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Q:** What do you see in the Patriots secondary with how they've been using Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis?
MM: [They're] a very good defense, excellent as far as coordination, fundamentals. They are and have been focused on matchups and definitely utilize their personnel very well. We've been extremely impressed with everything, just as far as they go about it, their consistency, tackling and then their ability to challenge your schemes.
Q: How do you go about defending Rob Gronkowski?
MM: Gronkowski is playing outstanding. [He's] a great player, obviously a tough matchup for mostly any defense. We're obviously aware of his ability, and we obviously haven't played against him, so he's definitely a focal point for our defense.
Q: When even a guy like Tom Brady says that Aaron Rodgers is a phenomenal player, how does that speak to the respect he gets from outside of the organization?
MM: I think it speaks volumes. Tom Brady is a phenomenal player, a great player in this league for a long, long time. I like to see that when great players recognize other great players. I think that's the way it's supposed to be.
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Q:** We asked Bill Belichick what similarities he saw between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, and he said they both wear No. 12. Do you see anything beyond that?
MM: Comparable questions are always tough. I tend to stay away from them. I'll continue to, I guess.
Q: What's the mood like in the locker room this week? Are you putting any more emphasis on this matchup between two of the league's best teams?
MM: We trust our process [and] trust our planning, so this is a normal Wednesday for us. We have an adjustment to our schedule tomorrow for Thanksgiving. We'll get in early, get our work done, make sure everybody is home with their families and friends, where they're supposed to be for Thanksgiving, and then we'll continue through our normal week of preparation. We have great respect for the Patriots and the team they're bringing in to Lambeau Field, and we're preparing for those guys.
Q: How much harder is it to prepare for a team you see so infrequently?
MM: I think it poses different challenges to you. I think you need to spend more time on the video and make sure you do your history checks and things like that because I think anytime you get into these kinds of games, you might not have competed against a certain player for a long time and things change year-to-year so much in this league, you've just got to do your due diligence.
Q: How much have turnovers and overall field position made a difference for you guys over the past few games?
MM: Turnovers and field positon are obviously two important components of playing successful football. We've done a good job taking care of the football, doing a good job of taking it away. Those are things we focus on each and every week, but we also understand we've got to get off the field on third downs and we've got to complete third-down conversions, get in the red zone and score touchdowns and just stay in tune with all the situational focuses and needs that you have to get done week-in and week-out.
Q: What have you seen from Richard Rodgers, the rookie tight end from Worcester, Mass.?
MM: A fine young man, excellent young player. He continues to impress as he moves forward through the season. We ask a lot of our tight ends and Richard is doing a great job.
