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1st |
2nd |
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OT | Final |
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| Cardinals |
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6 | 51 |
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Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 3:40 PM CST - University of Phoenix Stadium (Phoenix, Arizona)
TV: FOX | Local Radio: WTAQ 1360 AM, WTAQ 97.5 FM, WIXX 101.1 FM
Live Game Stats (NFL.com) | Dope Sheet | Press Box Notes |  Photos
PACKERS-CARDINALS POST-GAME QUOTES
PACKERS KICKER MASON CROSBY
On missing the 54 yard field goal attempt:
"I thought I hit it extremely well. It started off right-center and then it kind of just jumped to the right. It was one of those where when it came off my foot, I thought I hit it perfect, but its unfortunate in those situations when it doesn't go in. I thought I had a good day after that. We just kept fighting."
PACKERS LINEBACKER A.J. HAWK
On the game:
"The whole game was so back and forth, it was unbelievable. You obviously have to give them a lot of credit, but our offense deserves a ton of credit for what they did. They kept us in the game the whole time. They were rolling. We just couldn't get off the field, for whatever reason."
On the success Kurt Warner had today:
"Obviously, they had a good game plan coming in. They made a lot of plays. He got rid of the ball really quick. We knew that he was going to do that coming in, but I think they just executed. They showed a few things they didn't last week, but it doesn't matter. You still have to stop it. It was one of those days, high scoring, and the offense, what they did to keep us in it and to have us in position to win was unbelievable for them. I think we just let them down tonight."
PACKERS DEFENSIVE END CULLEN JENKINS
On the Cardinals offense:
"They punted the ball one time this game. It was an amazing performance by their offense and not a good performance by our defense. If I came in this morning and you would've told me our offense was going to score 45 points, I'd figure we would win. But for whatever reason we couldn't get it done today and now we get to sit at home and watch the playoffs. They did a good job of everything today. I don't know what their final numbers for yardage was, but they just seemed to go up and down the field on us."
On playing well during the season:
"You know, we played pretty well during the season, but when the playoffs start, that doesn't mean anything. They [Cardinals] came out and exploited us today. For whatever reason today they showed up and we didn't show up."
PACKERS WIDE RECEIVER GREG JENNINGS
On coming back and almost winning:
"It wasn't close enough. We didn't execute. They [Cardinals] got the best of us today."
On feeling confident heading into overtime:
"There was no doubt in our minds that we could put the ball in the endzone. We didn't want to just take a field goal. I don't think kicking a field goal crossed anybody's mind."
On digging themselves into a hole early:
"We definitely dug ourselves into a hole. In a playoff game you can't turn the ball over or in any game if you think about it. That wasn't like us. But we were able to dig ourselves out of that hole and had an opportunity to win the game."
On the offensive rhythm:
"I think we started off nervous. We have a lot of guys without a lot of playoff experience including myself, but once we got going, I thought we settled down and started to do things that we are capable of doing."
On his touchdown reception:
"It was a back shoulder throw and I really just stuck my hand out to try and get a hand on the ball and I was able to slow the ball down and pull it in."
On the Cardinals:
"They're a good team. They're definitely a good team. I wish the best of luck to those guys."
On his friendship and competition with Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald:
"I'm definitely going to congratulate him. I did on the field as well. He will probably call me before we get on the plane home. Fitz is so competitive. It's one of those where we talk a lot of trash to each other, but this game we kind of waited to talk trash. It is what it is, I wish the best for him and his team, but we're going to have to strap it up again next season."
PACKERS QUARTERBACK AARON RODGERS
On how tough this loss is to take:
"It's tough. That's a good group of guys in that locker room, and we fought hard today. We started very slowly, turned the ball over uncharacteristically, and then were able to come back and really get on a roll there in the second half. Unfortunately, we couldn't make enough plays to win."
On the missed opportunities they had:
"It's disappointing. We're done now, so obviously that's what I'll be thinking about laying in bed tonight, but I think we have a lot to be proud of. We won seven of eight down the stretch, and we fought today. We were down 31-10 and came back to tie it at 45, and unfortunately just couldn't get it done."
On the incompletion on the first play of overtime:
"I just missed it, unfortunately. When I came off the fake, I wished I had just a tad more time. Knowing that it was not [Dominique Rodgers-] Cromartie, it was Antrel [Rolle], he was up on him. I still felt pretty good about the throw. Unfortunately it was just a little too far."
On the final play:
"I was trying to unload it. I should have held on to the ball."
On Kurt Warner:
""He didn't want his team to lose. We got on a roll there and really got things going, and Kurt just kept making plays. You've got to give him a lot of credit. Kurt is a good friend, and definitely a role model for myself, a younger quarterback in the league. I respect the heck out of him. He's a great player and has been a great player for a long time. He made some great plays today. Playing without Anquan Boldin, [Steve] Breaston played well for them, and obviously [Larry] Fitzgerald and Early Doucet had good games. But Kurt did a great job. I've got to give him a lot of credit."
On the interception he threw in the first quarter:
"It was just a bad decision. The tight ends actually ran the same route, so we had a little bit of miscommunication from those guys. I was able to escape to my right, and I thought that after Jermichael [Finley] cleared, Donald Lee was going to come back toward me, and we were just on different pages. But it was definitely a poor decision on my part."
On winning the coin flip in overtime:
"I felt good about it. We got on a roll there in the second half and scored five touchdowns. We were playing well. The guys were protecting. T.J. [Lang] stepped in and did a nice job. Jermichael [Finley] made some real big plays for us. Greg [Jennings] had a big day. Donald [Driver] made plays. Jordy [Nelson] had a touchdown. James Jones had some big plays. Spencer [Havner] had a touchdown. The guys were making plays today. We got in that rhythm on offense and just kept it going. Unfortunately, we just came up a little bit short."
On what his progression was on the last play:
"I was looking to the front side to [Donald] Driver, felt like he was getting grabbed a little bit. Then came to James [Jones], and it looked like they were kind of driving on James. He was running a little in cut. I tried to kind of pull the ball back, and somebody hit my arm."
On what will come to mind when he looks back at this year's team:
"Just the guys. We've got a good group of guys in that locker room, guys who put in the time. We've had great participation in our off season program, and that's when it starts. It starts way back in March. I think that is what's so tough. We've been at this for 10 months. A lot of hard work goes into this, guys believing in each other, guys buying into Coach [Mike] McCarthy and the way he does things, guys buying into Dom Capers and what he brought to this team. It's tough. I don't know what it's going to be like for guys like Mark [Tauscher] or Chad [Clifton]. Those are good friends. I know we'll be friends long after we're done playing. But the thing about a team is it's never the same team the next year. That's the tough part, and it's going to be a tough flight back."
On what he can personally take from this experience:
"You've got to play 60 minutes. I think I made some good throws, but I started a little slow. We all did on offense. You can't turn the ball over and expect to win. When you score 45 and lose, you've got to score more points, and we could have early on. I just, personally, started very slowly and didn't make enough plays early on to get us in a good position. But later we got into a rhythm and made some plays. It's disappointing anytime you're going home. Right now, we had the goal of playing in the Super Bowl. This was one step in the journey, but you've to give those guys credit. They played very well, they had a good plan for us, and they scored more points than us today."
PACKERS TACKLE MARK TAUSCHER
On not finishing the game in overtime:
"We didn't finish the way we needed to. We got that penalty and then on that 3rd and 5 we didn't execute the play that we called."
On losing:
"This is a tough pill to swallow. We were not able to get to where we wanted to go. We put ourselves in a position where we had a chance to do something good but we just didn't finish."
PACKERS CORNERBACK CHARLES WOODSON
On how the Cardinals were able to have so much success on offense today:
"They came to play, and they made plays when they had to all day. It was frustrating. We couldn't get off the field when we needed to. Hats off to them."
On Larry Fitzgerald's success against him today:
"Well, the first one, I just fell down. You can't fall down in this league, and if you do, they're going to make plays on you, and he scored."
On how hard this loss is to take given how well they played in the second half of the season:
"You've got to go out and play football, go out and execute week in and week out, or these type of things will happen. So give credit to them. They came out and they executed, especially early, and jumped on us pretty good. We found ourselves trying to fight back in the game, and we were able to. The offense, give those guys a hand, they did a great job moving the ball up and down the field as well, giving us a chance to win. We just didn't get it done."
On falling behind early in this game:
"In these types of games, in this atmosphere, you can't give a team anything. To start out the way we did, turnover-wise, and then allowing them to put points on the board. Even though they got turnovers, the defense has to be able to hold a team to field goals. They got touchdowns, so everybody I'm sure feels bad about how the day ended up."
ARIZONA CARDINALS HEAD COACH KEN WHISENHUNT
Opening Statement:
"Let me start by saying that's two really good playoff games that we have been in within the last year and it is damn nice to win one of them instead of what happened in the Super Bowl. I know that has to be probably one of the best games that has ever been played in the playoffs and in order for that to happen, it takes two good teams. My hats off to Coach McCarthy and the Green Bay Packers. They are an outstanding football team and that was really a battle today with a lot of ups and downs. Our team responded, their team responded, and this is what football and the playoffs are all about. With that being, said it's a great tribute to our team because it was a pretty rough week last week, especially after the way they beat us, the way we hung in there and bounced back and played the way we did today. I'm very excited about that. I'm very excited that some of our young players stood up today in a playoff game and made some big plays for us. I'm really happy that our defense made a play to win the game there at the end because I know it was a tough second half for them. We are obviously very excited and now we have to turn our focus to obviously a tough New Orleans team."
On if there was redemption today for CB Michael Adams:
"That's kind of been the theme of our team. We stick in there and hang in there and hopefully we will make some plays to win and that's what Michael did. He had an opportunity in the game early to make a big play on a sack and the guy got out. I mean obviously there were a couple of penalties called on him, but he battled. That's what you like about Michael. He has made some huge plays for us this year. Glad to see that happen at the end."
On how good QB Kurt Warner was today:
"What more is there to say about Kurt? He is one of the best playoff quarterbacks of all time. We thought going into today that would be an advantage for us. He played very well. He ran our offense well. We ran the ball well today. That's the number two defense in the league out there and they are a very good defense. So I was very pleased with the way our offense responded to that challenge."
On how his guys battling injuries played today:
"They all went out there and played. It was unfortunate that Anquan (Boldin) couldn't go, but everyone else, Antrel Rolle what an effort he gave coming back off the quad. Calais (Campbell), being able to get in there and spot the play and play the way he did. We had a number of guys, Dominique (Rodgers-Cromartie) played the whole game. All of our guys wanted to play in this game. There was an attitude with our football team I could sense this week in the way we worked, the way we prepared and they were excited about the game today. Obviously we played well."
On the takeaways and turnovers:
"That's what critical. In the games that we have lost this year we turned the ball over, that's pretty well documented. Usually, you can check the stats, we are a pretty good team when we win the turnover battle. A big game like this against a team like that, its critical. The first play of the game to get a turnover was big and then our offense went in and scored a touchdown. We were very good in the redzone again today and that was critical for us. We responded on both sides of the ball. Even after Neil (Rackers) missed the field goal we still responded with our defense. I'm very pleased with our team."
Where you bringing Michael (Adams) off the edge in order to make sure Aaron Rodgers didn't have enough time to make a play:
We were trying to mix our pressures and that's one of the ones that we saved because of the way they were blocking us from last week Michael (Adams) got in there free. That was one of the things about last week that was so tough. We looked at a lot of things, saved some things, thought they might be good this week and you never know if it's going to work out, but it did."
On if he thought of taking Michael Adams out of the game for CB Greg Toler:
"Nope. I kept thinking back to the Giants game on Sunday Night where he made a big play in that game. I kept thinking back to the Minnesota (Vikings) game where he had an interception. Once again, the reason Michael is on our roster is because of his ability to fight and he has battled Larry (Fitzgerald) and he has battled Anquan (Boldin) in practice every day for two years and there is a toughness you get from doing that. You just hope that he is going to recover."
On the pass protection:
"We blocked them. That was good. We mixed up our protections. It always helps when you have a run game going. We had some quick throws that Kurt (Warner) got the ball out of his hands. I think that we kept them off balance today defensively and that always helps. We had a good plan and everybody was in tuned to it. I think that when you see so many guys making plays whether it was LaRod (Stephens-Howling), or Early (Doucet) or Steven (Breaston), or Larry (Fitzgerald) or Ben Patrick, I mean when that's happening to us and we are clicking pretty well, that helps us with the protection."
If he has ever seen a game with so many amazing catches before:
"Yeah, I remember as a kid there were a couple of Monday Night games with the Dolphins, and I can't remember who their opponent was, but it was very similar to that where there were a number of big catches. I tell you what, I don't know if I can take many more of those games. It's stressful because of all the big plays that were being made. They are a very good offense. I think they are in the top five in the league. We knew that was going to be the case. I think our defense did a great job against them in the first half to hold them to ten points. We knew at some point that we were going to have to be able to score offensively. That's what it takes in this league in the playoffs, you have to do whatever it takes to win and today we were able to make those plays to win."
On if the team is different without WR Anquan Boldin in the game:
"I can't say that. I've said from the start that we are a better football team when Anquan is out there playing. Once again, I've said all along, we've got good depth at our receiver position. I was asked that question this week and I said I felt very comfortable with the guys having to play. Early (Doucet) played in a playoff game before, Steven (Breaston) has been a good player for us. Jerheme Urban made a big third down catch for us early. We had a different package where we used Ben (Patrick) in that situation a lot just because we thought it was better match-ups. It's easy for me to sit here after we won and say I expected that to happen, but I have a tremendous amount of confidence. The thing is I think the reason we are successful is because Kurt (Warner) has confidence in those guys because he's gotten play time with them, reps with them and that's critical."
On how much faith he had in rookie LaRod Stephens-Howling:
"He has earned it, it is no question. He has made some big plays for us. I think back to the Tennessee kick off return for a touchdown and he has made big plays. It started early in the game when he caught that one pass on the little screen and almost got in for a touchdown. Then he made a couple of big runs for us, so at that point I thought that he had the hot hand, he was going to give us the best chance especially with Tim (Hightower) and his thumb and we knew we were going to scat the back out of the backfield just because of the way our protection was working and because we thought it would give them problems. I thought LaRod (Stephens-Howling) at that point was the best match for that."
On what was going through his mind when Green Bay won the toss in overtime:
"It was almost like we will flip the coin and whoever wins the toss wins the game. You don't have to go out and play it. I'm glad we did. It's funny because when we lost the toss, I thought our defense is going to make a play. I don't know why I thought that, I just believed because we missed the field goal where we had a chance to win it and that maybe destiny was going to smile on us this time and I give my hats off to our defense, they made a play."
If the running game surprised him:
"We thought last week that we had a good run plan if we needed to use it. We got two weeks to work on it and we thought that it matched up well against what they were trying to do. I think we had a number of different runs weak side, strong side, motioning the tight end and it kept them off balance. I don't ever want to say that I was surprised because of the way our line prepared this week. We put the pads on Wednesday and we had a very good physical practice and I think that helped us."
On if he was ever comfortable when they were up:
"Nope. The one point where Larry (Fitzgerald) had the fumble and they went down and scored, I thought that was a critical point because I thought had we scored a touchdown, it would have put us up and been tough. Then in the third quarter we were up 21 points I said this game is not over and you have to give them credit. Then they got the onside kick and came back and scored twice on us with two possessions. I knew with this offense, we talked about it on the phones and we talked about it on the sidelines, with our players, this isn't over. We have to stay ready to go. Listen, you have to give credit to our offense because they responded every time. We had one three and out there, but for the rest of that second half, we really responded."
ARIZONA CARDINALS CORNERBACK MICHAEL ADAMS
On what was going through his head when he knew he was going to hit Aaron Rodgers:
"I was just hoping he didn't release that ball. I mean you can come twelve times and eleven out of those twelve times he would get that ball out. That twelfth chance you get a chance to hit him and I got my twelfth chance."
On if that was one of the best games he had ever played in:
"I mean it was the most emotional. I wouldn't say the best. We had ups and downs and like Coach Russ Grimm says it's the ebb and flow in a football game. They are going to make some plays, we are going to make some plays, and we just have to be the ones that make the play at the end."
On the pass interference penalties early in the game and on missing a sack:
"Throughout the game, I was just praying to God, asking him for a fighting chance. I was just asking him (God) for a play to change the game to get my moral up. Playing cornerback, when things aren't going your way, you know it can get you down. But I have a great group of teammates that kept me up throughout the entire game."
On what his teammates were saying to keep his confidence up:
"Tim Hightower came to me in the second quarter after my second pass interference penalty and he said, ‘Keep your head up your going to make the play that wins this game.' He told me that and throughout the game you can kind of lose faith and everything, but my teammates kept coming to me."
On what was going through his head after the pass interference penalties:
"You start to try to force plays onto yourself. You start to say you got to do this to make a play. You need to make a play so you can get out of the doghouse. You got to make some plays to help your team win. When you're the one that is getting beat you feel like you're the one that lost the game for your team."
On having a short memory when you make a mistake playing corner:
"Yeah, just playing cornerback everyday you have plays that may not go your way but at some point your going to make that play."
ARIZONA CARDINALS LINEBACKER KARLOS DANSBY
On the last play:
"It was a great blitz because we had it earlier in the game and we missed the sack. Michael (Adams) got called, he came in flying and went high and he missed a sack early in the game. We dialed it up in overtime. I told him on the first one that if he hit the body, the ball would come out. The second time, he hit the body and the ball came out. I just made a play on it."
On the turnovers:
"It's playoff football. We have to come in and take our game to another level, and that's exactly what we did. We did some things that they maybe haven't seen before. They played inside our hand."
On if the ball ever touched the ground on the last play:
"He kicked the ball up in the air and that gave me enough time to run up under and get in the end zone and seal the deal."
On Cardinals defense and Green Bay offense:
"They're a great offense. We can't take anything away from Green Bay. They played exceptional. They turned it on in the second half. They made a lot of plays in the second half and for our defense to end the way they did gives us a lot of confidence going to see New Orleans."
On Kurt Warner and his future:
"He's still got it. He's been in these situations millions of times. I'm just glad he's on my squad. I'm honored to play next to him and on the same field he does. If he decides to stay, it will be a blessing to this team and organization."
On the adjustment to Green Bay in the second half:
"Like I said, he's (Aaron Rodgers) a Pro Bowl quarterback. He stepped up to the changes in the second half and he made some plays for his team and took his team through certain situations. He got his guys to make plays and they did an exceptional job in the second half. We just stuck it out in overtime and we made the plays to win the ball game."
On what it feels like to play defense in this kind of game:
"We went to the playoffs last year, so it was the same kind of atmosphere. It was the same kind of quality teams. It's going to go down to the wire from here on out."
ARIZONA CARDINALS DEFENSIVE TACKLE DARNELL DOCKETT
On his thoughts about the game:
"I have to take my hat off to that team because they didn't give up. They were down by 14, 17 and they just kept fighting. They were scratching and fighting. We knew coming in that this was going to be a dog fight. The thing that stuck with us most was no one gave us a chance. No one. Every prediction you picked up, everybody picked us to lose. That was a chip on our shoulders. We knew coming in that we had to finish. It was going to be four quarters not knowing it was going to be five. We made a play when we had to. We made a play. Everybody looked at each other in that huddle, and I promise you, we looked at each other and we said, ‘Man, this is it. This is the whole season right here. Whether it's good or bad.' Money Mike, which is Mike Adams, came through with the sack. Karlos (Dansby), Mr. Playmaker himself, came up huge for us and we scored. I saw him cross that line, the first thing I looked for was, ‘Let me see if there were any flags.' I knew it was one of those types of games. I didn't see any flags and my heart just dropped all the way down to my ankles. Gosh, you're killing me, a dogfight and to finish like that."
On if you think this could be the start of another big playoff run after a game like that:
"I mean, it's always—this is the playoffs. It isn't going to look good. Every play isn't going to get drawn up like it is in the book. Everything isn't going to be the outcome that you're hoping it's going to be. Everything is going to be different. This isn't the last game of the season. They made all the excuses and things and saying that they wanted to see our best effort and they were going to play their starters last week and all this. I honestly think we took it to them. We took it to them. I can't take anything away from that team, but the better team won. We had a better effort than they did. We made more plays than they did."
On what it was like after Neil Rackers missed the kick and how to get the defense pumped up and ready to go back out there:
"It was tough. I thought we were going to put it away. Neil (Rackers) is one of the greatest kickers. The best kicker I've been around. I thought he had it. When he missed it I was like, ‘Come on man.' Is this supposed to be the highest rated game ever? Then I thought back and I heard everybody saying, ‘This is going to be the best game of the weekend.' I said, ‘They were right.' This was the best game. I would like to thank our fans too. They didn't let Green Bay take over. I honestly felt coming out that Green Bay was going to probably overpower our stadium. The Red Sea stood up today and they had our back through thick and thin. I know it did look ugly guys, but we pulled it out for you. Everybody that supported the Arizona Cardinals, the guys in this circle, the coaching staff, and we believed in each other. No matter how it looked. We knew at some point it was going to come down to one of us making a play. That offense did a great job today helping us out, but in the end nobody gave us a chance and now Green Bay can go back and pack their stuff up and get away."
ARIZONA CARDINALS WIDE RECEIVER EARLY DOUCET
On the offensive shootout today:
"Unbelievable. It's the playoffs. That's why you got to tune in."
On the feeling in the locker room:
"Everybody was just kind of looking at each other because we had to bring it four quarters plus one. It was a tough game. We fought hard but that goes back to the off season workouts. All the hard work that everybody has put in, and to be able to compete like we did tonight just shows a lot about our team."
On the game coming down to a defensive play in overtime:
"I mean, defense wins championships."
On scoring 51 points without Anquan Boldin:
"We got a talented group of receivers. So I feel like the competition day in and day out is so high guys are competing all the time. So if one guy goes down we always have somebody that can step in and replace him. We are a team. We are a family so we didn't look at it like ‘Q' (Anquan Boldin) is out nobody is going to be able to step up. We had guys that were able to come in and make plays and when you have a guy like Kurt Warner it doesn't really matter. Guys just need to be where they need to be and he is going to make everything else happen."
On how much confidence he gained towards the end of the season:
"It was definitely a confidence builder. I mean just little plays here and there to build that confidence in myself. And having Kurt (Warner) and the coaching staff feeling a lot more comfortable with me. And it's the playoffs and I got a chance to make some big plays and hopefully we can continue that."
On his second touchdown reception:
"That's just that Anquan (Boldin) in me. Being around him so much, seeing those same type of plays that he has made, I just tried to bring my game out there tonight, and I was able to do that."
On if they felt like they had a chance against Green Bay after last week:
"We always feel like we have a chance. With the type of offense we have we always feel like we can score when need be. We knew we were going to have to bring it and that is what we did tonight."
ARIZONA CARDINALS WIDE RECEIVER LARRY FITZGERALD
On the excitement of the game:
"It was a lot of fun out there. Some highs and some lows, but we came out with a victory. The atmosphere was unbelievable. The fans turned out and they really supported us. Guys made plays all across the board. This was a big team win. We're happy to be able to continue to keep playing."
On K Neil Rackers' missed field goal and the defense and how they stepped up in overtime:
"There are always going to be mistakes throughout the game. I put the ball on the ground giving those guys momentum when we could have been going up 24-0 and my teammates picked me up. That's what being part of a team is about. When one guy falters, other guys pick you up and keep pushing. It's the whole team. Neil (Rackers) is going to get another opportunity to make a big kick for us."
On the talk about QB Kurt Warner potentially retiring:
"We're not going there."
On not wanting Kurt Warner to end his career like this:
"No, Kurt (Warner's) coming back. He's going to probably come back for another four or five years. That's the rumor around here. We're going to ride with that."
On getting so many weapons involved in the offense today:
"When Kurt (Warner) is playing at that kind of level, seeing the field and being able to diagnose what the defense is doing to him, getting the ball out of his hands so quick, he's hard to deal with. He's a special player, Hall of Fame caliber. We're also happy to be playing with him."
On playing New Orleans next week:
"New Orleans, we're coming. We know they're a really good football team. They're playing at home. That building is—they've had a lot of success there. We're going to have our hands full."
On how they were able to get off to such a good start in the game:
""We were able to run the football. I think that was really big and really key for us today. What Beanie (Wells) was able to do and Tim (Hightower). Then, we had some short passes that were also like running plays for us and that really got us going. Kurt (Warner) started being able to see the field really well and hitting all kinds of guys. The ball was spread around very much."
On the team being in rhythm early:
"We were definitely in rhythm. It was a lot of fun to be there. We have to be able to take this and keep it moving."
On if he saw anything on tape that allowed him to out-physical Packers CB Charles Woodson:
"I don't know about all that. He (Charles Woodson) is a great player, defensive MVP player. We just, as a team, were able to go out there and play good, strong, physical football. We were able to come out with a win. That's a really, really, really good football team. I don't want to play them anymore. I'm glad we're moving past them."
On the fact that the receivers on both sides of the ball were able to make big plays:
"Sometimes it's going to be like that. Offenses are going to be a little step ahead. You saw it with Green Bay. You saw it with us today. This is what the fans want to see. They want to see those shootouts. It's just good to be on the good side."
ARIZONA CARDINALS RUNNING BACK TIM HIGHTOWER
On how good this win feels:
"It feels great. You're kind of at a loss for words. There's just a lot of emotions. All around, you just have to be proud of this team, offense, defense, and the special teams. I think everyone came ready to play today. Everyone fought for four quarters. We didn't play well at times, but we finished and we got a win. It's an incredible feeling."
On if he's ever played in a game like this in his life:
"I played in a lot of big games as far as just high scoring college (games), but obviously not on this magnitude in the NFL. I think this is one of the most emotional up and down rollercoaster type game that I've ever been in. You have to take your hat off to Green Bay, they fought hard and they played well. But we came in here with a desire to win and we expected to win and we got the job done."
On the fact that in the second quarter he told CB Michael Adams not to get discouraged after struggling early because he was going to make a big play at the end:
"I told him, it's a matter of God having a hand on this team. We believe in it. We're a team of faith. We believe in it. I just gave him some encouragement. We've all had times this season where we've been down and different guys have stepped up and picked us up. That was something that God had placed in my heart to go over there and speak to him just to keep his confidence going. I think he did a great job of responding on defense. To God be the glory."
On his new goal line package with Darnell Dockett and Gabe Watson blocking for him:
"I love it. I love it. When you get to see those two big defensive tackles coming in, you know they have a one track mind. They're going to hit whatever's in front of them. As a running back, I went to jump and they cleared everything out of there so I didn't really need to. You know it's fun also to see those guys to get the chance. They like playing the other side of the ball. They did a great job. I'm excited and getting ready for next week."
On establishing tempo and rhythm in the first quarter:
"Just like you said, we started out hot. We knew we had to start fast. We haven't necessarily started fast in the last couple weeks. We know when we're into a rhythm and we don't beat ourselves with penalties and three and outs and turnovers, we're a hard team to stop. Guys made plays. It wasn't one-sided. The quarterback played well, receivers, running backs, o-line, special teams, guys played well. I think it was a good collective win. We started off fast and guys continued to contribute all day. Like I said, it was a good collective team win."
On if the Cardinals hit the Packers in the mouth early on in the game to set the tone:
"I think so. It's easy for me to say they didn't know what hit them, but I have to say they were ready to play. It's a playoff game. They wanted to win just like we wanted to win. I think after those last two games, that bitter taste was left in our mouth. I felt like we came out here and we played like we wanted it. We played with a chip on our shoulder. We played with that edge, with that energy that we haven't been playing with for a little while. It paid off for us."
ARIZONA CARDINALS KICKER NEIL RACKERS
On what happened on the kick at the end of regulation:
"I just hooked it. I just let the hips fly through and it started out left and it kept going left. I'm grateful my teammates came through and I don't have to sit on that one for eight months."
On how good the win feels:
"It does (feel good) but it could feel better, you know. But a win is a win and I'll get them next week."
On how much encouragement he got after the miss:
"We have good teammates and I think they understand that it is out of character (for me to miss that kick). I didn't get the job done when we needed it. Luckily the other guys got the job done for us."
ARIZONA CARDINALS CORNERBACK DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE
On the Wild Card win today:
"It was a good win, it was a hard fought win. It didn't go the way we had planed on it going but we got the win and that is all that matters."
On going up 21 points and then the defense having to hold on for the victory:
"We know that Green Bay is a hard fighting team. I give credit to our offense, they answered back every time. They bailed us out of some situations and in overtime we picked it up and we made the play to win the game. It was a great team win."
On the play of Karlos Dansby:
"You could see it in his eyes that he had fire. He made excellent plays, he was all over the place. He deserves the game ball or something."
On silencing the media who didn't give this team a chance to win:
"You know it feels real good. Coming in as the underdog, we are always the underdog, no one wants to give us a shot. Just to go out there and prove them wrong makes you feel good. We are just going to keep doing it."
ARIZONA CARDINALS SAFETY ANTREL ROLLE
On how he felt out there today coming off of an injury:
"I was very winded. I haven't run in two weeks. It's about the team at this point."
On how his thigh felt during the game:
"It was okay. It got stiff at times. Sometimes it felt better than others, but in a game like this, with this magnitude, you have to gut it out. There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it."
On how tough it was to play a wide-open shootout of a game when he had a thigh injury:
"Aaron Rodgers had my respect before, but he really has my respect now. The guy was on fire. He's a competitor. Very cocky guy, but he's going to take them a long way for the years to come. They are an excellent team. There's nothing else you can say about them. They played dynamic. Sometimes, we probably gave them a couple of things, but for the most part we were there. They were just making it happen."
ARIZONA CARDINALS RUNNING BACK LaROD STEPHENS-HOWLING
On losing the coin toss to start overtime:
"I mean it didn't feel good that the other team was going to start off with the kick return but you got to have hope. You got to have faith and we have faith in our defense and they did what they had to do."
On proving the media wrong and defying the odds:
"That seems to be when we play our best, when nobody gives us a chance. That's a good thing, that this team knows how to rise up when it has to."
On how on Kurt Warner was today and trying to replace Anquan Boldin:
"Kurt Warner is a great quarterback and he just played his game and that is good because we need that down the stretch. We're going to get Boldin back and we can't wait to have him. He is going to add another dimension to our offense."
On celebrating after the big Wild Card victory:
"I can't even describe it. Just how far we have been. Like I said earlier it really feels electric right now. Everything just feels like its going through your body."
On what Coach Whisenhunt said to the team:
"Great win, congratulations, and he was glad that we fought through this."
ARIZONA CARDINALS QUARTERBACK KURT WARNER
On if the game reminded him of his Arena League days:
"That was so long ago. It didn't remind too much of what I've ever been a part of before. What a great football game. That's what playoffs are all about. You never know what it's going to take any given week and obviously today it took 51 (points). Those are the fun ones when you win."
On having more touchdown passes than incompletions and if that's ever happened to him before:
"Probably never knowing me. I don't know. It was one of those things, we felt good with our game plan. I think it was one of those things you knew we needed them. You knew we needed every play. It was going to take that kind of effort against these guys. We knew how tough it was going to be on our defense with all the weapons they have offensively and how they've been playing. It was just one of those games where I felt great. I loved our playing. I felt like I was seeing everything well and it accumulates to 51 points."
On how much a difference in having a great offensive line and running game made:
"It's huge. We've always felt pretty good about what we can do when given time, and then to keep a team off balance with our running game and keep the chains moving. I think the big thing with us was to keep ourselves in manageable situations. We can do that by running the ball and by completing passes on first and second down. We're a very, very tough team. I think that's what we did today. We kept moving the chains. We kept getting chunks. I don't know how many big plays we had, but enough that kept the chains going and kept us in great situations where we didn't have to make big plays on third downs and those kind of conversions. When you're doing that, this game becomes a lot easier when you have to get three or four yards instead of eight, 10, 12 yards. I think we did a great job of that today."
On how Aaron Rodgers played in his first playoff start:
"I just thought it was a great game. I thought they played great. Again, they are what we expected, very impressive. I think it's not any different than the way he's played for two years. Everything he's done since he came on the scene is impressive from handling the situation to the way he's played in the games that he's played. Today was no different. These are games you hate to lose because he played great. It's one of those games you hate to play great and not go away with a victory, but it's fun to be on the other side of that."
On how the wide receivers stepped up in the absence of Anquan Boldin:
"What do you say? Early (Ducett) had a couple huge plays, especially the second touchdown. Enormous. Steve Breaston…you can't say enough about him. I told him early in the year, ‘I'd line up with you any day of the week.' It's just what you come to expect with those guys. It just seems like that's what this team is about. I've been on some teams that have made runs and every time someone gets nicked, someone gets banged up, some of your starters can't play in all of the games, you have to have someone step up. That continues to be the case with this team. Coming in as banged up as we were today, worried about how much they were going to play, how effective they were going to be, so many people across the board stepped up and made plays. That's what it takes this time of year and that's what it takes to make runs. I can't say enough about those guys and those are just two that I mentioned. There were so many other ones that stepped up and stepped in and made plays today. It was just a great effort all the way around."
On if he saw the Larry Fitzgerald catch in the end zone:
"No, I did not. I did not. I saw his leverage and I saw he started to pull away to the outside and he had two guys on him. I was really just trying to put it in the back of the end zone where no one could get it and maybe, knowing him, maybe he could make a catch on it. But when I got hit, I didn't think I put as much on it as I wanted to. I thought it would be back of the end zone, I'm just throwing it away and then I heard everyone explode. People on the sideline told me how great it was. I'm going to have to catch SportsCenter tonight."
On if he is retiring:
"Right now I'm just playing football this year as long as I can. When that's done, we'll step away and we'll figure out what's the best thing moving forward. Right now, it's about one thing. Like I said, I play for the playoffs. That's what I've played for a number of years and let's keep it going as long as we can. When that's over and everything is said and done, that's when you can step back and make a decision on your future and what's best. I never want to make an emotional decision and I think that's easy to do whether it's after a game like this to say ‘I'm going to play forever' or after a bad game to say ‘I'm done.' I don't want to do that although there's no question I will continue to think about it and I've thought about it over the last few years and again this year to make the right decision. I don't think you ever want to stay too long, but you never want to go out before it's time. The hard part is trying to figure that out, but right now it's about another playoff game, it's about New Orleans and then we'll go from there."
On if the extended victory lap after the game was his farewell to University of Phoenix Stadium:
"Everybody relax. That was my way of saying thanks to the fans because we're not coming back here this year. I appreciate them. We haven't played our best football here at home this year. They've been incredible for us over the last I don't know how many years and that was kind of my way of saying thanks knowing there's no way we'll come back here through the playoffs. That was my way of saying thanks for everything they've done this year and what they did today. They were a huge presence today even with all the Cheeseheads and all the fans that were here for the Packers. They were able to make a huge difference for us and it was my way of saying thanks for doing what you've done."
On what goes through his head when Neil Rackers misses the field goal and they lose the coin toss:
"In a game like that, I think you're scared. I think both teams would have been scared if they lost the coin toss going ‘Oh' because the offenses were so prolific today, especially in the second half. Yeah, you're worried, but that's what is great about a team effort. I know the defense gave up a lot of points today, but when we needed them to make a play, they made a play. That's what it takes to win these kind of games. One side might not have the best day or might have some things go against them, but you need plays at critical times and the defense did that. But, yeah, I think there's no question a lot of people on our side were worried. We've had trouble stopping them all day and now they win the toss. We wanted to have our hands on the ball again. Luckily, or unluckily, we didn't have to do that because of our defensive play."
On if he thought about retiring if the Cards lost:
"That's fodder for after the season. You guys will know when I make the decision whether I'm coming back or staying or whatever I'm doing in the future. Everybody will know, but like I said, it's about the playoff run and going to New Orleans and trying to win another game. All that stuff will come later."
ARIZONA CARDINALS SAFETY ADRIAN WILSON
On the fact that the media seemed to have no respect for the Cardinals entering the game:
"That's okay. We don't really worry about what everybody else says. We know we have a good team. We know what type of team we have. We play together. We play for each other and guys genuinely love each other in this locker room. We didn't want to let the next guy down."
On the big plays of LB Karlos Dansby:
"He's going to go out and get big money this offseason. He stepped up his game. He was able to make plays throughout the whole course of the ballgame, something that a lot of people said he didn't do during the course of the year. He came out and he was that playmaker for us today."
On QB Kurt Warner coming up big time and time again:
"Hall of Fame. He's a Hall of Fame quarterback. You don't play with guys like that too often. To see the things that he was able to do out there on the field, you can only imagine when you look back on your life and say that you played with Kurt Warner. The things that he's able to do is unbelievable."
On how to bring yourself back up for overtime after the missed field goal:
"I was neither high nor low. You try to stay even keeled throughout the course of the game because anything can happen. As you can tell from that second half, they scored 35 second half points. Anything can happen. That's what the NFL is. You have to play every snap and make sure you finish every play. Neil (Rackers) missed it, but we ended up winning the game. That's pretty much the bottom line."
SCORING SUMMARY & GAME NOTES
Overtime
 AZ 51, GB 45
AZ: Dansby, 17 fumble return 13:42
Key plays: Dansby recovers a fumble and returns it 17 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
4th Qtr
 GB 45, AZ 45
GB: Havner, 11 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 2:00
7 plays, 71 yards, TOP 3:03
Key plays: Rodgers throws a deep pass to Jennings for 22 yards. Rodgers throws an 11 yard pass to Havner for a touchdown.
AZ 45, GB 38
AZ: Breaston, 18 pass from Warner (Rackers kick), 4:55
11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 6:02
Key plays: A 2-yard run by Wells picked up a key third-and-1 at midfield, and Breaston followed with a 26-yard catch to put the ball in the red zone. On second down, Warner found Breaston over the middle for the score.
Injury update: Packers T Chad Clifton has gone to the locker room for further examination of an ankle injury.
GB 38, AZ 38
GB: Kuhn, 1 run (Crosby kick), 10:57
3 plays, 67 yards, TOP :56
Key plays: A 38-yard catch-and-run by Finley started the drive, and a 28-yard pass to Driver made it first-and-goal on the 1. Kuhn plowed in on first down.
AZ 38, GB 31
GB: Jones, 30 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 14:08
8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:26
Key plays: Passes of 9 and 20 yards to Jennings and 10 yards to Driver got the Packers into scoring range. On fourth-and-5 from the 30, Jones caught a quick out and had clear sailing up the sideline for the score.
3rd Qtr
Injury update: Packers S Atari Bigby has a hamstring injury. His return is questionable.
AZ 38, GB 24
AZ: Fitzgerald, 5 pass from Warner (Rackers kick), 2:34
3 plays, 73 yards, TOP 1:33
Key plays: A 15-yard pass to Doucet and a 42-yard run by Wells put the ball in the red zone. Fitzgerald made a diving catch in the back of the end zone on first down.
AZ 31, GB 24
GB: Nelson, 11 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 4:07
8 plays, 57 yards, TOP 3:16
Key plays: After recovering an onside kick, Green Bay kept moving with a 9-yard pass to Grant, a 4-yard run by Green to convert a fourth-and-1, and a 33-yard pass to Finley that was shortened by 10 yards via a holding penalty. Grant picked up 10 more with two runs, and the TD pass came on first down.
AZ 31, GB 17
GB: Jennings, 6 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 7:20
10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:55
Key plays: An 18-yard pass to Finley, a pass interference call on Arizona, a 13-yard pass to Driver, and a 35-yard catch-and-run by Jennings made it first-and-goal on the 3. After a loss of 3 on first down, Jennings made a spectacular one-handed grab in the end zone for the score.
AZ 31, GB 10
AZ: Fitzgerald, 33 pass from Warner (Rackers kick), 11:15
6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:45
Key plays: Passes of 7 yards to Doucet and 12 yards to Stephens-Howling picked up first downs. Hightower had a run for 9, and a pass interference penalty on Woodson preceded the TD, on which Woodson fell down and Fitzgerald had all kinds of open space in the middle of the field.
2nd Qtr
AZ 24, GB 10
GB: Crosby, 20 field goal, :00
8 plays, 73 yards, TOP 2:16
Key plays: Back-to-back completions to Finley for 44 and 17 yards made it first-and-goal on the 9. Another horse-collar penalty on Arizona gave the Packers another first-and-goal, but with only 4 seconds on the clock, Green Bay took the field goal.
Injury update: Packers S Matt Giordano has left the game with a knee injury. His return is questionable.
AZ 24, GB 7
AZ: Doucet, 15 pass from Warner (Rackers kick), 2:16
8 plays, 79 yards, TOP 4:36
Key plays: Runs by Wells of 9, 9 and 5 yards preceded an 18-yard run by Stephens-Howling, with a facemask penalty on Bigby tacked on, putting the ball on the Green Bay 12. After a 3-yard loss on first down, Doucet caught a pass over the middle and kept his balance through a couple of tackle attempts and scored.
AZ 17, GB 7
GB: Rodgers, 1 run (Crosby kick), 6:52
6 plays, 52 yards, TOP 4:14
Key plays: After a forced fumble by Woodson and recovery by Matthews, the Packers got a 10-yard run from Grant, a horse-collar tackle penalty on Arizona, and a 20-yard run by Grant for a first-and-goal on the 7. After a sack, a pass interference penalty on third-and-goal at the 11 put the ball on the 1, and Rodgers snuck it in.
1st Qtr
AZ 17, GB 0
AZ: Rackers, 23 field goal, :34
9 plays, 54 yards, TOP 5:20
Key plays: Passes of 15 yards to Fitzgerald and 22 to Patrick got the Cardinals into scoring range. An 18-yard pass to Breaston made it first-and-goal on the 8, but the drive stalled at the 5.
AZ 14, GB 0
AZ: Doucet, 15 pass from Warner (Rackers kick), 9:16
2 plays, 22 yards, TOP :48
Key plays: Dansby stripped Driver after a pass reception and Branch recovered for Arizona at the Green Bay 22. Wells ran for 7 yards and Doucet caught a crossing route for the score on the next play.
AZ 7, GB 0
AZ: Hightower, 1 run (Rackers kick), 11:04
7 plays, 40 yards, TOP 3:38
Key plays: An interception by Rodgers-Cromartie on the Packers' first play gave the Cardinals the ball on the Green Bay 40. A 13-yard pass to Urban converted a third-and-8, and a 14-yard run by Wells made it first down on the 11. After a 5-yard penalty, passes of 11 yards to Breaston and 4 yards to Stephens-Howling put the ball on the 1, and Hightower ran it in on first-and-goal.
**
Weather at kickoff: The roof of University of Phoenix Stadium remained closed at kickoff.
Coin toss: The Packers won the toss and elected to receive.
Today's attendance: 61,926
**
Playoff captains: WR Donald Driver and QB Aaron Rodgers (offense), S Nick Collins and CB Charles Woodson (defense), LB Desmond Bishop and S Derrick Martin (special teams)
As per tradition, the Packers alternate game captains each week during the regular season. For the postseason, the team elected captains.
**
PACKERS INACTIVES:
18 WR Patrick Williams
29 S Derrick Martin
39 CB Trevor Ford
45 FB Quinn Johnson
68 T Breno Giacomini
78 T Allen Barbre
93 NT Anthony Toribio
96 DE Michael Montgomery
CARDINALS INACTIVES:
2 QB Brian St. Pierre
32 FB Nehemiah Broughton
49 S Rashad Johnson
55 LB Reggie Walker
67 G/T Herman Johnson
71 DE Jeremy Clark
81 WR Anquan Boldin
83 TE Stephen Spach
STARTING LINEUP CHANGE
On offense, #15 Steve Breaston starts at WR in place of #81 Boldin.
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 | Badger Mutual Family of the Game
Seventh-graders in the state of Wisconsin are eligible to enter an essay contest to see their family named the Badger Mutual Insurance Family of the Game. Winners will receive four game tickets, pre-game VIP on-field passes, recognition on the video board during the game and much more. To enter, Wisconsin seventh-graders should write an essay of 500 words or less that tells "Why Education Is Important to Me." Print out a registration form on packers.com. |
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 | Coldwell Banker "Take it to the House"
Two lucky couples will have a chance to win a house courtesy of Coldwell Banker during halftime at every home game. Visit one of Coldwell Banker's Open Houses to sign up!
"Take it to the House" TV Commercial - Real | Windows |
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 | Crunch Time Catch
The Crunch Time Catch presented by Copps and Pick 'n Save gives two contestants the chance to show their skills catching punts. Both contestants will attempt to catch a thirty yard punt. If they succeed they move on to a sixty yard punt for the chance to win an Ariens® snow thrower or lawnmower. |
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 | Kohl's Fan of the Game
Four randomly selected fans will be selected at every Packer home game to win Kohl's Gift Cards. |
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 | Kraft Best Seats in the House Sweepstakes
Watch the game from the "Best Seats in the House". Winners and a guest will watch the game from recliners in the stands. The area will also include a color TV and a fully catered picnic lunch. Entry forms available at participating retailers. |
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 | MasterCard Fan Photographer
All Associated Bank customers who make a signature-based transaction will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. You and a guest will receive passes to be on the field for the Packers warm-up to take pictures that will be posted on Packers.com. |
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 | Miller Lite End Zone
Watch for Miller promotions throughout the season for a chance to be part of this exciting section. |
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 | Nicolet Water Boy/Girl Sweepstakes
Win a chance to be the Official Water Boy/Girl of the Green Bay Packers. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 may enter by sending in an official entry form available at participating retailers. |
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 | Novartis "Blood Pressure Success Zone"
Stop by the Novartis "Blood Pressure Success Zone" located in the Atrium to have your blood pressure screened. While you are there be sure to pick up information on how you can be eligible to win Packers home game tickets, Packers Pro Shop gift cards and a trip for 2 to the Packers away game in Jacksonville!
To learn more about the program, visit www.packers.bpsuccesszone.com |
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 | Operation Fan Mail
The Green Bay Packers and Festival Foods this season are recognizing military families separated by active duty with a new program, 'Operation Fan Mail.' The families will be recognized on the field during home pregame activities.
To choose families, the Packers and Festival Foods are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted. Essays can be sent to: Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628, or by clicking here. |
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 | Shopko Kickoff Kid promotion
Packer fans 12 and under can win the opportunity of a lifetime: Packers Honorary Kickoff Kid! One lucky fan will be selected for each 2006 home game to run onto the field after the Packers first kickoff to retrieve the tee. Each winner will receive the opportunity to be on the field during pre-game warm-ups, four (4) game tickets for the winner and his/her family, and a Packers Goodie Bag. Visit participating Shopko stores for your chance to win! |
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 | Verizon Jr. Captain
For every home game one lucky Packers fan between the ages of 7 and 14 is selected to be the Verizon Jr. Captain of the game and join the team captains on the field during the coin toss. Sign up at participating Verizon Wireless locations. verizonwireless.com |
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