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We have talked a lot about Aaron Rodgers’ brilliance at the line of scrimmage, with audibles and checks.
But it can’t be brought up enough. When you have one of those guys who comes to the lines, discerns what the defense is in, and changes the play accordingly, it’s a distinct advantage in the NFL.
The reason I bring it up against today is because of some recent comments by former Jets safety Kerry Rhodes on Fox Sports Radio, where he is a host.
He was talking about the cat-and-mouse game between guys like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Rodgers, and the opposing defense before the snap.
Rhodes engaged in a lot of those battles with Brady in the AFC East.
Rhodes feels the smart, veteran quarterbacks often have the advantage over the defense.
“Most of the time the smartest quarterbacks are going to have a better understanding than the defense,” Rhodes said. “You want to simplify it for the defensive guys, so they can play their fastest and most efficient. On offense, you have time to get into the best play and have time to do it. If you have the general to get that done, you have a little bit of an advantage. The defense is reactive and the offense is on the attack.”
And Rhodes pointed out that a lot of young quarterbacks are pretty clueless when it comes to this stuff, so that gives the team with a veteran quarterback a big advantage.
“What makes a quarterback great?” asked Rhodes.” Getting into the right play is one of the biggest skill sets. You see the young quarterbacks play. You see all the potential to make all the throws (and) he’s a great athlete. None of that matters if you can’t get into the right play on the field. That’s the number one thing that makes the greats great.”
So when the Jets play Tennessee and second-year QB Will Levis, or Denver and rookie QB Bo Nix, early in the season, those guys will be nowhere near Rodgers making checks at the line, and in a QB-driven league, the Jets will have a huge leg-up at the QB position in these games.
Not many quarterbacks, if any, who the Jets face, will have an advantage over Rodgers at the line.
Rodgers is so good at chess match at the line with the opposing defense, he has been known to take delay of game penalties at times, because is studying them so hard, he will take the play clock down to the end, and obviously sometimes until it expires. He is waiting for the defense to declare exactly what they are in because sometimes they change in the middle of the play clock.
Rodgers’ mental fortitude at the line is so impressive, and not something to take lightly, and will help the Jets win games.
“If you give the answer to the test early, you have no chance,” Rhodes said.
In other words, if a guy like Rodgers is able to “read your mail” you are in trouble.
July 11, 2024
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