Aaron Rodgers wants to prove that can lead the Pack
back to the playoffs.
(AP Photo/Evan Siegle)
The Packers host the 49ers in Week 11 and for the 49ers, they will go up against quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In 2005, there was a debate as to whether or not the 49ers should have gone with Rodgers or Alex Smith. The point is pretty much moot now since Smith has been suffering injuries and switching offensive coordinators for years while Rodgers got to learn right behind Brett Favre. It's no longer a fair comparison.
But in this game, the 49ers will have a tough task in facing a team that still has a lot of players from the 2007 playoff team intact.
2008 Record: 6-10 (3rd NFC North)
Last meeting: 12/10/06 @ San Francisco (Packers win 30-19)
2009 schedule: Week 11 @ Green Bay
Top 3 best players: WR Greg Jennings, LB Aaron Kampman, CB Charles Woodson
Notable draft picks: NT BJ Raji, LB Clay Matthews
Notable new acquisitions: C Duke Preston, S Anthony Smith
Notable losses: DT Colin Cole
The Packers are looking for second-year starter Aaron Rodgers to help lead the team back to the playoffs. After his first full season in which Rodgers threw for 28 touchdowns, the team expects the rest of the offense to get back on track.
Rodgers had a lot of help from receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. Combined, the two had 154 catches and half of Rodgers' passing touchdowns. Tight end Donald Lee's numbers were down last year, but his chances may increase as Rodgers starts to feel comfortable in his second season as starter.
Running back Ryan Grant was disappointed at his inconsistent play last year. Even though he finished over 1,000 yards on the ground, it was clearly not the same as it was in 2007 when the Packers became the #12 seed in the NFC. Look for Grant to have a bounce back year.
The offensive line's starting lineup has yet to be determined. Right now, a lot of spots are up in the air. Veteran Chad Clifton didn't participate in any on-field team activities due to his knees. He might be out of the starting tackle spot if he doesn't get back on the field.
The Packers defense features a lot of very explosive talent. Starting with the secondary, Charles Woodson has emerged as a great ballhawk since joining the Packers in 2006. Al Harris, the other starting cornerback, has been a consistent workhorse for the Packers since 2003. He missed four games last year, but we should expect him to be back to form this season.
I wanted to also mention free safety Nick Collins as one of the team's best players. Collison's tackle totals were back up to par after a down 2007 season and his seven interceptions last year tied him with Charles Woodson for team highs.
Rookie BJ Raji has been getting a lot of practice time at defensive end rather than his natural position at nose tackle. It will be interesting to see if the Packers stick with him there as the team works out its 3-4 defense.
The linebackers for the Packers are very impressive. Aside from two-time Pro Bowler Aaron Kampman, AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett both have shown tremendous growth over the past three seasons. Barnett only played in nine games last year, but if healthy, he and Hawk, along with rookie Clay Matthews could definitely become a problem for the 49ers running game.
The 49ers' best chance may be stopping the Packers' rushing attack. If they can manage to force the Packers offense to pass more, maybe that can force a turnover through the air.
However, it will be hard to see the 49ers stealing one on the road. The defense has actually upgraded with rookies Raji and Matthews. And with Rodgers showing clear improvement in his passing game with a veteran club, the 49ers look outmatched in this game.
Trying out Twitter for 49ers updates. Check me out here @SLam49ers
Comments
The 49ers destroyed Rodgers and the Pack last year in the preseason. He doesn't handle blitzes well at all.
Ah yes... the pre-season. Rogers fared very well when the games counted.
You mean when all of the pressure was on the 46ers coach so he played like it was a regular season game.
Although I do like the direction the 49ers are taking, Realisticly You have no chance beating the Pack this year.
that was last year when he was getting usta playin and hes better now at reading the blitz
In 2007 the Packers were the #2 seed in the NFC.
Packers win super bowl with defense and offense to work together as a team and focus and smart maker to your playbook.
Packers will win super bowl with defense and offense to work together as a team and focus and smart maker to your playbook.
->In 2007 the Packers were the #2 seed in the NFC.
That was with Favre. With Rodgers last year they were 6-10.
Thanks for catching that Mike. Rodgers has learned a lot under Favre and in his first season. He should do fine this year.
I was at the pre-season game last year (pack Vs. 49ers). That was just a flat out terrible game. The starters only stayed in for about a half quarter to a quarter. It stayed competitive but when the second and third stringers went in, the game went to hell for the packers. Not so quick is an idiot to judge preseason games, and if you honestly believe rodgers can't read blitzes, why was he a top 5 QB last year?
i dont see how the 9ers can lose this game.. i mean come on the packers suck, and the niners have a way better D and the offence knows how to move the chains... 24-14 9ers
the packers lost about 6-8 games by 3-6 points..i can't say for certain, but it was some where around there. That is from the inexsperience of Rodgers. With Brett on the field those games would have been won. Now this year Rodgers has gained 2 years worth of exsperience and is ready to lead the pack and win close games. As for preseason that is crap. The 9ers are horrible and the pack will tear them up.
some of u guys have no idea what ur talking about and who really cares about when these teams met last year. IT WAS THE PRESEASON. All of u saying that rodgers lost all of the games because of the inexperience and he lost them in the final quarter aboslute B.S. Rodgers was terrfic, the defense was a joke. That is y Bob Sanders was fired along with a whole bunch of other defensive coaches.
hahaha.....pack in a blow out....shaun hill???? Get serious defense was the issue, rodgers stats were better than all but 5 of favres seasons. You people seem to forget how many games brett gave away by throwing ridiculous picks...he has led the league in INTs 2 of the last 3 years. The pack win this game easily...9ers have way too many holes...
As a Cal graduate, please allow me to reiterate how glad I am we (The Niners) didn't draft Aaron into the horror show of our organization. Alex, stay healthy and get out of town. You've got a good chance of still having a strong career. Don't let the Niners be your last stop. I believe the Niners can get better under the guidance of Mr. Singletary, but we need a wizened old football guy (think Ron Wolf out of - you guessed it - Green Bay) running the show at the top. When's the last time we touched base with Mike Holmgren?
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