From Acme Packing Co:


Article also names AR's most reliable target: One Ryan Grant.

Anyhow, so it's not just you thinking that our receivers have been dropping the ball a lot, they actually are missing a whole mess of passes. I can't believe this is something that any of these guys need coaching with... Maybe it's time to ban our wideouts from eating greasy pizza on the sidelines during games? Get rid of the free Crisco hand cream? Fire Braylon Edwards as off-season hands consultant?

This makes AR numbers look all the more amazing, say it was 10 balls that could have been caught and AR is near 70% completion rate. I know of at least 1 TD that was dropped(Lee versus Vikes) and I think was one or two more. We knew that the o line had some questions coming in, so it is not a terrible surprise they have been doing so poorly. WR's were supposed to be the greatest strength on this team and there have not only been drops, but far too many times where guys are just not getting open. I would go almost so far as to say given the difference in expectations coming in the WR's have been even more disappointing than the o line.

GJ- has not looked anywhere near the top five guy he just got paid like.
DD- the only one getting any RAC this year, but has had drops.
JJ- a personal favorite, but the guys has done next to nothing this year.
JN- getting better, but some big drops early this season.
DL- not doing much and not holding up great when kept in as a blocker either.
JF- Played well last game, but none factor in the first 3.

I know that the oline has to give the WR's and QB time, but great WR's make things happen too...

I can't honestly remember the last player I really thought was really sure-handed on our squad. Edgar Bennett? Sharpe?

But there is no doubt IMO that Rodgers decision making, timing, and accuracy are probably the biggest issue here, and not the hands of our receivers (so much).

There are others, to be sure, but I do not recall Rodgers throwing a ball and NOT being under duress. A small hitch in timing or accuracy can make a routine ball more difficult to catch.

Well I'm not sure what you are watching but when receivers drop catch-able balls does that have something to do with the QB's accuracy? Don't think so!

Rodgers is ranked 6th of all NFL QB's.

Stats

Agreed. Not sure how hitting receivers in the hands is not accurate enough.

Doesn't seem like something we have to be worried about long term. It's not like Jennings, Driver, Nelson, and Jones are notorious for their drops.

So apparently hitting them in the numbers or hands is wrong now? Should he try their ankles instead?

Sorry, but don't agree with this. Greg Jennings turning his head upfield before catching the ball has nothing to do with Aaron Rodgers. Deshawn Wynn staring point blank at the ball and letting if fall off of his stone hands has nothing to do with decision making or accuracy. Receivers are paid to catch the ball. They could do it better last year than this year with the same QB. That is simply concentration.

Try to wedge it into their facemask -- it may be the only way.

I think what many are forgetting is the impact of the drops. I was at the Cincinnati game and 2 drops were on the 1st drive. They killed the timing and the confidence o the Offense. This is a good offense but simple mistakes such as , TO's, drops and penalities have killed them. I wonder if we would be talking so much of the O-Line if it wasnt for some of these other significan issues.

Don't know where the original post's stats came from, but the Packers actually are all alone in leading the league in dropped passes (14) according to STATS LLC.


http://stats.washingtonpost.com/fb/tmleade...FL&rank=232

Receivers who put more effort into attempting to catch balls that are out of range will be credited with more dropped passes. So will ones who have QBs who are off the mark. Additionally, inexperienced QBs that tend to lead their receivers into disaster by sending passes into spots where receivers will have nasty collisions with LBs and DBs rightly get receivers developing 'alligator arms'.

Interestingly, catch rates are sometimes more a function of the team they play for than their own hands. Two examples cited are former Miami receivers Wes Welker and Chris Chambers. Both played with sub-par QBs such as Harrington and Cleo Lemon. Both got traded in '07 and both saw dramatic increase in receptions per dropped pass. When Welker went to NE, his catches per drop rate improved by 67%; in San Diego, Chambers catch rate was five times better.

It will be interesting to see how Braylon Edwards, traded this week to NYJ fairs with his new QB. He was worst in the NFL last year:

Braylon Edwards.......... 2008 drops: 16 .......... catches/drop 3.4
Dwayne Bowe...................................13..................................6.6
Terrill Owens.....................................10.................................6.9
Brandon Marshall...............................12.................................8.7
Calvin Johnson...................................9..................................8.7
Roddy White.......................................9................................9.8

One can draw some subjective conclusions about this group, can't one?

Braylon Edwards looked really good last night for only minimal practice time since joining the Jets earlier last week.

After watching the games against the Lions and Rams, I propose we tie one of Drivers' hands behind his back before all big plays to help make sure he catches the ball.