Test time in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a unique way of getting his pass catchers ready. Before games, the 42 year old veteran calls young players to the front of the room and quizzes them on the playbook, hand signals, and opponent defenses.
Rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard faced one of these pop quizzes before his first career start against the Indianapolis Colts. Rodgers asked him about route details and defensive tendencies. Bernard answered the questions, and the quarterbacks later told position coach Tom Arth that Bernard knew the plan as well as a quarterback.
Practice squad players step up
Rodgers has used this quizzing method since 2009 when he started for the Green Bay Packers. Tight end Robert Tonyan joked that Rodgers acts like Simon Cowell during the sessions.
The pop quizzes are proving useful now because Pittsburgh is missing three of its top five wide receivers. Michael Pittman Jr. is on injured reserve with a foot injury, while Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek are also sidelined. Practice squad receiver Brandon Smith was brought up for the Colts game and had to answer Rodgers' questions during the week. Smith said his palms got sweaty, but the preparation helped him stay calm on the field.
Passing the test on the field
The preparation paid off against Indianapolis. Bernard caught six passes for 80 yards, including a 25 yard play on third down in the fourth quarter that helped secure the victory. Head coach Mike McCarthy called the quizzes a great method of accountability and football talk.
With injuries continuing to hit the wide receiver room, Rodgers will rely heavily on Smith and Bernard again when the Steelers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
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