It's no secret that the Packers and superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers have slumped this season.
But Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, who coached Rodgers for years and won a Super Bowl with him under center, is not about to take the four-time MVP lightly ahead when the Cowboys visit the Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 10.
During his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan's Shan & RJ, McCarthy said has great respect for Rodgers' football IQ.
"The quarterback is dangerous," McCarthy said. "Just the way Aaron plays the position, the things that he does that don't show up in the statistics -- the cadence, the ability to try to generate a free play. His application of information at the line of scrimmage is unique. This guy is listening, and really has a great understanding of football, and has since a young age. And that's a challenge for a defense.
"So what does that mean? It means we really have to be on top of our own Ps and Qs, and make sure our communication is tight, and make sure we're one step faster than we need to be.
Asked whether his familiarity with Rodgers and the Packers could be an advantage for the Cowboys' defense, McCarthy agreed -- but only to a certain extent.
"At the end of the day this is a player's game, and we can never lose sight of that. And you're always trying to heighten your instincts and awareness through gameplanning. But the other side is, they understand that too. ...
"This is a very dangerous football team. But the biggest thing we have to be on top of, as far of our defense in against their offense, just don't give them any free plays, because his ability to utilize the cadence and all those other things I already talked about."
Despite the presence of the reigning MVP, the Packers have struggled to get untracked this season, going a surprising 3-6 in their first nine games.
The disappointing season has yielded numerous reports of frustration for Rodgers and discord in the locker room, some indicating that the Packers' wide receivers feel like they are being scapegoated by the future Hall of Famer.
McCarthy didn't comment on those reports specifically, but he had nothing be praise for Rodgers' demeanor toward his teammates.
"He's got a great sense of humor, practical joker. Especially in the later years, I always thought he did a wonderful job with the younger players.
"Let's be honest, when you win everything's good, and when you don't win, something's wrong, there' something dramatic, and people pick at it. That's how professional sports goes, and that's part of the journey and part of the challenge."
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