December 4, 2011

Aaron Rodgers outduels Eli Manning in thriller

By Josh Alper, Pro Football Talk

If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t win the MVP award this season, we’re pretty excited to see what some other player is going to do over the final four weeks.

Rodgers added another flourish to his already iron-clad case for the award at the Meadowlands on Sunday when he took the Packers 68 yards in 58 seconds to set up Mason Crosby’s game-winning field goal. The kick gave the Packers a 38-35 win, moving them to 12-0 on the season and giving them 18 straight wins overall.

It certainly didn’t come easy. Six days after being embarrassed by the Saints, the Giants pushed the Packers further than any team has pushed them this season before finally succumbing. Eli Manning added to his fourth quarter highlight reel after the Packers took a 35-27 lead on Donald Driver’s second score of the game. Manning took the Giants on a 69-yard drive that ended with a perfect pass to Hakeem Nicks for a touchdown. D.J. Ware ran a well-executed draw for two more points, tying the game and setting the stage for Rodgers’ heroics.

Manning, who finished 23-of-40 for 347 yards and three touchdowns, did make two crucial errors in the first half, but he was at his best in the second half and almost did enough to get his team a win. Moral victories don’t count, though, so the Giants have now lost four in a row after a 6-2 start. This game probably has them feeling pretty good about their chances of turning things around down the stretch, with the Cowboys’ self-inflicted wounds in Arizona helping to foster that feeling.

It can’t hurt that the 38-35 final was the same as their Week 17 loss to the Patriots in 2007. They got another shot at that undefeated opponent and the result was different.

As good as the Giants might feel, they aren’t feeling any better than Rodgers. Every superlative has been spent trying to describe his play this season, so we’ll simply give you the numbers he compiled in this week’s thriller. Rodgers was 28-of-46 (with several drops in that mix) for 369 yards and four touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough also led the team in rushing with 32 yards on scrambles that kept the chains moving when things got hot in the pocket.

The Packers have work to do on defense, especially if Charles Woodson leaving early with a head injury develops into anything, but as long as Rodgers is in the lineup they’re going to be incredibly hard to beat.

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November 27, 2011

Rodgers learns 52 ways to motivate teammates

By Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel

Green Bay – Donald Driver was getting dressed for the game at St. Louis two years ago when Aaron Rodgers came over and handed him the game program.

“Read this,” Rodgers said.

The article referred to Green Bay’s veteran receiver being past his prime and too old to make any impact.

Driver, who has made a 13-year NFL career out of proving his detractors wrong, felt his blood boil. And then he caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

“That’s something that I love about Aaron – he knows how much I love criticism,” Driver said. “People tell me I can’t do it; I prove them wrong. Soon after that at Detroit, I ended up winning the Gobbler. Pam Oliver said after the game something like, ‘The old man does it again.’

“That was very, very motivating for Aaron to walk up to me and show me that. It was motivation to go out there and play at a high level. And he continues to push me now.”

The Packers’ elite quarterback is familiar with the power of motivation.

From the kids on the high school bus who said he’d never make it to the colleges and their rejection letters to the teams that passed on draft day to the boo-birds on Family Night. People said he couldn’t run, was made of glass, couldn’t rally in the fourth quarter and couldn’t live up to the legacy of you-know-who.

He’s used every one.

And now he finds ways to motivate his teammates.

With a look, or a word or a simple show of support, Rodgers prods his teammates to give more. There is no one formula for reaching 52 other guys. And that’s the secret. Rodgers studies his teammates to come up with the best method to push them.

“That’s why he has so much success,” backup quarterback Graham Harrell said. “It’s not just how well he plays but how he can get other guys to play around him.”

The Look

Rodgers is playful with the defensive linemen in practice, but if you play with him on offense, you do not want The Look.

It’s practice, and tight end Tom Crabtree makes a rare mistake. He looks up. Rodgers has zeroed in.

“It’s a pretty good look. It’s pretty constructive,” Crabtree said. “But it’s good to make those (mistakes) in practice, because then you definitely don’t make it in a game.”

A drop in practice. A mental error. A half-effort. Those will get the icy cobalt blue stare just long enough to make the receiver feel a little guilty, but most important – aware.

“We can’t run a route at 75% in practice because we’re not feeling it,” receiver Jordy Nelson said. “Then the timing is all off and then he looks bad and he gets mad at us – and that will keep me moving forward.

“You don’t want to get on the bad side.”

The Look is much better than more demonstrative signs of disapproval. Rodgers keeps it low-key with The Look while still conveying his message: You can do better.

“Sometimes you can see it on his face, you know: ‘Hey, come on, guys,’ ” right guard Josh Sitton said. “He’s not the type of guy that’s going to yell at you or put you down. He’s a real positive guy. Everybody respects him.

“But when things are happening wrong, he kind of gives you that look, and when he gives you that look, you know.”

Lessons learned

But The Look is nothing compared to being called out by Rodgers.

Rodgers motivates tight end Jermichael Finley by asking him to do everything the right way instead of just relying on his elite talent.

“He did jump me a couple of times, but nothing too brutal. Nothing I can’t handle,” Finley said. “Like if you didn’t get your depth on running a route, he’ll jump you for that.

“He’s the quarterback, and if you want to get the ball, you’ve got to do it right.”

But then as quickly as Rodgers pushes Finley, he praises him with something he noticed.

“He does a good job adapting to each guy, like someone like Jermichael, who is a little more wired than most guys, or Jordy and Greg Jennings, who are more laid-back,” Harrell said. “He knows how to get to each one of them personally.”

But Rodgers’ attempts at motivation don’t always work. Last year, when rookie running back James Starks came off the physically unable to perform list, Rodgers nudged him to work harder in practice.

Well, it was more like a scolding.

And Rodgers now believes he was wrong.

“He is probably the nicest guy in the locker room. And I felt bad because I kind of ripped him a couple of times,” Rodgers said. “So I had to go to him and apologize. It took me a little to figure out he was out for nine weeks and kind of how he’s best motivated.

“He just needs that constant encouragement. Reminders – but in a way that’s uplifting.”

The history behind it

Rodgers realized 10 years ago at Butte College that it helped to understand his teammates in order to ask them to play their best.

“I was 18, just out of high school,” Rodgers said. “Our center was 25 from Canada, our left tackle had been in the Army, one of my best friends on the team had been in prison – he was our free safety. I really learned the difference between leading a bunch of high schoolers – you’re all about the same age – and leading guys who come from all different backgrounds.”

Rodgers takes the time to educate himself on his teammates by being observant and making the effort to get to know them.

Tim Masthay had been in Green Bay less than 48 hours. He was thrown immediately in to a two-man fight for the punting job. He was a number. Totally anonymous.

And yet someone kept messing with him.

Masthay was working out with the special-teams unit. The quarterbacks were in the middle of a March practice. Masthay did a triple-take to realize it was Rodgers, whom he had never met, joking around with him. Still feeling like a guest, Masthay was floored.

“He called me by my first name,” Masthay said. “Me – a rookie free agent, new off the street, a punter, frankly bottom of the totem pole. Yet he immediately made me feel welcome and a part of the team.”

Rodgers does his research: Where is the player from, his college and what other parts of his background are relatable or interesting.

“I wanted to talk to Diyral Briggs right away and get his story, to Erik Walden and Howard Green and get his story, because that can only make us better,” Rodgers said. “The chemistry of the team is often under-appreciated or overlooked when you talk about success. When you know the guy next to you – when you can count on him, you’ve hung out with him, you know what kind of person he is, know how he’s motivated – then you can figure out the buttons to push.”

A year and a half later, Masthay wants to perform his best, naturally, but part of that is because he doesn’t want to let anyone down, most of all Rodgers.

“We were playing Detroit at home. The week before I hit the ball pretty decent, but Devin Hester had returned one,” Masthay said. “There was all this pressure on the punting and on me. I started out the Detroit game with a bad punt; I just kind of shanked one out of bounds. The crowd is booing here at home.

“I come to the sideline and a couple of teammates talk to me, but he pulled me off to the side – and he’s getting ready to start an offensive series – and just settled me down. ‘Just do your stuff.’ ”

A calming presence

For all the competitive nature of Rodgers, his calming effect on the team can be seen most often in his receivers.

“You know what he does that other quarterbacks don’t? It’s in the huddle: ‘Let’s just take one throw at a time,’ ” Driver said. “That motivates everyone in the huddle – even if you are nervous, like, ‘Man, I’ve got to make every play count. This may be my one opportunity.’ He makes you forget that.

“He motivates the guys to say, ‘Let’s not worry about how many balls we’ve got. Let’s just play.’ Because when it’s all said and done, no one is going to care about you having a 1,000-yard season – everyone is going to care about us winning the whole thing.”

That’s an entirely different kind of motivation, unique to a 2011 Packers squad that is so deep at receiver and tight end. Rodgers has to find a way to keep everyone content when things can’t always be fair.

The Packers won the season opener against New Orleans, but not everyone was happy. James Jones had one reception. This was not what he had hoped. Though Jones knew the Packers had depth at receiver, he had waited for his time. He had signed a new contract. His moment was now.

Rodgers didn’t want to let that issue fester, so he talked with Jones right away.

“I wanted him to know – one, I have confidence in him,” Rodgers said. “Two, I agree with him. He should get more opportunities. And three, when he’s in there, to run every route as if he’s going to get the ball.

“I don’t think that’s going to directly correlate to him playing well the next couple of weeks or anything. But I just hope he understood that I had confidence in him and I was agreeing with him.”

Jennings, Nelson, Finley and even Starks have had more catches than Jones, who had a surreal performance at Detroit on Thursday with three catches including a 65-yard touchdown. He’s shown he could be a starter. It’s got to be a challenge for the 27-year-old in his prime, but he hasn’t vented since.

One mission, one heartbeat, one team. Case closed.

Rodgers seems to enjoy being around his teammates and figuring out what makes them tick for the fulfillment of being a part of something bigger than himself – a team. A good team. And though he’s about to turn 28 years old, and perhaps win his first Most Valuable Player award, he’s still reading his teammates, listening and watching them, pushing them and encouraging them.

“When you think you’ve got it figured out, you stop being attentive to what your teammates need, because we’re a locker room that’s changing,” Rodgers said. “Guys change. Their priorities change. Their off-the-field lives change. Guys have kids, get married, guys may have something in their life that’s happened that is traumatic.

“You can’t talk to a guy the same when he’s had those experiences. You have to be sensitive to them and their needs and maybe their situation.”

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November 20, 2011

Packers hold off Bucs 35-26, remain perfect

Green Bay, WI (AP)

Aaron Rodgers missed a few more throws than he usually does, and even threw an interception with the game still in doubt.

He just wasn’t at his best against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday – until he absolutely had to be.

With the Packers clinging to a two-point lead and trying to fend off a late rally, Rodgers threw a 40-yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson with 2:55 left and the Packers survived a scare from the Buccaneers for a 35-26 victory.

With a 10-0 record going into a Thanksgiving Day game at Detroit, the Packers remain perfect, even if their quarterback walked away expecting much more from himself. Rodgers threw for 299 yards with three touchdowns, including a pair to Nelson, but wasn’t happy with the way he played.

”I’m just frustrated,” Rodgers said. ”I didn’t throw the ball very well. I’m not trying to be ridiculously humble right now, I’m just frustrated. The ball wasn’t coming out the way I wanted it to today.”

The Packers’ defense also had trouble stopping quarterback Josh Freeman and tackling running back LeGarrette Blount, giving Packers coach Mike McCarthy plenty of mistakes to point out going into what will be a much-hyped matchup with the Lions.

”I think it was great for us,” McCarthy said. ”Adversity is awesome. We’re getting ready to play a big game on national TV on Thanksgiving, and adversity (offers) healthy situations to learn from. Especially when you overcome it.”

Freeman threw for 342 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Buccaneers (4-6), who have lost four straight but didn’t back down against the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Blount had 107 yards rushing for Tampa Bay, including a rambling 54-yard touchdown run in the second quarter where he broke at least six tackles.

Tampa Bay was penalized nine times for 55 yards, but Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris wasn’t using it as an excuse.

”Penalties are what they are, they are judgment calls and the judgment went against us a lot of times,” Morris said. ”It is what it is”

Tight end Tom Crabtree caught a touchdown from Rodgers and John Kuhn added a touchdown rushing from Green Bay. The Packers got their first score of the afternoon on a run by 337-pound defensive lineman B.J. Raji.

”He’s low to the ground,” McCarthy said. ”I wouldn’t want to tackle him.”

The Buccaneers trailed by only four points and seemed to have some momentum when they tried a surprise onside kick before halftime. After a replay review gave the ball to Green Bay at the Tampa Bay 38-yard line, Rodgers drove for a 5-yard touchdown to Nelson that gave the Packers a 21-10 lead.

Tampa Bay then had a touchdown taken off the board in the third quarter when Kellen Winslow was called for offensive pass interference. The Buccaneers settled for a 32-yard field goal by Connor Barth.

”I really felt we made enough to plays to beat those guys,” Winslow said. ”It is hard to win when you put the game in the refs’ hands.”

The Buccaneers’ defense got a stop, and Freeman directed an eight-play, 91-yard scoring drive that ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams.

Tampa Bay tried to tie it with a 2-point conversion, but Winslow – who had a pair of big gains on the drive – dropped a catchable ball in the end zone.

Packers running back James Starks did the majority of the work in an eight-play, 85-yard scoring drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Kuhn.

But the Buccaneers got another chance when Rodgers threw an interception to Elbert Mack – only Rodgers’ fourth pick this season – and Freeman threw a 37-yard pass to Arrelious Benn to set up first-and-goal at the 2.

Freeman then threw a touchdown to Dezmon Briscoe and the Buccaneers kicked the extra point to cut the Packers’ lead to 28-26 with 4:25 left.

Tampa Bay tried another onside kick, but the Packers recovered and Rodgers found Nelson to put the game away.

Morris knew he might get second-guessed for the onside kicks but wasn’t apologizing.

”We wanted to get the ball and win,” Morris said. ”We are not going to apologize for being aggressive. When you play the Green Bay Packers, you got to play aggressive, you got to go out and make plays. (You’ve) got to steal possessions.”

Notes: McCarthy said Starks sprained his knee during Sunday’s game, and his availability this week is unclear. … A late interception gave the Packers’ Mason Crosby a shot at a 29-yard field goal, but Crosby hit the right upright, his first miss of the season. … Packers punter Tim Masthay turned a broken play into a first down in the first quarter, despite fumbling twice on the play. ”Tim’s got to hold onto that football,” Rodgers said, smiling. ”That was pretty funny.”

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November 19, 2011

Q & A with Packers’ tight end Jermichael Finley

By Kareem Copeland, Green Bay Press-Gazette

Boisterous might not be a strong enough adjective to describe Jermichael Finley. The Green Bay Packers tight end easily is the most talkative player in the locker room and on social media platforms — something that has caused a bit of drama at times.

Finley chatted with Green Bay Press-Gazette this week to talk life outside of football.

What kind of name do you want to make for yourself in this league?

As a kid, or just as a player right now, I want to be the top at wherever they label me at. If it’s tight end, receiver, I want to be the best at what I do. That’s my mentality and that’s my mindset.

Where did that develop?

It’s just the drive from my childhood. Going out playing with the kids in the backyard. Throwing the ball up playing “Kill the Man” — see who’s the first one to get the ball, you know, kill ’em. Tackle him or whatnot.

Just that drive from as a kid. I played sports all throughout my childhood. I think I just got it from my childhood. And the way I was raised, to tell you the truth. I had one brother and we were always competitive. Two brothers actually, Jorvorskie Lane, played for A&M, the big running back. We were always competitive. That’s what drives me right now.

Grandmother raised you, right?

Yep, grandmother raised me.

How did that make you who you are today?

It’s crazy. Growing up with my grandmother was a different thing. One of those kids where I had to be in the house on time. Show them grades. It was pretty difficult to tell the truth. Every time I had to spend the night with my mom, because my grandma had to work or whatnot, it was different because my mom let me do whatever I want, whenever I want. It was just different being raised by my grandma. That’s why you see me today, I say “yes, ma’am” to somebody who’s younger than me because that’s how I was raised. Raised pretty tight.

I’ve gotten in trouble calling some women, ma’am … I get the same thing. People younger than me saying, ‘I’m not that old.’ Don’t do that. It’s just natural. It just flows.

So, mom was still around?

Yeah. To tell the truth, all my family stayed on one road. It was just normal just to be staying with my grandma. My mom was doing her own thing and (so on). Just different, young, not knowing what to do. She had me when she was 16. She was young and not knowing what to do with a kid, so she just passed me along to my grandma when I was 1-year-old.

You can go one way or another being in that situation. What kept you on this path?

It’s crazy because all my peers or whatnot were wild and reckless and all of the above. One of the things where my grandma came in effect, she said there ain’t going to be none of that in this household. You’re going to come home on time. You’re not going to get in trouble. You’re going to do your schoolwork. That’s what helped me and got me to where I’m at now. I displaced myself from my friends at a young age and just took off to tell the truth. I did the opposite of what they did.

That’s not easy.

That’s not easy at all. I’m not going to say I was a perfect kid, that I didn’t interact with them sometimes. I was just that lucky one that didn’t get caught and I had to switch it up. God blessed me not to get in trouble and not do the things they did when they did get in trouble. It’s just a blessing.

That make you grow up faster? Because it’s not easy to say no to your peers when they are saying let’s go do this.

It was so hard because my grandma worked at a hunting lodge. She had to spend the night, some nights, at the hunting lodge and cook the meat they brought in from killing the deer or whatever they killed, turkey. She had to stay overnight and cook or whatnot. Me and my brothers were at home alone. So, we had to do our meals. Do everything. That’s when the opportunity presented itself. I could went to go do something, but in the back of my mind I had my grandma’s voice — Jermichael, you better get your tail in that house. I had that in my head. That made me not want to do the things they did.

How’d you meet your wife, Courtney?

I met Courtney, literally, the first day she walked on campus. I’m a year older than her and she was walking to the dorms with her dad and her mom and her sisters and whatnot. Her dad pointed to me and said, ‘That right there, don’t bring that home. Don’t bring nothing like that home.’ Next thing I know, it was summer and Fourth of July was right around the corner. Next thing I know, I was at her dad’s house on the Fourth of July visiting and partying with the family. Her dad saw me and we didn’t connect at first. We didn’t connect, really until recently. It was just one of those difficult relationships that I had to deal with. I got by that one.

How’d you first approach her?

Really, I just said my name is Jermichael. I had a roommate, my homeboy, I said, ‘You see that girl when we were walking that walked in? Can you go up to her room and get her number for me?’ Next thing I know, he came back down with the number. That’s how it got started.

How’d you win over dad?

I’m a NFL player. Naw, I’m playing.

Just talking to him and just telling him what kind of person I am. How I was raised. He started opening up to me. I was pushing away from him because I’m a man and I see this guy not liking me, so I’m not going to push myself on him. If I was going to be with my wife and my kid, I had to settle that like a man. That’s what I did.

Both of you have big personalities, what’s it like around the house?

The thing about us, it’s not a show. What we say on Twitter or whatnot, that’s real life. That’s how we are. We’re outgoing, we’re young. What you see on Twitter, it’s like that at home. It’s like funny and we’re just enjoying life. We’re blessed.

What’s it like having that personality in a fairly mellow locker room?

It’s cool because I just bring my personality in the locker room and try to get guys to feed off it. Get hype. I try to say something funny out loud so guys can wake up in the morning. I just try to be me. I can’t change for no one. That’s just me.

How was Halloween? You and the whole fam dressed up.

I’ll tell you about little man. We were going trick or treating on Halloween that Monday. We were about to walk and I said it was too cold out here for him right now. So we got his little truck — he’s got a little motor truck that’s an Escalade. He said he wanted a truck like daddy, so the next day I went to go get him the little Escalade truck. So I said Kaydon, hop your truck, we’re going to put a blanket over you, but you still have to drive the truck — because it was so cold. We were going to go trick or treating just on our road. OK? I said, when we get the candy, say ‘thank you’. He knocked and said trick or treat. He took the candy, I said, ‘Kaydon, say thank you.’ He looked at the people right in the eyes and said, ‘I don’t want to say thank you.’ Every door he said that. Every door. I said he was being so unappreciative we had to go home. I took him home. … At first I thought it was funny as I don’t know what, but it started getting unappreciative.

Just another part of fatherhood, huh?

He’s going to have a personality like me, to tell you the truth. It’s going to be pretty sweet. He’s going to be an up-to-date J-Mike when he comes up.

We’re not going to see you on the “Real Housewives of the NFL” or anything like that, right?

Hopefully. Maybe one day. Courtney’s got that personality. I might have to throw her in there one day. Oh, yeah. That’d be sweet.

Do you see those kind of opportunities for yourselves?

We see that. Oh, yeah. I see that opportunity, as the doors start opening much more. Winning Super Bowls and winning games, more opportunities are going to show up. Hopefully I can throw her up in there and throw myself up in there one day.

Post football, what do you want to do?

Post football, get in the media game to tell the truth. ESPN, something like that. Broadcasting, maybe. Coaching, nah. I just want to be done with the game, to tell the truth, when I’m done with it.

What do we not know about Jermichael Finley?

Ha, ha, ha! I think I done put pretty much everything out there about me. I ain’t no guy that’s going to hide. I think everybody knows everything about me.

You have a real friendship with Jaleel White (TV’s “Family Matters”)?

Yeah, that’s my guy.

How’d that come about?

He was in our agent firm. He’s just one of the guys, if we’re trying to get a guy in our agent firm, we bring him just cause he’s Jaleel White. Try to be a salesman a little. He’s in the little firm.

That’s my guy. Most funniest guy you’ll ever meet, bruh. Funny dude. Funny cat. That ain’t Steve Urkel, that’s Stefan. He’s the smoothest guy you’ll ever meet. This dude is hilarious.

What are you listening to right now?

My iPod — I’ve got (Rick) Ross right now. But my favorite album out right now is that Drake. Go get it. He’s got a lot of slow songs on there, but … You’ve got to get that Wale, too.

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November 15, 2011

Coaches’ Corner: Packers/Vikings Aftermath

By Tyler Dunne, Journal Sentinel

Green Bay — Coordinators Joe Philbin, Dom Capers and Shawn Slocum met with the media Monday to discuss Green Bay’s 45-7 win over Minnesota:

DOM CAPERS, defense

On the defense’s performance: “I thought it was a real positive step in the right direction. I thought we played more like we’re capable of playing last night. I think it started right from the beginning. It’s nice when Mike has confidence to defer and put you out on the field first, and you go out and respond. I thought our guys did that. We started much faster than we did in the past, and then we played a more consistent game. We did a better job in the run game. You look at Adrian Peterson’s numbers the first time we played them and what they were last night, we knew going in that Peterson and (Percy) Harvin set the tempo for the game, so we were concerned about Harvin making big plays and run after the catch, and Peterson the last time we played them had three runs for like 108 yards, so I thought we did a good job there. And I thought we were able to control the down-and-distance situations better which enables you to call more things, so we were able to stay aggressive and dictate the tempo of the game for the most part.”

On talking to Charles Woodson last week and having an open door: “Very much so. I encourage that, and it’s not like it’s the first time Charles and I talk. We talk every week. I always ask him how he’s feeling physically, how he’s feeling about the game plan and those types of things. And Charles, being a veteran player, normally his insights I think are good insights. That’s a healthy situation to have.”

On if he blitzed more: “I think we had the same amount in, and it worked better. That’s the way things happen. If you go out and things aren’t working so well, you try to seek answers elsewhere. I don’t think you just continue to beat your head against the wall when what you’re doing isn’t working. What we did worked better last night. We played more consistent last night. We played more like we like to play as a Packer defense.”

JOE PHILBIN, offense

On protection problems: “I probably stood here July 28th and told you that’s one of the things we looked at in the offseason that we’ve got to do a better job at, I probably said it Oct. 5th and it’s Nov. 15th and I’m still saying it. That’s a big thorn in our side right now. We’ve got to do a better job there. Because that stuff catches up to you. You can’t overcome that stuff. The more negative plays that you have, the tougher it becomes. I’d say that’s the biggest thing as we move forward.”

On what’s gone wrong with the sacks of late:  ”Mostly it’s fundamental. We haven’t had a lot of, again, our guys are smart guys, we haven’t had a ton of blown assignments. We don’t typically have guys running through the gap. We had one last night, we didn’t have a sack on it but, again, I say we don’t have that often, we don’t, but it’s happened. So each position, we’ve had the tight ends have three sacks, running backs have a couple sacks, the O-line has some sacks, the quarterback’s had some sacks. One time, a receiver ran the wrong converion on a route, we gave him credit for the sack because the quarterback didn’t have anywhere to go with the ball, he’s got to scramble, linemen don’t have eyes in the back of their head. And the more you get, the more reasons there are, as you examine things. So I wish I could pinpoint it. Again, if I could put a finger on it immediately, we would have had it corrected at this point in time.”

On Marshall Newhouse’s play: “I watched the film, but we’re kind of in a time crunch on Tampa Bay, so I didn’t sit there all day. Again, we’re a generous bunch a little bit, we kind of helped out some of those guys a couple times. Not to take anything away from their defense and their players, they have a good football team, but we were generous in terms of allowing them to get to our quarterback a couple of times.”

SHAWN SLOCUM, special teams

On Randall Cobb’s ups and downs:“He is a dynamic player, a very talented young man. He has a great will to compete and that was evident last night. The 2 muffed punts and turnover on the kickoff return, we’re going to remove that from his game. He’s in charge of that. He has to get that done. Last night, he made a big play and he was anxious to do it again. He lost sight of one of the core fundamentals—making sure that ball is caught before you take off. One of the things he does very well is catch the ball and move immediately off the spot. He didn’t do that well on that particular play.”

On Tim Masthay’s challenge of not needing to punt much: “I think it’s a challenge. Ideally if you punted once or twice a quarter you’d stay warmed up and there would be less period of time when you’re on the field and not. He does a great job on the sideline being ready to go. His two punts last night were effective. They had a 6.5 yard return. The first punt I thought was a solid punt, good distance, we covered it very well. The second punt he could have hit better. It was into the breeze, but it was still a 47-yard punt and approximately a 5-yard return. I thought he handled that issue pretty good.”

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November 6, 2011

Packers stand on their record, 8-0

By Vic Ketchman, Packers.com

SAN DIEGO—Halfway through the season, the Packers’ record is their pure defense. It is the truth; everything else is a circumstance, as was a furious rally by the Chargers on Sunday that gave the Packers a major scare before safety Charlie Peprah secured a 45-38 win with his second interception of the day.

The defense turned in another 400-yard performance, as in having allowed the Chargers to gain 460 yards. Yeah, but the Packers are 8-0, the only undefeated team in the league and the defense got it done at crunch time.

Do the Packers need to improve on defense, Head Coach Mike McCarthy was asked?

“Absolutely,” he said. “We’re not going to turn a blind eye to the negatives. We’re 8-0. That’s a fact. Offensively, we scored some points. Special teams was a split. Our communication was not as sharp as it should be today. We were not as sharp as we need to be as a football team, but we won the game. We’re 8-0.”

They’re 8-0. It is the ultimate defense.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers turned in another passer rating gem, having completed 21 of 26 passes for 247 yards, four touchdowns and a 145.8 passer rating. His attempts and yardage were down only because the Chargers dominated time of possession by virtue of Philip Rivers’ three interceptions.

“His decision-making is the highest I’ve been a part of. We have the firepower to give him options. Aaron has earned the opportunity to run this offense,” McCarthy said of his quarterback, who has steered the Packers through this 14-game winning streak by overmatching the opponents’ quarterback.

This one should’ve been a cakewalk in the fourth quarter. It should’ve concluded with a victory formation. Instead, a 45-24 lead began to evaporate when Rivers pitched a short touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson, the Chargers recovered an onside kick and Rivers quickly pitched another touchdown pass to Jackson.

Game on with 6:25 to play.

Rodgers carefully milked the clock from deep in his own territory, aided by a drive-sustaining holding penalty against the Chargers. When the Packers had to punt, only 1:05 remained to be played, the Packers clinging to a seven-point lead.

It was all on the defense, a defense that was responsible for 14 of the Packers’ points, but also responsible for the Chargers’ 38. It was crunch time. It was a chance for the defense to redeem itself.

Peprah saved the day with an interception at the Packers 18 that he returned 76 yards. In the first quarter, Peprah took one back 40 yards for a touchdown and Tramon Williams followed five plays later by returning an interception 43 yards for a touchdown.

“We definitely have to get better,” linebacker Desmond Bishop said. “I can’t quite put my hand on it, but we definitely have to get better and play at the championship level.”

The Packers retain their two-game lead in the NFC North over Detroit, and will host division rival Minnesota on Monday Night Football next week. As they turn into the second half of the season, they are delighted by their record, but no doubt concerned by a defense that continues to surrender a lot of yards and points, and has been forced to save itself by forcing turnovers.

“Every game is not going to be peachy,” nose tackle B.J. Raji said. “We’re probably going to have some interesting meetings when we get back. Our stats won’t equal up to other defenses, but other defenses’ wins won’t equal up to our wins. I’d rather be on this side.”

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November 5, 2011

Packers’ Gurley makes a splash on practice squad

By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel

Green Bay – Wide receiver Tori Gurley, almost 10 pounds heavier and becoming more confident by the day, has spent nine impressive weeks on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad.

“Some of the catches this kid makes in practice are amazing,” wide receiver Donald Driver said Friday. “He’s going against the No. 1 defense and he’s making great catches. Could he play on this team? Sure.”

Gurley gave up his final two seasons at South Carolina, signed with the Packers in April as a free agent and led them in receptions with nine during the exhibition season before being waived Sept. 3.

Signed to the practice squad the next day, Gurley has put on a show in workouts that are closed to the public and partially open to media members.

“He’s a lot better. . . a lot better,” wide receiver James Jones said. “He’s a good player and he’s getting a lot more confident.”

Gurley, 6 feet 4 inches and 216 pounds at the combine in February, played most of August weighing 217. Now, after consultation with coaches and trainers, he has bulked up to 225.

“He’ll have people draped on him and he’ll still snag the ball,” said safety Charlie Peprah. “Deep. Intermediate. Whatever role he’s playing, he makes great catches. He made plays all preseason, too.”

For now, Gurley is making $96,900 impersonating the opponents’ wide receivers in practice. Any team could sign him to their 53-man roster, where his base salary probably would be the rookie minimum of $375,000.

Gurley said he hasn’t had to decide whether to remain on Green Bay’s practice squad against accepting an offer because no team has made one. It’s almost a foregone conclusion, however, that he would leave if a roster berth was offered anywhere.

As the season goes on, the Packers might be tempted to secure their ties with Gurley by promoting him to their 53-man roster. If not, Gurley said he definitely would re-sign with Green Bay once his practice-squad contract expires after the season.

“Most definitely,” he said. “I’m going to continue to work and get better and learn from the older guys, and have an opportunity to make this team.

“I’m ready to play. I’m just one play away. When that happens, I’m going to hit the ground running and I’m never looking back.”

Coach Mike McCarthy and the coaches have made Gurley feel wanted by giving him occasional snaps with the No. 1 offense. Still, his main function is making the defense work.

“Man, I’ve gotten so much better,” said Gurley. “I’m really giving the No. 1s a really good look, and they respect me for that. We get after it, and that’s why it shows on Sunday. Every day I try to do something to wow the coaches.”

Gurley isn’t the only promising wide receiver on the practice squad. There’s also Diondre Borel, a converted quarterback from Utah State who also was cut Sept. 3. He’s also made some plays as an emergency cornerback on the scout team.

“He’s a heck of a football player,” said Peprah. “He can make it somewhere.”

Injury list: The San Diego Chargers, who host the Packers on Sunday, will be without their best offensive lineman and best pass rusher and probably won’t have their best running back and No. 2 wide receiver.

Guard Kris Dielman (concussion) is out, and outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (foot) isn’t expected to play.

Running back Ryan Mathews (groin) sat out all week but apparently will be tested Saturday. Wide receiver Malcom Floyd aggravated a hip injury Monday night in Kansas City, sat out all week, was listed as questionable but isn’t expected to play.

The Chargers received good news when running backs Mike Tolbert (hamstring) and Curtis Brinkley (concussion) practiced fully Friday and will play.

If Floyd is out, the Chargers have a major problem. After Vincent Jackson, their minimal depth at the position includes aging Patrick Crayton and rookie Vincent Brown, who has two catches in five games.

Nickel linebacker Na’il Diggs (knee) is questionable but is expected to play.

Compounding the Chargers’ situation is the schedule. Their next game is Thursday against division rival Oakland.

Meanwhile, the Packers will have everyone available other than left tackle Chad Clifton (knee/hamstring) and defensive end Mike Neal (knee).

On the rise: The Packers took advantage of two padded practices this week to run an intense run-blocking drill featuring tight ends against outside linebackers. Andrew Quarless stood out.

Ben McAdoo, who coaches the tight ends, said Quarless is close to Tom Crabtree as the best blocker among his five players.

“Crabtree’s been consistent for a few years and Quarless is catching up,” said McAdoo. “He’s getting stronger as the season goes on.”

Quarless weighs about 252, 15 pounds more than he did as the starter last season for injured Jermichael Finley.

“Huge difference,” McAdoo said. “And he knows what’s going on. His biggest strengths are quick and smart. Strong upper body. He’s grown as he matures.”

Also, McAdoo said that if fullback John Kuhn were injured, his four backups all could step into that job and perform extremely well.

New deal: Running back Brandon Saine, who was promoted from the practice squad Monday, signed a three-year, $1.395 million contract. It’s a minimum deal without bonus money.

Neither running backs coach Jerry Fontenot nor special teams coach Shawn Slocum would say if they preferred Saine to Dimitri Nance. A former Falcon, Nance had a solid camp before being cut Sept. 3.

“When they asked me if I was comfortable with Brandon, absolutely,” said Fontenot. “That was my answer. Mentally, he’s very sharp. We watch a lot of tape together and he hasn’t answered one question wrong yet.”

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