Zero2Cool
14 years ago
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/107006958.html 

Green Bay A year ago about this time, the Green Bay Packers were heading for the wrong kind of team record. You could tell the kind of game quarterback Aaron Rodgers had just by looking at his unraveling, turf-stained jersey.

In the first eight games of 2009, Rodgers had been sacked 37 times, an average of about 4 a game. It seemed like Rodgers was lassoed once every dozen or so plays.

Green Bay got better in the second half of last season, but still, Rodgers was sacked 50 times, more than any other quarterback in the NFL.

And then he was dropped five times in the playoff loss at Arizona.

That's 55 times Green Bay's offense couldn't get off a play with Rodgers at the controls. Green Bay still set a franchise record for scoring, and it improved enough in protection to avoid breaking the record of 62 sacks allowed in 1990.

But there was no question the Packers - Rodgers, the offensive line, the coaches - wanted to improve this year.

And they have.

Through nine games, Rodgers has been sacked 17 times, an average of less than two a game. It's still a bit high - there are only nine quarterbacks who have been sacked as many or more times than Rodgers, with Chicago's Jay Cutler leading the league at 28. But the Packers have played one more game than other teams.

And the decline in sacks is obvious this year.

Rodgers seems to be getting rid of the ball in a pinch. Against Dallas on Sunday, he bolted upfield if a hole appeared in the Cowboys' man-to-man coverage. He also hasn't been holding onto the ball too long, forcing his line to fend off the defense longer than reasonable.

"My movement and the line's pass protection was very good, hand in hand," Rodgers said.

Aside from what Rodgers is doing, it is clear the offensive line has improved.

"We've been doing a much, much better job protecting the quarterback," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said.

Rodgers has said this is the best play he's ever seen from left tackle Chad Clifton. And from left tackle to right, there have been excellent contributions all along the offensive line.

"I think we learned a lot from last year," said center Scott Wells. "Communication has improved across the board. There's a better understanding of the offense.

"Chad's having a good year. I'm seeing a lot of things downfield out of him that he's shown. Pushing the pile."

Coach Mike McCarthy said a healthy Clifton has made all the difference.

"Last year, I think coming off of the four surgeries the year before kind of held him back a little bit," said McCarthy. "It will be good to get back in pads when we come off of the bye because I think the linemen definitely need it. We need him to stay this course."

Left guard Daryn Colledge played well Sunday despite a sore back that limited him in practice leading up to the game. But he gutted it out in the 45-7 victory.

"Shows a lot about him and his character," said Wells. "Anytime you put up that many points, I would think that he did a good job."

Wells and right guard Josh Sitton have been stalwarts in the middle. In fact, by midseason, the Packers had improved drastically in allowing just 74 "pressures" (sacks, knockdowns and hurries). They had allowed 115 at the midway point last year. In calculating those numbers, the most efficient pass protector so far has been Sitton.

And first-round draft pick Bryan Bulaga, who was used to playing on the left side, has been adjusting to right tackle in place of injured Mark Tauscher.

"Normally when there's sacks there's a breakdown of fundamentals," said Bulaga. "I think we're just playing better, fundamental football, and when you do that, good things happen. If you keep Aaron clean, you make lots of plays.

"I made some mistakes last week that I didn't make this week. Just run-blocking, it was better. My overall set was better in pass rush. If you're nit-picky like I am, you notice that kind of stuff."

Bulaga said the bye week comes at a good time, although he doesn't feel like he's close to hitting the so-called rookie wall.

"Right now the college season - they're almost over," said Bulaga. "But I feel pretty good. My legs don't feel tired. I think I do a pretty good job of taking care of my body. But ask me again in five weeks and we'll see."

The Packers have won three straight games to take a satisfying 6-3 record into their bye week. They've weathered major injuries and returned to their identity as a run-stopping defense.

And with injuries robbing them of starting running back Ryan Grant and star tight end Jermichael Finley, they've found a way to save the season by protecting Rodgers and giving the offense a chance to be productive anyway.

"There's definitely a lot of confidence in that locker room," said Rodgers. "We were 3-3 coming off two straight losses in overtime. There were definitely some doubts creeping in - wondering what the last 10 would hold for us."


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Greg C.
14 years ago
This article fails to acknowledge the fact that the O-line was pretty shaky in the first six games, and has only got its act together in the last three. The sack numbers may not have been as high as last year during those first six games, but Rodgers was under a lot of pressure, which was a major reason for his increased interceptions and the poor production of the offense. What's happened these last few weeks is that Chad Clifton got his mojo back and Bryan Bulaga got settled in at right tackle.
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millertime
14 years ago
Run blocking has still seemed poor to my untrained eye. Nice to see pass pro doing a better job, especially w/ the Giants, Falcons, Vikings, and Pats still on the sched.
Packers_Finland
14 years ago
Clifton has been very good these last few games.

Sitton and Wells are always awesome.

Bulaga is decent.

Colledge and his wife should leave town after this season.
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coltonja
14 years ago

Colledge and his wife should leave town after this season.

"Packers_Finland" wrote:



lol noice!! +1
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Thanks to pack93z for the sig!!!
bozz_2006
14 years ago
I think Colledge has been having a solid year.

edit: Still, he's probably my least favorite of all our starters, O and D.
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beast
14 years ago

Clifton has been very good these last few games.

Sitton and Wells are always awesome.

Bulaga is decent.

Colledge and his wife should leave town after this season.

"Packers_Finland" wrote:




I don't understand all the hate for some players... Colledge has been one of them. Is he great? no... but he's above average...

Also Sitton has been making more mistakes than normal this year for what ever reason... don't get me wrong still one the best on this OL...

Well plain and simple doesn't make mistakes... but he's not the most talented but you can count on him.

Bulaga has had his problem but he's a rookie and done well for a rookie. He needs to stay on his blocks longer though.

Clifton has been doing his best of last 5 years lately.
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Packers_Finland
14 years ago

Clifton has been very good these last few games.

Sitton and Wells are always awesome.

Bulaga is decent.

Colledge and his wife should leave town after this season.

"beast" wrote:




I don't understand all the hate for some players... Colledge has been one of them. Is he great? no... but he's above average...

"Packers_Finland" wrote:



An above average starting guard? Are you frickin' kidding me?

We have one of the worst line in the league. Don't look at the sack stat. Look at the time Aaron has before he's pressured. We still have a terrible OL. Colledge is our worst starter, yet he's above average? How?

Daryn hasn't been as bad this year as he was last year, but by no means is he above average.
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beast
14 years ago

Clifton has been very good these last few games.

Sitton and Wells are always awesome.

Bulaga is decent.

Colledge and his wife should leave town after this season.

"Packers_Finland" wrote:




I don't understand all the hate for some players... Colledge has been one of them. Is he great? no... but he's above average...

"beast" wrote:



An above average starting guard? Are you frickin' kidding me?

We have one of the worst line in the league. Don't look at the sack stat. Look at the time Aaron has before he's pressured. We still have a terrible OL. Colledge is our worst starter, yet he's above average? How?

Daryn hasn't been as bad this year as he was last year, but by no means is he above average.

"Packers_Finland" wrote:



I'm not kidding... a lot of fans want to put most of the blame on Colledge. Some things are his fault something aren't but he'll usually get the blame.

Colledge has been inconsistent as hell... sometimes being horrible... but sometimes he's great... but he never get noticed then.

Also you forgetting Rodgers like Ben Roethlisberger likes to hold onto the ball longer than normal which does lead to more sacks. But just blame the OL... and since no one likes Colledge blame him...

I'm just saying of the 64 OG in the NFL he's above #32 which is true.... again he's not great and not in the top 10...

But sure lets keep blaming one or two players...

When something in the OL goes bad keep blaming Colledge, just like people always used to blame Collins and yelling for Rouse to get the starts instead of Collins before Collins broke out and become a pro bowl player. Also Hawk always used to be blamed over the middle often times it didn't matter who's fault it was... Hawk would be blamed. That's seems to have changed since Barnett went down... haven't heard anything bad about Hawk which is good.

Colledge maybe the weak link in the OL... but he's not nearly as bad as most think...
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Packers_Finland
14 years ago

Clifton has been very good these last few games.

Sitton and Wells are always awesome.

Bulaga is decent.

Colledge and his wife should leave town after this season.

"beast" wrote:




I don't understand all the hate for some players... Colledge has been one of them. Is he great? no... but he's above average...

"Packers_Finland" wrote:



An above average starting guard? Are you frickin' kidding me?

We have one of the worst line in the league. Don't look at the sack stat. Look at the time Aaron has before he's pressured. We still have a terrible OL. Colledge is our worst starter, yet he's above average? How?

Daryn hasn't been as bad this year as he was last year, but by no means is he above average.

"beast" wrote:



Also you forgetting Rodgers like Ben Roethlisberger likes to hold onto the ball longer than normal which does lead to more sacks. But just blame the OL... and since no one likes Colledge blame him...

"Packers_Finland" wrote:



I hate it when I have to respond in a condescending manner, but what on earth are you talking about? This year, there is no QB in the league who gets the balls out of his hands faster, from the snap to the release of the ball, than Aaron Rodgers. I have a subscription to profootballfocus, and they have it listed.

Colledge is not terrible. But I don't think he should start on this team next year. Just like I don't think Clifton should be counted on as our LT next season either.
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