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GREEN BAY – Aaron Rodgers vividly remembers Davante Adams has a rookie. He remembers how good he thought the second-round pick could be, how impressed he was by the natural ability and potential of the 21-year-old wide receiver possessed.
But the reason why Green Bay Packers two-time NFL MVP Nowadays, Adams has become – the Packers' unquestioned No. 1 offensive weapon and, in Rodgers' opinion, undoubtedly one of the league 's best recipients – is how Adams has taken his talent and maximized it with a work ethic and commitment to practicing Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.
"He's a top player in this league. He's got himself in those conversations as best receiver in the NFL. I think he really has, "Rodgers said Tuesday as the Packers prepared to leave Green Bay for Thursday Night Game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field.
"Getting the credit that he deserves, it's going to come. But the real respect is the coverage that he faces. He does not face a lot of 1-on-1s. He's getting help (shifted to him), so we've got to find ways to keep him moving around different spots and getting him to the ball. He's such a dynamic player.
"The great thing about him is that, to me, his success has been gradual as his practice clothes have improved. It's gotten to watch two of the best to do it with Jordy and Randall. He practices like a great player. He sets a great example for our young guys.
"Just the other day at practice, we had 1-on-1s and it was an absolute clinic by him – and he was going against (rookie cornerback) Jaire (Alexander), who's a very good player. That's what it's all about. Davante is in that category, which is one of the most popular topics in the NFL."
It's been just over four years ago since Adams made his NFL debut in Seattle against the Seahawks. He played nine snaps that day, did not have a ball thrown his direction.
He enters Thursday night having caught 62 passes (on 94 targets) for 787 yards with nine touchdowns in nine games, ranking him in the NFL in receptions, 11th in receiving yards and second in TD catches. It was an afterthought in that 2014 regular-season opener – the Packers basically ignored that side of the field, with Adams and Jarrett Boykin lining up all-of-shutdown Richard Sherman – you can bet the Seahawks will be devoting plenty of attention to him.
And even though they will, Rodgers said Tuesday he has to throw the ball to Adams, double-covered or not especially in the red zone.
"He brings a different skill-set than most of the receivers in the NFL," Rodgers said. "His release patterns are second to none. He has the ability to create separation, breakers and breakers. He has enough speed that you have to respect his ability to go over the top. And then he's just a very technical road-runner. When you combine all of those things, you have a guy who can get your hands on the ball.
"Because the window is so tight, and he can create a bigger window. … So with the windows being tiny when we get inside the 20, when you've got a guy who can create a lot of separation,"
Adams did not want to spend much time Tuesday contemplating how far he's come. And while he lived through some growing breads in 2015 – after an early-season ankle injury against the Seahawks limited his effectiveness he is trying to replace an injured Nelson – the truth is he is capable of this.
"I mean, it's really trusting in my abilities all along," Adams said. "I've had a very good time here, I'm just having a good time here, but just knowing that true to it, my training and all that.
"I've got a great support system and the coaching staff and my family as well, obviously. I'm humble but still very confident in knowing what I can do. "
From the infirmary
The packers had four injured players who did not travel with the team Tuesday evening to Seattle – safety Kentrell Brice (ankle), wide receiver Randall Cobb (hamstring), cornerback Kevin King (hamstring) and linebacker Nick Perry (knee).
The Packers did not leave the game, but they were in the process of being rehabilitated in Green Bay, it seems unlikely the Packers would fly to meet the team. Both of the team's flights to Seattle departed on Tuesday evening.
None of the four took part in Tuesday's light practice. Tight end Jimmy Graham, who did not want to practice, but did not practice, and guard Lucas Patrick (concussion) did not take part, either.
David Bakhtiari (knee) and Bryan Bulaga (knee) were limited participants, while linebacker Blake Martinez (ankle) and cornerback Bashaud Breeland (snout) were able to practice on a limited basis on Monday had the team practiced.
With his second chance, Breeland, who had his first interception as a Packer on Sunday, would have a good start in his place. Raven Greene, who made a mistake in the fight against Miami, could see more action on defense if Brice can not go.
The Packers are set to practice today in the Seattle area, a session coach Mike McCarthy said it would be a long way to deciding who could be able to play Thursday night. That makes it even less likely the four players who will be ready for the game.
"(We will not know) really," McCarthy said. "Let's make no bones about it. This is difficult for all players in the league to come out of a Sunday game and play Thursday night. So that's clearly the biggest challenge. "
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