The more I see Aaron Rodgers play, the more I like.
Rodgers didnt have one of his best games on Monday night in the Green Bay Packers lopsided loss to the New Orleans Saints, but how he handled the adversity was telling.
In his first 10 games as a starter, we learned Rodgers can run the offense efficiently, has added a new dimension to the Packers attack with his mobility, is willing and able to play hurt and is first in line to take blame when things dont go his way.
On Monday, we learned something else. Rodgers displayed his aggressive on-field demeanor in laying out Saints cornerback Jason David on a dead-to-rights tackle that prevented an interception return for a touchdown.
It will go down as the best tackle by a quarterback this season.
Some will call it a foolish act born out of frustration over a bad interception that could have resulted in a serious reinjury to his throwing shoulder.
Rodgers doesnt see it that way and repeatedly has said he would do the same thing again. Although Rodgers used his right shoulder to deck David, coach Mike McCarthy didnt seem to have a problem with it.
I think you want to see that attitude throughout your team, regardless of the position, McCarthy said.
Aaron is a competitor, and the fact that he covered the interception the way hes supposed to and kept him out of the end zone, thats what theyre trained to do.
This was more than just a bone-jarring tackle. It sent a message to the rest of the team, intended or not. Rodgers threw a bad pass, but instead of hanging his head or ducking for cover, he owned up to it. Dont think his teammates didnt notice.
I think that just shows you what type of player he is, tight end Donald Lee said. A lot of guys throw an interception and dont finish the play by trying to help make a tackle. Hes not that type of guy. Hes going to try and finish everything he does.
If your quarterback puts his body on the line, its bound to rub off on everyone else around him.
Guard Daryn Colledge wasnt surprised by Rodgers tackle. What he didnt expect was how hard it was delivered.
The force he popped him with, that surprised me a little bit, Colledge said. Aarons not the biggest man in the world, but hes a good athlete and an aggressive player. I expected him to make a tackle but I didnt expect him to rail him like that.
Rodgers has made it clear he wasnt happy about the interception that preceded the tackle. But he had no intention of watching David waltz into the end zone. He also wasnt about to make a half-hearted grab for the cornerbacks ankles, as some quarterbacks might have done.
Rodgers only regret was he didnt hit David harder.
I like the matchup I had, Rodgers said. I felt good about it. I knew I was bigger than him and he didnt see me until about the last minute. I thought he might cut back on me. I wish I had just full speed hit him even harder.
When it was suggested it might not be the smartest thing to do, Rodgers scoffed at the idea that a quarterback should avoid contact.
Im going to do whats in the best interest of the team at that point and thats making the tackle any way I can, said Rodgers, speaking like a true football player and not a prima donna worried about getting hurt.
Rodgers said he could have used better form. I never was a very good tackler when I played cornerback back in eighth grade, he said. Thats why they moved me to quarterback. Hopefully I wont throw any more interceptions that have a chance to get run back for a touchdown.
If he does, theres a good chance someone will get hurt, and it likely wont be Rodgers.