Aaron Rodgers: Packers Different Without Jennings, Driver
By Mike Dyce
The Green Bay Packers lost some players this offseason. Charles Woodson was released, Greg Jennings signed with the rival Minnesota Vikings and Donald Driver retired. That has the Packers looking a little different, and Aaron Rodgers is noticing.
“Not having those two and a good friend of mine, Charles Woodson, who I played with for a long time just like those guys – that’s different,” Rodgers told USA TODAY on Thursday. “So, we’re a different football team. Lacking a little in the experience part, but making up for it in the talent and the young guys that we brought in.”
The players replacing Jennings and Driver aren’t as experienced as the players they’re replacing. What could be even better is that they’re in the Packers system and have a rapport with Rodgers already. Jennings and Driver only accounted for 11.9% of Rodgers completions in 2012.
“They’re not really young guys,” Rodgers said.
Randall Cobb is headed into his third season while Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley and James Jones all have a minimum of six years experience. But Rodgers could be looking to a second year player from Virginia Tech who only caught 5 passes as a rookie.
“You have Jarrett Boykin, who came on last year and I think his role can increase,” Rodgers said. “You have Jeremy Ross, who made some big plays for us. And you’ve got some undrafted and some drafted guys who are going to be in the mix.”