Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers frustrated with drops, inconsistency by young receivers

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The expiration date on Aaron Rodgers' patience with the Green Bay Packers' young pass catchers must have read Aug. 16.

For the first time since losing Davante Adams in free agency this offseason, Rodgers expressed some frustration with the group.

«The young guys, especially young receivers, we've got to be way more consistent,» Rodgers said. «A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. We've got to get better in that area.»

The frustration wasn't directed at Allen Lazard, who Rodgers believes is a legitimate No. 1. Nor was it pointed at Randall Cobb, who Rodgers called one of the premier slot receivers in the league, or free-agent pick up Sammy Watkins, who Rodgers said had his best day.

Rodgers' tolerance with the others, though, appeared to have waned following Tuesday's penalty-filled practice against the New Orleans Saints that also included a drop by Romeo Doubs on what Rodgers called his best throw of the day.

Mistakes also led to three interceptions by Jordan Love in Friday's preseason opener at San Francisco.

«It's coming up,» Rodgers said of the regular season. «Yeah, it's coming up. It really is. We're going to play our best guys when the season starts. And whoever those guys are, those guys are going to get the reps. It's the guys I trust the most and the guys the coaches trust the most. A lot of it is just the simple responsibility in the offense. Way before body positioning and movement and throw, and all that stuff, are you in the right spot at the right time? Are you running the right route?»

As productive as Doubs has been, making repeated tough catches in practice and a 33-yard touchdown against the 49ers, the fourth-round draft pick also has been plagued by