Either Way You Look At It, Greg Jennings Could Have Been Named Super Bowl MVP
by Ryan Cook on Feb 7, 2011 4:32 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers Analysis
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Take nothing away from Aaron Rodgers' efforts on Sunday, the guy placed his reputation on the line in front of millions. Better yet, he also silenced the doubters that continually referred to Green Bay's NFC Wild Card loss to the Arizona Cardinals in 2009 as "Rodgers shining mistake".
But where would a good quarterback be without his trusty wide receiver?
Joe Montana may wound up another garden variety passer without Jerry Rice. And you know that guy who is often referred to as Steve Largent? Well the Seattle Seahawks may have gone the way of the Supersonics if it wasn't for him.
Then again, the same set of circumstances could have struck the Green Bay Packers yesterday. Rodgers was unlucky not to throw a "Roy Halladay" against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but if No.12 isn't secretly cursing Jordy Nelson and James Jones, he is surely praising the footwork of Greg Jennings right about now.
And not for the first time.
If the Steelers defense were once known as dominant, Dick LeBeau's strategies fell on deaf ears Sunday. Green Bay piled on the points against Pittsburgh in the first half, and with the experience factor acting as the so called "difference maker", safety Troy Polamalu found himself on a lone island during all four quarters
Maybe that's why Jennings scored two touchdowns and placed 64 yards next to his name.
According to Green Bay's go-to receiver who had to take total control in the second half with Donald Driver unable to continue, Polamalu allowed Jennings to slip right by him. When asked on his first touchdown catch, Jennings told reporters:
"The first touchdown was just a bee line. It was pretty much like the 31-yard catch at the end of the game. They played cover two and I was able to slip LaMarr Woodley and get in between Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. The second was a corner route, and Polamalu kind of dropped me. He was looking at the backfield for something else and let me just run right by him".
Perhaps the Steelers inexperience with the Packers cost them in the long run.
Realistically, though, Jennings has been doing that very same thing all year long. In the regular season he was a force up the middle of the field, a target that Rodgers has highly recognized with Driver showing telltale signs of age and fatigue.
Yet aside from the routine 16 week span, the real story comes from the postseason. Sustaining 101 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round, and 130 against the Chicago Bears the next week, the formidable road test was made that much easier for the Packers whilst maintaining a reliable wide receiver.
A sturdy defense also lent a helping hand.
Still, it is within reason that I sit here and contemplate why Jennings failed to become the games most valuable player. When Roger Goodell was preparing to hand out the award, I mentioned to my friend that it should go to Jennings. Of course the cliche thought of the quarterback winning the award seemed to come win in the end.
No, don't go throwing Rodgers under the bus here, because he deserves it -- after all, silencing the buzzing bee of Brett Favre is no easy task. But would the Packers be basking in the glow of their fourth Super Bowl trophy if it wasn't for Jennings in the long run?
Probably not. Although Rashard Mendenhall's fourth quarter fumble had something to do with it also.
I guess it is easy to say that any of the Packers four touchdowns could be accredited to Green Bay's close win. If we are to seriously analyze it, though, Jennings' second score was the game changing moment for the Packers.
"I saw Troy, but it was more I was looking to the left and coming back to the right side, and had a good idea from a couple of plays before that Greg was going to be open on a corner route," Rodgers stated. "He made a good catch. I almost threw it too far."
Seems as though Rodgers threw it just far enough to give the Packers a 28-17 lead with under 12 minutes remaining in the final quarter, Jennings' play on a slant route during 3rd down was also labeled as play of the game.
Jennings was humble in victory, and rather brief in interviews too. When Pam Oliver rounded him up as the confetti fell, Jennings recorded his own Kevin Garnett moment, stating "To God be the glory!". Expect many soundbites to come soon.
As far as Rodgers winning the MVP award goes, no sleep will be lost. Not that much downtime is expected this week anyway.
"He's at the helm for a reason. He gives us an outstanding opportunity to win ballgames just when he straps his helmet up and puts his pads on. The way he throws the ball, with his timing, the way he is able to extend plays with his feet, his preparation. I can go on and on about the intangibles he brings to the table that allows us to be in the situation we're in right now".
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Great article
However, I don’t see how you can be so down on Jordy. Other than the 2 drops he played a lights out game. Hell my buddy watching the game said “who is 87 and why have I never heard of him”, this is the same guy I watch football with every week. I happen to think that he stepped up into the #2 position very well and showed we drafted him.
It was all the dropped passes that were frustrating
James Jones dropped ANOTHER sure TD. Jordy had another couple big drops. They all contributed, and that was frustrating for us all season. In the end though, it doesn’t matter. Jordy had a monster game and Rodgers still trusted him and Jones as the game progressed. That’s the signal of an ELITE QB. Well, we all knew he was already elite, but now everyone knows he is.
"Vikings fall 27-13 to the NFC North's best team, the Bears."
-Chris Gates 11/15/2010
***Really Chris, REALLY?! The division's best team?! LOL! That's quality DN writing right there!
NFC Champs baby, Go Pack Go! It's time to bring the Lombardi Trophy home!!!!!!
More than 2
I think he dropped 6. Definitely more than 2.
by uglyfatpimplynerd on Feb 7, 2011 7:00 AM CST up reply actions
I agree -- don't hate on Nelson
Brian Burke (AdvancedNFLStats) had the following to say:
Despite his drops, Jordy Nelson’s 9 catches for 140 yards topped all receivers with 0.16 WPA and 6.4 EPA, making him a legitimate contender for MVP. Over 60% of Rodgers’ EPA and 80% of his WPA came in passes to Nelson. It’s very hard for a WR to do much better.
(WPA is win probability added. EPA is expected points added. For what it’s worth, Rodgers led the game with 0.19 WPA and 10.5 EPA.)
Read the whole article here: http://www.advancednflstats.com/2011/02/super-bowl-45-analysis.html
by CommissionerDan on Feb 7, 2011 9:35 AM CST up reply actions
That's interesting
I agree that Rodgers is #1 as the MVP, with Nelson right behind him for the SB.
-Starmark
Got to join in the Jordy love
The dude looked an awful like Max McGee out there. Think about it….Packer WR who was at the bottom of the rotation stepping up and playing a solid to awesome game in the SB. Sounds about right to me.
by PackApologist on Feb 7, 2011 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah,
but I bet Jordy was a lot less hungover on Sunday than McGee was in ’67.
"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker
Well, that's not saying much
Jordy could have taken down a liter of gin by himself last night & still would be less hungover.
13.
I'm a Jordy fan
but, I think he heard the proverbial ‘footsteps’ going over the middle. That’s what makes DD so great, he made the tuff catches all his life.
by bigbill992001 on Feb 7, 2011 6:27 PM CST up reply actions
Congrats to the packers I agree that Greg jennings or Clay matthews should have had MVP
Clay Matthews getting that fumble
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST COMES FIRST,THE REST FOLLOWSIsa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.
by steelerfan19650511 on Feb 7, 2011 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
Congratulations as well for stepping up!
I also think that, that take away created by MR Mathews was the game changer without doubt. Aaaron showed the critics and silenced the Favre roost, Jennings did a SUPER job as well as Jordy Nelson. We could not have won the game without any of their big plays when we needed them most. However, Mathews kept Big Ben off balance all evening and made some SUPER plays of his own cllimaxing it with the big turn over between him and Ryan Pickett. What a stop and a game changing jolt for the Steelers running game!
BJK
Thanks Adin
It’s not that I’m down on him, he had a great game, I just think every Packer fan could have done without that nervous third quarter if he and James Jones had held onto a few more passes. He played great nonetheless.
I voted for AR
but certainly Greg had an outstanding game as well. AR ended up with a 111 QB rating and barring 4 or 5 drops(Jones had a sure TD), it coulda been staggering. Greg is definately THE MAN now that DD is slowing down and seems to be in that point of his career when injuries become a problem. Especially given that JN and JJ have the ‘dropsies’(JJ especially seems to drop balls when he’s wide open in the open field and has a sure TD), Greg will continue to be the big gun in our stellar passing attack. Great job, Packers, bask in the glory….you earned it. Beating the Giants, Chi. twice, Philly on the road, ATL on the road and now one of the premier defenses in the SB, you guys have beaten some pretty good football teams the last 6 games. All with a lose and you’re done situation. Amazing!
I know the announcer hyped it as a sure TD...
I don’t know if it would have been. They were no where near the end zone, and Jones barely had a lead on the coverage. Either way, I think Arod deserved the MVP. Jennings would need more than 60ish yards to win the MVP.
That would have been 6. He had a step on his defender,
and Polamulu was the only defender he would have had to beat.
I’ll also agree with the sentiments that the MVP (in order) could have gone to
1. Rodgers 2. Nelson 3. Jennings.
Greg was largely shut down last night, while Rodgers went to Nelson pretty much whenever he wanted.
Greg might have been shut down for the majority of the night BUT he made THE two biggest scores in the game. Just cause a team doubled him up most of the night doesn’t mean he didn’t earn his cred.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Very true, but my point
is/was that Jordy was the guy who kept the chains moving when the Packers need to hold onto the ball. He did set the team record for catches and yardage, and were it not for three drops, would have been close to 200 yards on the night.
However, you could easily make the argument that Jennings had the 3 biggest catches of the night, and I wouldn’t dispute that at all.
The hard part about saying what could have been with regards to drops
is that you can’t say what would of happened after if they would have made the catch. Look at Jordy’s last drop. The next play was a 38 yard pass to Jordy. If he catches the 1st pass then it’s 1st and 10 and the next play might not be a pass play, or the Steelers might not of blitzed like they did.
Even JJ’s drop at the start of the 3rd Quarter. I think it would have been a TD if he hangs on as the guy covering him reached to try to knock it down and was off balance. But if he does catch it and score it’s 28-10 and the rest of the game is most likely played out differently.
Aaron Rodgers is by far the MVP
Every catch Jennings made was a perfectly thrown pass, and on two of them (his first TD and the 31 yarder in the 4th quarter) he wasn’t even open, Rodgers just made two ridiculous passes, neither of which could have been made by any other quarterback in the NFL (none have near the same combination of arm strength, accuracy, and quick release)…
You take Aaron Rodgers away from this game and we lose in blowout fashion.
You take Jennings away and we maybe lose a close one – and even then, only because certain other receivers drop five perfectly thrown balls, two of which could have been touchdowns.
That first TD pass was an AMAZING throw. It was a bullet, I think it might have gone THROUGH Jennings if it was lower. Rodgers was pretty damn accurate, so yeah I think you are right. His stats would have been THROUGH THE ROOF if not for all the drops!
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
I agree with you for the most part
Not as if we wanted to see him play, but Flynn played a hell of a game against the Pats. They might not have gotten blown out. But I quibble. Incredible win and incredible season for the Pack!
Aaron deserved it imo
I felt through the game that AR deserved the MVP most, and I still feel that way this morning. Aaron drove the offense through the game and when it counted most, especially the last drive, which didn’t end in a TD, but a field goal, they took much valuable time off the clock, and that was through Aarons play. How many of us would have gone right back to JN after several huge drops? James Jones? That, for me, is one of the main reasons that AR deserved the MVP. The odds of a QB caving in when things aren’t clicking are huge, and AR, even though he was clearly frustrated with some very bad drops, kept his head and continued to drive the offense against a very tough overall Steeler defense. Greg Jennings, or Jordy Nelson, with none or fewer of those drops, surely could have been considered, but overall, AR is surely deserving of it to me.
13 time WORLD CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS, that is what matters most.
Other options
I agree on Jennings, he was blanketed ALL game, usually by two guys but when it counted most, he made HUGE catches. If not for all the drops, it was a slam dunk for Jordy who played the game of his life. He just made too many mistakes, too many huge drops on easy catches right in the bread basket.
We learned how important chuck is to our team last night. YIKES…he needs to be healthy. Tramon could be in the discussion for bottling up a VERY potent WR for most of the night. I think Jennings and Rodgers have the most claim to it though, no one stands out as an MVP type of game on D…it was a full team effort on that side.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Nick Collins has to be in the discussion
Anytime the safety scores a touchdown, he has to be discussed as an MVP candidate.
Jordy came up big when he needed to
And Bush somewhat redeemed himself with his INT (although he getting beat for TD on the next series nearly put him back in the out house).
The two guys I watched the game with said Jennings should be the MVP. I said I thought Rodgers would get it but Jennings deserved it as well. Co-MVPs??
Charles Woodson makes me want to be a better man.
I don’t know why Pittsburg didn’t run that power play over the right tackle more often. It was good for about 8 yards a pop.
What does GB need to make a repeat run at the Trophy?
Baseball needs to start because I’m going to go insane thinking about next season until then.
don't forget to brush your teeth.
by Drew C on Feb 7, 2011 9:54 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Nelson is third on list of deserving MVP, ahead of Jennings
Greg Jennings had the two TDs , but the Steelers limited him to only two other receptions. Jordy Nelson had the drops a couple times, but they did not harm the Packers, and he made up for it each time. Nelson’s monster game is part of the reason why the Packers brought the trophy home. Consider also, that Nelson’s nine receptions tied a franchise playoff record. His 140 yds is fourth place all time as well. If a player is tying records in a Super Bowl, then that is an MVP-like performance.
I’ve written before that the entire defense is the real MVP of the Super Bowl. A bunch of different people on the D made pivotal plays. Since we cannot name a bunch of people, then Rodgers is the correct choice. If, for some reason, we have to exclude Rodgers, then Nelson should have been MVP. This is not only because of the numbers that #87 put up, but because he was big when the other WRs were shut down (or injured).
Here’s your top 5 list for most deserving of MVP honors:
1. Entire Defense (can’t do that)
2. Aaron Rodgers
3. Jordy Nelson
4. Greg Jennings
5. Some random, playmaking, defensive player (seriously, just pick one and he would fit)
-Starmark
Great game guys
I wish it had turned out different, but I don’t mind as much losing to a great franchise like the Packers.
Hopefully, we can have a rematch in the near future.
Super Bowl Champions
so it doesn’t matter so much to me who’s MVP, but it’s hard to argue against Rodgers who threw it 39 times and was part of every offensive touchdown.
…and his stats should have been even better if not for a crazy amount of drops.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Aaron Rodgers
had one of the most impressive games by a QB in the superbowl…ever.
Can you imagine how it would’ve gone without the dropped passes?
Yes.
Just like the Divisional Round game at Atlanta.
Easy to imagine. :)
1,2,3...WHITE HOUSE!!!
.
That glass is overflowing!
I'd rather be correct, than politically correct.
I'd rather be right.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Precisely my thought
The difference between this game and that one (on offense) were the drops.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
I'm a dork and deserve to get kicked for correcting this
Joe Montana may wound up another garden variety passer without Jerry Rice.
pushes sliding glasses back in place and speaks in a nasally, high-pitched voice Actually, Montana won 2 Super Bowls before Rice was drafted in 1985. Montana had Dwight Clark before Rice showed up. He also had John Taylor for the second of the two, where Taylor made the the game winning catch against Cincy.
But yeah, Rice or no Rice, Montana did have a talented receiver (or two) around him, and it helped.
hmmmm
I didn’t know putting words between asterisks made them bold
by Mark O'Rourke on Feb 7, 2011 11:06 AM CST up reply actions
Hmm, Jennings had a great game but Rodgers is easily the MVP. Had he not made perfect throws to him on his TD and that 3rd down conversion, the one in the endzone probably gets picked off by Clark and the one up the seam gets batted down.
Rodgers played absolutely unreal and showed the nation he IS an ELITE QB. I can only imagine what the game have been like had Jones caught that TD pass, and had Nelson/Swain not dropped others.
Speaking of Nelson, where the hell did he come from haha? Yeah, his two drops hurt but his 9 catches should overshadow that. We have what is hands down the best receiving corps in the league, and it’s not even close.
Fire Slocum
Rodgers for sure...
Easy choice for MVP. As a side note: James Starks ran well against them. It wasn’t a key to the game, but he was effective. On that last drive he had a few nice ones. He and Grant could be a good combo. OR if Grant lost a step due to the surgery, he could take over. I hope we keep Brandon Jackson; his pass catching ability + his GREAT pass protection are a real asset. Sorry to get off topic on that…
In short, Rodgers was a stud. Our WR’s had the same problems they’ve always had, but we overcame them with a few clutch plays at the end. Love that Zombo had the lone sack of Big Ben; I felt bad for Walden since he couldn’t play.
Love that Zombo had the lone sack of Big Ben; I felt bad for Walden since he couldn’t play.
Just another way the Super Bowl was like the whole season. Someone can’t play due to injury and his replacement makes some plays.
As for game MVP I go:
1: Rodgers
2: Nelson
3: Jennings
And that’s just because I can’t vote for Dom Capers!
Haha anybody else love his sack celebration?
Fire Slocum
by packallday555 on Feb 7, 2011 4:17 PM CST up reply actions
ZORRO!
I hope Kotsay gets hit by a dump truck and slips into a coma where he is stuck forever in Baseball purgatory having to bat against a three-headed, six-armed Lefty Hydra consisting of Billy Wagner, Damaso Marte, and Randy Johnson. - Shoeless In SC
+1
I just can’t say enough about the job Dom did this yr.
by bigbill992001 on Feb 7, 2011 6:44 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe it should have been Woodson:
(With) Without
Comp. pct. (52.9) 69.6
TD-Int (0-2)) 2-0
Pass rtg. (31.9) 118.0
Score diff. (+18) -12
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
by TrevorR on Feb 7, 2011 2:47 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
I say...
Rodgers_for_MVP!!!!
But Greg Jennings delivered the MVW (most valuable words) during his interview after the game:
“it’s a great day to be great”.
You look at Nelson's stats
If he would have caught at least two of the ones he dropped, he’s the MVP. He dropped what 4 passes? and he still ended up with a TD and 140 yards. IMO the fact that we’re even mentioning 2 WR’s as MVP candidates speaks to Aaron Rodgers. Therefore he is the MVP.
Yes.
If he would have caught at least two of the ones he dropped, Rodgers’ stats would have been even more amazing than they were, as well.
1,2,3...WHITE HOUSE!!!
.
That glass is overflowing!
I'd rather be correct, than politically correct.
I'd rather be right.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Still if it wasn't for the drops from
Nelson, Jones, and Swain, Rodgers would have had a near-perfect game.
THANK YOU
I love Jordy and he had a great game, but Jennings was an absolute monster. Glad to see him getting the due love
Smoke Weed Every Day.
Love your sig, |-)
1,2,3...WHITE HOUSE!!!
.
That glass is overflowing!
I'd rather be correct, than politically correct.
I'd rather be right.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
This thread needs this pic, too
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Feb 7, 2011 11:51 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I didn't understand this the 1st time
back door?
back, dog?
Did he have deer in the front & back of him?
Maybe it’s because I speak English, but these lolcat-type pictures always confuse me. Oh, misspelled words & subject verb disagreement, I get it. Hilarious.
13.
Aaron Rodgers was the MVP hands down
The passes the the WRs dropped were all perfect passes. If those 7 drops were completions A-Rod would have been 31 for 39, over 400 yards, and 4 or 5 TDs with 0 ints, since Nelson dropped one in the endzone, and Jones probably would have scored on his dropped pass.
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