- Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had limitations on his audibles last season, but it appears he is going to have more options at his disposal this season. Rodgers believes he is going to be given more responsibility at the line of scrimmage this season because the coaching staff trusts him more. There were times he played like a system quarterback last year, but his teammates told him to let loose a bit.
- In his first season as starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers was merely asked to replace a legend. For an encore this year, Rodgers likely will have to stare down the resuscitated gunslinger, Brett Favre, in the flesh and in the house he helped build. Oh, and Jay Cutler, who bears a striking resemblance to a young Favre in talent and mentality, has taken up residence in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears. “You know what, I really don’t get into that whole thing, I really don’t,” Rodgers said. “I’m so focused on what I’m doing, what our team is doing. I know we play the Bears twice a year, the Vikings twice a year and the Lions twice a year, but all that other stuff to me is stuff that sells papers, but I don’t really get a rise out of it.”
- After watching their defense fritter away too many leads last season, the Green Bay Packers now are knee-deep in a major transition. With new defensive coordinator Dom Capers come new coaches — and, most significantly, a new 3-4 scheme. Packers coach Mike McCarthy is pleased with the progress Capers and his coaches are making. “I feel very good about what we have accomplished to this point,” McCarthy said. “Defensively, Dom has been able to get his whole package in, which is very refreshing. I think it’s a compliment to both the coaches and players. If they did not spend the extra one-on-one time in April, we would not be in this position today.”
- After being limited for the first three weeks of these offseason practices, Packers first-round draft pick Clay Matthews was working at right outside linebacker with the second string defense on Wednesday. “We’ve been watching his reps because of the hamstring.” McCarthy said. “Last week they’re a little tentative, but this week was full go,” said Matthews. Matthews said he didn’t feel as if he fell behind, but he wasn’t sure when he would work with the starters. Jeremy Thompson has been in that role. “They haven’t told me,” said Matthews. “I’m sure once they feel comfortable enough to put me with the ones . . . Right now there’s players ahead of me that know what they’re doing.”
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