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Job security
A-Rodg should stick around
By Sean Slattery
After a promising 2-0 start to the season, the Packers have lost five of their last seven games, and are now left to dig themselves out of the trench that has left them with a 4-5 record.
The only thing Aaron Rodgers can feel secure about at this point in the season is his job.
Just before the Green Bay Packers week-nine loss to the undefeated Tennessee Titans, Rodgers signed a six-year, $65 million deal that includes a reported $20 million in guaranteed money. This makes Rodgers comparable to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who agreed to a $67.5 million contract ($31 million guaranteed) after being labeled an all-pro quarterback.
Since the ink has dried on the Rodgers deal, though the young quarterback hasn’t had much else to hang his helmet on.
After a promising 2-0 start to the season, the Packers have lost five of their last seven games, and are now left to dig themselves out of the trench that has left them with a 4-5 record.
As long as the offensive line continues to struggle, that trench will just get deeper and deeper. Rodgers is brought down by opposing defenses twice or so every game. Thus far the Packers’ offensive line has allowed 21 sacks.
With Rodgers on course to take 37 sacks this season, not to mention being taken down for two safeties last week against the Minnesota Vikings, this is no understatement.
Though, Rodgers has shown an incredible amount of poise and resilience. Completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 13 touchdowns and only five interceptions on the season, despite suffering a sprained shoulder. He has also managed to keep the Packers in games down the stretch; three of the five losses have been by a margin of three points or less.
The problems don’t all lie on the offensive side of the ball. Both safety Nick Collins and cornerback Charles Woodson have recorded five interceptions each, on a defense that ranks third in the NFL against the pass.
However, Green Bay can’t seem to stop anyone from running the ball. They allow 154.6 yards per game on the ground and are ranked 28th against the run, and as an overall defense, the Packers are ranked 21st.
To add to the list of problems running back Ryan Grant can’t seem to get things going, recording only one 100-yard game. Middle linebacker Nick Barnett is going to miss the rest of the season with a torn knee ligament. Furthermore, the Packers commit more penalties than any other team in the league.
On the bright side the Packers are still one of the youngest teams in the NFL and there is plenty of room left for improvement.
Still, it just seems like there’s something missing in Green Bay.
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