Green Bay Packers Need To Protect What They Have: Aaron Rodgers

At least half the NFL teams are looking for what the Green Bay Packers have: a dynamite quarterback.

When a quarterback leads a team to 48 points in a playoff game behind a patchwork, aging offensive line, we know one thing: the quarterback is really, really good.

The Green Bay Packers defense gave up 51 points in a playoff game in part because they have no pass rusher except for a rookie linebacker named Clay Matthews.

Everyone loves sacks and those chiseled pass rushers. Few get all jiggy about jelly-bellied, bacon-inhaling offensive guards or tackles.

But the Packers have a gem in Aaron Rodgers and protecting this guy, meaning preventing him from some career disabling injury, demands upgrades immediately on the Packer offensive line.

Quarterbacks like Rodgers don't drop from the sky. Ask the Chicago Bears.

Packer fans can argue drafting to address issues like the lack of pass rush, aging cornerbacks, or linebackers who can't cover running backs or receivers.

But if you have a gem, you have to protect that gem from cracking, breaking, or just plain dulling down.

The to-do list for the Green Bay Packers begins with getting through free agency AND the draft, offensive linemen who can protect Aaron Rodgers and give him time to continue to ply his craft. Unfortunately, the time has passed to try to ply out Cleveland left tackle Joe Thomas with trade bait of A.J. Hawk and Aaron Kampman.

The time has come for the Packers to say: Okay, we have a quarterback and receivers who put up 48 points in a playoff game. Time to protect that quarterback and those receivers.

If the Packers don't substantially upgrade their offensive line, which means delving into trades or free agency, Aaron Rodgers' skills and talents will be wasted.

The Packers desperately need upgrades on defense, but in the end, you must first save and protect the asset you have. In the Packers' case, that is Aaron Rodgers. Protecting and saving Rodgers from harm and injury will in turn, protect Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, and other receivers.

Packer GM Ted Thompson needs to start now in identifying and moving toward upgrading the offensive line.