Even Packers get in spirit of Aaron Rodgers Day

December 13, 2012

 
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Josh Sitton changes out of an Aaron Rodgers jersey during NFL football practice on what is officially "Aaron Rodgers Day" in Wisconsin on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012,in Green Bay, Wis.

GREEN BAY — Little kids weren't the only ones breaking out their No. 12 jerseys for Aaron Rodgers Day.

Green Bay Packers offensive linemen Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, Jeff Saturday, Marshall Newhouse and tight end Ryan Taylor showed up for Wednesday's practice wearing Rodgers jerseys. The Wisconsin Legislature had designated Dec. 12, 2012, as Aaron Rodgers Day in honor of the Super Bowl winner and last year's MVP, and students and workers throughout the state were encouraged to celebrate by wearing his jersey.

"We had some fun with it today," said Lang, who may or may not have been the ring leader for the caper. "He was a good sport about it. He just laughed. He got a kick out of it.

"We like to poke at him as much as we can — there are not very many opportunities for that, for him being as sensitive as he usually is," Lang added. "So we had some fun with it."

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers smiles during NFL football practice on what is officially "Aaron Rodgers Day" in Wisconsin on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis.

The players wore their No. 12 jerseys for the first few minutes of practice, long enough for Rodgers — and everyone else — to notice. They then put their own back on.

"(I want) to thank my teammates for wearing my jersey for 20 minutes, and getting scared and taking it off," Rodgers said.

Rodgers doesn't normally like to be singled out, but said the proclamation was a "great honor." He was even happier that it turned into a fundraiser for the MACC Fund, his favorite charity. Fans were encouraged to donate $12 to the MACC Fund, which is dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.

"It is a special thing," he said. "This is something that will probably only happen once in my lifetime so I appreciate it."


Packers won't have Woodson back for Bears game

GREEN BAY — Jay Cutler can't catch a break this season.

Clay Matthews was back at practice Wednesday for the first time since pulling his hamstring last month, and he's eager to terrorize the Bears quarterback again Sunday when the Green Bay Packers (9-4) travel to Chicago. The Packers can clinch the NFC North title with a victory over their biggest rivals.

"When you have a good day rushing the passer — it might not equal sacks directly, but if you feel good as a pass rusher you get into a routine, a rhythm and a groove," Matthews said. "I definitely felt that was the case the first time we played them. I want to break out a little bit of the rust, obviously, sitting out a few games, but there shouldn't be a drop-off.

"Hopefully, there isn't."

Tormenting Cutler has become one of Matthews' favorite activities. He has six sacks in seven games against the Bear, and Cutler probably still has some bruises from their meeting in September. Matthews had a career-high 3 1/2 sacks, seven tackles — six of them solo — and also batted down a pass. The Bears managed just 168 yards in that game, a 23-10 Green Bay win that was even more lopsided than the score indicated.

Despite missing the last four games, Matthews still leads the Packers — and is tied for sixth in the NFC — with nine sacks.

"He's practicing today? That's good to know. We could use all the help we can get," Bears coach Lovie Smith said in a conference call with Packers media. "He's one of the best players in the league. That'll definitely give them a boost. They're a better football team with him on the football field."

The Packers would be even better if Charles Woodson was ready to go, but coach Mike McCarthy said doctors decided the perennial Pro Bowler needs to give his broken collarbone another week to heal. Woodson practiced last week, and was hoping he'd be able to play against Chicago.

The Packers-Bears rivalry is the oldest in the NFL and, no question, its fiercest. Curly Lambeau and George Halas used to refuse to shake hands after games, and Bears receiver Brandon Marshall said Wednesday he's never disliked a team as much as the Packers.

That the Packers can clinch the division title has only added to the hype.

"Very frustrating day. Charles was ready to play, he's ready to go," McCarthy said. "It's the judgment of our medical staff, in particular Dr. McKenzie. He does not feel it's in Charles' best interest to play in this game. Trust me, that's not easy. He's been preparing himself. He practiced last week. I know he's extremely frustrated."

Matthews is anxious to get back on the field, too, but he knows he has to be smart about it. This is his third hamstring injury, and there's no sense getting back on the field if he's only going to have to come right back off a week or two later.

Especially with where the Packers are in the season.

Green Bay has been one of the hottest teams in the NFL after its 2-3 start, winning seven of its last eight. Not only are the Packers closing in on the division title, they still have a shot at the NFC's No. 2 seed — and the first-round bye that goes with it.

"I'm not going to put myself in an older category, but maybe a younger Clay might have pushed it a little too much in trying to get back out there," said Matthews, who is in his fourth season. "But you have to realize the bigger picture here. ... With a few games left and an opportunity to clinch this thing, with an opportunity to get into the playoffs, ultimately that's the big picture. It's to get healthy and go into the last part of the season and playoffs full-strength and full-speed. Hopefully that's the case. Today was a good step."

McCarthy said they'll see how Matthews responds the rest of the week. The Packers aren't practicing in pads at all this week, but they will be in shells Thursday and it will be their longest and hardest practice.

"The plan is for him to play in the game," McCarthy said. "But that's why you practice. It's important to go through the process physically, mentally. ... We'll do our best to get him ready."

Cutler might want to do the same.

Notes: OL T.J. Lang practiced after missing last week's game with an ankle injury. At his old left guard position, no less. Lang was shifted to right tackle after Bryan Bulaga suffered a season-ending hip injury Nov. 4 against Arizona. "Today was the first day I really got to run around and plant on it, put weight on it," Lang said. "I'm definitely feeling better each day. If I continue to make the improvements I'm making the past week, I feel pretty good about Sunday." ... McCarthy said WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring) is a "longshot" for Sunday's game. ... Jeff Saturday remains the starter though Evan Dietrich-Smith took snaps at center during practice.


Briggs joins Marshall in unloading on Packers

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs unloaded on the Packers a day after teammate Brandon Marshall did the same thing, saying he's no fan of Green Bay and that Jermichael Finley is "an idiot."

The league's oldest rivals meet Sunday and they've been talking plenty of trash.

Marshall went off on Wednesday, saying he's never disliked a team as much as the Packers. Briggs backed that up a day later, saying his feelings are "very similar."

He really took issue with Finley for telling FOXSportsWisconsin.com the Bears might be better off with linebacker Brian Urlacher sidelined by a hamstring injury. The Packers tight end was quoted as saying Chicago is not "losing too much if he's out." Briggs responded, "He's an idiot."


NFL Preview: Packers at Bears


GREEN BAY (9-4) At CHICAGO (8-5)

Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX

OPENING LINE — Packers by 3

RECORD VS. SPREAD — Green Bay 7-6; Chicago 6-7

SERIES RECORD — Bears lead 92-87-6

AP PRO32 RANKING — Packers No. 6 (tie); Bears No. 12

LAST MEETING — Packers beat Bears 23-10, Sept. 13

LAST WEEK — Packers beat Detroit 27-20; Bears lost to Vikings 21-14

PACKERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (18), PASS (12)

PACKERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (15), PASS (17)

BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (28), RUSH (10), PASS (27)

BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (5), RUSH (12), PASS (6)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Packers have won seven of eight and can clinch second straight NFC North title with win. ... Green Bay has also won five straight and seven of eight against Chicago, including NFC title game two years ago. Packers eyeing third season sweep in four years against Bears. ... Win would give Green Bay fourth straight season with double-digit victories, tying team record. ... Packers have won franchise-record 11 straight division games. ... Packers sixth in NFL with 35 sacks. ... Packers sacked Chicago's Jay Cutler seven times and intercepted him four times in first meeting this season. ... CB Charles Woodson (broken collarbone) out for seventh straight game. ... LB Clay Matthews practiced Wednesday for first time since pulling hamstring last month and was eager to play this week. Had career-high 3½ sacks against Cutler last time and leads Packers with nine despite missing past four games. ... Bears have dropped four of five after 7-1 start. ... Chicago placed K Robbie Gould (left calf), CB Sherrick McManis (knee) and S Craig Steltz (chest) on injured reserve and signed veteran K Olindo Mare to one-year contract. ... Bears lead NFL with 35 takeaways. ... Defense has seven touchdowns, all on interception returns. ... Cutler expects to play after leaving last week's game with sore neck. Including NFC title game two years ago, Cutler 1-7 against Packers with twice as many interceptions (16) as touchdowns (eight). Cutler's 11,754 yards passing rank second in team history behind Sid Luckman's 14,686. ... WR Brandon Marshall had two catches for 24 yards last time against Green Bay. Leads NFL with franchise-record 101 receptions, ranks second in league in yards receiving with career-high 1,342 and tied for third with nine TD catches, one behind league leaders A.J. Green of Cincinnati and New England's Rob Gronkowski. ... CB Charles Tillman has career-high nine forced fumbles.

Associated Press