1. Do you think, and have you heard, the Packers have any special payback ideas when playing the Giants, or does the fact that the regular season games have not mirrored the post season match-ups change that?

I think if this game were in Week 1 — like many people (myself included) thought the Packers would be the Giants opening opponent — or even an early season game, then last year’s playoff game might have more relevance to the Packers. But so much time has passed and so many games have been played, that it hasn’t been an overwhelming topic. Mike McCarthy acknowledged this week that the playoff game was part of the film that was shown to the players this week, but that it wasn’t as motivation but rather as typical scouting. He did, however,  admit that “watching the playoff game, I mean it wasn’t fun. I think that’s fairly obvious. But it’s part of the preparation for this week.” … Both McCarthy and Tom Coughlin were asked whether this has almost become like a division game because the two teams have played so often of late but both said no.

2. How did Mike McCarthy handle motivating his guys for the regular season this year after going 15-1, and the QB having basically a perfect season in 2011?

He identified things that went wrong against the Giants and made those the main teaching points in the offseason. Specifically on offense it was ball security. The Packers turned it over and dropped passes far more in the playoff game than they did during the regular season. On defense, it was all about tackling and being more sound. And really from that standpoint, it was about getting better players on defense. Even in going 15-1 last season, their defense wasn’t good. That’s why their first six draft picks in April were defensive players.

3. What match-up, if any, should worry the Packers this Sunday?

The Packers aren’t playing all of their preferred starters on the offensive line and considering the strength of the Giants’ D-line, that has to be a concern. They will be playing just their second game without right tackle  Bryan Bulaga, who was lost for the season with a hip injury on Nov. 4 against Arizona. So they’re playing their left guard, T.J. Lang, at right tackle and they brought Evan Dietrich-Smith off the bench to play in Lang’s old spot at left guard. Both struggled against the Lions.

4. Has the loss of Jay Cutler energized the Packers any more to aim for the division crown, or is it business as usual?

The Packers have been more energized by their five-game winning streak than by anything the Bears have done. Before last week, the Packers had played only the one division game — in Week 2 — against the Bears. Consequently, they hadn’t concerned themselves much with the division. That will change over the final month with all the NFC North games they have upcoming.

5. What aspect of The Packers concerns you most as they head towards the final 6 games?

 They have to get Clay Matthews back. More than any player they’ve lost to injury over the last few years, they need Matthews. He’s not only their best defensive player but one of the best in the league. He’s probably not going to play this week against the Giants, but they need him healthy if they’re going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Thank for the insight Rob, we always appreciate your time and efforts!

Follow Rob on Twitter @RobDemovsky and LIKE us at our new facebook address www.facebook.com/gmenhqny

Yesterday we had the pleasure of speaking with Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazzette.  Rob has covered the Packers since 1997.  Click the link below to see the full interview

Q and A With Packers Beat Writer

1. Being that you are with the team daily, have you noticed anything  
different this year from last year as a result of the Super Bowl  
victory?  Has there been less or more access, different scheduling,  
anything that you found different?

Not much has been different from the day in, day out routine of years past. Mike McCarthy is nothing if not a creature of habit. He’s used pretty much the same in-season schedule that he’s used his entire six years as the Packers’ head coach. That means practices are about the same length, meetings last about the same amount of time, his media schedule is exactly the same. As for the players, locker room access is about the same. The same players you used to see in the locker room on a daily basis are still usually in there regularly. The same ones who almost never were in there are still almost never in there. About the only difference in media access is that the offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators are no longer available after games. Instead, we get them the day after games. What’s more is that McCarthy himself seems about the same. I’ve gotten no sense that success has gone to his head. Don’t get me wrong, he has an ego, and he’ll admit to that. But as far as NFL head coaches go, he’s the most like a “regular guy” as any of the four head coaches (Mike Holmgren, Ray Rhodes, Mike Sherman and McCarthy) I’ve covered in my tenure with the Press-Gazette.

2. Many Patriot and Colt players over the years have discussed the  
pressure of an unbeaten season.  The extra questions, the extra media  
attention, and the added pressure of not just watching the standings,  
but having a higher threshold to uphold.  Have you seen any changes as  
the season has progressed, and how do you think the team will handle it?

So far, it seems like they’re fine with it. This week, there’s been more national media at Lambeau Field than I think I’ve seen all season. And of course, the number one topic among them has been 16-0. I don’t think McCarthy has told his players to avoid the topic, at least not based on what Clay Matthews said on Wednesday. Though he seemed to purposely not mention the phrase “16-0,” Matthews did say this: “We’re embracing it. We’re not shying away from it. The fact is we’ve been able to stay undefeated for a little while now. We have to take it 12-0 in order to get to what you were saying. We’ll try and go 12-0 this week against a good New York team and take it from there and then hopefully take it game by game and work towards our ultimate goal.” (more…)