FLOWERY BRANCH – Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers talked with the Atlanta media today.
He said "this is not a trap game." That means that Lambeau Field is not the the "Trap House."
The Falcons (5-7) play the Packers (9-3) at 8:30 p.m. Monday at Lambeau Field.
Here are some highlights from the conference call:
Q: How do explain the level that the Packers are playing at?
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
A: We are just executing pretty well in situations. Last week we did a good job in the redzone of scoring touchdowns. Our third down percentages are rising. When you are winning at situational football, you're putting points on the board and the defense is getting a bunch of takeaways. I think we are near the top of the league in takeaways with our defense and we're near the top of the league as far as fewest giveaways. We're taking care of the football and we're doing pretty good with situational football.
Q: How are you able to keep your interceptions so low?
A: Throw it to our guys. (Laughter)
Q: How do you try to lead emotionally?
A: I try and bring the same energy and focus each day. The guys know how much I care about it and how much I love to be out there competing. I think they also see the preparation. I like to be the most prepared guy in the offensive room. I try to make sure that those guys are getting ready themselves. …I try to bring a positive attitude and positive energy all the time. As a quarterback that's one of the hats that we wear. You need to bring enthusiasm and energy to practice situations to get guys going. I watched Brett (Favre) do that for years and I try to bring the same kind of energy.
Q: What did you know when you told the Packer Nation to “R-E-L-A-X” after the slow start?
A: I'm just glad I spelled it right. It was a spur of the moment thing. It was a reaction to what I felt was an over-reaction about the way we were playing. We lost two of the first three. Two on the road to good football teams who I think are a combined 16-8 right now. So, it wasn't like we lost to some stinkers. But it was because…. on offense I felt like that we were close to hitting our stride. We just hadn't quite executed the plan as well as we wanted. Sometime you need to take a leap of faith to inspire some people. You have to be self-motivated in this league, but I still think that you can inspire people. You can do that through a confident statement sometimes. It was just about having confidence in our team and expecting the type of performance that we were capable of was coming in the near future. Thankfully, it did in the Chicago week and we kind of built from there.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Q: After the buildup to the New England game last week, do you have all have to guard against a letdown? Is this a trap game?
A: I think those are, letdown and trap games, those to me come from a lack of preparation. So, we stay on our guys about being prepared and playing well. This is not, as some people would call it, this is not a trap game when you're playing a division leading opponent, who's coming off a big-time win. We played the Patriots last week and they are a very good football team. Atlanta is at the top of their division. It doesn't matter what their record is. They are leading the division. They are coming off a big win. We just have to be prepared. If you're not prepared you're going to get beat in this league.
Q: When you bring out the film what are you seeing from the Falcons’ secondary?
A: They had a rough injury there with (Robert) Alford (fractured wrist). It's a talented group. It's an ascending group, especially (Desmond) Trufant. He's a guy who's gotten better every year. He's got great feet and very good ball skills. He's around the football a lot. Josh is a veteran guy. He's been able to play outside and inside for the duration of his career. William Moore is coming back after his injury. He's a veteran guy and big-time hitter. He always has a nose for the football. It's a really talented group.
Q: What are the elements that you like about your receiving corps?
A: I love those guys. They really prepare hard. They are students of the game. They take a lot of notes. They want to
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
know what I’m thinking. They want to detail their routes to give them a chance to get open a lot. They are unselfish guys. They block for each other. They’re happy for each other. Last week (rookie) Davante (Adams) had a big game and Jordy (Nelson) only had two catches. Jordy has been the No. 1 receiver all season, but he was happy for Adams. That’s what you want, you want an unselfish group that blocks for each other, pull for each other and believe in each other. Those guys are hard workers.
Q: How do you all sustain your production level?
A: You have to prepare. I take my preparation very seriously. I try to make sure that I'm ready to go on Sunday and that I have a lot of confidence. I think you gain that from working Monday through Saturday. Going through the week of preparation, you're watching film, studying your plan and you're working through things in practice. Putting all of those things together and having a good recall when you get out there on the field. . . . You have to think that every time that you step on the field that you can get the job done.
Q: Are you running backs over looked?
A: They are over looked. We are using them a little more in the passing game this year than before. Eddie (Lacy) caught the first pass of the game and then James (Starks) had a big catch. . . .along the sidelines for 28 yards. Those guys are really smart and athletic guys who can run and catch. It was good to get Eddie going last week. He almost had 100 yards. He's been a workhorse for us in the run game and the passing game. He's a load. James Starks is a good change-up back for us.
FALCONS FAN MAILBAG: We take your questions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
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