Forever linked, Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith happy with their paths

Green Bay — When they were the top two quarterbacks selected in the 2005 NFL draft, Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers were set up to have one of the great rivalries of the new millennium.

You know, like Roger Staubach vs. Terry Bradshaw. Or Dan Marino vs. Joe Montana. Or Steve Young vs. Troy Aikman. Or Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning.

Two talented quarterbacks vying to become the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback of the future via the first pick in the draft. The one that wasn't picked first, a good plot line would dictate, would go second or soon after.

For the next decade or so, the two would conduct epic battles against one another, each trying to surpass the other's greatness.

Welcome to reality.

It has been 11 years since Smith went No. 1 to the 49ers and Rodgers all the way back to No. 24 to the Packers.

Smith has started 110 games (including playoffs) compared to Rodgers' 116, yet the two have met only three times when both were starting — not once in the playoffs and not ever with a postseason berth on the line.

When Smith leads the Kansas City Chiefs into Lambeau Field on Monday night, he'll be the one walking around in the shadow of the other, kind of the way Rodgers was the day he was forced to swallow his pride.

Rodgers' career has surpassed the expectation of even his own head coach, who was the offensive coordinator for the 49ers when they took Smith. The next year Mike McCarthy came to Green Bay and soon after understood the miscalculation he had made.

The impression around here is Rodgers uses the slight as motivation and jabs McCarthy about it whenever he can.

"I'm sure he'll enjoy answering that question this week," McCarthy said before practice Wednesday. "He's off to a great start. It's amazing it's been 11 years now; this is his 11th season. Have fun asking him that question."

Rodgers is in a pretty good place now.

He has a Super Bowl ring, two MVPs, four Pro Bowl honors, a 78-38 record and the highest career quarterback rating in NFL history (106.4). His team is 2-0 and hasn't lost a game at home since the end of the 2013 season.

He has a streak of 451 consecutive passing attempts without an interception at Lambeau Field and is just 14 touchdown passes away from cracking into the top 20 all-time. His list of career accomplishments goes on and on.

Asked whether he still uses the draft slight to motivate him, Rodgers said no.

"Not really anymore," Rodgers said. "Alex and I are good buddies. I love seeing him and his family in (Lake) Tahoe. He's one of the guys I pull for. He's a great guy — and he's been through a lot in his career with different coaches and teams now, and he's done a great job.

"I'm really happy for him. He's one of those guys I really pull for when I'm not playing him. So, it's good to spend a little time with him and no animosity whatsoever."

In a recent Sports Illustrated story about Rodgers, McCarthy said that every year Rodgers pokes fun at him in some way about taking Smith and they wouldn't make it through the middle of this week without him saying something.

Rodgers said he gave up on that a long time ago.

"It's not something I talk to him about," Rodgers said. "I don't know what the heck he's talking about. Sometimes people get a little nervous when they're doing interviews maybe and start making stuff up. It's not something we talk about."

Smith is more than willing to talk about his years since the 49ers made him the No. 1 pick out of the University of Utah. Most of it has already been written.

Pushed into a starting position with a lowly 49ers team before he was ready, Smith bombed and took loads of heat in the Bay Area from fans expecting him to be a savior. He played in several systems with the 49ers, and just when he finally settled on one in which he was having success, coach Jim Harbaugh pulled it away from him.

One of Smith's bright moments was a 2012 game against the Packers in which he completed 20 of 26 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-22 victory at Lambeau Field. He out-dueled Rodgers and went on to win five of the next seven games.

However, a concussion in the next game sidelined him and gave Colin Kaepernick the opportunity to take the reins. Kaepernick offered a more dynamic dimension at the position and Smith never played again for Harbaugh.

Smith was traded to the Chiefs in 2013 and has been their starter since. General manager John Dorsey, a former Packers college scouting director, and head coach Andy Reid, a former Packers quarterback coach and tight ends coach, both thought Smith would solve their quarterback problems.

Smith led the Chiefs to the playoffs in '13 and fell short last year. Nevertheless, Dorsey and Reid signed him to a four-year, $68 million deal last September that will pay him a minimum of $45 million no matter what.

Although he doesn't have Rodgers' Super Bowl ring or MVPs or prolific numbers — he has thrown for a modest 21,292 yards and 125 touchdowns with 79 interceptions — he is on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

The comparison with Rodgers is over in his mind.

"This is our 11th year," Smith said. "You get the what-ifs, and our guys even ask me here. I don't give it any thought. I am where I am, and in the end it's not a reality to even think about that stuff, so why would I even do that?

"I'm so happy with where I'm at right now professionally and in life, and I think Aaron has done OK for himself. You don't play that way. It's irrational, and I think it would detract you from what you're trying to do."

The quarterbacks stay connected in that the offenses they run have roots in the Bill Walsh-Mike Holmgren West Coast system. Smith remains linked to Rodgers and the Packers through Reid, Dorsey, offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, a former Packers backup, and weeks like this one.

But as they prepare to meet for the fourth time Monday, each is happy with the way things have turned out.

Despite what he says, Aaron Rodgers motivated to face Chiefs' Alex Smith

GREEN BAY — As we were reminded Sunday night, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers never forgets a slight.

Rodgers’ comment about God being a Packers fan after Green Bay’s victory over Seattle was a well-aimed shot at Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who had invoked God’s name after Seattle ousted Green Bay from the NFL playoffs last season.

Not unlike retired NBA star Michael Jordan, Rodgers has always used slights, real or perceived, to fuel his competitive fire. If he doesn’t have a convenient chip on his shoulder for motivation, he’ll find one.

For Rodgers, the mother of all slights came in 2005 when San Francisco, needing a quarterback, had the No. 1 selection in the draft and evaluated him and Alex Smith for the pick. Aided in part by the recommendation of then-49ers offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, San Francisco chose Smith No. 1 and Rodgers slid all the way to No. 24 before Packers general manager Ted Thompson snapped him up, thereby receiving one of the greatest gifts in draft history, chip on his shoulder and all.

We all know what happened after that. Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre for three seasons but has become one of the top quarterbacks in NFL history, winning one Super Bowl and two MVP awards. As for Smith, after playing for six offensive coordinators in his first six seasons in San Francisco, he was beaten out by Colin Kaepernick, then revived his career upon being traded to Kansas City in 2013. But while he has one Pro Bowl (2013) on his resume, Smith remains more game manager than NFL star.

Although Rodgers and Smith have become friends and McCarthy, after coaching Smith for one season in San Francisco, left to become coach of the Packers, you can rest assured Rodgers will take his head-to-head matchup with Smith personally when the Packers and Chiefs meet Monday night at Lambeau Field. He’ll be motivated to outplay Smith and prove he should have been No. 1. If nothing else, you could tell that by the way his coaches and teammates tiptoed around the question Thursday.

Asked if Rodgers was still ticked off at him for preferring Smith in 2005, McCarthy said, “I think Aaron’s very self-motivated from a number of different things. I’m sure he’ll enjoy answering that question this week. He’s off to a great start. It’s amazing it’s been 11 years now, this is his 11th season. Have fun asking him that question.”

Linebacker Clay Matthews had pretty much the same answer when asked if Rodgers was still bothered over his draft-day snub.

“I don’t know; you’ve got to go ask him,” Matthews said. “He’ll tell you no, so that’s a bad question.”

No, it’s not. However, it is a question that Rodgers wouldn’t touch. He and Smith have met twice as starting quarterbacks, with the Packers beating the 49ers in 2009 and the 49ers returning the favor in the 2012 opener.

Asked if he harbors any ill will toward Smith, Rodgers said, “Not really anymore. Alex and I are good buddies. I love seeing him and his family in Tahoe. He’s one of the guys I pull for. He’s a great guy. He’s been through a lot in his career with different coaches and teams now, and he’s done a great job. I’m really happy for him. He’s one of those guys I really pull for when I’m not playing him. So it’s good to spend a little time with him and (there’s) no animosity whatsoever.”

A better question might be: Does Rodgers have any animosity toward McCarthy? The coach who has provided Rodgers with the platform for his success in Green Bay didn’t call the shots for the 49ers in the 2005 draft, but he did participate in the process.

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Rodgers said he and McCarthy seldom discuss that.

“I’ve mentioned it probably two or three times in my life,” Rodgers said. “The first time it happened, he brought it up our first year in 2006, like he was a little sensitive about it. I don’t mention it. It’s not something that’s on my mind. That’s ancient history as far as I’m concerned.”

Like Rodgers, Smith did nothing to create the draft drama in 2005. He admitted to having a hard time dealing with being the No. 1 pick early in his career because he was trying to prove to everyone that he was worthy of it. As the starter on a contending team, he’s happy with where he’s at right now, personally and professionally, though he does have the dubious distinction of not having thrown a touchdown pass to a wide receiver for 20 regular-season games, dating back to the 2013 season.

Not even the fact that Rodgers’ career has far outstripped his can faze Smith now.

“He and I through that whole process became pretty good buddies, even to this point,” he said. “Certainly, you understand. I mean, we’re all competitive. At the time, coming out of college, of course we’re all competing. You’re at the same position, so certainly you’re competing against each other. You can definitely understand it at the time, but at this point? Eleven years later, he’s got two MVPs and a Super Bowl. I think he’s done OK, you know? I think draft status, we’ve certainly moved beyond that.”

Anyone who understands Rodgers wouldn’t be too sure about that.

Chiefs vs. Packers what to watch for: Eric Fisher, Aaron Rodgers, James O'Shaughnessy and more

1)  Is Eric Fisher back in the starting lineup? Does he help the offense?

Andy Reid indicated Fisher was back working at RT but he wasn't yet clear on if he was the starter. The status of the former No. 1 overall pick is one of the biggest stories of the season so far.

The optimistic fan will believe Andy Reid's story: Fisher was hurt, and high ankle sprains tend to linger. No reason to put him out there until he's healthy enough to be effective.

The cynic will say: this is is just another indication that Fisher is a bust, along with his "demotion" to RT. Anything the Chiefs coaches say is nothing more than a coach sticking up for his players in public. Their actions prove that they aren't happy with Fisher's play on the field.

I hate this debate because I've watched a LOT of Eric Fisher film and I believe the guy is better than advertised and when healthy he'll prove it in 2015 once-and-for-all. Fisher, to my eye, has all the physical tools you'd ever want from a starting tackle in this league. He has always had great feet and athleticism, and finally started to display the strength we've wanted to see in 2015 preseason. It's hard to give up on guys like that.

That being said, the move to RT and the leaked reports of the team not being happy with his decision to miss Week 1 are pretty damning, and difficult to defend. The ONLY way that this argument gets settled in a positive manner is on the field. Fisher HAS to be a starter, and he HAS to prove that he's improved ... and it HAS to start this week.

Jah Reid has done his best in the first two games to step in at RT. But frankly, it hasn't been good enough. By most accounts, he "held up well" in the Houston game, and struggled vs the Broncos. Pro Football Focus had him at a -2.4 in Week 1, and -4.9 in Week 2. Those grades were easily the worst on the team, and from re-watching the games,  I agree with them, at least directionally. Andy Reid has clearly been trying to scheme around the offensive line's inability to pass block and it's hurt their production thus far.

With Fisher back in the game, hopefully as soon as Monday night, perhaps the Chiefs can open up their offense a bit more? It takes good protection to effectively throw the football, especially downfield ... maybe this is the week we see the full playbook.

2) How do the Chiefs bounce back from a gut-wrenching loss to the Broncos?

It's been said that bad losses linger longer with the fans than the team. We can only hope that this is true for the Chiefs this week. I won't compare it to the Colts loss in the playoffs but I can't recall another time when this team has done everything it needed to do to beat a good team but then managed to still lose the game. In this case, they lost by doing the ONE thing you can't do and still win in this league -- turn the ball over.

I don't expect that turnovers will be a problem with this team... I can't imagine a scenario where they have five turnovers again this year. How they respond emotionally to losing a prime-time, division rivalry game at Arrowhead is yet to be determined. Will they come out fired up, determined to prove that the Denver loss was a fluke and that the Chiefs deserve to be in the conversation of the best teams in the league?  OR will the Chiefs come out flat, lacking confidence, indicating a season-long problem?

The Chiefs have the talent to win, and it appears they have the leadership and personalities to keep a loss like that one from ruining a season, but until they show it on the field vs Green Bay, we won't know exactly how they'll respond.

3) Will TE James O'Shaugnessy grow into a larger role?

The rookie showed that the game wasn't too big for him last week with two huge catches, including one in the final drive where the Chiefs took the lead. His role was still limited, with only 14 offensive snaps and it was mostly in the three TE sets. What stood out was his game speed. O'Shaughnessy's two catches were Smith's two longest completions of the day.

If Shag can keep making plays in the passing game, he and Kelce make an exciting pass catching duo at the TE position. Assuming he develops into even an average blocker, he should be able to increase his playing time, possibly into the No. 2 TE role.

That said, we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves after just two catches in one game. But we will be watching to see if he can build on what we saw versus Denver.

4) Will Aaron Rodgers pick apart the Chiefs secondary?

The reviews of the Chiefs secondary covered both extremes: Rookie Marcus Peters has received all of the positive press, even some early Defensive Rookie of the Year predictions. Peters has been fun to watch thus far with seven passes defended and an INT in each game. Can he keep making plays this week? Even if he's able to make a couple more "splash" type plays, we also need to see if Peters can develop into a consistent "shut down" type CB. He's not there yet having allowed 14 catches for 177 yards and three TDs thus far. Monday night represents another big stage for the rookie to show his progress.

Journeyman Jamell Fleming has been the target of all of the criticism, especially after the loss to Denver. To my eye, Fleming was in decent position given his tough assignments but "decent" coverage can be exploited when Manning and those two WRs are on the same page.

When Sean Smith is back from suspension next week, we can assume Fleming will go back to being what he has been -- a solid fourth CB who is a good tackler. He can give you some snaps but he shouldn't be left on an island against top WRs. That's the issue, however. Smith won't be back until after this week's game vs Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers is clearly the best QB in football, and he will be targeting Randall Cobb, James Jones and Davante Adams early and often on Monday night.

The Chiefs defense does have the antidote for most human QBs in the form of an athletic, active front seven that can put pressure on any given snap. The problem is, Rodgers isn't human. Check out his PFF stats under pressure, and let me know where he's vulnerable:

Passing under pressure

Pressure	Drop-backs	Runs	Att.	Com.	Com. %	Yds	Yds / Att.	TD	INT	Sk	NFL QB Rating	Pff.com Rating
No pressure	41	4	37	31	83.8	282	7.6	2	0	0	116.4	3.9
Plays under pressure	26	5	19	12	63.2	156	8.2	3	0	2	128.5	5.0
When not blitzed	59	8	49	37	75.5	373	7.6	4	0	2	123.9	7.2
When blitzed	8	1	7	6	85.7	65	9.3	1	0	0	144.9	1.7
All Plays	67	9	56	43	76.8	438	7.8	5	0	2	128.4	8.9

It's clear that Rodgers will make plays whether he's under pressure or not. The Chiefs secondary needs to have short memories and Bob Sutton will need to make sure that guys like Fleming have help in order to contain the Green Bay passing attack, and limit the yards after the catch. Thus far in the 2015 season, the Chiefs defense has only missed five tackles, which is best in the league. Keeping that trend going this week, and avoiding getting beat deep should help contain Aaron Rodgers which is the best we can hope for... other than another pick six from Marcus Peters.

5) Can the Chiefs get the offense hitting on all cylinders?

I don't care about WR touchdowns. Let me rephrase that: I only care about WR touchdowns to the extent that scoring a couple will (hopefully) shut down that annoying rhetoric.

I would like to see the Chiefs offense do what it showed was possible in Week 1 vs Houston. Or even better, the 2014 New England game or the 2014 Seattle game. Find an offensive identity, mix up the run and pass, keep the defense on its heels and score enough points to win the game.

This week, the Chiefs face a Packers defense that isn't on the same level as Denver or Houston. But they do have some talent: Clay Matthews, Datone Jones, Julius Peppers and BJ Raji are all off to very good starts in 2015. They'll be a challenge for a Chiefs offensive line that still isn't at full strength.

I mention the Seattle game last year for a reason. One piece of the blueprint is there. Control the game by running the ball, mix up the formations and looks enough to keep them guessing, and make sure the Chiefs walk away with seven points when in the red zone. The New England win in 2014 and the Houston win this year are a slightly different blueprint. Both games featured Alex Smith throwing three TDs and Kelce having a big day catching the football.

The goal for Andy Reid's offense should be clear. Run the football, take some more shots downfield (as protection allows) and focus on getting the ball in the hands of the playmakers: Jamaal Charles, Travis Kelce and Jeremy Maclin. I'd also like to see De'Anthony Thomas more involved. He can put pressure on the defense, and help make plays by giving Green Bay a wild card to account for.

Let's see if they are able to put it all together on Monday Night Football.

Seahawks' Russell Wilson stays humble in response to God comment from Packers' Aaron Rodgers

The back and forth between Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson over God and the outcomes of football games won't go away, in part because the media is guilty of keeping it alive.



Rodgers took a subtle jab at Wilson when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 27-17, on Sunday night by saying, "I think God was a Packers fan tonight, so he was taking care of us."

That came in response Wilson's comment about God watching out for the Seahawks during their come-from-behind victory over the Packers in the NFC championship game in January.

“That’s God setting it up, to make it so dramatic, so rewarding, so special,” Wilson told Sports Illustrated of the 28-22 overtime win.

Wilson was his usual humble self in responding to a question on the radio about Rodgers' comments earlier this week.

"I think that in terms of that comment and all that, everybody has the right to their own opinion," Wilson said. "I know for me, I'm just grateful that God has given me the opportunity to play the great game of football. I'm so grateful.

"I know one of the things my parents always taught me was just to continue to remain humble in your victories and your losses. I think that's just the thing that I'm grateful for — just to be able to play the game of football. I love it. Like I said, everybody is entitled to their own opinion."

Aaron Rodgers’ Brother Chooses Surprising Side In Feud With Russell Wilson

Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson have recently traded barbs over the role of God in football with Rodgers mocking Wilson after the Green Bay Packers victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

According to ESPN, Wilson did his best to not escalate the feud by simply responding, “I know for me, I’m just grateful that God has given me the opportunity to play the great game of football. I’m so grateful. I know that one of the things my parents always taught me is just continue to remain humble in your victories and your losses. And I think that’s just the thing that I’m grateful for, just to be able to play the game of football. I love it. Like I said, everybody’s entitled to their own opinion.” (RELATED: Aaron Rodgers Says God Is A Green Bay Packers Fan)

Russell Wilson might have a new ally, and it’s Aaron Rodgers’ brother Jordan Rodgers. Jordan took to Twitter to weigh in on the situation.