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GREEN BAY – It’s hard to believe, but yes, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown a lot of interceptions this season.
At least for him.
For another quarterback? No, Rodgers didn’t really throw a lot of interceptions in the first 10 games of 2020. Russell Wilson, who joins Rodgers as an MVP favorite, threw 10 picks. Tom Brady has nine. Carson Wentz leads the NFL with 14.
Rodgers’ four interceptions are as much as Alex Smith and Andy Dalton. Smith played four games after returning from his terrible leg injury. Dalton has played five games. But Rodgers’ four also equal his total from all of last season, and they double his steals from the 2018 season.
So in Aaron Rodgers’ world – the world of a historically low intercept percentage – four choices actually equate to something notable.
“It’s going to happen,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “I’ve been very good at dealing with football over the years. If four is a lot, I think that’ll just show you how good it is here.”
Yet when there is an anomaly, it is worth considering what could have changed.
Coach Matt LaFleur said interceptions are “the price of doing business” for an offense. He noted that Rodgers has played “fairly aggressive” this season, which is significant given that Rodgers has at times been criticized by fans for not playing aggressively enough to avoid interceptions.
“He’s not a guy who throws a lot of picks,” said LaFleur.
Rodgers divided the interceptions into two categories, one more forgivable than the other. There is the wrong pitch, and there is the wrong decision.
The bad pitch came Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, Rodgers looked for a safety in midfield, then targeted Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a vertical route to the right. Colts Rock cornerback Ya-Sin cut Rodgers’ pitch for the fourth pick this season, and his second in as many weeks.
“I think my right foot slipped a bit,” Rodgers said, “but I just missed the pitch.”
Rodgers said that kind of interception wasn’t too disappointing. They arrive. The ones that really piss him off, he said, are assists when he attempts a misguided pass in tight cover.
“Regardless of the season,” said Rodgers, “for me it’s all about the number of potentially intercepted passes. I haven’t thrown a lot over the years. It’s been downsides and stuff. this nature. These are the ones that are the most disappointing. “
Injury Updates
While the Packers plan to practice over Thanksgiving, they seem content to take it easy on some key starters this week as they prepare to host the Chicago Bears.
Receiver Davante Adams (ankle) and center Corey Linsley (full back) were restricted in Wednesday practice. Adams played in Indianapolis on Sunday, catching seven passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, despite being on the ankle injury report. Linsley left in the first quarter and did not return.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee / hand), running back Tyler Ervin (wrist / ribs), receiver Allen Lazard (core) and punter JK Scott (rear, right quad) were also restricted during practice on Wednesday. . Cornerback Josh Jackson did not participate due to a concussion.
In Chicago, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (right shoulder) was a full participant on Wednesday while Nick Foles (hip) did not practice. The Bears could also be without star defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, who did not train with a hamstring injury.
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Random play of row D
The Packers have placed defensive end Montravius Adams on injured reserve due to a lingering toe injury that dates back to the start of training camp and could potentially end his season.
Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery has said he doesn’t know the timeline for Adams’ return, but will miss at least the next three games as per NFL guidelines for injured reserve. After three weeks, Packers can start practicing it at any time and for up to three weeks before having to make a decision on the roster.
The earliest he could return would be the Carolina game on December 19, but it would more than likely take him a week or two of practice to be able to play again. If the toe heals and doesn’t need surgery, it’s possible he’ll be back for the playoffs.
“I felt like he was going in the right direction,” Montgomery said. “He was playing well on blocks, he was going out of blocks, he was disruptive and he was running towards football. I hate not having it.
Adams played eight games and made 11 tackles, including two for loss.
To fill Adams ‘spot on the 53-man roster, the Packers have claimed 6-4, 350-pound defensive tackle Anthony Rush against the Bears’ waivers. Rush has been on five teams since joining the NFL with Philadelphia as an undrafted rookie last season.
He played nine games with Philadelphia last year and four games with Seattle this year before joining the Bears. He didn’t play a cinch during the three weeks he was with the Bears. In 13 games, he made 14 tackles, including three for loss, two breakouts and a half-sack.
The Packers have two more spots open after placing linebacker James Burgess (hamstring) on the injured reserve on Wednesday. Burgess has been in four games and made three tackles on special teams.
The struggles of Preston Smith
In 10 games, outside linebacker Preston Smith racked up 1½ sacks and his coach said Wednesday that frustration had set in for the 28-year-old after a 12-sack season a year ago.
“When things aren’t going well and you don’t rush very well and you start stressing things out and you start doing things that aren’t normally what you do and still, now that shift- back gets rid of the ball, you start to get frustrated, ”said Mike Smith. “There are so many things against you. They read this, they read that, they hear that and then they start to panic.
Part of the production issue could be linebacker weight, as Mike Smith said Preston Smith is a bit heavier than a year ago. It was listed at 265 pounds.
“It could be a little bit,” the coach said. “All these guys, ‘Z’ (Za’Darius Smith), ‘RG’ (Rashan Gary), they’re naturally fat guys, so you always have to watch their weight. Same thing when I had Justin Houston (in Kansas City). Especially around these vacations, it can get really crazy.
Mike Smith smiled a little before continuing, “But I think the thing with Preston is just to stay positive, to stay focused. He knows the emergency plan. He’s not rushing the way I want him to at the moment.
To that end, Mike Smith said two things have gone wrong for Preston Smith so far:
• “He needs to use his power more. When you dance in place or rock yourself back and forth and all that stuff, you’re not going anywhere.
• “Then, high rushes. You have long arms. God gave you long arms for a reason. You can scratch your ankles while standing. So put that long arm in there and start getting these guys to land and slide and that’s what I’ve noticed the last few weeks with him.
Mike Smith said the duo had a conversation on Wednesday and didn’t blame Preston Smith for being frustrated, and allowed the sixth-year linebacker to turn the corner soon if he follows the rush plan and takes what pass blockers give it.
“He’s a good passer,” said the coach. “He knows what to do. He’s a smart kid. I hope that will change for him.
On the mend
LaFleur said rookie running back AJ Dillon, who is still on the COVID-19 reserve list, has been cleared to return to work inside the facility.
However, he did not participate in the practice.
There is a long process for anyone who has tested positive, as Dillon would have, to get back on the pitch. LaFleur didn’t say when he expected Dillon to return, but did say he still felt it was time for him to play a big role in the offense during the home stretch.
“We’re definitely optimistic,” said LaFleur. “He’s still working on the protocol. He did not go through all the steps to be released. So, he’s definitely a guy we can’t wait to get back into the fold. He was showing some great stuff, and we’re just going to take it day by day.
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