Bart Scott agrees with the logic behind sitting New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for preseason. Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1 last year, is the centerpiece of the Jets’ playoff hopes this season.
Scott, a former Jets linebacker, made his comments on Wednesday during an appearance on ESPN. He is now an analyst on ESPN and makes frequent appearances to discuss the NFL.
Earlier in the segment, Scott said he would be fine, if need be, that Rodgers would play in the second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. But if possible, Scott would be on-board with the Jets quarterback not playing at all in preseason.
Scott said that “You got to let that tendon heal up as much and get as strong as possible.” But he wouldn’t play Rodgers in the third and final preseason game against the New York Giants.
“People talk about that third game – that third game could be a blood bath,” Scott said on ESPN.
“I watched Eli Manning get his nose almost broken by Calvin Pace in that one. We remember the Snoopy Bowl where Mark Sanchez ended his career because he got injured in that last game. That game is a game for regional pride. That’s not some typical ‘oh third game, we’re going to play nice’.”
Scott, however, believes that there is more at play with preserving Rodgers for the season. He thinks that sustaining Rodgers throughout the regular season needs to extend just beyond training camp and preseason.
“I can remember when I was there, Mark Sanchez didn’t know how to slide, he was taking a lot of punishment,” Scott said.
“I think they need to take that page – they brought in (former New York Yankees manager) Joe Girardi to teach Mark Sanchez how to slide. I think they need to take that page and go get Peyton Manning and get Brady to teach Aaron Rodgers how to fold up like a bad tent when anybody gets around him
“I think he needs to learn to fight another down and be able just fold up and give up easy sacks. He is the season. If he goes down, it is a wrap.”
