Monday, September 28, 2009
McCarthy: Clifton has shot to play this week
Coach Mike McCarthy will address reporters shortly at the Lambeau Field. We'll post the newsy stuff as it comes, so refresh for the latest.
And here we go ...
* First, the injuries: S Atari Bigby (knee) won't make back this week. LT Chad Clifton (ankle) will have opportunity to come back this week, but only if he can practice. "He has a shot." RB Brandon Jackson had setback with ankle sprain, don't know if will practiec this week. DE Jeremy Thompson has knee inflammation, doubtful for this week.
* On practice schedule: Normal day off Tuesday. Wednesday will be normal except no practice. Will resume practice on Thursday.
* On offense on Sunday: Left some yards out there, particularly in the running game. Did some things very well in the second half but not early on. Must start faster.
* Ready for big game? "We had an opportunity to go through that type of environment in the past. It's important to learn from that experience. This is an important football game for both teams." Tough place to play. Like that they're coming off dome game, because they're different.
* Will work in Hutson Center a couple of times this week to work on crowd noise.
* On stopping run: Had some no-gain or minus-1 runs. Sometimes played pass before run. Thought Rams RB Steven Jackson did good job recognizing, particularly when had fire zones on. "We've just got to eliminate the double-digit runs."
* On facing Brett Favre: "I think it's going to be a lot of fun once the game starts. ... Me personally, answering all the questions and things that I feel have nothing to do with the game, that's not something I wake up every day excited to do." But it's part of the job.
* Surprised Favre ended up in Minnesota? Nothing surprises anymore. Last time they talked face to face, Favre had a desire to play in Minnesota. "So no, I'm not surprised by it."
* On Favre: Haven't watched him on film yet this year. Interested to see how he's doing, what they're asking him to do. "We're going to go through the game-plan process like we do every week. We're going to start with their strengths and try to expose the weaknesses."
* On the poison pill and trade to Jets: It was an organizational decision. Wasn't concerned about playing him. Was more focused on getting back to coach own team. Spent lot of time dealing with Favre situation.
* Want to beat him more? "We want to beat everyone on the Vikings, Brett Favre included."
* Asked a series of questions about what unfolded last summer, McCarthy says he hasn't given hypotheticals any thought. "I have zero interest in going back to last training camp."
* On how they'll handle the week: "The message to the team is going to be about playing the game." Will take care of pulse of team. "I clearly am in tune with the size of this game outside the building, but for us to play to our ability, we have to focus on ourselves." No one will write checks they can't cash through the media. Will be more of a media emphasis, "but it cannot factor in how we prepare for this game."
* On Aaron Rodgers running on Sunday: Thought he was smart with his feet. Got out of bounds. Was looking to pass first. Not interested in running designed plays, etc. "But for the most part, I think he's been smart in space."
* Didn't play well in all three phases vs. St. Louis. Will cover specifics of that with the team. Must build accountability, education. That's why will do only walkthroughs, etc. Wednesday -- to get things cleaned up.
* On "Big Okie" defense: Some good things, some things to be cleaned up. Had alignment issues. Ran more two-tight formations than had shown. "I thought it was off to a good start."
That's it for now. More updates coming later this afternoon.