A hungry Aaron Rodgers has a conversation with JS beat writer Tyler Dunne

[woodbuck27]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-qb-considers-his-legacy-green-bays-new-offense-b9923255z1.html

He's got the ring, the MVP, the big contract. But he's hungry for more.

Please click on the above LINK for this Q and A Session with our QB.

GO PACK GO !

[bobblehead]

I loved the comment about the "used car salesman" in the backfield. That was respect. Don't be surprised if little DeJuan makes this team.

[Old School]

Nice article. Not only do we have the best QB in the business; ours has his head on straight.

[swede]

Q. Is there any vindication to you that the deal was struck on draft day?

A. Well, I think irony is the better word. Vindication, I'm not looking for vindication. I'm looking to be the best player that I can be. Every time the draft comes on, they show my mug on there and talk about the wait that I had and guys who have had similar waits over the years as well.

In an interview like this it is so easy to agree with a characterization from the interviewer that is close. But Aaron's distinction between irony and vindication is impressive. It would be impressive with long minutes to think about it, but even moreso as a snap answer in an interview.

Vindication is a confirmation of good standing against some ill word brought against you. It implies a sense of personal relief.

Irony is situational, and the target of the irony was not Aaron but the teams who passed on him in the draft, none of whom would do so if given another chance.

I like his distinction. His life goes on and he needs no feeling of relief from the slight he felt back then. But the irony of the situation will be visited upon the other teams for long years, especially those who have suffered without a good quarterback.

[pbmax]

Vindication is a confirmation of good standing against some ill word brought against you. It implies a sense of personal relief.

Isn't this a close cousin to carrying around a chip on your shoulder, though? Rodgers might not want to claim the fruits of vindication (personal relief), but you can't carry a grudge about your draft status and doubts about your abilities (stemming from High School) without some consideration for what people think of you.

It might very well be healthier not to become self-satisfied, but he's splitting a hair here, isn't he? I would not doubt that he enjoyed the contract timing and not simply in an ironic way.

[swede]

Isn't this a close cousin to carrying around a chip on your shoulder, though? Rodgers might not want to claim the fruits of vindication (personal relief), but you can't carry a grudge about your draft status and doubts about your abilities (stemming from High School) without some consideration for what people think of you.

It might very well be healthier not to become self-satisfied, but he's splitting a hair here, isn't he? I would not doubt that he enjoyed the contract timing and not simply in an ironic way.

Hmmm. Everything you say is certainly true. Aaron has been fueled by his collection of "chips". His new chip is the message that the value of his play will not match the amount of his contract.

I think what I am admiring here is his ability to split hairs in the middle of the interview in a meaningful way. It seems to me that his rhetorical hair-splitting turned the spotlight away from himself and back on the other teams.

[3irty1]

I loved the comment about the "used car salesman" in the backfield. That was respect. Don't be surprised if little DeJuan makes this team.

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the majority of the load this season. Even with rookies it should be his job to lose given how strong he came on at the end of 2012.

[pbmax]

I think what I am admiring here is his ability to split hairs in the middle of the interview in a meaningful way. It seems to me that his rhetorical hair-splitting turned the spotlight away from himself and back on the other teams.

Fair point.

And your earlier one, that he does not accept the terms of the original question is good as well. He does this with Wilde all the time in their weekly interview. He conducts a weekly masters class in how to frame questions (or reframe them) so that you can answer them without revealing anything you would rather not.

[Fritz]

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the majority of the load this season. Even with rookies it should be his job to lose given how strong he came on at the end of 2012.

Given the interview and the whole Aaron-Rodgers-has-a-chip-on-his-shoulder narrative, it's no wonder he would like DeJuan Harris. Rodgers sees himself in any underdog, especially those who are passed over before those anointed have ever competed.

I think Rodgers is very smart, and I like his response - trying to turn it away from being personal. On the other hand, I don't believe it for a minute. It's all personal to him, which is why there is a part of me that is leery of Rodgers.

[swede]

Given the interview and the whole Aaron-Rodgers-has-a-chip-on-his-shoulder narrative, it's no wonder he would like DeJuan Harris. Rodgers sees himself in any underdog, especially those who are passed over before those anointed have ever competed.

I think Rodgers is very smart, and I like his response - trying to turn it away from being personal. On the other hand, I don't believe it for a minute. It's all personal to him, which is why there is a part of me that is leery of Rodgers.

Yeah, I've thought of that also. If Rodgers ever went Favre on us we'd be toast.

[denverYooper]

Fair point.

And your earlier one, that he does not accept the terms of the original question is good as well. He does this with Wilde all the time in their weekly interview. He conducts a weekly masters class in how to frame questions (or reframe them) so that you can answer them without revealing anything you would rather not.

Speaking of framing. It seems telling that he mentioned the 2 rookies an Harris specifically. I wonder if Starks and Green are both on the outs.

[Fritz]

That is a good question. And too bad, cuz I like Green's potential, although in his brief opportunities when healthy he didn't impress me as I'd hoped.

Maybe Rodgers doesn't think much of guys who can't stay on the field, no matter whose fault. I dunno.

I would be far more concerned with what Rodgers thinks of me than what the fans think, but then again I'd be even more concerned with what MM thinks. And if I were a vet with a higher-end salary, I'd be concerned with what TT thinks.

No wonder AJ Hawk keeps restructuring.

[pbmax]

It's all personal to him, which is why there is a part of me that is leery of Rodgers.

Yep. Favre good ol' boy'd all this stuff and then stayed away from the weekly media in his later years. So the public really had to piece together scattered fragments to understand his unhappiness when it occurred. He just didn't cross paths publicly with too many questions about it until the Summer of Favre.

Rodgers is, so far, much more accessible. I could see the whole package curdling if the team hits a real bad patch. That is just pure speculation on my part as I don't really know him obviously, but I get the sense that he is wound pretty tight.

[MadtownPacker]

I think Rodgers is very smart, and I like his response - trying to turn it away from being personal. On the other hand, I don't believe it for a minute. It's all personal to him, which is why there is a part of me that is leery of Rodgers.

Leery? You MFers make me sick. The same traits you probably hate about Favre are the same ones that made you cheer for him. Now you pulling the same shit on Rodgers. He is a fucking human, they all are right? Eventually they will get upset or disagree with something. You cant expect to piss out the fire that fuels them IMO.

[pbmax]

Leery? You MFers make me sick. The same traits you probably hate about Favre are the same ones that made you cheer for him. Now you pulling the same shit on Rodgers. He is a fucking human, they all are right? Eventually they will get upset or disagree with something. You cant expect to piss out the fire that fuels them IMO.

No one wants them to. But that same fire serves them less well, from the team's perspective, as they age.

Unavoidable.