Aaron Rodgers generally finds success in the passing game year in and year out.
An elite quarterback paired with a dominant receiving corps usually fosters annual league-leading status for the Green Bay Packers gunslinger.
But Rodgers accomplishes such prolific numbers without the assistance of any semblance of a running game. The Packers haven’t had a 1,000-yard back since 2009, in No. 12’s second season as a starter.
After selecting Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin in the 2013 NFL draft—two of the higher-rated running backs—how much can Rodgers achieve with a formidable backfield duo?
Staying Upright
Green Bay has allowed 43 sacks on average for the past three seasons, including 51 in 2012 (tied for second-most in the NFL).
Only the motley crew of quarterbacks for the Arizona Cardinals suffered more.
One can certainly surmise that Rodgers has spent a bit too much time on his back. It’s a veritable miracle that he’s missed just one game due to injury since 2010.
While the offensive line is thoroughly responsible for breakdowns in pass protection, running backs also play a pivotal role, especially on third downs. The Packers haven’t had capable personnel in the latter regard for way too long.
Lacy is insanely strong with the benefit of his 6’0’’, 220-pound frame. Despite not officially being an “elite” blocker, he is a considerable improvement over any every-down back that has operated behind Rodgers in some time.
Better yet, Franklin is undoubtedly the best blocking RB drafted out of this season’s selection process. He utilizes every bit of his smaller 5’11’’, 195-pound stature to ward off any sack-hopefuls to an exceptional degree.
Rodgers is already smiling at the prospects of having such a great third-down back.
Can You Say, Play Action?
Rodgers is already considered the preeminent quarterback when it comes to play action.
He compiled a 102.0 quarterback rating when throwing from that formation just last year. No quarterback outside of one running the read option does a better job throwing after a fake handoff.
And just to reiterate, he hasn’t had the luxury of a player to actually sell that offensive trickery for the majority of his pro career.
Lacy now provides that actual play-action weapon as Green Bay’s new three-down back. Defenses must respect the run whenever he’s lined up in the backfield. Safeties can no longer drop back in deep centerfield without any thought of having to take out a RB.
Franklin, for his part, also gives Rodgers a legitimate threat in the run game. The former UCLA Bruin ranked seventh in the NCAA with 1,734 yards rushing in 2012, not to mention an impressive 6.1-yard average.
These two rookies, then, will facilitate the big play-action pass for Rodgers. Expect another 40-plus touchdown total as a result in 2013. On that same token, Lacy and Franklin combined for 512 receiving yards and two scores during their senior campaigns. Their abilities as pass-catchers will push Rodgers’ stats to even greater heights.
70 Completion Percentage, 90 QBR, 10.0 Touchdown Percentage?
Please entertain a few notions before you scoff at these seemingly unattainable numbers.
Rodgers nearly hit the 70 percent completion mark in 2011 when he nailed 68.3 percent of his passes. He led the league with a 9.0 touchdown percentage (passing TDs divided by passes attempted) during that same season as well. Best yet, he produced the all-time best QBR of 86.2 since ESPN has been compiling that stat in 2008.
So, are the aforementioned 70 completion percentage, 90 QBR and 10.0 TD percentage with two quality supporting backs really out of the realm of possibility?
Not a chance.
Rodgers will not accrue as many yards with a formidable rushing attack. That said, he’ll maintain relative perfection in most other categories with a newfound balanced offense.
Can’t wait to see how it all goes down.
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