Corey Linsley was the one bright shining star from Thursday’s debacle
Those prayers must have worked for Green Bay Packers rookie center Corey Linsley because he not only started his first NFL game in probably the most hostile of environment across the entire league, but he performed well beyond his years and level of experience.
He was one, if not the shining moment in what was otherwise a difficult opener for the Packers …
He was one, if not the shining moment in what was otherwise a difficult opener for the Packers as they fell 36-16 to to Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
It was Seattle’s linebacker Bruce Irvin who said it would be a long night for Linsley, who not only proved him wrong, but gained the trust and respect of his fellow linemen and his quarterback.
Despite that one moment when Linsley failed to snap the ball to Rodgers as the time clock was running down and then as Rodgers turned to call a timeout Linsley snapped the ball into an empty backfield. Luckily, the officials recognized the timeout and the ball was dead.
Rodgers let Linsley know on the spot in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t happy with what had transpired, but that was OK with Linsley – and it turned into one of those teaching and learning moments that will surely help Linsley down the road.
Corey Linsley.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“Obviously, he got on me like a good leader should,” Linsley said after the game. “Without a doubt. That’s a leader right there.”
All one had to do was take a look at Linsley prior to the game as the television cameras focused on him waiting on the sidelines for the kickoff. The look in Linsley’s eyes was one of a warrior determined to stand his ground.
He not only stood his ground, but he played a nearly flawless game, gaining a +2.2 grade from Pro Football Focus, not much below the +4.4 grade that the guy to his left, Josh Sitton, received following the game.
Not bad for a rookie going up against probably the fastest and toughest defense in all the league.
Linsley, who was named the starter only a week before the opener after J.C. Tretter went down to injury, was drafted for this very scenario. The Packers knew they had a starter in Tretter, but Ted Thompson also understood they needed depth, so he went out and snatched up Linsley in last spring’s draft. That was probably one of the most underrated and uncelebrated draft picks of the Packers’ entire draft.
For his teammates, they were happy for Linsley
“I think Corey did fine,” T.J. Lang, the Packers’ right guard, said. “I think he was making all the right calls. He was right on point with all his snaps. I think the communication was good. Obviously, during the game you can’t really tell how the guy next to you is doing, but it seemed like he was doing a good job. He’s a guy that we’re confident in. He’s got all the tools to be successful.”
Linsley was pretty fired up about the opportunity, too.
“It was a heck of a time,” Linsley said. “I thought that it was an honor to snap the ball to Aaron, and it was an honor to play next to Josh and T.J. Obviously, Bryan (Bulaga) and Dave (Bakhtiari) as well. I just can’t thank them enough for all the help that they’ve given me so far, and I think I did decent for my first start.”
And as for his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers? Was he mad about the mistimed snap? Yes. Did he take care of the moment on the field? Yes. Was he pleased overall with his rookie center? No question.
“Corey did a great job,” Rodgers said. “He did a really good job of protection. I thought the protection was really good inside, and snaps were solid. He’s learning. This is his first start, he’s a rookie, but I thought he held his own well. I think he can do a good job for us.”
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One thing is for certain about the rookie fifth round draft pick. He’s cemented a spot in the Packers lineup and how the Packers coaches react to his performance will be interesting to watch. What happens when Tretter comes back at mid-season?
Linsley will have much to say about that.
No doubt there will be a healthy competition for playing time. That’s a good thing for Tretter and Linsley and for the Green Bay Packers.