Rodgers tweaks Tulloch on radio
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers usually reserves his championship-belt celebration for rushing touchdowns, so it was somewhat surprising to see the Green Bay Packers quarterback go to it after his 10-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson in Monday night's win over the Atlanta Falcons.
"I just wanted to remind people you can do that celebration and not hurt yourself," Rodgers said Tuesday on his radio show on 540 ESPN Radio Milwaukee. "It wasn't even really a big one. It was just a little one."
In Week 3, Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch mocked Rodgers' move -- which has become known as the discount double check after his State Farm commercials -- and in the process tore his ACL after celebrating a sack of Rodgers.
Rodgers appeared especially fiery during the Falcons game, which was his 100th career start. Several times he took off running and refused to slide, leaving himself open to hits, including a late hit by defensive end Tyson Jackson at the end of a scramble toward the end of the first quarter. Rodgers said he will probably get a talking-to this week from general manager Ted Thompson about the benefits of sliding.
"Sometimes you just want to feel like a football player," Rodgers said. "Ted probably didn't appreciate it, and he usually will tell me at some point this week, I'm sure, that sliding is always a good option. So I look forward to that conversation with Ted."
Tulloch later took to Twitter to send Rodgers a quick shout-out -- but not before taking issue with the characterization that he got injured doing his own rendition of the quarterback's discount double check.
Despite improving to 10-3, Monday night's game was hardly the low-stress victory the Packers have gotten used to at Lambeau Field this season. They jumped out to a 31-7 lead and then had to hang on as quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones (who caught 11 passes for 259 yards) nearly rallied the Falcons to a victory.
Asked on his show whether his confidence in the Packers has waned after their near-collapse, Rodgers offered a one-word answer: "No."
