Quarterback Brett Favre said the Packers are still trying to discover a comfort zone with their 2006 offense, and the team's overall youth is making that process take perhaps longer than normal.
But Favre believes everything will fall into place once a formidable running game is established, even though those efforts came up short in the preseason.
"Every team -- defensively, offensively or special teams -- there's a go-to play or a go-to set," Favre said Wednesday in his pre-game news conference. "They say OK, in times of need or trouble, this is what we go to.
"Do we offensively feel more comfortable with four wide, or two tight ends, or three receivers and one back? We're trying to figure that out, really."
Presumably through film study and additional practice work, the Packers have settled on something to take into the season opener against the Bears on Sunday.
But the reason the comfort zone didn't manifest itself in the preseason, aside from a disinterest in revealing too much, was the time needed for the young interior of the offensive line to get game experience together.
"If Mike (McCarthy) inherits a team that offensively has great depth and a solid offensive line who's been together, you go, 'This is what we do, and from that we'll draw up these plays,'" Favre said.
"But we're going into the season with a lot of young guys, especially as far as depth is concerned, so we have to establish something to hang our hat on. Maybe it didn't look as crisp as people would have liked in preseason, but we all know if we have to drop back (to pass) 40 times, more than likely we're behind and we're going to lose."
That's why the Packers pounded away with the running game in the final three preseason games despite limited success. After rushing just 15 times (not including quarterback scrambles) in the opener at San Diego, the Packers averaged 31 rushes per game at less than 3.6 yards per carry the rest of the preseason.
The results weren't stellar to be sure, but in the process Favre hopes the offense found at least some level of comfort with the zone-blocking scheme -- be it a play, or a couple of plays, or a couple of formations -- to build an effective game plan around the run.
"It's all based on how we protect and how we run the football," he said. "We may have some great thoughts, but we have to find out how we're doing up front running the football before we go in one direction or the other."
Costas interview
Favre also addressed Wednesday the interview he did with Bob Costas and HBO in which he indicated he might entertain the possibility of playing for another team before he retires.
During the news conference, Favre was asked if the context of that comment was that it's something he's given some serious thought, or whether his "never say never" answer was what he would say if someone asked him about "running for governor of Mississippi."
Favre chuckled, and then clarified the context of the interview. He said first he was asked if this was his last year, and he told Costas he didn't know. Then he was asked about playing for another team, and Favre said he loves Green Bay, he's loyal to it, and believes it's still home to him.
"Then he said, 'What happens if at the end of the year you still want to play and the Packers just say, 'Hey Brett, we want to go in a different direction. We'd love to have you, but it's time for us to start over,' ' and I'm sitting at home thinking I can still play," Favre recounted of his conversation with Costas.
"Would I consider playing for someone else? I guess I would. Do I think that will happen? I'm 99.9 percent sure that won't happen. So that's it."
And about any political aspirations?
"I'd better stick to football," Favre said.
NFL Network interview
"4: THE BRETT FAVRE INTERVIEW" -- A candid conversation between a legendary quarterback and the coach who got him started on the road to Canton. Brett Favre and Steve Mariucci walk through historical Lambeau Field, the launching pad of both their careers, looking back on Favre's 16-year career.
Scheduled to air Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. ET, re-airing Friday late night at 12:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. ET, and Saturday at 9 p.m., midnight and 3 a.m. ET.
