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Cheesehead
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
[email protected]
Posted: March 26, 2007
Phoenix - In many arenas outside of the Green Bay Packers organization, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been judged unworthy of being Brett Favre's eventual successor, but in coach Mike McCarthy's world he remains a legitimate candidate.
Mike McCarthy is keeping backup QB Aaron Rodgers out of drills for a couple of weeks.
McCarthy expressed amazement and frustration over outside observations that Rodgers has been a major disappointment and isn't close to being the quarterback the Packers thought he was. He admitted that Rodgers hadn't proved anything on the field yet, but he also said because there isn't a full body of work on which to judge him, people need to consider what he sees every day.
"I don't understand and really care, because I don't know where it's being generated from, but the negativity toward Aaron Rodgers . . . usually your backup quarterback is on scholarship for a couple years and everyone loves him," McCarthy said. "For whatever reason, he's had a couple situations where people are trying to get after him.
"I've been in the position before with young quarterbacks. I'm very pleased where he's at right now. He's getting better."
McCarthy would normally be in Green Bay conducting his off-season quarterbacks school, which started March 19, but he is required to be at the NFL owners meetings at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. His focus is on getting Rodgers and second-year pro Ingle Martin better integrated into the offensive system and ready to play if something happens to Favre next season.
Rodgers is recovering from a broken left foot he suffered in the New England game Nov. 19 at Lambeau Field after replacing an injured Favre. Though Rodgers is fully healed, McCarthy is holding off on letting him take part in on-the-field drills for a couple of weeks just to make sure he doesn't experience any problems with the foot.
At McCarthy's suggestion, Rodgers has reduced his body fat and gotten himself ready for a fairly grueling off-season conditioning program McCarthy employs for his quarterbacks. He said it was vital for Rodgers to take advantage of the personal attention he gets from McCarthy, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements this off-season.
Rodgers' performances on the field have been uninspiring and he has not shown the kind of promise previous Favre backups such as Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks, Mark Brunell and Ty Detmer did in exhibition games. The only other measure of his ability is practice time and that's what McCarthy is judging him on.
"He's improving," McCarthy said. "That's why you don't give up. He's got ability, he's bright, he's sharp. I'm not going to lie to you, you never know until they do it, they get out there and have to do it for 16 weeks. I can sit here and act like I know, but that's a whole different level to do week in and week out. But I tell you he has a bright future in my opinion."
Rodgers will have the luxury of handling much of the quarterback work until Favre comes back for the team's first mini-camp in late May. Favre is recovering from arthroscopic surgery to remove calcium deposits from his left ankle, but McCarthy said there wasn't any reason to think he wouldn't be ready for mini-camp and the organized team activities that follow.
Favre has been conducting his rehabilitation in Hattiesburg, Miss., and even had the Packers make arrangements for him to continue his work while vacationing with his family last week at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., according to McCarthy.
"He knows his body," McCarthy said. "He's on top of it. He feels good. I think that's the only trip he's taking. He said he's doing just everyday things around his property. He feels good about it. He says it really doesn't bother him.
"I'll know more at mini-camp, but I think when we hit the OTAs I want him to take that first offense and get it ready to go and get to the installs."
McCarthy said he planned on going to camp with another quarterback besides Favre, Rodgers and Martin. He still has an interest in bringing back veteran Todd Bouman, but he'll wait to see if the Packers take a quarterback in the draft.
As for Rodgers, he scoffs at reports that there have been discussions about trading him and all but assured that he would be around when training camp begins. He said he was getting tired of having to dispel the rumors.
"That's part of the business," McCarthy said of off-season trade talk. "But when it affects my football team I have a problem with that. When Aaron Rodgers has to be told, 'You're fine, you're not being traded,' I have a problem with that. Because it's not true. If I was Aaron Rodgers I'd be tired of hearing from the head coach that you're OK.
"He knows how we feel about him. We're not blind to the fact that you're always trying to improve through player acquisition. But Aaron Rodgers, I think he has a bright future here. He's going to take over one of the toughest situations ever (succeeding Favre). It's my job and Tom Clements' job and Joe Philbin's job to get him ready."
[email protected]
Posted: March 26, 2007
Phoenix - In many arenas outside of the Green Bay Packers organization, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been judged unworthy of being Brett Favre's eventual successor, but in coach Mike McCarthy's world he remains a legitimate candidate.
Mike McCarthy is keeping backup QB Aaron Rodgers out of drills for a couple of weeks.
McCarthy expressed amazement and frustration over outside observations that Rodgers has been a major disappointment and isn't close to being the quarterback the Packers thought he was. He admitted that Rodgers hadn't proved anything on the field yet, but he also said because there isn't a full body of work on which to judge him, people need to consider what he sees every day.
"I don't understand and really care, because I don't know where it's being generated from, but the negativity toward Aaron Rodgers . . . usually your backup quarterback is on scholarship for a couple years and everyone loves him," McCarthy said. "For whatever reason, he's had a couple situations where people are trying to get after him.
"I've been in the position before with young quarterbacks. I'm very pleased where he's at right now. He's getting better."
McCarthy would normally be in Green Bay conducting his off-season quarterbacks school, which started March 19, but he is required to be at the NFL owners meetings at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. His focus is on getting Rodgers and second-year pro Ingle Martin better integrated into the offensive system and ready to play if something happens to Favre next season.
Rodgers is recovering from a broken left foot he suffered in the New England game Nov. 19 at Lambeau Field after replacing an injured Favre. Though Rodgers is fully healed, McCarthy is holding off on letting him take part in on-the-field drills for a couple of weeks just to make sure he doesn't experience any problems with the foot.
At McCarthy's suggestion, Rodgers has reduced his body fat and gotten himself ready for a fairly grueling off-season conditioning program McCarthy employs for his quarterbacks. He said it was vital for Rodgers to take advantage of the personal attention he gets from McCarthy, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements this off-season.
Rodgers' performances on the field have been uninspiring and he has not shown the kind of promise previous Favre backups such as Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks, Mark Brunell and Ty Detmer did in exhibition games. The only other measure of his ability is practice time and that's what McCarthy is judging him on.
"He's improving," McCarthy said. "That's why you don't give up. He's got ability, he's bright, he's sharp. I'm not going to lie to you, you never know until they do it, they get out there and have to do it for 16 weeks. I can sit here and act like I know, but that's a whole different level to do week in and week out. But I tell you he has a bright future in my opinion."
Rodgers will have the luxury of handling much of the quarterback work until Favre comes back for the team's first mini-camp in late May. Favre is recovering from arthroscopic surgery to remove calcium deposits from his left ankle, but McCarthy said there wasn't any reason to think he wouldn't be ready for mini-camp and the organized team activities that follow.
Favre has been conducting his rehabilitation in Hattiesburg, Miss., and even had the Packers make arrangements for him to continue his work while vacationing with his family last week at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., according to McCarthy.
"He knows his body," McCarthy said. "He's on top of it. He feels good. I think that's the only trip he's taking. He said he's doing just everyday things around his property. He feels good about it. He says it really doesn't bother him.
"I'll know more at mini-camp, but I think when we hit the OTAs I want him to take that first offense and get it ready to go and get to the installs."
McCarthy said he planned on going to camp with another quarterback besides Favre, Rodgers and Martin. He still has an interest in bringing back veteran Todd Bouman, but he'll wait to see if the Packers take a quarterback in the draft.
As for Rodgers, he scoffs at reports that there have been discussions about trading him and all but assured that he would be around when training camp begins. He said he was getting tired of having to dispel the rumors.
"That's part of the business," McCarthy said of off-season trade talk. "But when it affects my football team I have a problem with that. When Aaron Rodgers has to be told, 'You're fine, you're not being traded,' I have a problem with that. Because it's not true. If I was Aaron Rodgers I'd be tired of hearing from the head coach that you're OK.
"He knows how we feel about him. We're not blind to the fact that you're always trying to improve through player acquisition. But Aaron Rodgers, I think he has a bright future here. He's going to take over one of the toughest situations ever (succeeding Favre). It's my job and Tom Clements' job and Joe Philbin's job to get him ready."
