Catching Up With Packers QB Aaron Rodgers After One Week Of Camp
By: Ryan Rodig
Updated: August 2, 2012
One week into Packers Training Camp, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers says he's completing everything on his checklist.
"Don't get hurt," Rodgers said with a grin Thursday to the media around his locker. "Don't do anything stupid. Don't make the same mistake twice. For me, it's all about a feel that I want to have come the season, come week one."
Rodgers said recently there was a "too-comfortable mentality" at times during the Packers record-setting 15-1 2011 season that ended with an early exit to the Giants in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.
But he says he doesn't sense any of that this year.
"It helped that we brought in guys who have kind of that hunger and that enthusiasm at certain position groups," said Rodgers who pointed out Daniel Muir and Anthony Hargrove as guys supplying some attitude and personality on the field and in the locker room.
"When you add guys to the mix like that I really think it amps up practice and the energy levels all over."
Many Packers' veterans have pointed out there was a lack of energy at times last year, but there was also depth missing at certain positions. Not so this year says Rodgers, leaving the Green Bay brass with some big decisions to make as we get deeper into camp.
"This is going to be I think the most difficult cuts that Ted and his staff and Mike have to do because we are deep," adds Rodgers. Just look at that position group over there to my left, the defensive line. There's a lot of guys in that group who are probably going to be playing big minutes on other teams just because we don't have room for them because we are so deep here. It's tough and frustrating because you get to know guys and they get cut, but I'm excited about this team this year. We have a lot of talent."
The reigning NFL MVP is equipped with even more talent at Training Camp this year. He points out that several players have made a nice jump from their rookie seasons, including tight ends D.J. Williams and Ryan Taylor. So what can Rodgers do to be better than last year after setting mulitple team and NFL records in 2011?
"Be consistent, and win a Super Bowl," Rodgers answers succinctly.
Only then will his 2012 checklist be completed.
