Sorry Aaron Rodgers, but this Packers slow start is different

I understand why Aaron Rodgers and perhaps the Green Bay Packers organization are not worried about the horrendous start to the 2014 season.

After all, it’s been a rite of passage, almost routine that the Packers start slowly, then they have  a statement game, turn it around and make the playoffs.

…the bottom line is we are one ill-advised Mornhinweg timeout away from being 0-3 and Green Bay has to travel to Chicago this week …

In 2009, they started 2-2, then the next two games they outscored their next two opponents 57-3

In 2010, the Packers, at one point, were 4-4 (though that was due a lot to key injuries), and of course they would go on to become world champs.

In 2012, they started 2-3, then in week 5 they traveled to Houston to face the league’s top defense (at the time). Rodgers threw 6 touchdowns en route to a 42-24 victory.

Last year was a bit of an anomaly because of the Rodgers injury, yet they still responded to a 1-2 start by winning four straight, outscoring those opponents by 46 points before Rodgers got hurt.

So with this extensive track record of turning things around after slow starts, you can’t blame Rodgers for feeling how he does.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy was caught in the end zone for a safety during the second quarter at Ford Field Sunday. The Packers run game has been disappointing over the course of the first three games. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photograph

However, this start is different.

First of all, in the past the Packers rarely lost by double digits. In fact, in 2010 the Packers never even trailed by more than 7 points in any game (the only team to do that in the Super Bowl era).

This year, in each game they have trailed by double digits, with both of their losses coming by 12 or more.

Since ’09 the Packers have finished in the top 10 in yards per-game every year — this year they are 28th.

This is key to the Packers’ troubles. The defense is always going to be bad until they change the scheme and make a much overdue coaching philoshy change. However, usually the offense can make up for the defiencies of the Capers-led D.

Not this year.

Rodgers just doesn’t have the horses anymore. Studs like Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Jermichael Finely have been replaced by Richard Rodgers, Jarrett Boykin and Davante Adams. That magical trio has nine catches for 78 yards combined thus far.

To further cement the Packers troubles Randall Cobb has disappointed in his “prove it year.” Yes he has three touchdowns. He is also on pace for 672 yards this year (if he stays healthy). Hardly the difference-maker we thought he would be.

The receiving corps is not the only ones guilty of grounding the Packers’ high flying attack. The offensive life deserves just as much blame.

To sum it up — they have been brutal.

They lost Don Barclay for the year and it turns out the undrafted Mountaineer was a valuable cog. First of all, the depth is non-existent. Derek Sherrod is awful and Lane Taylor is limited at best in his skill set.

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As for the starters, Bryan Bulaga clearly isn’t all the way back from his injury, Josh Sitton is not playing up to his Pro Bowl level, and Corey Linsley is a rookie thrown into the fire. The line (which ironically McCarthy thought was going to be the best line since he has been coach), will be a thorn in the Packers side all year long.

Both of these major problems, of course, trickle down to the lack of production by Eddie Lacy and James Starks. When an engine is not firing right, all parts are affected.

On the other side of the ball you have high draft picks that haven’t panned out, continued injuries, and defensive schemes so complicated that they often confuse the ones running them, more so than the opposing offenses. And still ranked 30th against the run.

So while Rodgers & McCarthy may be saying all the right things, the bottom line is we are one ill-advised Mornhinweg timeout away from being 0-3 and Green Bay has to travel to Chicago this week — yikes.

I guess if I had to respond to Rodgers, I would say, I am not nervous, I am actually very relaxed — and looking forward to next year.