The Green Bay Packers have issues. There’s no doubt about that.
I can’t remember a time when I’ve heard a Packers team gripe publicly about so many things. Has Mike McCarthy lost control of the locker room? It’s certainly a possibility. His teams have never been what you would call disciplined. If you recall, they consistently were near the league leaders in penalties committed until a couple years ago (oh, and they’re among the league leaders again).
There have also been rumors of players not taking practice seriously, which shows during the games. McCarthy even alluded to this himself.
This week, quarterback Aaron Rodgers called out the scout team for not fulfilling their role of preparing the Packers No. 1 offense. The scout team is tasked with giving the No. 1 units the looks that week’s opponent will give them on game day.
“For whatever reason, the rookies have not picked up what the practice tempo looks like or the importance of the scout-team looks as well as maybe it’s been in the past,” Rodgers said. “I don’t know if Mike said that in his press conference but he definitely mentioned that in our team meeting.
“There needs to be a level of professionalism that is current through the entire team from the veterans to the rookies that they kind of understand how each part of the day adds to the preparation. And I think it definitely can be improved on their standpoint from an assignment and a tempo side of practice.”
Of course, that comment didn’t sit too well with the defensive coaches or anyone on the scout team who, to a man, either shrugged it off or defended their play.
One thing that could be at the root of all of this is the Packers are relying so heavily on rookies this year. In the past, the rookies have more or less blended into the background.
This season, a number of rookies are being counted on to play significant roles. There’s going to be growing pains associated with that.
It’s starting to sound like McCarthy and his staff haven’t gotten these guys to fall in line yet.