After nearly seven weeks, and countless knockdowns, it finally appears that the injured shoulder of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is nearing 100 percent. In fact, this week was the first time since Sept. 28 that Rodgers wasn't listed on the teams' weekly injury report.
Part of that could be because of how well the offensive line played last Sunday in the Packers' win over the Chicago Bears.
“I haven’t felt that good Monday and Tuesday waking up all season,” Rodgers said. “I really appreciate those guys. I said after the game, those guys dominated the line of scrimmage. I got touched one time, and it was because I made the wrong protection call. So those guys did an incredible job. We need a repeat performance like that.”
Officially, the Bears did not record a sack or register a "quarterback hit"—something the NFL now tracks—Sunday, a big improvement over the previous game in Minnesota where Rodgers was hit numerous times. Packers coach Mike McCarthy was impressed with the turnaround.
"I thought they [offensive line] did a very good job of establishing the line of scrimmage, and in pass protection, like we already talked about, Aaron wasn't even touched," McCarthy said. "They played at a very high level."
Statistically, the play of the offensive line has had a big impact on the Packers this season. In games where Rodgers is sacked two or less times, Green Bay is 5-1. However, when Rodgers is sacked more then two times, that record drops to 0-4.
"Games are won and lost in the trenches—any coach will tell you that," McCarthy said. "We've got to do a better job of being more consistent in that category from this point on for our football team to continue improving."
Packers Recognized in Big Win Over Bears
Following the Packers win over the Bears, Packers coach Mike McCarthy was named Motorola NFL Coach of the Week for games played from Nov. 13-17. McCarthy beat out New York Jets coach Eric Mangini and 49ers coach Mike Singletary for the award—his second this season. McCarthy also won the award back on Week Seven after the Packers defeated the Indianapolis Colts.
Packers running back Ryan Grant was also recognized for his efforts this week by being named FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week. Grant racked up 145 rushing yards and a touchdown in his most impressive performance of 2008.
Grant beat out the Pittsburgh Steelers' Willie Parker and Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams for the award, and it marks the Packers' first Ground award since 2007.
Lighter Wallet for Vikings' Allen
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen was fined $25,000 by the NFL for his hit on Aaron Rodgers in the Vikings 28-27 win over the Packers two weeks ago. While the play did warrant a roughing penalty, Rodgers didn't think the hit deserved the negative attention it got.
“I don’t think the hit was a malicious hit at all,” Rodgers said. “We actually joked about it afterwards. In no way do I think it was intentional nor did he want to hurt me.”
There was talk that Allen could be suspended—considering this is the second time he's been fined for hits on a quarterback—but that turned out false. The leash is continually getting tighter for Allen, however, so keep your eye on that the rest of the season.
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about 1 month ago
wow...thats alot of Packer info!
about 1 month ago
good on ya with bob jeter. his son coaches the men's basketball team for wisconsin-milwaukee, and before the game at the bradley center against marquette, we had a moment of silence for him
about 1 month ago
This is an excellent article--softens the blow of you moving ahead of me in Packers writer rankings, 'cause I think you've earned it! Great points about Jeter, Driver, improvement of the line, and even the Allen situation--easy five star!
from about 1 month ago
thanks MJ, I was wondering when you were going to get after me about that!
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