[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20081210&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=81210150&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img_r]By many measures, Aaron Rodgers is having a good first season as a starting NFL quarterback.
With only three games left in the regular season, he ranks No. 8 in the NFL in passer rating (92.1 points), is fifth in touchdown passes (22) and has a solid 2-1 ratio of touchdown passes to interceptions.
However, the Packers are 5-8 a year after playing in the NFC championship game, and theres one critical accomplishment Rodgers hasnt attained engineering a late scoring drive for a win in the five games in which hes had such a chance.
Those late-game failings arent solely Rodgers Mason Crosby missed a potential game-winning field goal against Minnesota, and the defense gave up a last-drive score to Carolina.
But in a league in which close games are common, this is a major step Rodgers and the Packers must take to become a title contender in the near future. To go anywhere in the NFL, teams must have faith their quarterback has a good chance of pulling out a game at the end.
I think that would be huge, Packers receiver Ruvell Martin, a close friend of Rodgers, said of a late game-winning drive.
Shoot, weve been in that situation four or five times this year and its always gone the other way. That would be huge as a team, for us, for the fans. That would probably be one of the greatest feelings ever. I think it would help everybody, its what we need right now.
In losses to Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Minnesota, Carolina and last week to Houston, they had the ball while tied or behind with less than 5 minutes left and a chance to win. They didnt pull out any of them; if theyd won just two, theyd be 7-6 and still in the thick of the NFC North Division race.
Quarterbacks are judged on their won-loss record above all else, and pulling out a majority of late-decided games can have a profound affect on that record. Among those five games, Rodgers made bad decisions on late-game interceptions against Tampa Bay and Carolina, had the missed field goal against Minnesota, failed to sustain the drive against Tennessee and had some bad luck against the Texans.
In college at California, Rodgers didnt have many games that came down to a late possession, though he remembers two well.
Against Virginia Tech in the Insight Bowl in 2003, he took Cal from its 35-yard line to inside Virginia Techs 20 for game-winning field goal as time expired in a 52-49 win.
A 23-17 loss to top-ranked USC in 2004, when he moved Cal to a first-and-goal at the 9 with less than 2 minutes to play but was sacked and threw three incompletions to end the possession.
A lot of goals I set, Im close to as far as statistically, Rodgers said Wednesday. But the most important goals are team goals, and being 5-8 is tough to deal with. Its tough to go to sleep at night, I dont sleep much. I hate the weeks after a loss and just cant wait to get back to Sunday. Thats been the most difficult part, laying in bed at night thinking about the plays I didnt make and could have made and felt like I should have made.
Rodgers must especially be bothered by the last two close losses to Carolina and Houston with the Packers' playoff hopes on the line.
Against Carolina, he took the Packers on a long drive that ended with a field goal that put them ahead 31-28 with 1:57 left, only to watch the Packers defense give up a lightning quick touchdown. The failure to punch the ball in from Carolinas 1 on back-to-back runs on the field-goal drive was a killer, and then his second-down interception with 1:09 left wiped out the Packers last-ditch drive.
Against Houston last week, he had the Packers in position for the go-ahead field goal with 3:02 remaining, but a questionable holding call on tackle Tony Moll and then a sack took the Packers out of field-goal range.
You want the ball in your hand at the end of the game, Rodgers said. Thats what you grew up watching on TV, and dreaming about Saturday nights at the hotel (now), the opportunity to win the game. Weve had our opportunities, havent done it, so its disappointing. Thats why I take that squarely on my shoulders.
Coach Mike McCarthys play calling in two of those games, at Minnesota and against Carolina, raised the issue of how much confidence he has in his first-year starter with the game on the line.
Against the Vikings, on a day when the offensive line was doing a poor job in pass protection, McCarthy called two running plays after the Packers got on the fringe of field-goal range on their final drive.
Against Carolina, he ran the ball on second and third downs from the 1, instead of putting the ball in Rodgers hands on either play, and ended up kicking the go-ahead field goal rather than getting a touchdown that would have put the Packers ahead by seven points.
McCarthy said Wednesday his play calling shows a great faith in Rodgers in all circumstances.
There hasnt been spots in games where I've had to, as a play caller, look in (Rodgers) eyes and go in a different direction, McCarthy said. That has not happened yet. I have been in that position before (as a coach). I know what it feels like, I know what it looks like. I havent experienced that with Aaron Rodgers.