Panthers have a huge challenge, but a chance for young defensive backs to learn against Aaron Rodgers

[Sir Purr]

And all those things are true, but the things he brings to teams are often best seen up close, and the Panthers have a guy who had one of the best views for the last nine years.


Defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Jason Simmons, who came from the Packers this offseason, said he picked up things from Rodgers every day that he's passing along now.


"Working against him in practice was one of the best learning experiences for me," Simmons said this week. "The thing about Aaron is, he's humble enough to give you information and things he's seen. If there were things we were doing as a secondary that are tells, he'd talk to guys about it, and share that with players, coaches, anyone. . . .


"People always ask what makes him so good, and most people will say the arm talent or the improvisational skills. But his intellect is what sets him apart. Even in practice, he'd see someone's mannerisms, and say 'You're not going to blitz here, because that's not what you usually do when you're going to blitz.' He understands every facet of the game."


Along those lines, Simmons said he didn't feel like the young corners the Panthers are playing now are particularly targets, because Rodgers is able to see beyond personnel.


"He's able to expose any weaknesses you have, whether it's scheme, game-plan, or personnel, so it's not like he's just out there looking for rookies," Simmons said. "That informs what you try to do against him, you can't give him any pre-snap indications, or he'll know what's up.


"He's too good to pitch batting-practice to him. You have to do everything you can to make sure you're not showing him something you haven't shown before."