McCarthy basically said any problems Rodgers had were due to a combination of factors, including inconsistent pass protection, too many rookie wide receivers forced to play major roles, Rodgers’ mobility being compromised by the injury to his left knee in the opener and his chemistry with the new receivers suffering because he wasn’t able to practice after the injury. McCarthy also said the Packers drill quarterback fundamentals such as footwork every week, just like they always have.

“All those things are part of the way we’ve always played here and obviously Aaron has done it at an incredibly high level,” he said. “You’ve got to remember what’s on the other side of that (debate). On the other side of that is the time clock of the route, the type of coverage you’re getting and so forth. When it’s really good, it’s nice to stand in here and say great things about individuals, but I’m not going to get into (a critique). That’s about as specific as I think I can give you right now. To sit there and go through every throw and every footwork, it takes two. It takes the guy throwing it and the guy running the route. The biggest part of it, too, is the protection and the (throwing) platform that he’s dealing with.”