Seneca Wallace is preparing to start against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in wake of the Aaron Rodgers injury that has left the Green Bay Packers making extreme adjustments. The run game will certainly take focus in the offense, but Wallace has an arm and the coaches will let him use it. As a result, the wide receiving corps for the team is putting in overtime to develop chemistry quickly with the backup.
Jordy Nelson might has caught passes from Rodgers for 85 of his 88 career football games, but the receiver is impressed with what Wallace is showing so far as the quarterback's replacement. While he admits that Rodgers has more power on the ball and more velocity in his throws, he believes Wallace has what it takes to really step up for the team. James Jones agrees, noting everyone just needs to work on timing.
"Timing is never going to be perfect," Jones said, via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The main thing we've got to do is win on our routes, get separation and Seneca get the ball out....Yeah, Aaron's crazy and he throws the ball in super tight spots and unbelievable throws but nothing changes. We're just trying to run to win, get open and let Seneca get the ball out."
Rodgers is known for his extreme accuracy, something that can be taken for granted by the Packers receivers. The quarterback has a career completion percentage of 65.8 and can hit a receiver in stride on the sideline like it is nothing. Jones believes that Wallace will develop into that type of quarterback if they all put in the right amount of reps in practice.
"We just have to throw, we just have to throw," Jones repeated. "The biggest thing is him being comfortable with the plays. When you get thrown into the fire and you're trying to throw these signals out there and you're hearing the play for the first time - you're not comfortable and you're thinking a lot - you're not able to play relaxed back there."
Nelson was encouraged after his first full practice with Wallace. The quarterback was able to hit his receivers on crossing routes like nothing had changed. Rookie Myles White is confident that with Wallace's experience he will step back into Rodgers' role with no problems.
"He's been in the league, what, 11 years?" he said. "He's got to be good for something. He's not a bust, you know? I think this week will do him justice....Seneca's very, very talented in his own right. He'll show it this Sunday."
