SANTA CLARA – Aaron Rodgers spoke to Bay Area reporters this afternoon on a conference call. He spoke about the Justin Smith, NaVorro Bowman, Alex Smith and the term “game manager.” Here’s a transcript.
Q: What makes the 49ers’ defense stand out among the NFL’s defenses?
RODGERS: They have the best players. Front the front-seven to the back end they’re solid. They don’t have any weaknesses. A lot of Pro-Bowl players and a lot of guys who could be Pro-Bowl players, big names and guys who don’t get the respect they probably deserve yet but will.
Q: Will you have to account for Justin Smith with two blockers?
RODGERS: Maybe three or four, depending on where he lines up. I think he’s definitely one of the best players in the NFL regardless of position. Most offensive guys would probably agree. Maybe his teammates feel the same way.
Q: A lot of people have referred to Alex Smith as a game manager. When you hear that about a quarterback what do you make of it, and do you think he is a game manager?
RODGERS: I think that term is a condescending term for quarterbacks. I don’t think he’s a game manager, I think he’s a guy who takes care of the football and makes a lot of plays. I don’t think he got the respect that he deserves. I’ve been friends with him since we were 21 and I’ve followed his career. It’s nice to have been able to reconnect over the last year or so. I definitely pull for him and enjoy watching him play. I think he plays the position pretty well – just look at the Saints game. The plays that he made down the stretch were incredible. When you add some weapons to the mix like they did with Manningham and Moss, I think you can open it up more because (Smith) has the ability and the talent.
Q: You mentioned you were able to reconnect with Alex. How did that happen?
RODGERS: We both spent some time down in San Diego in the offseason, and we both played in the American Century Championship again this year. We talked on the phone a few times during the offseason. He’s just a real good guy, and it’s been fun to kind of grow up in the league together. We’re both in our eighth season, we’ve been through a lot – him a lot more coaching changes and stuff, but we’ve both dealt with some adversity and it’s fun to see him leading and playing really well.
Q: Who’s the better golfer?
RODGERS: I think I beat him.
Q: You didn’t face the 49ers last year when NaVorro Bowman became a regular starter. How have he and Patrick Willis together as inside linebackers changed the 49ers’ defense?
RODGERS: I think they’re the best tandem of 3-4 linebackers in the league. I think NaVorro has All-Pro ability. He’s talented sideline-to-sideline, athletic, moves around well in space. Put him and Patrick together and it makes it tough to do anything inside against them. I think he’s one of the top guys. Playing next to Patrick he may not get the recognition yet, but I can promise there are teams and players around the league who know who he is and have a lot of respect for his talent.
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Aaron Rodgers on Alex Smith: “I think he plays the position pretty well.
lol That is a funny quote.
Yeah, he knows way less about playing QB than you Neal… -L-
I.P.
Are you new to sports oh clever one?
No nealfitzperv, everyone knows your just clueless. Your a troll and a very unintelligent one at that.
Hey Primate,
I heard that your in the Animal shelter, Mommy Primate kicked you out of basement. LMAO I wished you were famous instead of a loser because you would make good material on Leno and Letterman.
Neal, how easy are you to goat? Dude, I own you, I say jump, you say, how high, I say speak, you bark. You are so easy I’m embarrassed for you.
But hey, keep googling mom jokes an living in a basement or zoo jokes, those are kinda funny.
Primate,
You don’t owe anyone, your this little ego maniac chihuahua at the animial shelter, and I get under your little fur so easily. You don’t need to be Dr. Phil that you are a miserable unhappy bastard, and you have no life. I feel very sorry for you numb nuts.
Your right Neal, I don’t “owe” anyone. I just own you. Try proof reading once in awhile so you dont look completely lost. Your mine little man! Bah, bah, bah, like a lost goat, get it?
Primate
Get some help, I bet you were the bullyin High School , and now your trying to be the blog bully, you got nothing on me numb nuts. hahahahahahha Not a damn thing. How is life working for you Primate? Yea I thought so, have some wet dreams tonight on your man crush AS.
At least I finished highschool. I wear a suit to work, your the guy who dry cleans it for me, thanks bah, bah, bah!
Yea that is right numbnuts, I own a string of dry cleaners in the state. Where did you buy those cheap ass suits. Possibly the Flea market. Got you again, little brain. I finished college too numbnuts, not just High school. You probably got a GED.
@Primate
Thanks for the laughs. The mental image of a monkey in a suit made my day.
Neal
It’s so obvious that monkey boy is annoyed by two things: when you call it ‘Primate’ and when you mention it’s mama. Also, it’s material is so old and predictable. His favorite card is ‘oh, you’re so dumb’. You can read him a like a book – a cheap pop-up book :)
LMAO at Nick.
Primate favorite movie is Dr. Dolittle and ofcourse his favorite song is”If I can talk to the animals”. Yes he can because he is a primate. !!
No fitzperv, your not the owner, your the guy who hangs the suits and cleans the floors. Lets not kid ourselves, you can’t even spell let alone write a sentence without some grammatical or spelling mistake. What college did you graduate from, the University of Dumbinese State? Bah bah black sheep, have you any wool, yes Prime, yes Prime, three bags full.
Nick, what happened to the row? Hahaha!! The dumb card is real, you two really are not very bright. That’s a fact and that’s probably why you changed your screen name, cause it rhymes with slow, doo, low, and skid row, all things that you are!
BTW, my Mom is doing well, and I don’t believe in zoo’s. Nice try though. I actually think the Mom jokes are growing on me, keep em coming.
That is the best you can come up with Primate, again your not even in my league, comparing me to you is like comparing steak to spam. Have Sweet Dreams of AS little brain. dream of your favorite all time Niner,11 11 11 11 11 11 11. Also don’t forget the little pop up book Momma primate got you this week.
Your right Neal, I’m not in your league. I’m not on welfare or social assistance. I don’t live pay cheque to pay cheque, I have a full time job, I don’t need coupons to buy groceries, I can spell, I can talk football, I dont hate any players or talk about them in a negative way each day, I don’t tell people I’m only on this blog to fight, I don’t post irrelevant or chauvinistic pictures, and basically I’m not a loser. So your right, we’re not in the same league, bah, bah, bah, come follow me little sheep!
Prime on his way to work…
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A2KJkP69JUhQ4j4AbWCJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3Dmonkey%2Bsuit%26fr%3Dipad%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D1&w=233&h=417&imgurl=strange-lands.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F08%2Fmonkey_suit.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fstrange-lands.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fgodfrey-faithful-monkey.html&size=11.9+KB&name=monkey_suit&p=monkey+suit&oid=2aff65a06e158b7a1e8c8867441583c3&fr2=&fr=ipad&tt=monkey_suit&b=0&ni=72&no=1&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11t1j4n11&sigb=134arcfpg&sigi=11smlkr8p&.crumb=TjY81llaHvA
LMAO at Jack, Primate is just a tool.
Hack Jammer, you never learn do you hypocrite? Your all over me for defending DS, who by the way talks football, and here you are defending the lowest form of existence on the blog in Neal, your long lost son.
Listen Jack, I know you have a hard time following instructions, stay off my comments to others, I dont address you, you don’t address me. Your know it all attitude is a joke, therefore no time for losers!
My deal with Neal is none of your business. You want to start one with me, just keep replying.
Not defending anyone Prime, just thought I would share a picture of you in your monkey suit with Nick.
That’s real mature Jack, posting pictures like your son Neal which is so highschool. Maybe that’s what were dealing with here, a couple teenagers on an adult blog.
To be honest with you Prime, since this new guy Jack and Neal showed up, they are like a soap opera, drama fuels these type of individuals. Let them have their fun and games, your better than that crap they post. Go Niners!
You are AWESOME Prime! You are my puppet, I pull the strings and toy move. Have a good one Pinocchio.
Apparently not FDM : )
Jack you need to grow up, I have seen you post some pretty good football banter, why go down that route with Prime? He is the king of instigating and you fall right into his game. I dont always agree with it, but thats Prime, you need to not fall into his game,he will beat you down from what I have seen in the past. He is the honey badger of this blog, right or worng, he is who he is.
Honey Badger, that’s a good one FDM! I agree, he is better to stay away from. Thanks for the advice.
I know we often don’t see eye to eye, but you always keep it real with me and that is appreciated. What are your thoughts for the game this week?
That’s right FDM, I am like the honey badger, I don’t give a f$&@! I’m just tired of the trolls. They can dish it, but they can’t hang with me, trash or football talk, they are nobody’s!
Neal is my pet, Nickrow is my pigeon, and Jack wants to be me! Why? Cause I’m Prime Time!
Primate going to work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBFhvrAOFqY
Neal, when will my suits be ready and can you pull my car around front, thanks pal!
Chop, chop son, time is money, and I know you ain’t got none, so let’s go Fitzperv!
Yes Primate,
Your suits will be delivered to your mommy’s basement because we don’t have a forwarding address to the animal shelter. ahahahha
Hey Neal, has your son’s football team started playing games yet?
Hey Jack,
Thanks for asking, yes their first game was last weekend, not a good showing, they lost against Salinas 19-0. My son is playing special teams and he trying to break into the top spot for wide receiver, currently he is second string. He almost blocked a punt, missed it by a couple of inches, he might play some linebacker this weekend,as the coach is experimenting with him in a few positions.
Neal,
No shame in that, Salinas has a very good program at all levels. Have him keep working and he will get there. Looking at their schedule they should get a W this week.
Hey clowns, this isn’t pen pals r us, you want to have your own family discussions, face book it.
Hey Fitzperv, please tell me your not coaching your sons team, that would be and 0 for season guaranteed!
What the HEY??!?! I’m the Honey Badger of this blog!!!
Thanks Jack,
This is his first year playing freshman football, so he is making good progress. Salinas has some faster and more polished players.
Neal – That has to motivate Alex. Total slap in the face.
I agree Crabs, he must feel pretty good that he might be the best QB in the league and AS has struggled for most of his career, and he loves to say I told you so. Both QB’s want this game bad, kind of reminds me of when JM was traded to the Chiefs and he played the game against Young and the Niners, and played quite well to beat us.
Neal – Well said…..You watchin Cowgirl game?
Crab!!!!!!!!! What are you drinking??? I was thinking beer, but went with my Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc.
Damn want the 9er game to start.
Good times. lol
Damn, pace yourself with that VMSB Hofer……4 quarters is a marathon not a sprint.
Having a diet pepsi like 23J right now. :-)
Crab, wine is organic and medicinal. That Pepsi drink will not do your insides any good. Did you ever put Pepsi on raw liver? Not a good sight! lol
Hofe/Dr. Oz – I will keep that in mind. Lol
Pepsi is the Debils drink. Drink Coca Cola.
hof
To get enough of the life extending chemical, you’d need to drink an unthinkable 10,000-20,000 gallons or some ridiculous number. You’d die of alcohol poisoning long before. I believe it’s also found in grape juice. Minus the hang over whole dying thing
Crab15 – You’ll feel awful if you drank that much pepsi. Though some do.
md – I’ve been drinking pepsi ever since this sold me. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYQbQmtA6IU
Not even going to look Crabs…… But Id bet my life that its the same commercial that introduced Cindy Crawford t my life. To bad she was drinking crap in a can. But she was so fine I let her slide. Cmon tell me tats the commercial. I literally fell in love. I think I was 12 at the time. Thats the one huh? lol
Oh and Coke was #1 last year followed by???? Diet Coke. Ha ha ha haaaaa.. lol
In America that is. We all know Coke destroys Pepsi all over this big ol world. ENJOY COKE!!
Yes I am watching the game, like watching both QB’s play the game.
md – Yes, you nailed it. That was the one. You still should’ve took a look. Good memory.
Crabs… Nice it’s the only commercial from Pepsi that I can remember. Man she was hot!
I will bet you a nickle Bowman’s job is to “spy” Rogers as soon as they enter the Red Zone. Fangio will not let him beat us with his legs.
If Mike Vick can’t elude Bowman, Rodgers is toast.
+1
Fun tidbit since we gave the Packers Rogers over Smith I though you should know they in turn gave us Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis. 2006 Draft: Packers take AJ Hawk (You will remember we all wanted him and Nolan definitely would have taken him) #5 thus forcing the 49ers to pick Vernon Davis at #6. In the 2007 draft, still needing a MLB the Niners decide to take Patrick Willis over DL Adam Carriker (Remember that debate?) Had we gone with AJ Hawk in 2006 draft I have no doubt we would have then gone Adam Carriker in 07 (Since we wouldn’t need Willis). So: AJ Hawk and Adam Carriker vs. Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis? Almost makes the Rogers loss palatable.
@Mike in SF # 2:
Nice. Thank God things turned out like they did.
“Almost makes the Rogers loss palatable.” Almost.
Yep…. I did say “almost”. Damn!
What do you expect him to say “alex should be out of the league”… Oops Roddy White already did say that.
Not what roddy said at all. He said he should move on from the niners. Get facts straight before spouting off nonsense.
Actually, he said that the 49ers should move on from Smith.
FWIW, Roddy White has a reputation for publishing stupid tweets.
Claude
Bill Maher calls tweets “brain farts”. JH calls it a fad.
Best not to take them seriously.
DS -Please no Bill Maher quotes or I’m dumping some Ann Coulter on you. Deal? :-)
LoL! Yeah these interview sessions are almost as useless to read as some of my comments : )
They say absolutely nothing…
I think Rogers praise of the 49ers defense is genuine, but the secondary purpose is sneaking Fredrick P Soft into Santa Clara headquarters.
Rogers is great at buying time just by taking a step or two away from pressure. I’m guessing Fangio is encouraging the DBs to stick with WRs until the whistle.
I hope to hell they play Fhysical ;-o and get in their jerseys the whole game. The bend butdont break gameplan isnt gong to work this Sunday. Pressure Pressure Pressure with the front 4 and hit them AT the line.
These conference calls would be a lot more fun if media members started misquoting what was said. Something like:
Rodgers: I have no respect for Smith. He’s condescending and plays the position like a game manager with no ability and talent.
That would stir some sh*t up.
That’s hilarious rocket! LoL!
Rodgers misquote #2: “Justin Smith is a poor man’s Eric Bakhtiari.”
I was hoping for a littl more to the interview. Oh well. AR said some nice things no doubt. How the pepole who hate AS will deal with it…I can care less.
9erGirl – You now have 4 days to end your holdout!
Get in here soon, make my day.
Her husband finally converted her and she’s now a Raider fan. Crab, you can reach her via the Raider blog. lol
Hofe – Did you finish off the vino?
I predict 9erGirl will return soon. Her Raider fan hubby must have got jealous when she became a rockstar in here.
The sorry Raiders have like 3 winning seasons in the last 17 or 18 years! Yet their pitiful fans say “this is the year” every freaking year!
It’s grotesque man!
Crab, just had a couple of glasses. Remember, medicinal. lol Yeah, 9ergirl is MIA. Probably tired of the offseason drama and will return this week before the game.
Bite your tongue, Hof.
Raider fan??? Puhlease……I have not been brain damaged, just ridiculously busy, lol!
:-)
Missed you too, Crab!
I’ll still be hit and miss for the next month or so, but will try to get in here a little more often.
Hope you and the rest of the 49er Faithful had a great summer and can’t wait for the season to start!! Goooo Niners!
(and if this post is somewhat of a duplicate, sorry – I typed one up earlier and it disappeared…who knows if it will show up again later, lol!)
Welcome back!
“Sheees baaack.” …….I told you Hofer!!!
Welcome back 9erGirl!!
9ergirl, I thought if I “disparaged” you using the Raiders, you’d come back to give some grief. lol
Welcome Back!!
BAYUM!!!! That’s ma’ girl!! …. 49erGirl!!! You missed out, Mrs. Ma’am!! Awesome Alex Smith debates!! Arguing with DS & CO.!!! Oneniners pearls of wisdom, and ….. wait a minute …. nevermind. You didn’t miss a thing ;-)
Thanks guys :-) I have missed a lot of BS, I’m sure, but there’s sure to be more that in the future. Still waiting on that “ignore” button for the trolls…..lol! Glad to see all your friendly avatars/faces still here!
Here’s my 49 cents on the team to date – The team has looked really good in the preseason (with the exception of the first half in Denver – did Peyton look good, or what??!!). Very vanilla, not giving anything away. Hoping they unleash the offense a little more in Green Bay – would like to see a very confident “I’m going to shove the ball and the score right up your ‘everyone thinks they should have picked you over me’ a$$” attitude from Alex on Sunday!!
So far I’ve been most impressed with the O-line, Kendall Hunter, and our special teams coverage. Was a little worried with Snyder leaving, but Kilgore seems to be filling in the void nicely. Kaepernick has looked really good as well – very explosive and multi-dimensional. Not sure how long he’ll be willing to play second fiddle on this team, but that is sort of a moot point since Alex is the starter for the foreseeable future. (……and waits for the AS fan club to interject “hater” comments, etc.).
The other thing I really noticed that is different than the last 10 years is the depth growing at each position. This was something that was always evident when Eddie D. ran the team that has been missing for quite some time. Tells me that the future is bright in Niner land for 2012 and beyond!
I am a little concerned about our kick/punt return game w/Ginn being injured – hope he’s back soon (I haven’t been following the team as closely this off season so I’m short on details with his injury and expected return date). Have not been impressed with James’ ball handling ability – and Kyle Williams doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies either.
Secondary also seemed a little shaky at times, but part of me wonders if they played loose during the preseason and will have more of an aggressive edge once the season starts – my gut says they’ll be just fine.
Have no predictions for this weekend – I think it will be close and hope we are able to walk away from this brutal scheduled start of the season w/a big, fat W!!
9erGirl/Rockstar – Nice post, you’re in mid-season form without even attending training camp. :-)
Oh crap, Chris Berman picked the 49ers to win in Green Bay. We’re hosed. I’m going to start drinking now.
sometimes he’s right. It’s when that terd mike Greenberg picks us is when you have to worry. Can’t stand either of the two.
Hate Greenberg! He’s such a homer of overrated teams like the Falcons. Dude should be fired!
I like when Chris Berman belts out WHOOOOP!!! Or when he does this.
I think Aaron Rodgers is as fine a person as Alex Smith is.