The weapon to take away from Aaron Rodgers

The Packers are impressive in every phase of the game. #1 in takeaways and giveaway/takeaway margin, good on special teams, good running attack, and the closest QB to Tom Brady in Aaron Rodgers. This is a great measuring stick for how good the Patriots are this year.

But the one guy who keeps the engine running and the chains moving is Jordy Nelson: over 1,000 yards receiving already, 9 TDs, averaging 97 yards receiving/game and 15.4 yards per catch. He's a good blocker and has deceptive speed. He's a dangerous hybrid WR/TE. Some video and stats:



http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NelsJo00.htm

The Patriots may do the same with him that they did with Megatron and Golden Tate. Rotate Browner and Revis to keep him busy and play McCourty over the top on his side. I also suspect he gets popped at the line to throw his routes off a step or two.

In his biggest game against the Bears (idiots), they played off him at the line and tried to keep him underneath. All he did was catch 10 of 12 targets for 108 yards. Against the Jets, Nelson had 209 yards LOL.

The Eagles held Nelson to 4 catches with press coverage but didn't take care up the field as he still got 109 yards and a TD.

Nelson is one impressive receiver.

The video lost me at Jordy Nelson is the best WR in the NFL. He is a great WR, but I disagree with the video and think he is in part a product of Aaron Rodgers. He would be a very good WR without Rodgers, but he is a great WR with him.

The Pats have to account for him for sure though.

Jordy Nelson reminds me of a 'Silent Assasin' He can get by DBs streakin down sidelines or crossing post for long gains. Looks like he's havin an average day but his Stats are usually around 100 yds and Tds. He HAS to be accounted for and R. Cobb is no slouch as well.

Rob0729 said:

The video lost me at Jordy Nelson is the best WR in the NFL. He is a great WR, but I disagree with the video and think he is in part a product of Aaron Rodgers. He would be a very good WR without Rodgers, but he is a great WR with him.

The Pats have to account for him for sure though.

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Yup! My thoughts exactly.

Seems to me Cobb and Nelson are too quick for Browner. I might rotate Revis and Arrington/Ryan with the latter getting over the top safety help.

Could see Revis on Nelson majority of snaps.

Nullify Lacy and try to keep Rodgers in the pocket. Limit the amount of times he's able to convert 3rd downs with his feet. I suggest having Collins stick to Rodgers like white on rice all afternoon.

The great thing about having Revis is that BB can now take away 2 things.

DaBronxPats14 said:

Jordy Nelson reminds me of a 'Silent Assasin' He can get by DBs streakin down sidelines or crossing post for long gains. Looks like he's havin an average day but his Stats are usually around 100 yds and Tds. He HAS to be accounted for and R. Cobb is no slouch as well.

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Nelson reminds me of a faster Ed McCaffrey. That said, I think Browner with a safety over the top can handle him. Browner has covered him before and did a respectable job. Revis needs to be on Cobb.

No doubt, Jordy Nelson, he is Rodgers go to guy. Of course stuffing Lacy will also be important. But I would be shocked if Nelson didn't find himself of Revis Island come Sunday afternoon.

I expect Ryan/Arrington on Cobb, Revis on Nelson, and browner stopping quarless and the TE's. With rotation changing up what is seen. The packers might also try forcing stuff to Nelson because of the Sherman debacle against Seattle.

With Nelson, he is very capable of catching a big play over the top, knows how to get open.

Verrry important that we do not allow the big deep plays from this offense, because that is the bread and butter of this offense from the games I've watched. When forced to throw for shorter plays they are much more beatable.

Galeb said:

The great thing about having Revis is that BB can now take away 2 things.

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I like the size matchup of Browner (6'4, 220) vs Nelson (6'3, 217). McCourty over the top, Revis one on one against the #2 receiver, Collins or Chung v the tight end.

Browner with help will cover Nelson. Revis will handle Cobb and the rest will be business as usual.

Take 'em all away and let Aaron sort it out.

Rob0729 said:

The video lost me at Jordy Nelson is the best WR in the NFL. He is a great WR, but I disagree with the video and think he is in part a product of Aaron Rodgers. He would be a very good WR without Rodgers, but he is a great WR with him.

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Agreed, though I would say that his success, like so many receivers of Patriots past, is largely a product of an incredible rapport with Rodgers.

At all events, I'm guessing it's Revis on Nelson. Smart vs. smart. Then Arrington on Cobb (don't know if Browner is quick enough), with Browner on Quarless. Safety help on whomever is causing us the most grief.

Just like against Manning, they will mix it up and try to confuse him. They'll play some man, some zone, put two LBs in the A-gaps and maybe they come and maybe they drop off.

Disguise will be important and stopping the run when you have 5 DBs on the field will be another challenge.

Weapons to take away in order: Nelson, Lacy, Cobb.

Rob0729 said:

The video lost me at Jordy Nelson is the best WR in the NFL. He is a great WR, but I disagree with the video and think he is in part a product of Aaron Rodgers. He would be a very good WR without Rodgers, but he is a great WR with him.

The Pats have to account for him for sure though.

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Gotta disagree there. I think Nelson's a great WR, independently of Rogers. Best in the NFL? I dunno, probably not. Megatron's clearly better, IMO. But it's not as far off as one might think. Nelson is basically a rich man's Brandon Marshall. I think he would get the AJ Green treatment, if not for the fact that there's also Randall Cobb to worry about.

Really interested to see how the Pats match up on these receivers. Part of me thinks that we'll be seeing Revis on Cobb and Browner on Nelson with safety help over the top and a mandate to crush him at the LOS. I could also see Revis mostly taking on Nelson, and Cobb being covered by Arrington. Who knows.

KontradictioN said:

Nelson reminds me of a faster Ed McCaffrey. That said, I think Browner with a safety over the top can handle him. Browner has covered him before and did a respectable job. Revis needs to be on Cobb.

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BB will probably have different DEF Schemes having Revis on Nelson then switching at times to Cobb showing different looks at line then shifting. Without lookin it up, I believe this is first time Rodgers will be facing a BB Defense with Pats and might be a rare time that Rodgers throws a couple of Picks and might be using his legs alot when coverage is lockin up his options. Have to account for him runnin out of pocket.