Here’s what Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy had to say to the Atlanta media on a conference call on Wednesday:
Q: What’s the update on your running back situation?
A: "(Knile) Davis and (Don) Jackson I'm pulling for both of those guys to practice today. We need to continue to grow with those guys and get them ready especially with out game."
Q: What are seeing in Julio Jones play?
A: "Julio is having a great season so far. I know I'm stating the obvious. When you are watching the game tape you have to sometimes stop because you think you're watching a highlight reel. He's doing it all whether if it's yards after the catch or the deep ball. He's off to an incredible start this year."
Q: What particular problems does he present to your secondary?
A: "I think he's a complete receiver. If you go through the checklist of what you need to do to be successful, when you look at the short to intermediate routes, he's a good route runner. His ability to go up and high-point and catch the football. Getting out of breaks and he has the big-time vertical speed. He can beat you deep and just the physicality with the yards after the catch."
Q: How is Jordy (Nelson) doing in his year back? And the rest of the receiving corps, too?
A: "He's doing good. We played a game against Chicago and we had to rely heavily on the passing game. I thought our guys responded well. We improve on the perimeter last week. But this is a different challenge coming down to Atlanta and playing in the Dome. The style of defense and schematically the design of Atlanta's defense is a lot different than Chicago's."
Q: What’s your impressions of the Falcons’ young defense?
A: "It's a good defense. I think they are fundamentally sound. They fly around to the football. You can see that they are definitely well-coordinated. As far as the division and the ability to get their hands on the football. The thing that jumps off the film is the edge pressure that they get and the number of fumbles caused on the quarterback especially at home. This is a group that when you see all of the players play to the same tempo and discipline, it's a real credit to their defensive coordinator and their coaches."
Q: How do you try to defend an offense that is being so aggressive?
A: "That is part of the challenge. Their offensive numbers speak for themselves. They have the ability to run it and throw it. I think more than anything it starts up front and with the quarterback Matt Ryan. Matt is playing great football right now. His numbers are outstanding. When you look at the offensive line, in particular the core, the center and the two guards, you've got good veteran leadership. The tackles are playing very well. We have a lot of respect for the coordination of their offensive line. They are very fundamentally sound. Discipline in their techniques. I think it definitely starts with those guys because of the ability to run the ball. The play-action passes come off the run. That's been a real benefit for them."
Q: How’s Clay Matthews playing for the Packers? (Jake Matthews said he’s excited to be going against his cousin again.)
A: "The Matthews family is a great blood line that's gone on for generations in the National Football League. Jake is playing very well. Clay is off to an excellent start for us, too."
Q: How are you preparing for the Falcons, who’ll likely be without running back Tevin Coleman?
A: "Really, you just have to stay focused on the film. I think the way they play and in particular their primary run concepts, I don't anticipate them changing. We are definitely aware of the two running backs that they (added) to the 53 (man roster). We had to address that in our team meeting and we kind of had to re-visit the personnel breakdown for the Falcons especially with the two running backs. You just have to pay attention to the video and stay in tune with the mannerisms of each guy. But I don't see their offense, as far as their approach changing."
