You may well be right, and to your point: RR did improve in the second half of the season. Also, A-Rod has been on record as saying that RR may have the best hands on the team -- a high complement considering who we have at WR.
The problem is that RR at his best in the second half still wasn't all that great. Sure, he went from 19th-worst pass blocker and 6th-worst run blocking TE up to 20th-best pass blocking TE and 48-best run blocking TE. (Source)
However, RR still finished with the worst overall grade of all Packers offensive players of -12.3 and finished ranked 53rd out of 63 TEs overall. ((Source)
Those are less-than-stellar numbers overall. RR no doubt will improve on those standings in year 2, but I don't know if I've seen anything to suggest he'll be the type of TE threat of Gronk (or even Finley). I cannot recall a single time that RR flat out beat any player in a foot speed last season; and I have not read anyone say that RR has that quick "twitch" that would indicate he can become a regular threat like Finley who can take Safeties deep.
I still retain some hope RR's YAC will improve, but it is quite common to see elements of players' games not translating from college to the Pros.
The one thing RR definitely has going for him is his hands. Maybe he shows something this season with being more elusive after the catch. Still, even if RR only improves as a blocker (which he should) he can still be pretty valuable to the offense; he hasn't shown improvement in his (albeit very young) career in speed or YAC.
Originally Posted by: all_about_da_packers
YOU READ IT HERE! LOL
All-about,
Ya got the stats nicely framed and you are correct: they do not reflect a stellar playing TE. But, the stats do reflect a stellar playing GB ROOKIE TE. Try thinking this way [Side Note: In 2013, Lacey was tied for 23 in yrds/rush...was he the 23rd-ish best RB in 2013?]:
Learning to an effective GB WR is simply IMPOSSIBLE as a rookie. To be effective a WR needs to understand everything that is in AR’s head. GB trains its rookie receivers first to be proficient in ONE POSITION, the X, Y or Z. Then once they begin to develop a sufficient level of quality at that one position they are spoon fed more. It’s done this way, because to give them more oversploads their brains. Several really good WRs have been rookies in GB since Holmgren and NOT A SINGLE ONE had been effective as a rookie. All these guys didn’t become a little better; they became A LOT better.
Now with Rodgers’ brain on overloaded learning the route tree like a WR; he has to know all the zone blocking schemes for running. Note that assignments change depending on D’s presnap lineup and change after the snap when, EG, a MLB does this or a Safety does that...IT IS COMPLICATED. Then he has to learn the pass blocking schemes that are similarly COMPLICATED as an assignment can change a dozen ways on one play depending how the D lines up and then can change a dozen more ways depending on what the D does after the snap. Then he has to know these pass and run blocking assignments as both a FB and a TE. Oh and he plays on special teams too and has to learn that.
I mean, we do all understand how hard this is: Rodgers has to learn what a WR, RB and OLman need to learn to play effectively; right?!?!?
Next, I believe it is real hard to block, say DeAndre Levy. But imagine you had to block Levy, if Lacey goes through the B gap and the MLB does not fill B gap; if he does then you block the MLB; or if the DE spills in and Lacey bounces through the C gap then ya gotta get the box safety or CB, whoever you can reach first...etc. Rodgers is not sitting thinking to himself, “im gonna smash that Levy;” his mind is first trying to recall his role in the damn play; then in a second refocusing that thought to the audible; then reading the D alignment’s reaction to the audible to gauge his assignment; and then having that assignment change instantly at the snap because of an unexpected move by any of 5-6 Defensive players.
With all this in his mind it’s a wonder he could block anyone; this is why Finley didn’t play at all as a rookie; he was only trusted for a handful of select plays to get him some PT.
Rodgers is a 100% class act and a very serious man. As Rodgers develops mental acuity for his assignment his physical performance will improve exponentially. He will get FASTER. Receivers don’t get open with their feet; they get open with their mind! As he masters the mental side of the game; his “burst” will not be as slow and deliberate. When his assignment instantly changes depending on the flow of the D; his mind won’t stop to think; it’ll force a quick twitch movement to get open or to soundly execute that block. This is what I mean by “thinking being replaced by instinct.” Rodgers will develop that quick twitch, though will never be said to have great foot speed; but when he masters his assignment; reads the D just like AR; and learns to read the hips, feet and eyes of his defender and at the perfect moment make his moves to get separation; he will get separation and sometimes get a lot.
The stats cited reflect that Rodgers will be as dangerous as Ed West blocking and Finley receiving once this comes together; that is stellar. Again, getting open is 10% about speed; 90% knowing when and how to move for separation and having the acumen to know when and where to be for QB. Note: Finley was not nearly as skilled a route runner as Rodgers will be.