Blogs

Quotes from Green Bay Packers 2013 Pro Bowlers

QUARTERBACK AARON RODGERS

(what the recognition means to him)
“It’s an honor to be voted in, knowing that it’s a combination of the fans, my fellow players and the coaches. To be recognized by all of those people, it’s pretty special.”

(on dealing with some changes this season as far as injuries, roster moves, etc.)
“I’ve always put a lot of pressure on myself to play well every week. I have high expectations, I know this organization and my teammates do as well, they expect me to play well. We’ve had some personnel changes and injuries this year, but guys have stepped up and we’ve been fortunate to keep it rolling. I know I personally prepare to be successful, Monday through Saturday, and I think that’s why you see some of the success on the field on Sundays. I put a lot of time into it, I care about it, it means a lot to me, and I know my teammates are counting on me to play well every week.”

LINEBACKER CLAY MATTHEWS

(his reaction to being selected)
“It means a great deal to me to continue to maintain the success on a personal level year-in and year-out, but ultimately this is a testament to the team that we have. The players around me, the coaching staff, the personnel department, and everybody who is involved with allowing me to do the things I can do on the field and helping to put me in a position to excel.”

(on being the first Packer to be selected to the Pro Bowl each of his first four seasons in the NFL)
“It’s pretty special to hear something like that. Obviously, there have been so many great players to have come through here, so it is very meaningful. But to me, making the Pro Bowl again really speaks a great deal to the team we have and what we’ve been able to accomplish over these past four years in my short tenure here. Hopefully it’s an early foreshadowing of things to come as far as the success not only for myself, but for this team.”

CENTER JEFF SATURDAY

(what the recognition means to him)
“Obviously, it’s always an honor. Anytime you get to go to the Pro Bowl, it is an honor and you appreciate everyone, the players, coaches and fans that voted for you. As an offensive lineman, it is nice to get the award.”

(what it has been like for him to be with a new organization and new teammates)
“It has been fun. I have enjoyed the young guys and playing next to new guys for me. I am disappointed for Josh Sitton; I think he should be there. It is disappointing for me, for him. I would love to be able to pass it to him. He is a tough player and has played very well all season. I respect the heck out of the way he has played and it has been fun to play next to him. I’ve had fun playing with T.J. (Lang) and Evan (Dietrich-Smith). These guys have been a lot of fun to play with and obviously you depend on those guys. They make you look a lot better on game film, so I am very appreciative to those guys as well.”

Charles Woodson ruled out again

Following the recommendation of the team’s medical staff, Mike McCarthy has ruled out DB Charles Woodson (collarbone) for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Vikings.

Recently, McCarthy spoke of wanting to get Woodson in a game prior to the playoffs, because he hasn’t played since breaking the collarbone in St. Louis on Oct. 21. This week will mark the ninth straight game he’s missed.

“We were hopeful this was going to be the game,” McCarthy said. “This is his fourth week now going through practice.

“I know he’s disappointed. This is a game he’d really like to play in.”

Woodson continues to work on the scout team in practice.

The defensive line could be in better shape than it’s been in a while, however. DE C.J. Wilson returned to practice on a limited basis. he has missed the last four games with a knee injury. Also, DE Jerel Worthy was back at practice as a limited participant after missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury.

“C.J. Wilson is doing everything he possibly can to get on the field,” McCarthy said, adding that Thursday will be a big day for Wilson, as the team practices in full pads for the first time in a few weeks. “He wants to play.”

Listen to the Minnesota Vikings’ conference calls

Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier and CB Antoine Winfield were made available to the media via conference call Wednesday. To listen to Frazier and Winfield talk about Sunday’s game in Minneapolis, click on the links below.

- Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier
- Vikings CB Antoine Winfield

Mike’s mid-week chat transcript

In case you missed Mike Spofford’s mid-week chat, you can read the transcript right here.