Pack93z
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13 years ago
Reason 1834 to like this kid.. outworking the competition.


Rodgers' study habits make him well prepared
 


Green Bay Opponents see the deep ball that's dead-on, the elusiveness, the heady play, the arm strength.

We see the stats.

What almost no one sees is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday night. And Tuesday night. And every other night during the week. [img_r]http://www.fantasyfootballbrothers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Aaron-Rodgers.jpg[/img_r]

That's when he's on his own time, with the laptop computer, studying everything about the defense and looking at his own play with a critical eye.

"He does a lot on his own," said backup quarterback Matt Flynn.

On talent alone, Rodgers might be all right as an NFL quarterback. On motivation alone, he might try to end the seasons of quarterbacks who made the Pro Bowl over him. Or advance in the playoffs.

But if you really want to know where Rodgers draws so much of his confidence, it's in those disciplined study habits. And the mental equity he puts into the game of football gives Rodgers a few things. A plan, of course. And perhaps the means to bounce back from a plan that goes awry because of a mistake.

The team itself has certain study requirements. During the week, the Packers have team meetings from 7:30 to 10 a.m., then practice, and then meetings again in to the afternoon. Wednesday is the most intensive day of work for the quarterbacks, as they break down blitz schemes, man vs. zone coverages and key playmakers on the defense among other things.

But that's not nearly enough for Rodgers. He dives in on his own, as do most players, but it has been suggested he puts in even more of his personal time. He won't say how much - "I don't want to give out my routine because it's personal and it works for me" - but the study time shows up in his game.

"For all the knowledge he has, and the stuff he wants to do, you just have to assume it's a lot," said receiver Jordy Nelson. "He isn't married, doesn't have kids; my guess is he's home all the time watching it. I know he's on there (laptop) studying because he's telling us all the time what to anticipate and look out for."

On Monday and Tuesday, most of Rodgers' time is spent studying the games of the next opponent, gaining an overall view. As the week wears on, his focus tightens to the red zone, short yardage, goal line and other specific situations.

By studying and preparing so much, Rodgers knows he increases his chances of playing well.

And he needs that, because he tends to dwell on mistakes.

For example: Rodgers has thrown 22 touchdown passes in the red zone this season. He knows that.

But he's also thrown one interception in that situation and fumbled once at the goal line.

He hates that.

"I try to focus on the positive things, but I can learn, personally, better from my mistakes than my good plays," said Rodgers. "I mean, I expect to play well. I don't think that's cockiness, I just think I prepare to play well every week. I put in the time, I watch film, I study, I practice, I talk to the receivers, the tight ends, the running backs. We get on the same page.

"So when I get in the game, I expect to play well."

But really, Rodgers expects to play perfectly. And when he makes a mistake, he almost always tries to respond with extraordinary play or drive to make up for it.

The Atlanta game Nov. 28 is a perfect example. Rodgers fumbled on the goal line in the second quarter when he was hit on the elbow, which he had hurt on the previous play.

But he went on to have one of the greatest games of his career with 344 yards passing and 51 yards rushing. He led the Packers on a 16-play, 90-yard final drive with two fourth-down conversions, including the tying 10-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson with 56 seconds to play.

But Green Bay lost, 20-17, and Rodgers, clearly upset about the fumble, could only say afterward that 17 points was not enough to win.

"I thought there was no way we couldn't get it in there," Rodgers said after the game.

Rodgers bounced back in similar fashion last week. He fumbled on the first drive of the second half when he was sacked on third and 2.

On the next possession he led Green Bay on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended in a short screen pass to Brandon Jackson for a touchdown. It ultimately held up as the game-winning touchdown.

"In the moment I'm able to erase it pretty quickly," said Rodgers. "But when I make a mistake it's something I think about, when I put my head down on my pillow at nighttime. Obviously I'm a perfectionist and I hate making mistakes.

"Especially when they're mental mistakes, but the way I prepare myself, I expect to play well. So anytime I come under those standards, it is something I'll think about. But in this league, I've learned you've got to move on quickly."

That's been a popular phrase this week in the Packers locker room. Receiver James Jones dropped a would-be touchdown pass at Philadelphia, and a mistake made by anyone in the playoffs will be magnified.

Rodgers understands. It would be human nature for a quarterback to lose faith in a receiver if it seems his drops are becoming an issue.

"It's not mine," said Rodgers. "I expect those guys to make those plays, regardless of what has happened before.

"And I hope they wouldn't flip that on me to where if I threw a bad pass to them and they ran a great route, the next time they wouldn't run as good of a route for me. It's a trust thing."

But with trust must come the work, and you can count on the fact Rodgers is replaying that Atlanta game. And expecting improvement, the way Green Bay was 3 for 3 in the red zone against the Eagles.

"It's important for us to score touchdowns in the red zone and don't kick field goals," reiterated coach Mike McCarthy. "We just need to look at the last game we played against (Atlanta) to learn from that."


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
kobe16
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13 years ago
Great read. This time and work he puts in on his personal time does really show up in his game. His work ethic is outstanding and the good thing is Rodgers is not yet in his prime and will only get better. This study habit will be helpful for years to come.
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Nonstopdrivel
13 years ago
I think that's the best photo I have ever seen of Aaron Rodgers. He looks genuinely handsome there.

Excellent article. It was a pleasure to read.
UserPostedImage
doddpower
13 years ago

I think that's the best photo I have ever seen of Aaron Rodgers. He looks genuinely handsome there.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:




I agree!!

;-)
Nonstopdrivel
13 years ago
Okay, that's just wrong. :ahole:
UserPostedImage
doddpower
13 years ago

Okay, that's just wrong. :ahole:

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:




hehe, I totally beat you to it as well, despite the flip!!!


:thumbright: :thumbright:
Nonstopdrivel
13 years ago
Heh, I downloaded the picture for the purposes of changing my avatar as soon as the article was posted, then I went upstairs to tuck my kids in for a nap and take a shower, and you changed your avatar in the interim. :ahole:
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Rockmolder
13 years ago
doddpower
13 years ago

Heh, I downloaded the picture for the purposes of changing my avatar as soon as the article was posted, then I went upstairs to tuck my kids in for a nap and take a shower, and you changed your avatar in the interim. :ahole:

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:



ya snooze ya lose pimp!!

;-)
doddpower
13 years ago

Hey.

"Rockmolder" wrote:



Well hey there!! Blood rushing to your head a bit?
Pack93z
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13 years ago
Too bad the original article itself didn't use that picture. ๐Ÿ˜‰
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
dhazer
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13 years ago

Great read. This time and work he puts in on his personal time does really show up in his game. His work ethic is outstanding and the good thing is Rodgers is not yet in his prime and will only get better. This study habit will be helpful for years to come.

"kobe16" wrote:



Ok I may be stupid on this but I have seen this said a few times now, Rodgers is not yet in his prime? Ummmm when is the prime for a QB? They usually come into the league at what 21 or 22 and use average 10 yrs for a qb which is good. So by that his prime should be around 27 or 28 not 30. QBs that are 31 or 32 are usually getting ready to retire unless your that guy.

Sorry was a bit off topic but I was just curious on when his prime is suppose to come.


I believe he does study alot because he does still have to try and get out of that guys shadow.
Just Imagine this for the next 6-9 years. What a ride it will be ๐Ÿ™‚ (PS, Zero should charge for this)
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Rockmolder
13 years ago

Great read. This time and work he puts in on his personal time does really show up in his game. His work ethic is outstanding and the good thing is Rodgers is not yet in his prime and will only get better. This study habit will be helpful for years to come.

"dhazer" wrote:



Ok I may be stupid on this but I have seen this said a few times now, Rodgers is not yet in his prime? Ummmm when is the prime for a QB? They usually come into the league at what 21 or 22 and use average 10 yrs for a qb which is good. So by that his prime should be around 27 or 28 not 30. QBs that are 31 or 32 are usually getting ready to retire unless your that guy.

Sorry was a bit off topic but I was just curious on when his prime is suppose to come.


I believe he does study alot because he does still have to try and get out of that guys shadow.

"kobe16" wrote:



Most of the draft picks at QB this year were 22 when drafted and 23 when the season rolled around.

What you say is about true. He should be entering his prime around now or pretty soon, anyway. The thing is, he didn't actually play when he came into the league. That's why his prime might come a bit later than 27, 28. More like 28, 29, 30.

And what franchise QB can you think off that retired at 32 in the last 20 years? Donovan McNabb, one of the more fragile ones, is still playing at 34. Kurt Warner just retired at 38. Tom Brady is 33 and Peyton Manning is 34.

And he studies because he has to get out of Brett's shadow? First of all, there's no shadow he actually has to get out off. If you believe he had to at one point, he's long gone from that, already.

Secondly, does that mean that Peyton is studying so much to get out of Jim Harbaugh's shadow? And Tom Brady to get out of Drew Bledsoe's shadow?...
dhazer
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13 years ago
Rock I wasn't being negative towards him, the media is still comparing him to that guy thus the reason I said it. He will always be in the shadow until he gets the Trophy and you know that as well. And then they will say he has the monkey off his back.
Just Imagine this for the next 6-9 years. What a ride it will be ๐Ÿ™‚ (PS, Zero should charge for this)
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peteralan71
13 years ago

I know he's on there (laptop) studying because he's telling us all the time what to anticipate and look out for."



The guy is a leader. He is not afraid to impart his knowledge on others, because he knows that it will make them better. He makes everybody around him better. You know who else did that? Michael Jordan.
Green Bay: Home of the Green & Gold. And the hunter orange. And the camouflage.
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peteralan71
13 years ago

And what franchise QB can you think off that retired at 32 in the last 20 years? Donovan McNabb, one of the more fragile ones, is still playing at 34. Kurt Warner just retired at 38. Tom Brady is 33 and Peyton Manning is 34.

"Rockmolder" wrote:


And it could very well be argued that Warner had his best season at the age of 38. I think the "in his prime" argument is null. Every QB is different, they had different learning speeds, different bodies with different injuries, and most importantly different teams throughout the years. It is almost impossible to tell when a QB is in his prime until after the years have passed. I don't think he is in his prime because I believe the team will be better next year, and his numbers will be even better (stats are almost the only way to tell how well a QB is doing).
Green Bay: Home of the Green & Gold. And the hunter orange. And the camouflage.
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Rockmolder
13 years ago

Rock I wasn't being negative towards him, the media is still comparing him to that guy thus the reason I said it. He will always be in the shadow until he gets the Trophy and you know that as well. And then they will say he has the monkey off his back.

"dhazer" wrote:



Only the idiots seem to do. Jamie Dukes for one. His reasoning is somewhere between batshit bonkers and Palin-like.
doddpower
13 years ago

Rock I wasn't being negative towards him, the media is still comparing him to that guy thus the reason I said it. He will always be in the shadow until he gets the Trophy and you know that as well. And then they will say he has the monkey off his back.

"Rockmolder" wrote:



Only the idiots seem to do. Jamie Dukes for one. His reasoning is somewhere between batshit bonkers and Palin-like.

"dhazer" wrote:



Jamie Dukes does annoy the hell out of me. While some of his points are valid, he comes across as arrogant and seems careless about others opinions. He interrupts others often and looks like he can't wait for them to shut up so he came spout off his loud and verbose opinion. Dude definitely gets on my nerves yet he seems to be on almost every NFL Total Access segment.
tonyagnese
13 years ago
Putting in the time to study is what can make a great QB elite. It's just like anything else, if you want to be good at something, you have to put in the time and effort. It requires dedication and you have to want it.
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Pack93z
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13 years ago
Aaron agrees.

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"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
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