Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett, who played at Georgia Tech and North Clayton High, is in his eighth season in the NFL.
He’s one of the key cogs in the Packers’ defense as a safety and linebacker, who moves around the different alignments.
Burnett, who’s made 91 starts in the NFL, spoke to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a phone interview on Thursday.
Here’s what Burnett had to say:
Q: How are the Packers doing after that big win over Seattle?
A: "It felt real good just to come away with a win at home against a really good football team. That was a good start. That's the way we wanted to get it started off. We've got another big challenge coming up and that's playing on the road in a hostile environment in Atlanta on prime time TV. It should be a lot of fun."
Q: Did you get to see the new stadium when you were home?
A: "Yeah, I got to see it from the outside when they were building it. Every time that I went to go work out, I had to pass the Stadium. I got to see the whole process and everything, but I haven't seen the inside of it."
Q: What worked so well for the defense against Seattle?
A: "I think it was just playing good team football. Good team defense. Trusting the guy next you. Guys holding each other accountable and guys being accountable, I think that was the biggest thing that stood out. Also, guys were just flying to the football."
Q: What did you see from the Falcons against the Bears with their offensive new coordinator?
A: "They still have their playmakers out there. That's an explosive team. They are liable to make big plays just from the receiver position, running back position and you saw their tight ends making plays. The tight end had a big game against the Chicago Bears. Then, they are led by Matt Ryan. That's still an explosive offense and they have plenty of weapons. It's going to take another good team defensive effort to try to stop those guys. We are going to have to play together, especially being on the road."
Q: Is this a NFC Championship game rematch?
A: "This is a new season for us. We are a new football team. We got a win under our belts and that's a good start. That's behind us now. The next important game for is the next game and that's going down to Atlanta and trying to find a way to get a win. What happened last year was last year. This is a new team. New identity and we have to find a way to get a win against a really good football team. I know it's going to be a loud crowd there Sunday night."
Q: How did you learn how to play so many positions in the defensive scheme?
A: “Just through practice and reps. That’s part of our being accountable. You have to be able to move around and try and showcase your versatility to try and help out the team the best way that I can. Whatever is asked of me by the coach, I’m going to try to do it to the best of my ability and give it 100 percent.”
Q: What’s it like playing for a respected defensive coordinator like Dom Capers?
A: "Oh man, it's a lot of fun. He's a smart guy. He's a great coach. Just our coaching staff in general, those guys are great guys. They are very smart. They work very well together. As a player, you know that the coaches are going to have your back 100 percent. That's what you expect as a player and you're going to go out and play your hardest for your coaches."
Q: What’s the best way to try to defend All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones?
A: "He's one of the best in the league. It's going to take a team effort, a group effort. You just have to play together and trust the guy next to you and trust the defense that's being called. He's an explosive player. He's going to make his share of plays. But you've just have to try to eliminate those explosive plays."
Q: How many family and friends will be attending the game to see you play?
A: "Probably around 24 to 30 people."
Q: So you had to hit up your teammates to buy their tickets?
A: "Yeah, I hit up a couple of teammates and then I had to do a head count to round up the tickets. I kind of let my wife handle everything. So she had to do the hard job?"
Q: So she had to cut some people off the list?
A: "(Laughs). Yeah, yeah."
