Did a Vikings rookie just make a dangerous mistake when it comes to the Packers?
AJ Mansour
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Minnesota Vikings rookie S Camryn Bynum has been making a name for himself over the past month as an opportunity for extra playing time was presented to him. With Harrison Smith placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list and injuries ravishing the rest of the defensive backs room for the Vikings, the rookie was flung into action starting each of the last two games for Minnesota. With 12 total tackles in his first start against the Ravens and then another 6 tackles plus his first career sack last week against the Chargers, Bynum has been turning heads of late.
I fear though, that he might have turned the wrong head this week with a media appearance with Jim Rome.
You see, this is Bynum’s first “Border Battle” against the Green Bay Packers. Clearly he knows a bit about the opponent he’s preparing to face, but there are somethings with this rivalry you have to experience to fully understand.
Cam joined Rome on Friday to, in part, discuss preparing to defend against fellow University of California alum Aaron Rodgers.
“I think we’ve got to focus on the whole offense,” Bynum said. “He’s a great quarterback and a legend, but there’s still 10 other people on the field that have to do their job also…If we all collectively do our job, I know it sounds cliché, but that’s always the key to winning. If you beat the guy in front of you and now the quarterback can’t beat you.”
Let’s get this out of the way first. There was clearly no ill intent with these comments. In fact the line is likely to be the thesis statement for the future biography for head coach Ted Lasso of AFC Richmond fame. But I know I’m not the only one who hears these words, kicks back in my chair and mutters a concerned “oh no…” under my breath. Right?
What it says to me, is that in all of their preparation to scheme the Green Bay Packers this week, something was missed. Somebody forgot to give these rookies a crash course on Aaron Rodgers.
Not the Green Bay Packers, but just Aaron Rodgers. The statement is essentially one in the same.
Here’s the cliff-notes version of what should have been said: “Aaron Rodgers is the single most petty person in the history of the world. That is all.”
On paper, Bynum’s ideology is spot on. If you lock down your opponent or cover your area of the zone and then everyone else does the same and you’ll stop the machine. But the flaw in the logic is the assumption that you & your teammates can perfectly lock down your opponent each and every play, that’s not possible and with a quarterback as good as Rodgers he will exploit even the smallest voids in defensive scheme.
He’ll also single a player out and go after them mercilessly. Usually just being a rookie will land that target on your back, add to it a charge of underestimating what Rodgers does and Bynum better have his ears up this weekend.
You see, with the Green Bay Packers it is not WR Davante Adams who beats you. It’s not a healthy RB Aaron Jones who beats you. It’s not HC Matt LaFleur who beats you.
With the Green Bay Packers, it is Aaron Rodgers who beats you, plain and simple. Thus, you scheme to stop Rodgers; to rattle Rodgers; to get under the skin of Rodgers. From there, everything else is ancillary.
The most recent Vikings defense to have faced Rodgers (2020) resulted in 655 yards passing, 7 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 70%.
Aaron’s already playing with a chip on his shoulder thanks to what he calls the “woke” media so he’ll be entering this weekend’s division rivalry ready to go. Will Cam Bynum and the Vikings have a plan ready to combat what he’s planning to bring to the table?
I guess we’ll find out tomorrow…our guy Dustin Baker has a few ideas on what might aid them in that process here…
Aj Mansour is a member of The Power Trip Morning Show on KFAN and works for iHeartMedia and the Vikings Radio Network. He’s also a senior writer for VikingsTerritory.com. Be sure to follow him on social media for the latest Vikings news and big opinions – @AjKFAN