Aaron Rodgers, Green By Packers call for R-E-L-A-X(ation)
By Jamie Wright
On Aaron Rodgers‘ radio show Tuesday, he had one word for Green Bay Packers Nation:
R-E-L-A-X.
Whew. I think we are all starting to feel a little better about the Green Bay Packers latest 1-2 start to the season.
Oh wait … no, no we aren’t.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers signals a play during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports photograph
The Packers haven’t started fast since the 15-1 season back in 2011, which was coming off a big Super Bowl year. In fact, all three years following that 2011 season filled with hope and fervor, have begun a measly 1 win against 2 losses. So, why are we lamenting such a start in 2014, when all three past seasons have ended in a playoff berth?
I’ll tell you why Packers Nation is in such an upheaval: it’s the look.
Yes, yes “the look.”
The Packers just don’t have it so far this season. We have seen flashes of a playoff team, namely the second half of the week two comeback against the Jets. Other than that, what we have seen (especially from the vaunted Green Bay offense) is the look of a team that just doesn’t have what it takes to keep up with the elite in the league.
That is a troubling thought for a fan base that has grown accustomed to winning. There are those who will call us spoiled by the likes of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers under center for the past couple-plus decades and to those I say … you’re exactly right.
But it isn’t our fault we have a string of successful quarterbacks.
Look, I am sure that Aaron Rodgers and Co. are tired of hearing about how out of sync they look. I’m sure it’s just as (if not more) frustrating for them.
But three weeks into a very promising season with undeniable talent on both sides of the ball – I don’t think it’s the time for Rodgers to be telling his immense fan base to RELAX.
Maybe we could relax if we saw a little more heart out there on the offense. The defense is laying it all out on the line this time around; they keenly remember the last three years of being subpar (to put it mildly) and it left a bad taste in their mouths … as it did ours.
Wide receiver Jordy Nelson makes a catch while being tackled by Detroit Lions outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead during the first quarter at Ford Field. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photograph
The Packers offense doesn’t remember what it feels like to be the reason we lost a game. They aren’t comfortable in this new universe where their skills and camaraderie are being called into question.
I get it, but there are only three words to remedy the situation and RELAX is just not one of them.
GET. IT. TOGETHER.
Rodgers, you have Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, two dynamic playmakers. You have a plethora of tight ends from which to choose. You have your starting right tackle back, a talented Pro Bowl group of guards and the reigning rookie of the year running back in Eddie Lacy.
Yet, the offense’s incompetence is glaring.
Relax, you say?
OK, we’ll just relax then.
But this is the lifestyle to which we have become accustomed and … we’ll take that chill pill if the offense can put up more than 7 points against Chicago on Sunday.