SI: Aaron Rodgers Scouting Report 2005

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Meh, if you care. Kind of interesting....


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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo...html?mobile=no


BIO: Junior college transfer who made a major mark on the Cal program the past two seasons. All-Conference selection as a senior after posting 66.1 percent/2,566/24/8. Also added 247 yards rushing with three additional scores. Junior quarterbacking totals were 61.6 percent/2,903/19/5.

POSITIVES: Athletic passer with the physical skills and mental intangibles needed to lead a franchise at the next level. Quickly sets up in the pocket, sells ball fakes and technically very sound. Poised under the rush, steps up to avoid defenders and works to keep the play alive. Patient, buys time in the pocket and waits for receivers to come free. Does an excellent job with his reads and natural looking off the safety. Does not make mental errors and throws the ball away rather than toss the errant pass. Times the short and intermediate throws well, as receivers rarely wait for the ball out of their breaks. Outstanding vision and immediately spots the open receiver. Possesses a quick release, live arm and zips the outs or gets the ball downfield. Throws with touch. Sits in the pocket and takes a big hit in order to get the pass off. Fleet-footed and picks up yardage with his legs when necessary.

NEGATIVES: Though accurate, lacks top pass placement and has receivers extending vertically to pull the ball out of the air. Must improve his accuracy down the field. Lacks top footwork releasing the ball off a three step drop. Lacks pocket stature.

ANALYSIS: A physically gifted passer with a great understanding of the position, Rodgers has made himself one of the nation's top quarterback prospects the past two seasons. May not fit every system, but should quickly flourish in the NFL for a timing offense that does not throw the ball down the field with regularity. Offers a good amount of upside and is a coachable player who should continually improve his game.

PROJECTION: Early First Round

[Pasta Little Brioni]

I'd take that anyday from a first year starter O. Whoever we take is going to have some ridiculous expectations bestowed upon them.

[Hootie]

the thing is I get what he's saying...the numbers don't always paint the picture (see Cassel 2010)

but that Rodgers year was probably better QB'ing than we had EVER seen...even counting Trent Green

Rodgers just did things only a few human beings can do

[saphojunkie]

Sorry, but Rodgers is who I would compare Geno to. Similar frame, similar size.

What I love about watching Rodgers, and why I would be excited to draft Geno, is the idea that any part of the field is attackable. There is no real estate from five yards behind the line of scrimmage to the end zone where your QB cannot attack the defense.

Cassel maybe had 15% of the field where he could attack a defense. I believe Geno Smith has the kind of ability that Rodgers does, where he can attack 99.9% of it.

That doesn't mean that he'll be Rodgers, but I think he is just as gifted at throwing the ball.

EDIT: It's not who I would compare Rodgers to, but it's the guy I think of when I watch Geno play. Looking for comparisons in QBs is so stupid anyway, but I still do it.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Sorry, but Rodgers is who I would compare Geno to. Similar frame, similar size.

What I love about watching Rodgers, and why I would be excited to draft Geno, is the idea that any part of the field is attackable. There is no real estate from five yards behind the line of scrimmage to the end zone where your QB cannot attack the defense.

Cassel maybe had 15% of the field where he could attack a defense. I believe Geno Smith has the kind of ability that Rodgers does, where he can attack 99.9% of it.

That doesn't mean that he'll be Rodgers, but I think he is just as gifted at throwing the ball.

See, now this is a damn good football post.

[O.city]

I'm not really painting that as a negative, or I don't mean to be. Rodgers was very good that first year. But that year was more about him learning how to win. We all knew he would be good, we didn't know how good.


And I would absolutely take that from whoever we start at QB. Again, i'm not saying he was bad in any measure. He was ascending at a great level for a new starting QB.

[Hootie]

uhm Rodgers is white and Geno is black

if you want to compare Geno to anyone, it has to be Byron Leftwich

[Chris Meck]

Actually, we didn't know. I remember very distinctly people whispering that he was unimpressive in camp and at practice and were calling him a potential bust.

QB is just so hard to judge. I honestly don't envy anyone having to make the call to pull the trigger on a particular QB. I mean, by all accounts, Peyton and Leaf was a coin flip.

I just hope Reid and Dorsey think that ONE of these guys can be their guy. I hope it's Geno, 'cause I like what I see but I am NOT an expert, just a somewhat educated fan.

[ChiliConCarnage]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Guilty.

Don't forget that Alex Smith had a hell of an arm coming out of college. He's had some major surgery on his throwing shoulder and that's hurt him.

But Smith was extremely mobile, very smart, very accurate and had an extremely strong arm at the time. He was an elite prospect.

Bullshit. Smith never showed a strong arm. Neither did Rodgers really but it was mostly due to the high hold quick release he used.

[WhiteWhale]

Both guys needed time.

I do think that their fortunes may have been reversed if their situations had been reversed. Green Bay was just a much much better situation than SF was.

Luckily I don't think KC is really THAT bad of a situation for any young QB to step into in spite of the 2-14 record.

[Hootie]

if people are expecting Geno to be Aaron I feel bad for Geno if he is drafted by us at #1.

Pretty lofty expectations to have the skillset of one of the most talented QB's of all time.