Vikings: Packers will miss Favre
Rivals amped up for season opener
By BOB McGINN
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Posted: Aug. 12, 2008
Green Bay - Pat Williams, the Minnesota Vikings' nose tackle who at times in the past three seasons has overpowered the middle of Green Bay's offensive line, says the Packers will miss quarterback Brett Favre more than they might anticipate.
"They had a nice year last year but they don't understand that Brett made those guys better than they were," Williams told Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports on Sunday in Mankato, Minn. "He has the game all figured out, and you've got to factor all that into the equation.
"Brett Favre would throw the ball when the receivers hadn't even made their cut yet, and it would be there waiting for them. Those guys had it good.
"People think it's the system, but it ain't no damn system. Brett Favre just knows where his guys are going to be at all times, and I don't think Aaron Rodgers has got that yet."
Williams, who made his first Pro Bowl in 2007, said his focus all summer had been on the Sept. 8 opener at Lambeau Field.
"They're going through all that as a team, trying to figure out if Favre or Rodgers was the man, while we've got the same team we had all off-season," he said. "I'm glad they got all that darn press, 'cause when we go down there it'll be the kid's first start and his first damn loss. I'm going to try to crush all of 'em."
Meanwhile, Vikings defensive end Jared Allen also can't wait to welcome Rodgers to the border rivalry.
"Playing Green Bay on Monday night to start the season, that's everything you want," Allen said. "Hopefully, I can put my helmet square in the back of his spine. If I can do that and knock the ball loose, it'll be a good day."