The Green Bay Packers pass-catchers are doing a lot of everything except catching passes, but the problem isn’t due to a lack of preparation.
Following the team’s stunning 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving night, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said they’ve done more catching drills than in the history of football.
McCarthy on dropped passes: "We've been doing more damn ball drills here than in the history of football and it didn't show up tonight."
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) November 27, 2015
Between Randall Cobb and Davante Adams, the Packers have failed to secure catches at a nauseating pace. Although the team is only charged with 13 drops, the number of should-be-receptions is significantly higher.
Beyond the duo, running back James Starks had a screen pass go through his hands on Thursday. Overall, tight end Richard Rodgers and wideout James Jones have been inconsistent at best.
And drops aren’t the only issue.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hasn’t replicated his amazing 2014 in which he could place the ball absolutely wherever he wanted. The absence of Jordy Nelson, who set a franchise record with 1,519 receiving yards last season, certainly isn’t helping matters.
Adams, Nelson’s replacement, has constantly run lazy routes, no more evident than on Rodgers’ fourth-quarter interception and the failed 4th-and-Goal.
Green Bay has other problems on offense, but most of the shortcomings could be atoned for if the receivers would simply start catching the ball—you know, doing their job.