National Football League

Cardinals face daunting task in slowing Packers QB

Published Jan. 8, 2010 11:09 p.m. ET

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The Arizona Cardinals watched virtually defenseless as Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers tore them to shreds - first in a preseason game, then in a meaningless regular-season finale.

Whatever tactics the Cardinals have that might give Rodgers problems are being saved for Sunday's wild-card game. Whether anything Arizona does will work against the Packers' strong and accurate quarterback will go a long way toward determining the outcome.

While the Cardinals want to bring pressure, they have to worry about the potent Green Bay running game, too, and the fact that Rodgers has become good at getting rid of the ball in a hurry.

At first glance, pressuring the quarterback would seem to be a solid plan. Rodgers has been sacked 50 times, tied with Ben Roethlisberger for most in the NFL.

But only nine of them have come in the seven games since right tackle Mark Tauscher returned to the lineup.

``They just changed their lineup a little bit and I think they probably simplified their protection,'' Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis said, ``and I think also Aaron is also seeing the field a little bit quicker.''

Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said the defense must be diverse and unpredictable.

``I think pressure is not always the answer because he gets the ball out quick and he understands that,'' Whisenhunt said. ``They have some good receivers. You have to be versatile. You have to mix what you're trying to get done on defense.''

The Cardinals play an aggressive style that works best when the team is at emotional peak. The aim will be to disrupt Rodgers' rhythm. Arizona will move players around, especially Pro Bowl starting safety Adrian Wilson, to try to confuse the Packers quarterback in his first playoff game.

The Cardinals were sixth in the league with 43 sacks - by 13 different players. Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and defensive end Calais Campbell lead with seven apiece.

Dockett is the disruptive force up front and Campbell, at 6-foot-8, can be an imposing presence. They are taking aim at Rodgers.

``There's a trend that teams that beat him, they usually get to him and knock him down a lot, make him a little nervous back there, get rid of the ball a little faster,'' Campbell said. ``If you let him sit back there, he'll pick you apart.''

They know they are facing a quarterback at the top of his game.

``You watched him in the preseason and that last game, the guy didn't even have to look at his receivers,'' Arizona nose tackle Bryan Robinson said. ``He knew where they were going to be. You run a West Coast style offense, everybody has a read, a spot they have to get to, and it looks like he's real comfortable.''

Davis, a longtime friend of Packers coach Mike McCarthy, said Rodgers is throwing ``as well as anybody if not better than anybody'' in the NFL.

``He's very calm back there. He's seeing the field very well. He's very decisive and accurate,'' Davis said. ``Great NFL quarterbacks are accurate above all things, and he's throwing the ball very accurately.''

Davis' defense is a bit banged-up, with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie nursing a bruised left knee cap, safety Antrel Rolle a bruised right thigh and Campbell a broken left thumb.

All were listed as questionable on Friday, but all three expect to play, although Campbell would have to wear a cast.

Backup cornerback Ralph Brown, in his 10th NFL season, says Rodgers' arm is as good or better than Brett Favre's was in his prime.

``I've never seen Brett throw 70 yards in his career,'' Brown said. ``Maybe he has, but some of those throws that Aaron Rodgers has thrown have been on the money 70-80 yards in the air. I don't remember Brett Favre doing that.''

Rodgers, of course, played behind Favre for three seasons.

``He's had a lot of time to sit back and dissect it,'' Robinson said, ``and once he became the surgeon, he's done a pretty good job of cutting people up.''