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As A Backup Or A Starter, Rodgers Looks Forward To The '06 Season
by Jeff Fedotin, Packers.com
posted 03/12/2006
As a rookie last season, Aaron Rodgers only played in mop-up duty during three regular-season games, but such limited work may have been the best thing for him as he enters his second year in the league.
"I'm as healthy as I've ever been. A lot of that has to do with because I didn't play last year," Rodgers said. "My body feels good. My knee feels unbelievable, and my arm's great."
He has spent the offseason, focusing on his core strength, flexibility and conditioning in much the same way Brett Favre did last year. Favre repeatedly lauded the results and his consequent ability to become more elusive in the pocket.
Rodgers could follow Favre in more ways than just his conditioning routine. He could supplant the legend as the Packers' starting quarterback in 2006. The Californian, however, takes a pragmatic approach regarding Favre's impending decision on whether to retire or play his 16th season in the NFL
"I worry about the things I control and let everything else take care of itself. I can't control what Brett does," Rodgers said. "If my time does come -- great. If not, then I get another chance to learn behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time."
Rodgers, however, knows he will learn under a new head coach. He met with Mike McCarthy two weeks ago and left very impressed. In particular he cited his excitement about receiving more freedom at the line of scrimmage.
"I just got a great sense of what he wants to do with the offense," Rodgers said.
Rodgers already knew McCarthy. As offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers -- the team with the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft -- McCarthy interviewed him. Rodgers came away from that session, believing they would have a great working relationship. The 49ers selected quarterback Alex Smith with the first pick isntead, but Rodgers serendipitously received another chance to work with McCarthy.
"I was real excited because he's an offensive guy," Rodgers said. "We're going to click right away."
Rodgers also has enjoyed some time away from football this offseason. He went on a Packers cruise to the Caribbean with Favre's mother and sister, Nick Barnett and Gilbert Brown among others. He spent a week in San Diego, visited his family in Chico, Calif. and worked out regularly.
"I've just been hanging out, enjoying the offseason," Rodgers said. "But at the same time, ever since I got back here and met with Coach McCarthy for a couple of days, I've been excited about getting back to work."
Rodgers wants to return to work because he believes the Packers will bounce back from last season's 4-12 season.
"Mr. (Ted) Thompson is doing the right things for this organization," Rodgers said. "We're going in the right direction."
The Packers, however, will move on without one of Rodgers' good friends from last year, kicker Ryan Longwell. Longwell, who attended Rodgers' alma mater California-Berkeley, signed with the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. Rodgers has become accustomed to the player movement in the NFL. He shared a house with Zac Woodfin before the Packers released the linebacker last year.
"That's just the business. That's the tough part of it," Rodgers said. "I wish Ryan well. Ryan's got to do what's best for his family. ... I'm sure we'll still keep in touch."
Longwell will stay in touch with a quarterback whose best days are ahead of him.
"I've got a long way to go. I think my potential is still untapped," Rodgers said. "I made some real big strides. I plan on picking up where I left off and just continuing to improve."
***
An Icon Returns
As Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr walked onto the main stage in the Lambeau Field Atrium during Sunday's Fan Fest, the fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation.
Starr, who quarterbacked the Packers from 1956 to 1971 and served as head coach from 1975 to 1983, reciprocated the adulation.
"You're the best fans in the world," he said. "It's an absolute joy to come back and see you guys."
Starr not only came back to meet the fans, but also because of his admiration for the franchise.
"It's been extremely well-managed for a number of years," Starr said. "I have tremendous respect for (John Jones) and Bob Harlan."
The Packers legend enjoyed Green Bay so much that he returned as quarterbacks coach the year after he retired. Starr, however, said he may have ended his career three years two late. While Favre enters the twilight of his career injury free, a shoulder injury nagged Starr.
"My performance went downhill those last three years," he said.
Starr also revealed one of Vince Lombardi's main points to his team before the first Super Bowl. Although the AFL was not as respected as the NFL in those days, Lombardi urged his players not to become overconfident against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"Kansas City is a very good football team," the late coach said.
On Sunday Starr even conceded that the Chiefs may have had more talent than the Packers. The Packers, however, had an experienced, cohesive team that had won four previous world titles. And they had some guy named Lombardi who knew a thing or two about winning. |
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