to look at Rodgers in a different way and getting Jordie Nelson back next season might allow the balance to come back.  

MAYDAY JAY JAY

Twitter @MayDayJJSports