The nightmare of Jordy Nelson streaking by Cre’Von LeBlanc and under a 60-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers is past, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was blunt on Tuesday that the rookie defensive back was not the culprit.
“Obviously if anybody’s at fault there, it’s me,” Fangio said. “I wouldn’t lay that blame on Cre’Von.”
LeBlanc hadn’t heard or read Fangio’s comments as of Wednesday. And he would never flatly contradict his boss’ boss. But LeBlanc pointed to his own technique error and mental mistake and did not agree with Fangio blaming himself for something the veteran coordinator had no control over.
“At the end of the day, you appreciate it,” LeBlanc said of Fangio’s comments. “But Coach is not out there on the field. He made the call but no matter what call he relays to us on the field, on the defense we’ve got to execute it to the best of our ability.”
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LeBlanc started turning to his right to run with Nelson as the receiver bore down on his spot in the deep middle. When LeBlanc turned, Nelson adjusted immediately and broke to LeBlanc’s left, gaining two steps and enough separation for Rodgers’ pass to settle uncontested into Nelson’s hands.
It was a lesson for a rookie at the expense of two elite-level veterans, and LeBlanc’s first reaction was his own accountability.
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“As a player I can’t sit here and say the blame is on coach Vic,” LeBlanc said. “My technique has to be better, I’ve got to not stay so heavy on the [first-down] sticks and play from top-down [taking away the deep throw first].”