Aaron Rodgers not happy with White’s comments
A Green Bay Packers fan isn't happy with the 20-17 Falcons victory at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – Before All-Pro wide receiver Roddy White could be asked by Aaron Rodgers’ comments about the Falcons being “borderline” disrespectful” after last year’s 48-21 playoff thrashing, the interview was cut short by the teams’ communications staff.
White said he had three minutes to chat, but 1:57 into the three minutes, a staff member gave another member of the staff a sign to step in and cut off the interview.
We were told he had to “go to a meeting” during what’s supposed to be the open locker room time to meet the media.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Seattle. AP
White’s not shy and he would have addressed the comments. It seems that the Falcons have orders to shut White up over the matter. (FIRST AMENDMENT!!!) White’s his own man and probably can’t wait to tell us all about what he thinks of Rodgers’ perceived slight.
Stay tuned . . . .
NOTEBOOK ITEM By Chris Vivlamore: Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently stated that some Falcons’ comments this offseason, following the playoff loss, were “borderline disrespectful.”
Roddy White was quoted as saying: “We were a better team than those guys. We went out there, and we didn’t perform at our highest level.”
Rodgers addressed the issue when asked by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution during his conference call with reporters Wednesday.
“I don’t care to expand a whole lot on that,” Rodgers said. “I just think that some of the general comments that I heard that that game was kind of a fluke maybe. I would just say that I think you need to respect your opponents. We definitely respect the Falcons.
“We were fortunate enough to go down there and play a clean game. I just felt like that maybe the respect level, just as far as those comments were concerned, maybe weren’t there at times.”
The following are excerpts from Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ conference call with the Atlanta media Wednesday in preparation for Sunday night’s game against the Falcons.
Q. What have you seen four games in from the Falcons defense?
Michael Turner, left, celebrates his game winning touchdown with Roddy White, right, for a 35-31 victory over the Eagles during 2nd half action. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
A. They are 2-2 but they are playing well on defense. I’ve been really impressed with Curtis Lofton. I’ve always thought he was a good player. This is his third year. He’s jumped up another notch. He’s one of the most underrated players at his position. I’m hopeful, for his sake, that he starts getting the recognition that he deserves. He’s playing really well. Obviously the front four is solid. Adding Ray Edwards in there is a big help. You already have Kroy [Bierman] and John [Abraham] on the outstide. They are a solid defensive team and they are going to have something special for us this week.
Q. You’ve had a lot of success in the Georgia Dome, especially the playoffs last year. What has been the secret of that success? What have to you effectively against the Falcons?
A. I think we struggled the first time we were down there last season [a 20-17 Falcons win]. The last time [a 48-21 Packers playoff win] we did a little bit better than we did the first time. I was able to get out of a couple sacks and make some plays. If those are sacks, the game is probably a little different. I would expect a tough game for us and them to be aggressive like the last time we played them. It will be important for us to be as efficient or as close to efficient as we were last time we played down there.
Q. We you talk to the Falcons there is a lot of talk about the way you played. There is a lot of reverence there. Is that one of the best games you’ve ever played?
A. I think it was. I think it was one of the better performances that I’ve had. It was a pretty clean game, not a lot of mental mistakes. I was throwing the ball the way I wanted to. We moved the ball pretty effectively. When you combine not turning the ball over and throwing the ball the way you want to you usually have pretty good results.
Q. There are a couple reasons it’s hard for teams to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The idea that you were so close to not being in the postseason last year, is that almost something you can say we are even better than we were for the entirety of last season?
A. That was a special group of men. This is a new team. We have 10 rookies. We’ve made some changes. We have a few different guys starting. Those are the challenges we like to take on with the new team we have in 2011. Also, looking at the first goal we have. Obviously everyone wants to win the Super Bowl. But we want to get a home playoff game in Green Bay, something we haven’t done the last few years. Last year we got in the playoffs as the sixth seed and ended up winning three on the road. It’s tough to do. … We’d like to get a home playoff game in Green Bay in January. To do that, we have to win the division.
A Green Bay Packers fan isn't happy with the 20-17 Falcons victory at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
Q. Can you talk about Jermichael Finley and how he’s added to your arsenal?
A. It’s great having Jermichael back. He’s a big body. He’s very athletic. He has good body control. He understands good route concepts. He catches the ball extremely well with his hands. He’s extremely talented. There are not many guys like him in the league. To have him back is another weapon. He’s given us great balance in the passing game with teams trying to figure out how to stop us. He had three touchdowns against Chicago. Last week, Denver’s plan was pretty obvious. They wanted to take him out of the game and you do that you leave some of those other guys open for big-play opportunities.
Q. You have been quoted as saying some of the comments down here were borderline disrespectful. I wonder if you would expand upon that and what bugged you about what was said?
A. I don’t care to expand a whole lot on that. I just think that some of the general comments that I heard that that game was kind of a fluke maybe. I would just say that I think you need to respect your opponents. We definitely respect the Falcons. We were fortunate enough to go down there and play a clean game. I just felt like that maybe the respect level, just as far as those comments were concerned, maybe weren’t there at times.
Q. Last year during the playoffs, it seems like you guys went after nickel back Christopher Owens a little bit. Coming in was that a point of emphasis for you guys?
A. I would say not, not necessarily. We made some plays. I feel like he covered pretty well. There were just a couple plays where we fit the ball in certain spots. Atlanta is not an exclusive man-to-man coverage team. To say we targeted one guy or another is not entirely accurate. We just wanted to stretch the field at times and take what we could when they were playing soft. Like I said, we were able to take care of the ball and move it effectively when we needed to.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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138 comments Add your comment
Michael M.
October 6th, 2011
9:32 am
I wish they still played football like they use to Lee, this day and time the direction is completely focused on high QB percentages, the yards they produce,touchdowns etc in a game.
Theres no mention hardly about this great linebacker or that good cornerback on so n so team, about the wins a fieldgoal kicker made for a team during the year. The Trick play used to beat this team or that one. Its all about one fellow now and he has QB written on him and the other guys on these teams just get lost in the crowd. Im afraid in a few more years the Teams wont need a defense because they not going to be able to touch the QB period !
When it gets to that point…..I will quit watching and going to the games !
JMF
October 6th, 2011
9:36 am
Look for a good game and a Falcon victory!
Gamer
October 6th, 2011
9:41 am
I’M EXPECTING RODDY TO SHOW UP BIG TIME FOR THIS GAME, PLAYING WITH THE FORM THAT GARNER OPPOSING TEAMS RESPECT LEAGUE WIDE DUE TO HIS LAST 3-4 YEARS OF 1000 YARDS SEASON, BY SNATCHING EVERY BALL THAT COMES HIS WAY.
BUT THIS GAME WILL REST ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE FALCONS DEFENSE.
THE FALCONS DEFENSE MUST PLAY IN ATTACK MODE FOR 4 QUARTERS.
FALCONS PROTECT THE DOME!!
Najeh Davenpoop
October 6th, 2011
9:43 am
Rodgers knows that you are supposed to show off AFTER you score the TD… hence the belt.
waynester
October 6th, 2011
9:44 am
There’s a disconnect between what Rogers says and what he does. Is it good sportsmanship to do his little “belt dance” and point at the ATL fans in the cheap seats? One guy on here already said it— he’s a drama queen who seems to need some imaginary slight to get it up for an opponent. Yeah, there’s a good chance they’ll whup us again (given the way we’re playing) but this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black….
Michael M.
October 6th, 2011
9:58 am
GB and Rodgers may have the Air Attack but they not even close to Kurt Warner and the Rams and what they could do in a Football Game. The ” Greatest Show on Turf ” was the REal DEal and is the Poster child for what alot of these Teams are trying to pattern after today !
Samuel
October 6th, 2011
9:59 am
I really don’t want to disect his comments, in terms of what they did to the Falcons last year. Last year was- last year. Aaron Rodgers is playing at a high level this year. Being that said , can he duplicate what he did the last time they played? Or will the Falcons win some of the- rushing the passer battles? Hence, they must get him off his spot. They have to disrupt his accuracy.
DR. FALCON
October 6th, 2011
10:03 am
RODDY, IF YOU WOULD CONCENTRATE ON MAKING CLUTCH CATCHES IN THE RED ZONE INSTEAD OF DROPPING THEM, WE WOULD BE IN BETTER SHAPE AS A TEAM! MAYBE, SHUTTING YOUR TRAP, WOULD BE PRUDENT, GIVEN THAT THIS TEAM ROUTED US AT HOME! DON’T GIVE AARON RODGERS ANY MORE AMMO THAN HE NEEDS! DUH!!!!!
King Falcon
October 6th, 2011
10:24 am
Roddy’s comments were not disrespectful. He just needs to learn how to word them correctly. Obviously you can’t say that we were the better team than the packers if you got beat like that. He can however, say that falcons are a better team than what they showed on the field which is accurate. Falcon fans need to stop being so humble and bowing down all the time. Nothing wrong with a little smack talk as long as you back it up Roddy!!!!!
kevin
October 6th, 2011
10:28 am
Gb is talkin to much they said they are going to beat use bad
JP
October 6th, 2011
10:35 am
Keep talking Rodney…. LOVE’N IT. You probably had plans and didn’t even want to go to Dallas last year anyway, duh!
REAL FALCONS FAN
October 6th, 2011
10:38 am
RODDY WHITE IS A GREAT PLAYER,A VERY REFRESHING GUY WHO SAY’S WHAT HE THINK’S.I KNOW SMITTY DOESN’T WANT THE TEAM TO GIVE BULLETIN BOARD MATERIAL TO OTHER TEAM’S.RODDY I DO AGREE WITH YOU,THERE IS NO DISRESPECT MEANT HOWEVER,THE ONLY TEAM THAT BEAT’S THE ATLANTA FALCON’S IS THE FALCON’S. I CHALLENGE ALL OF YOU TO NAME 1 GAME THE FALCON’S LOST WHERE THEY PLAYED A COMPLETE GAME ,OFFENSE,DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS,TORNOVERS AND PENALTIES. I DO NOT THINK YOU WILL FIND ONE!WHEN THE ATLANTA FALCONS PLAY GREAT IN ALL PHASES THEY DO NOT LOSE. I CHALLENGE MY BELOVED FALCON’S TO PLAY AS NEAR TO PERFECTION AS POSSIBLE IN ALL 3 PHASES OF THE GAME,LIMIT THE PENALITIES ,PROTECT MATT AND KICK SOME BUTT ON DEFENSE LIKE I KNOW YOU CAN,P.JERRY STEP UP PLAY 60 MINS.LIKE THE PHILLY GAME GET IN THE PACKERS BACKFIELD LIKE YOU BELONG THERE, THE PREDATOR ,BIERMAN,EDWARDS,BABS,AND C.PETERS PLAY LIKE YOU CAN BE DISRUPTIVE AND PHYSICAL.TO THE POLICE C.LOFTON SPOON,NICHOLAS AND THE PETE (AKA D-BLOCK) KICK SOME BUTT.TO MY SECONDARY DO YOUR JOB AND KEEP POPPING RECIEVER’S AND I PROMISE THEY WILL LOOK OVER THEIR SHOULDER TO SEE WHO’S COMING,C.OWENS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF AND THE SCHEME,IN THE PHILLY GAME WITHOUT YOUR TACKLE ON 3RD DOWN WE LOSE GO GET EM CHRIS. TO MY TEAM PLAY 60-WITH FIOCUS AND INTENSITY,THERE IS NO SHAME IN GIVING YOUR BEST,THERE IS NO SHAME IN YOUR BEST GAME !GO FALCON’S ! BY THE WAY DRIVER SAID THE PACKERS ARE COMING TO ATLANTA TO EMBARRESS THE FALCON’S,TO SHOW YOU THEY OWN THE GA.DOME ! I SAY BRING IT ,I ASKMY TEAM TO MAKE A STATEMENT . I LOVE MY FALCON’S THEY ARE THE BEST AND THE FALCONS ARE THE ONLY TEAM THAT CAN BEAT THE FALCON’S! GO FALCON’S
CGD..
October 6th, 2011
10:40 am
Roddy you need to get your head checked….
48-21 was not a Fluke!
Try 56-28 this weekend? Will that be a fluke also?
See Greenbay has actually improved since they won the BELT! SCARY ISN’T IT?
You imposters have actually regressed! 2-6 including the preseason and it does count Coach..
Hey Roddy why dont you stop acting like Jenkins out there and actually catch one that counts for the team? You already cost them one win..And the way you’ve been playing I see more coming ya bum!
The fluke was that 21-18 win in the regular season against GB. A fluke for real.
Your coaching staff has let you down Roddy.. Why dont you take out your frustrations on those busters on your side of the field..Thats were the problems lie. Not with GB Genius!
Michael
October 6th, 2011
10:43 am
Articles published should require some checks for grammatical errors because I find them regularly.
Savage
October 6th, 2011
10:44 am
Here’s to the players playing the games and to the rest of us talking about it while making them millionaires.
CGD..
October 6th, 2011
10:45 am
Hey Einstein, what is it with Falcon receivers dropping wide open passes down through the ages?
It is something in the atmosphere? Something in the Water?? WTF???
The tradition will continue…….BLAH BLAH BLAH…
Loyal Falcon
October 6th, 2011
10:49 am
Who cares if Aaron Rodgers is pissed off! Heck, we are still pissed about that last game. Lets play ball! Go Falcons!
jerry
October 6th, 2011
10:57 am
One thing the Atlanta offense and defense have in common. Neither has played up to their ability. Why?
MM
October 6th, 2011
11:01 am
I don’t know who Coach Smith was talking about when he said “coaching inconsistencies” but it damn sure was not me. I have consistantly ran Turner up the middle 90% of the time on 1st down game after game after game.
PackerFan
October 6th, 2011
11:07 am
OK, here’s the problem…EGO…Every football player has a high level of EGO and EGO is DUMB…it has it’s benefits, but it’s dumb, and White is saying that the Falcons are better than the Packers, after they lost, and lost decisively, bottom line, it’s disrespectful. The better team won the game, period. Now we can tlk about all the games, but the most recent game, the playoffs, Packers won, Packers are the better team, the better team scores more points on the field. Now if he would give his own team accolades, that’s fine, but when you ONLY say your team is better, you open yourself up to criticism and being disrespectful. If I was the Falcons DEFENSE, I wouldn’t be happy…RODGERS will pick them apart and teach them a lesson bcs of White.
Th
October 6th, 2011
12:00 pm
GB won 10 games last year with tons of injuries and subs stepping up. Then they went on a run through the play-offs. The Falcons were a 10 win team that lucked up 3 more times and thought they were a 13 game winner. Sorry, Roddy, you weren’t a real 13 win team last year, you aren’t this year and GB is a better team. That doesn’t mean the Falcons won’t win on Sunday, but they sure won’t if Roddy White can’t hang onto passes right in his hands. You already cost us 1 game, don’t make it 2.
Jon
October 6th, 2011
12:04 pm
The fact of the matter is the Packers made several mistakes during the last game. The O-line played poorly. They didn’t run the ball well. They had the stupid fumble to start the game. I thought GB practically handed the game to the Falcons.
I wouldn’t expect the score to be much different, but I would expect a better showing from the Packers.
Mike
October 6th, 2011
12:12 pm
Roddy White is classless & OVERRATED. Prob 8th best WR in NFC South? Rodgers will drag the Filthy Buzzards up and down the field again in the Georgiadump
fan
October 6th, 2011
12:27 pm
“Atlanta is not an exclusive man-to-man coverage team” well no duuuh. EVERYONE has figured that out by now
Samuel L Jackson
October 6th, 2011
12:38 pm
All I know is this….we bout to bring fire from the mountain…and move some furniture around in this *@$%#…and RISE UP!
Packers QB Rodgers upset with comments by Falcons WR White | Sports, News, Entertainment, US Legislation
October 6th, 2011
12:39 pm
[...] were a better team than those guys,” White said after the 48-21 loss, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We went out there, and we didn’t perform at our highest [...]
old man
October 6th, 2011
12:40 pm
We will win if:
1. We improve our kick-offs and punts
2. We don’t let Rogers side-step our rush
3. We don’t give up a pick 6.
4. We rush for over 150 yards
5. We keep the turnover differential to at least zero
We don’t even need to sack Rogers. We just need to keep him in front and boxed in by our pressure. When he sidesteps the rush he gets 3 or more bonus seconds to find his receiver, which is lethal.
old man
October 6th, 2011
1:00 pm
To be more precise:
1. Bosher needs to net 37 yards per punt (not his abysmal 31.4 so far this year)
2. Rogers has been sacked 7 times in 4 games. We are tied for 29th in the league in number of sacks of opposing QBs. We need at least 2 sacks of Rogers, 3 would be a bonus. On the flip side, Green Bay ranks 8th in the league for sacking opponents, and Ryan has been sacked 13 times in 4 games. We need to limit our sacks to no more than 3, 2 would be a bonus.
3. We don’t give up a pick 6.
4. We rush for over 150 yards
5. Green Bay is +1.5 turnovers per game. We are dead even, 0.0. We need to keep the turnover differential even.
Falcon'sTalon
October 6th, 2011
1:06 pm
As if the Green Bay Packers did not need any more ammunition. Oh well, we were going to lose the game anyway, so ultimately I guess it makes no difference. Make no mistake, this comment will stoke the guys in the yellow pants even more! I am a Falcon fan, but I am also a realist. Look for a matching point margin of 27 or more in an easy Packer win inside the Dome next Sunday.
PackerFan
October 6th, 2011
1:18 pm
@ Old Man: Good luck with that…
brentfullwood
October 6th, 2011
1:24 pm
It’s going to be a great game to watch. Two of the top teams in the league. Two great QBs. Premier wide receivers on both sides. Two great tight ends. Falcons with better running game. Falcons with home field advantage, given by the schedule maker in the regular season again this year.
Should be close and should come down to the 3rd, 4th and 5th Packer receivers and the best QB in the NFL.
FugitivePoet
October 6th, 2011
1:25 pm
Falcons have the players.
All that remains is to develop the nasty attitude and pride needed to deliver bloody punishment on both sides of the ball. What do you think Tommy Nobis would have done if some nobody TE flapped his imaginary wings in mockery in our house after scoring a TD?
PackerFan
October 6th, 2011
1:25 pm
@ Falcon’sTalon- I agree w/ u wholeheartedly…we all have a different opinion of his comments, but it can be construed as disrespectful and with these players having such big ego’s, it’s only gonna light a bigger fire under Rodgers…if I were a member of the Falcons Defense, I’d sure have a word with White as I would not be looking forward to meeting the hottest QB, playing even better than Brady, in the NFL…U know Rodgers is thinking, oh, you don’t think we’re that good last time, let me do it again for good measure just in case you have any doubts…my guess…about the same score…
David
October 6th, 2011
1:26 pm
Cry me a river Rogers.
Mr. Swamp People
October 6th, 2011
1:38 pm
Drew Brees is also upset with Droppy White WHODAT
zolaistheone
October 6th, 2011
1:47 pm
“Personally, I think he is arrogant overgrown twink.”
And by “twink”, you are saying what?
B'Red
October 6th, 2011
2:25 pm
the falcon do not have a better running game. They need a running back, sit the big slow a– MT down. Give Antone some carries. MT gets to the line of scrimmage and lay down…If the hole is not the size of an 18 wheeler he’s not going to get anything and probably lose 2 or 3 yards. You cant expect the line to hold their blocks for 3 and 4 counts waiting for him to get to the hole.
nathan
October 6th, 2011
2:29 pm
Falcons win IF the DC and the OC pull out ALL the stops…players need to be amped up, too! Go, Falcons!
B'Red
October 6th, 2011
2:50 pm
I’m pulling for the Falcons all the way, but on our first offensive possession if the they hand that ball off to MT on first down it will indicate what our game plan is…more of the same ole stuff.
B'Red
October 6th, 2011
2:54 pm
Every body in the stands and everybody wathing on TV know whats coming. It would be a difference if we were blowing people off the ball and MT was hitting the hole quick and with some authority…and stop that patty cake sh– he’s running up in there.
Falcon James
October 6th, 2011
2:56 pm
I sees that Roddy is running that big mouth of his again. He need to stop dropping the ball and let his play do his talking. I bet he won’t get out of the first quarter without a 15 yard penalty for unsportsman like conduct.
PackerFan
October 6th, 2011
2:56 pm
Heres the problem for the Falcons…for an team for that matter. They will try to run the ball and keep Rodgers off the field. But the Packers and McCarthy will counter that by aggressively going down the field, passing and some no huddle, putting the Falcons down quickly, then they’ll keep there foot on the petal and keep scoring…then, the Falcons will abandon there game plan, try to play catch up, and that’s when the Packers D, blitzes and creates turnovers, game gets worse for the birds..birds get crushed again and fly back to there little nest and lick there wounds…
nathan
October 6th, 2011
3:01 pm
Do the Falcons need to be running the Run & Shoot?
Falclowns
October 6th, 2011
3:12 pm
Falcons gonna get their asses kicked this weekend, and there is nothing Roddy White’s mouth can do about it!
PackerFan
October 6th, 2011
3:19 pm
@ Falclowns- LOL! can you tell us what you really think…hahaahh…do birds even have a$$es?
mark
October 6th, 2011
3:22 pm
this is simple its just about the spread and the money here. gb is 4-0 ats and the falcons are 2-2 ats so everybody its gonna take the packers -4.5 because people love to take the sb cham -4.5 against a 2-2 team whos defense is very bad, and the surprised atl wins the game so take atl on money line folks let go falcons and please cut that punter
2-1
October 6th, 2011
3:35 pm
Packer Fan, it their, not there. Talk about clowns.
Roddy
October 6th, 2011
3:41 pm
was right.
GOPACKALLDAWAY
October 6th, 2011
4:05 pm
THERE HE GOES AGAIN RUNNING HIS MOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…CAN’T WAIT!!!!
KEEP TALKING RODDY, KEEP TALKIN!!!!!
ln29576
October 6th, 2011
4:06 pm
You know it doesn’t matter who said what, geeze, fact remains, Packers won, nuff said. They scored more points, and that’s a fact.
Atlanta you have another shot at them in a few days. Let’s see what happens.