GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Wednesdays are for the game plan implementation. A pretty important day and this week in particular with the Packers preparing to meet what could well be the best team in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York Sunday night.
Once the team’s losing streak went from two to three last Sunday in Washington, the cry for even more determined attention to detail was sounded from both the Head Coach the quarterback in recent days. Matt LaFleur repeated his refrain of “it starts with me”, while Aaron Rodgers used his Pat McAfee show platform on Tuesday to deliver even more pointed remarks, essentially saying the mental mistakes are killing the team and it may be time to cut reps for repeat offenders and try someone else. Rodgers reiterated his feelings after practice (in which he only observed, giving his thumb a third straight Wednesday of rest).
Jordan Love looks over the shuffled WR line.
Meanwhile, the players who actually took snaps to hone in on those details were backup QB’s Jordan Love and Danny Etling, throwing to a receiver collection consisting of Sammy Watkins and Christian Watson (as limited participants), along with Romeo Doubs, Amari Rodgers, Samori Toure and practice squad receivers Travis Fulgham and Kawaan Baker. Not ideal.
It appears we’ve become trapped in what I call the Rodgers four day news cycle. There’s the Sunday post-game session at the podium, followed by the Tuesday chat with McAfee which is covered and dissected every Wednesday followed by Rodgers getting asked to explain or clarify his podcast remarks which gets full coverage on Thursdays.
This week’s comments drew sharp replies in both the pro and anti Rodgers camps. Some called his comments out of place as leader, dragging the players who have messed up under the bus. Others say it was only a truthful assessment of the team’s predicament, he was inclusionary in his criticism. After practice he said the comments aren’t anything he has spoken of inside the building too during the three game slide and it’s all about holding himself and everyone else accountable.
Rodgers wasn’t the only front line player who didn’t participate today. Allen Lazard also sat out with a shoulder injury. Elgton Jenkins gave his knee a rest, Rashan Gary is in the concuss ion protocol although he did stretch with the team and Shemar Jean-Charles is dealing with an ankle injury.
David Bakhtairi joined Watkins and Watson as limited participants.
The Packers did a practice squad tight end swap on Tuesday. They signed rookie free agent Josh Babicz of North Dakota State and released Shaun Beyer.
With the NFL trade deadline approaching next Tuesday, two more reports began circulating about Green Bay’s possible interest in A.J. Green of Arizona who has only a couple of catches for less than 60 yards this year for the Cardinals and Brandin Cooks of the Houston Texans who has already been traded three times in his career. General Manager Brian Gutekunst just might wind up surrendering a draft pick or two to bolster the receiver room. Even if it doesn’t pan out, at least he could say he tried something while key receivers get well. Then again, he might pass on a deal knowing that Watkins is rounding back into form, Watson is getting closer, Cobb’s ankle should be right in another couple of weeks and Lazard hopefully won’t be out long. Would it be worth it to give up a couple of picks for someone who might only help through mid-November? Stay tuned.
