As I did with Justin Fields final 12 months, I needed to share my ideas on quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ first 4 practices as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A model new quarterback room with a headlined starter identify, good or dangerous, Rodgers would be the focus all through the season. So how’s he doing? Right here’s my huge takeaways.
1. I gained’t bury the lede. General? He’s been nice.
Not wonderful. Not horrible. That’s in all probability anticipated for a brand new quarterback who didn’t start working with the group till this week, signing in June and restricted throughout necessary minicamp. Like most gamers, there’s been good and dangerous. Constructive and destructive moments.
2. Although it’s at all times been a part of his recreation, Rodgers’ fast and distinctive launch is obvious.
Seeing it in particular person makes you notice how briskly the ball comes out of his hand. No wasted movement, no windup, barely even arm extension on his shorter throws. The ball simply appears to go from hand-to-target within the blink of a watch. That’s one motive why his snap-to-throw instances are among the many quickest in soccer and why he can scale back and mitigate a few of the stress.
Rodgers can even throw from any arm angle. Beneath throws, particularly shallow crosses, are routinely thrown facet arm and round defenders. It’s a launch that’s onerous to check. When it comes to velocity, it’s proper there with Dan Marino for all-time quickest.
The one draw back is it’s a decrease arm slot could make him extra susceptible to passes being batted down and he’s had a few them all through camp. The atmosphere additionally performs a task. Bat-downs are extra widespread throughout coaching camp as a result of defensive linemen know they will’t contact/hit the quarterback and within the padless classes like the primary 4 Pittsburgh simply wrapped up, offensive linemen gained’t knock them down once they bounce. Justin Fields had greater than a dozen passes batted down final camp however it was much less of a difficulty through the common season. The identical ought to apply to Rodgers.
3. Rodgers is transferring round nicely.
He’s not Usain Bolt however for a 41-year-old quarterback, he’s no sitting duck. And he’s actively testing his throws on the run. Throughout one 7 on 7 play, he deliberately rolled to his left and threw for Calvin Austin III alongside the sideline. The move was barely excessive however catchable and it hit off Austin’s arms above his head.
How Rodgers feels in November after really getting hit issues an entire lot greater than how his physique is doing in July. However it’s at the very least optimistic he doesn’t look as creaky as Ben Roethlisberger did in his last knees when dangerous knees sapped all mobility.
4. Rodgers’ arm energy isn’t a query.
He’s solely aired out a few passes however his arm is reside with zip and vary. If he fails in Pittsburgh, a scarcity of arm energy gained’t be the problem.
5. Rodgers is aware of the place his playmakers are.
That’s clear in seven photographs, the seven-play purpose line drill the Steelers have run the final three practices. It was one thing I famous in my offseason examine, highlighting Rodgers’ need to get the ball to his playmakers. In seven photographs, Rodgers is looking for out prime receiver DK Metcalf, particularly when remoted towards man-coverage. Rodgers’ first landing of camp got here that manner, hitting Metcalf on a velocity out 1-on-1 towards CB Darius Slay. The following day, he hit Metcalf on a slant iso’d on CB Joey Porter Jr.
For instance the purpose, right here’s an inventory of targets on Rodgers’ seven 7-shots move makes an attempt: These with an asterisk are touchdowns. This excludes one throw batted down the place there wasn’t a transparent goal.
– DK Metcalf*, DK Metcalf *, DK Metcalf, Darnell Washington*, Jonnu Smith*, DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth*, Roman Wilson, Pat Freiermuth*
Of these 9 makes an attempt, 4 went to Metcalf. Two went to Freiermuth, one to Washington, one to Smith, and one to Wilson. Mixed, eight of the 9 have been meant for both Metcalf or a good finish. Fairly clear trend-line.
6. Rodgers has taken his lumps.
Beginning along with his first throw, picked by LB Patrick Queen. Saturday, Rodgers was intercepted by CB Jalen Ramsey. However a part of camp is testing issues out. Your personal limits, the bounds of eligibles, and so forth. Rodgers has the bottom interception-rate in NFL historical past and a few camp picks shouldn’t fear anybody. Nonetheless, at any time when I compile his stats for a Tuesday morning submit, I’m betting his completion proportion gained’t be glowing. In all probability round 60-percent. Low for an NFL recreation, even decrease for camp the place they sometimes hover at 70-percent.
7. Connections must be constructed with everybody however particularly WR Roman Wilson.
Wilson has had a quiet begin to coaching camp and hasn’t been on the identical web page with Rodgers. That features a play in 7 on 7 the place Rodgers needed Wilson to interrupt his route sooner, resulting in his move being too far in entrance and incomplete. Rodgers seemed pissed off as Mason Rudolph subbed in for his reps. Wilson is a younger receiver coming off a misplaced rookie season and traditionally, younger receivers haven’t had a lot success with Rodgers. That doesn’t imply this season is doomed however there’s work to be finished.
7. Conversations matter as a lot because the performs.
Rodgers’ first move choose to open camp drew headlines however it wasn’t essentially the most fascinating a part of his day. To me, anyway. I like watching the conversations he has with teammates, particularly his offensive linemen. And there’s been so much. Together with his middle Zach Frazier, which is clear sufficient. But in addition with guard Mason McCormick, who snapped to him pre-practice the primary day or two after which spent yesterday strolling to the observe subject collectively. Rodgers has talked to everybody, chatting up EDGE DeMarvin Leal throughout stretch line at some point whereas hanging round TE Jonnu Smith earlier than and after observe, getting a pair additional reps in.
8. Rodgers appears to be having enjoyable.
It’s onerous to get in his head and I feel it’s clear he doesn’t love the warmth Latrobe brings every day however I feel there’s a spark again in Pittsburgh. That’s captured in small moments, like jokingly gesturing to CB Joey Porter Jr. a sideline stiff arm and strolling again like he was going to decrease the shoulder and truck him. He has the prospect to mentor a rookie like Will Howard and had a earlier relationship with QBs Coach Tom Arth, his one-time teammate in Inexperienced Bay.
Like his mobility, “enjoyable” is healthier to check-in on two months from now, however it’s one motive why he selected Pittsburgh. And I feel it’s assembly his expectations.
9. Arthur Smith isn’t uprooting his offense for him.
The controversy of the spring earlier than camp was how a lot Arthur Smith would bend the knee to Rodgers and run the offense Rodgers needs to. Up to now, that’s not the case. Rodgers isn’t the most important fan working beneath middle however he’s spent loads of time there through the run-oriented group intervals. He’s been requested to bootleg and roll out like the opposite quarterback and from a large lens, the offense doesn’t look radically totally different with Rodgers within the recreation. Through the first day, seven of Rodgers’ 12 reps got here beneath middle.
Any good coordinator goes to curate schemes and play-calls to quarterback choice and strengths, that’s as true of Will Howard as it’s of Rodgers, however the offense’s core rules haven’t shifted simply because Rodgers is the quarterback.
10. Followers are nonetheless warming as much as him.
Increasing on an commentary I made the opposite manner, you wouldn’t know Aaron Rodgers was strolling out to observe by listening to the group. When Ben Roethlisberger walked down the steps, followers went nuts. Even final 12 months, followers cheered onerous for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. With Rodgers, it’s way more subdued.
I do know he’s a controversial participant and particular person however for a four-time MVP and future Corridor of Famer, I assumed there’d be a much bigger welcome wagon. I don’t say that to evaluate it both manner and in the end, if Rodgers wins, followers will love him. If he doesn’t, they’ll detest him. It’s only a word from watching him stroll down the Saint Vincent stairs every day.
