It's amazing how much stuff an elite quarterback is juggling around in his head between snaps. Rodgers might be a little more control-freaky than most, but it shows how much meticulous work it takes to manage the clock smoothly.

This is gold!!!

In what Rodgers refers to as the Packers' "controlled no-huddle" offense, McCarthy calls the plays and his quarterback disseminates through word and signal. In two-minute situations, Rodgers said he usually calls the plays.

Either way, Rodgers is constantly giving individual tips to teammates in and around the huddle.

"That's what being a leader and a quarterback's all about," he said. "Even if it's not in the play call I'll make mental notes during the week that I probably should say this to this guy.

"Sometimes a guy might be thinking, 'Well, I might not be getting the ball on this one.' Sometimes those guys need a reminder like, 'You're not running a sponge, you're not a decoy. Run your route to win.'"

The play clock usually is in the low 20s when Rodgers saunters to the line.

"As you break the huddle you make sure everybody's running to the right spots," said Rodgers. "We've got to have seven on the line. The last thing you want is six on the line or a stupid penalty."

Then Rodgers gets his first look at the defense. Some teams disguise on almost every snap so that first glance against them isn't deemed critical.

"I take a look at the front," he said. "Often that will tell you what they're going to do. Then I get a look at the linebackers and corners and safeties.

"Keep your eyes on them and your guys. Make sure if there's a motion or a shift that it's done in a proper manner. If two guys are moving before the snap, make sure everybody gets reset.

"Then make sure you're keeping your eyes up for any type of movement by the defense or any verbiage you hear. You also take a look at the 40-second clock, make your check and then remember what the snap count is."

It's only natural that a less experienced quarterback might glance once too often where a running play is headed.

"But you can't," Rodgers said. "You have to play it off a bit. That's part of the art form. Trying to make the runs and the passes look the same.

"The more comfortable you are, the less you need second and third looks."

If the ball is to be taken under center, Rodgers probably ranks in the minority of quarterbacks when he wraps his throwing hand thumb (right) under his other (left) thumb. He says it's easier to keep his hands together and prevents fumbled exchanges; he hasn't had one since Week 3 of 2008.

Rodgers said: "I take a lot of pride in the little things."

The less time Rodgers has to be crouched under center, the better.

"I've always found it slightly uncomfortable to be in a flex position the entire time," he said. "A lot of times I'll have one hand in, I'll slip a second under, I'll be in a half-squat and then get under there. I like to keep moving and make sure we're on the same page and then get under there and get the snap."

It's so interesting that it's an art form to try to make runs and passes look the same!