Rodgers next threat for ‘D’
Packers QB able to extend his plays
With Aaron Rodgers coming to town, the Patriots defense will face its greatest challenge to date. The players are well aware they’ll be up against it trying to contain the Packers quarterback during their Sunday night showdown.
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
Even though Rodgers has been battling a knee problem, Patriots safeties coach
Steve Belichick believes the veteran QB is moving just fine and will take off with the ball if the opportunity presents itself.
“He poses a big threat obviously as an elite passer but also as a runner and extending plays,” Belichick said of the miracle maker during a conference call yesterday. “He can throw the ball all over the field. He poses a great challenge. We’re looking forward to it.”
The Pats have had some trouble containing mobile quarterbacks. Rodgers isn’t likely to run in the same manner as Chicago counterpart Mitch Trubisky, who gained 81 yards on the Pats, but he won’t be afraid to take what’s given if his knee is feeling fine.
“I think he looks just fine . . . We’re definitely not underes- timating him or his abilities,” said the younger Belichick. “I’m sure he’ll be ready to go. He’s proven that over a long, long period of time.”
Rodgers and Tom Brady will meet for just the second time in their storied careers.
Brady, who spoke about Rodgers after beating the Bills Monday night, expanded on WEEI yesterday morning.
“What he’s done as a quarterback, I think it is inspiring, even for me,” Brady said. “I watch his game and it makes me want to get out there and practice and improve because I think he’s so phenomenal with the way he manages himself in the pocket and his ability to throw the football is unlikely anyone probably in the history of the league. It’s pretty awesome to watch.
“He throws some of the best incompletions I have ever seen. It is going to be a big challenge for our defense. We’re going to try and make it hard on their defense and we’ll see how it shakes out. They have had a lot of close games this year. I am sure this will come down to the wire.”
Rowe goes on IR
The Patriots placed cornerback Eric Rowe (groin) on injured reserve. He suffered the injury Week 2, missed three games, came back and re-aggravated it.
Rowe will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Rookie corner Duke
Dawson is eligible to come off IR next week and likely will take Rowe’s spot.
Can’t coach speed
Safeties coach Belichick wasn’t surprised by the speed displayed by Devin
McCourty on his pick-six Monday night. McCourty intercepted a Derek Anderson pass and raced 84 yards for the touchdown.
“I’ve seen Devin run like that a lot. The first play that comes to mind — obviously, not a good one — is him making the play on the Kansas City kickoff return, running that down. But Devin’s always had tremendous speed and tremendous desire,” Belichick said. “You could tell as soon as the ball got in his hands, he wanted to get to the end zone. It was a great play by him and he turned on the jets and it didn’t look like anybody was catching him. His brother
(Jason McCourty) was gaining on him a little bit, but I don’t think he would have caught him.”
Belichick, who has coached the safeties the past three seasons, says he’s been aided by McCourty’s leadership.
“I’ve been extremely fortunate to always have Devin in my room and I’ve always been on this team with Devin,” he said. “I can’t even say enough of the amount of leadership that he brings to this team in so many different areas on the field, off the field, in the meeting room, in the weight room, walkthroughs and then obviously on the practice field.
“He’s a guy who’s been around for a while. He’s done a lot of things at a very, very high level for a long period of time. If I was a young player, I would want to follow his lead as well. I do as a coach, so I think everybody looks up to Devin in one aspect or another.”