[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20081214&Category=PKR07&ArtNo=81214038&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img_r]JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Its one thing to accept responsibility for the Green Bay Packers horrendous slump; its another to do something about it.
Thats the difficult place quarterback Aaron Rodgers finds himself in following another demoralizing Packers loss, this time at the hands of the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Packers are out of playoff contention and out of explanations for their repeated failures to win close games this season. A 20-16 loss at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Sunday was more of the same old tired routine for the Packers, who for the sixth time this season had a chance to mount a winning drive in the final minutes but failed.
Its frustrating, because it seems to be the same thing every week, guard Daryn Colledge said. I get tired of doing the same interview. Its like, Oh man, its so close, you guys had an opportunity, what happened at the end? Right now, we need to find out a way to get it done in the end so we can stop talking about what we didnt do.
The way to get it done begins with Rodgers, the leader of the offense who has played respectably for a first-year starter but has come up short with games on the line.
None of Rodgers teammates blame him for the Packers offensive shortcomings in crunch time. Quite the contrary, theyre quick to defend him.
Its not one person at all, tackle Chad Clifton said. Aarons been playing his butt off this year, no question about that.
But theres a reason Rodgers is the highest-paid player on this team, and theres a reason he starts at the most important position.
Rodgers must be the player to lead this team out of its death spiral. Rodgers must be the one to strap the free-falling Packers on his shoulders and carry them out of the abyss.
Its too late to salvage much from this season other than pride, but if the Packers have any hopes of turning things around next season, it must start with Rodgers.
He couldnt rally the Packers against the Jaguars in the final 2 minutes for a game-winning touchdown, but instead threw an interception to end their hopes.
Rodgers is a stand-up guy who has not deflected blame for the Packers plight.
I get paid to make plays, Rodgers said. So, I need to make plays. I havent been doing that as well or as often as I want to be or should be. So, I take it on myself. Its disappointing. Ive got to make the throws. I get paid to make those plays down the stretch. I havent been making them. I take that right on my shoulders.
The problem is Rodgers said much the same thing after losses against Houston, Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee and Tampa Bay. At some point, he has to turn those admirable words into action and guide the Packers to a victory in a tight game.
When asked if Rodgers was to blame for the Packers inability to score against the Jaguars on yet another late-game possession with the outcome in the balance, coach Mike McCarthy replied: I think its on the whole offense. The quarterback is a big part of it.
The offense is an 11-man unit, so singling out one player for repeated failures isnt necessarily fair. But thats life in the NFL, where quarterbacks have the greatest impact on winning and losing.
They make a play, weve got to come back and finish it off and we dont do it, Rodgers said. Thats kind of been the script, unfortunately. Its disappointing. I take as much blame as anybody should.
Its not as if Rodgers has completely gone in the tank with games on the line. He led the Packers to a fourth-quarter go-ahead field goal on Sunday, but the Jaguars responded with a touchdown. The same thing happened against the Panthers two weeks ago. In both cases, Rodgers performance wasnt good enough.
Rodgers entered the weekend as a top 10 NFL quarterback in several statistical categories. Theres no question he has the tools necessary to become a special player, but for that to happen, he has to start leading the Packers to victories. Thats the only statistic that matters.