The following is the analysis of the Packers' 38-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field.
Q. In considering the differences between the Packers and Vikings, I'm sure there were a number of things that stood out to you, but was there one thing in particular that came through loud and clear from the game Sunday?
A. I think that one team is undisciplined and maybe not as prepared and the other team has a team full of veterans, they're smart, they're well-coached, they understand the magnitude of the game. The game is not too big for them. It just seems like they've been preparing for this for a long time. I don't see them making critical errors. If they do, they can overcome it. I see an offensive line that is a fortress. They have a couple of good players on that line, but they're not all Pro Bowlers. The right tackle is a rookie. So, it just seems like they were prepared to do battle in a hostile environment, but I don't know if it's so hostile anymore. I think the veteran factor separates these two teams, one being an elite team and the other a team trying to find out how good they really are. It shows up in penalties, it shows up in explosive plays, in decision-making. Probably No. 1 in decision-making. The Packers, being one of the youngest teams in the league, I think it's accepted, we're not going to make these great plays as some of these veteran teams. To me, they didn't spend a lot of money on that offensive line. The Vikings did to get Adrian Peterson into the secondary and to protect their quarterback. It seems to me if you had spent that kind of money on Aaron Rodgers, that you do everything you can to protect him. Why even have money under the cap if you're not going to get talent in front of him to block for him? The Packers are playing a future game, a game for the future, but it's right now. Right now, you have to have some veterans with your younger guys. Four or five years from now, the Packers will probably be pretty good. But you're playing teams that are winning right now, like Minnesota, like Philadelphia, like Atlanta, like the Giants. The Packers are playing with future talent and that's why they can't win big games right now.
Q. It's probably unfair to expect Aaron Rodgers to be as good as a future Hall of Famer like Brett Favre, but what is the difference right now in their games? Where are the Vikings benefiting from Favre that the Packers are lacking with Rodgers?
A. Game management. There's a huge difference. Favre can manage a game. I mean look at it, no sacks in two games and seven touchdowns. He can manage the game better than Rodgers right now. Rodgers held the ball a couple of times instead of running for first downs. Brett gets rid of the ball. If he has to run, he will. Just good decisions. And that normally doesn't go with Brett, good decisions, because of all the interceptions. He's thrown the most interceptions in history. But these two games against the Packers he's made great decisions and he manages the game a lot better. I think that's one or two areas. I just don't want Aaron to become a stat guy, leading in all these areas but not having won anything. We have too many of those quarterbacks. You have to win the big game.
Q. After the game, defensive end Cullen Jenkins became the second player on defense to express real frustration with the 3-4 system. He said he felt that players were handcuffed and weren't put in position to do what they're good at. Do you agree with that or was he just frustrated?
A. I agree because you have to find out what your players are good at and let them do that. Otherwise, you're going to have a bunch of robots or system guys. Both corners are bump-and-run guys, they're not used to playing off. It just kind of hinders you when you're playing within the system and the system doesn't fit. I made all-pro with three or different coordinators. It didn't matter what system it was, I made it work. So, on the one hand, you have that, too. As players you have to win the one-on-one matchups. You have to win. It's a team sport, but it's one person in that helmet. Go make a play. As players, I know it's easy for us to blame the system and for coaches it's easy to blame the players. But ultimately it's up to the players. Coaches don't make players, players make coaches, so you have to go out there and make plays. The only reason I agree with him is that he's not the only one saying this, that the system may not fit them.
Q. Do you think it would have sent a message if Mike McCarthy had benched defensive end Johnny Jolly for his head-butting penalty that gave the Vikings a first down after they had been stopped on third down? Or do you think that was just part of the game?
A. No. He has to go after him. He should have got right in his face and let him know the magnitude of it. But I think it's accepted. I think those plays are accepted. Jolly said, hey, that's how he plays. So the coaches know how he plays. They're not surprised that happened. The only one who was surprised is everyone in that stadium. But the coaches weren't surprised. You didn't see any coaches get all bent out of shape. They think it's part of football, just like they think the penalties are part of football. That's the system they play under, that they're going to make mistakes like that and they're OK with that. I don't know why you would be. To me, that's just accepting something that won't work. So you're basically telling me he can do it again and it's OK? I just know if that would have happened with coach Holmgren, he would have been all over you, he would have gotten in your face on national TV. He'd let you know, you can't do that. Just walk off the field. You hold them to a field goal if you walk off the field. You know if it's close you're going to get the flag because all the referees know you're one of the most penalized teams. A guy hit Rodgers right in the back with his helmet when he was scrambling and he didn't get called for spearing. If that was another quarterback, a more elite quarterback, he would have gotten that call. So the Packers have to be smart. Stay away from that stuff. If you want to play with emotion, you have to know when to turn it on and when to turn it off.
Q. Where do you think the Packers go from here?
A. Well, they have to get to 5-3. They have to beat Tampa Bay to start out with. Really, they need to win three straight. If they win three straight, now you're back in the playoff hunt. If you go 2-1, it's tough. If you go 0-3, forget about it. The next goal for the Packers is to win the next three games. Once you win the next three games, now Minnesota can't slip at all. You have to pick up the pieces and get back to what you've done and try to figure out what your players are good at and let them play. Just let them play. Give them the information, the players take the information and you execute it. Too many excuses. I didn't care who my coordinator was, I tried to work his system. But he also has to let me play. It's a team game, but again there's only one person in a helmet.