Packers’ Abbrederis hoping confidence in him grows

By Tom Silverstein/Milwaukee Journal SentinelPackers Jared Abbrederis is not claiming to be the answer to the offense’s woes.Not by a long shot.But he’s hoping his role can continue as someone QB Aaron Rodgers can turn to when he needs a big catch. Abbrederis proved that with a five-catch, 57-yard performance in one of the few bright performances in the Packers’ 18-16 loss to Detroit.He said he knew he would be a part of the game plan going into the game.“I knew I’d have some opportunities, just talking with EB (Edgar Bennett) throughout the week,” Abbrederis said. “His confidence in me, it all stems off of that and he gives me a lot of confidence in myself, so that’s a good relationship.“And then obviously with Aaron I got some passes throughout the week in practices so you get that trust. But like I said earlier you have to do it in the game and then once you do that you gain his trust. But it’s an everyday process, you have to gain his trust in doing your job, so that’s just what you try to do each day.”To completely gain Rodgers’ trust, Abbrederis has to stay on the field and that has been an issue for him. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL and most of training camp with a concussion this year.Then Sunday, he was knocked out of the game with a jarring hit that injured his ribs.“I thought I was fine,” Abbrederis said. “Obviously, I was in a little bit of pain but I hopped up and was thinking about possibly going back out there but didn’t do that.”Abbrederis wouldn’t say what the extent of the injury was or whether he was certain he could play this week. Before the coaches can get excited about his play, he has to get back on the field.“I’ll have to battle through some stuff,” Abbrederis said. “It’s just ribs. We’ll see what happens. It’s day by day.”Abbrederis wasn’t open every time he ran a route. There were times he got held up at the line of scrimmage, but he did make use of his height and long reach to pluck some passes out of the air and that’s the next best thing if you’re not going to be wide open.The Packers receivers are being blanketed by man-to-man press coverage and someone has to break through and make opposing defenses pay.“I don’t really feel any pressure,” said the former Wisconsin receiver. “You just go out there and have fun and play football. That’s what it’s about. So again, we’ve been playing since we were little boys and that’s our dream to be here playing.“So, I don’t think you can make it too big. Just go out there and have fun, make the plays when they’re there.”