Sept. 10--In the beginning, Aaron Rodgers had Donald Driver, a go-to target with comforting dependability. There was also Greg Jennings. Until Jennings gave way to Jordy Nelson, who later aided in the ascension of Randall Cobb.
And well, if it seems like there's a factory in Green Bay producing 1,000-yard receivers on command, Rodgers remains at the controls of the conveyor belt, now in his eighth season in that role.
His next big unveiling? It would seem to be Davante Adams, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound second-year receiver who appears poised for a breakthrough in the Packers' prolific offense.
That was true even before Nelson suffered a season-ending ACL tear during an exhibition game Aug. 23. But now with Nelson pushed back into the store room for the rest of 2015, Adams has his chance to go on display.
It's something the Bears defense must be aware of as the Packers come to Soldier Field on Sunday for the season opener.
Make no mistake, it'll be incredibly difficult for the Packers to replace Nelson's production. The Pro Bowl receiver totaled 183 catches, 2,833 yards and 21 touchdownsover the last two seasons. But there's also confidence in Green Bay that the offense won't be set back significantly without him.
After all, the Packers keep finding capable receivers and Rodgers keeps turning them into big-time playmakers.
The book on Adams: not as tall or as fast as the 6-3 Nelson. But he is physical and competitive and dangerous on back-shoulder throws and fade routes.
Adams also carries himself with a charisma Rodgers admires, the kind of star-like swagger the quarterback had previously seen in teammates like Jennings, Charles Woodson and Julius Peppers.
"He has a lot of confidence," Rodgers said.
Rodgers also appreciated the way Adams handled his rookie roller-coaster ride a year ago, heavily targeted some games, not a big part of the attack in many others.
"He stayed in it mentally and did what we asked him to do," Rodgers said. "And he's had a really nice offseason."
Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller had a briefer scouting report on Adams on Wednesday.
"Overall he's a good receiver," Fuller said. "Quick. Smooth. He gets the job done."
Still, even as Bears defenders familiarize themselves with Rodgers' newest big-play target, they have a mountain of other homework to attack. Priority No. 1 will revolve around slowing Rodgers himself, the triggerman who has caused the Bears so much torment over the years.
Cobb has also come into his own, delivering a 91-catch, 1,287-yard, 12-touchdown campaign last season and likely to be Rodgers' top target.
And running back Eddie Lacy (1,139 rushing yards, nine TDs in 2014) also commands attention.
In that vein, Bears coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio continue reminding their players of the Packers' balance. Fox emphasized the fact that the Packers had an NFL-low 13 turnovers last season. Fangio wants his secondary to understand just how generous Rodgers will be in spreading the ball around. To Cobb, to Adams, to fellow receivers Jeff Janis and James Jones as well as tight end Richard Rodgers.
"You stop one receiver, he'll throw it to the other one," Fangio said. "He's going to run their offense and throw to the guys based on what he sees. He doesn't have a particular favorite."
Adams, however, could quickly climb the favorites list Sunday, particularly against a revamped Bears secondary. Packers coach Mike McCarthy was first drawn to Adams during the pre-draft process in 2014 while studying tape on Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr.
"Ten minutes in you're wondering who the heck the receiver is that's catching all the balls," McCarthy said.
It was Adams, who had 131 receptions in his final college season and hopes to deliver a similar emergence this fall.
"He's a very good prospect who's getting better all the time," McCarthy said. "So he'll have some more opportunities this year, that's for sure."
dwiederer@tribpub.com
