Ndamukong Suh And Rams Defense Ready For What Packers QB Rodgers Can Create

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) 

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to pass during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on October 15, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

When it comes to quarterbacks creating something out of nothing, Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay and Russell Wilson of Seattle are the gold standard.

Fortunately for safety John Johnson III and the rest of the Los Angeles Rams' defense, they already got a look at Wilson's Houdini act and can use that experience to prepare for what Rodgers and the Packers might do on Sunday.

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: John Johnson #43 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after an interception of C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

"We get good practice at just staying on our man, keeping our eyes on our luggage," Johnson said Thursday.

Wilson was 13 of 21 passing for 198 yards and three touchdowns in the Rams' 33-31 Week 5 win in Seattle, but the Rams were able to limit the number of off-schedule plays he was able to make.

"It's the NFL, you're going to give up a few plays, but as a whole I think we did pretty well in just keeping our eyes on our guys and maintaining that focus through the play," Johnson said.

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers tries to escape the tackle of Romeo Okwara #95 during the first half at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is just as concerned about Rodgers' knack for improvisation, calling the two-time MVP one of the best ever in that aspect of the game.

"He's thrown every scramble pass you can think of for big plays," Phillips said. "If you're in zone or man, you have to get close to the guy you have (in coverage) and stay with him the whole time. That's where they excel."

While Wilson will try to bounce outside and away from pressure, Rodgers is more likely to hang in the pocket to give his receivers a chance to come open.

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: Ndamukong Suh #93 and Ethan Westbrooks #95 of the Los Angeles Rams look on during warms ups prior to their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Ndamukong Suh, who faced Rodgers regularly during his five seasons with the Detroit Lions, believes Rodgers' ability to survey all areas of the field when a play breaks down makes him more dangerous than Wilson in scramble mode.

"He's very active as a quarterback, especially pushing the ball down the field," Suh said. "I think they're both elite quarterbacks, but I have a little bit more respect for Aaron."

Relishing the chance to chase down Rodgers again, the veteran defensive lineman ruefully laughed when reminiscing about the NFC North rivalry.

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 07: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a sack with teammates in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 7, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Suh said Rodgers usually does not talk to him on the field because "I don't know if he likes me." That's fine by Suh.

"My response is when he's getting up from the ground," Suh said. "That's what I'm excited for, or giving him a nice L, which I have done plenty of times in the past. That's the ultimate goal going against an elite quarterback like that."

Suh rarely had to face Rodgers when complimented by a rushing offense as varied and successful as what Green Bay has this season in running backs Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery. The trio is combining to average 4.4 yards per carry, and the Packers' overall average of 4.7 yards per attempt ranks ninth in the NFL.

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: John Johnson #43 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after an interception of C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Rams want to make the Packers one-dimensional, force Rodgers into throwing situations and unleash the pass rush anchored by Suh, Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers. If Rodgers is able to evade pressure and do "what he does best," as Johnson said, the Rams will risk it.

"He'll just hang in the pocket a long, long time sometimes for people to come open," Phillips said. "It's a tremendous challenge."

NOTES: OLB Trevon Young (knee) did not practice Thursday. Young, a rookie from Louisville drafted in the sixth round, recovered a fumble against the 49ers on Sunday and has seen an increase in snaps since Dominique Easley was placed on injured reserve Oct. 2 because of a knee injury. ... LT Andrew Whitworth and C John Sullivan each had the day off for rest.

© 2018 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS62

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.