SPORTS

Cobb: Energy key to Packers beating Bears

Brett Christopherson
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Gannett Wisconsin Media’s Brett Christopherson caught up with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, who looked ahead to tonight’s Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.:

You played quarterback in high school and college. Does the experience you have in playing that position translate into your role as a wide receiver in the NFL? Do you think it has given you a better understanding of the game?

RC: It was definitely a tremendous help from the standpoint of being able to read coverages, being able to see defenses, see blitzes. Being able to understand holes in zones. Being able to understand the time clock in my head, as far as when I’m running my route and knowing when the quarterback is at the end of his drop. That whole deal. So a lot plays into it. It has helped out.

You have the Bears Thursday night at Lambeau Field. What are the biggest challenges you face in trying to prepare on a short week?

RC: Mentally. Trying to prepare as far as the install with the plays that we’re going to be running with the film study. The best part about it is we know these guys. We played them earlier in the year. We know who’s going to be out there on the field. So being able to know who we’re going up against is going to give us a little bit of an advantage.

What are the keys to beating the Bears?

RC: I would say the energy being No. 1. Continuing to have that upbeat tempo. Being able to feed off the momentum plays. And being able to continue to put points up.

Thursday night’s matchup should be electric with everything that’s going on. Brett Favre will be on hand to see his retired No. 4 unveiled inside the stadium. Packers legend and Hall of Famer Bart Starr is expected to be in attendance. The Packers haven’t hosted a Thanksgiving game since 1923. It’s a primetime showdown. This current Packers team has experience in playing in big-time games. Do you feel like that gives you an edge as you get ready to take on the Bears?

RC: Yeah, definitely. There’s going to be a lot of stuff going on around the football game. But the football game is the most important part. So for us a players, we have to prepare for that. All of our attention to detail will be on the football game and handling our business on the field. Definitely with it being a big game — I feel like in primetime games, we’ve played really well this year. So just trying to continue that, continue to play up to the atmosphere.

Do have any favorite Brett Favre memories from watching him as you were growing up?

RC: To be honest with you, my dad was a big Steelers fan growing up, so I watched a lot of Steelers football. The only thing I can think about is probably the game he had (in 2003 against the Raiders) when his dad passed away. I remember watching that game and – unbelievable performance.

Brett Christopherson: 920-993-7117, or brett.christopherson@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @PCBrettC