GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers wants to play the NFC Championship Game at home this season, which is why he and the Green Bay Packers are focused on starting fast.
Don't get Rodgers wrong: He won't panic if they start 1-2 for the fourth straight year -- remember R-E-L-A-X? -- but he knows that a better start to last season might have forced the Seattle Seahawks to come to Lambeau Field for the NFC title game.
The Packers instead had to visit the Seahawks, losing 28-22.
"It's all about putting yourself in position and winning the important games early sometimes that can set you for those [playoff] games to be played at home," Rodgers said Thursday when the Packers opened training camp. "Because I think we all know, and I think the league does as well, how difficult it's becoming to play at Lambeau. So we'd love to have the championship game at Lambeau next year."
The Packers have positioned themselves for a fast start. When they re-signed receiver Randall Cobb (four years, $40 million) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (five years, $33.75 million), general manager Ted Thompson ensured that the NFL's highest-scoring team last year would have its entire starting offense back.
"It doesn't feel like there needs to be a lot of change," Rodgers said. "We've got the team that we want. You're always making little adjustments from year to year. But we know how close we were last year and we know how difficult it is to get to that point, and it's about playing the right way and giving yourself as many opportunities as possible."
Rodgers likely won't play much this preseason -- he didn't even play in the preseason finale the past two summers -- but coach Mike McCarthy isn't curtailing Rodgers' reps in practice. And that's just fine with him.
"I am 31, and I feel great," Rodgers said. "I'm not 35, 36, 37 or 38. I don't know what this pitch count is all about. But I've iced my arm probably less than five times in my entire life. I'm very happy with the gift I was given with this right arm, and it doesn't give me any problems."