5 things Packers coach Mike McCarthy had to say about the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are set travel to Green Bay on Sunday.

Here are the major things Packers coach Mike McCarthy shared on a conference call with Bengals beat writers on Wednesday:

1. Changing offensive coordinators might not make the Bengals much more of a mystery than they would have been anyway on that side of the ball.

McCarthy said typically 20-35 percent of the things a team shows in a game in the first four weeks of the season won’t have been on the scouting report.

2. The defense might be more familiar to the Packers, who share the NFC North division with a Minnesota Vikings team coached by former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

McCarthy said defenses share some structural similarities, but how they use the various players on each roster makes them distinct.

Credit: Scott Cunningham

Credit: Scott Cunningham

3. Even though the teams have not played since 2009, the Packers are well aware of Geno Atkins.

“He’s just a stud player,” McCarthy said of the defensive tackles. “He’s been a stud player in this league for so long. We have so much respect for him. He just plays at such a high level and dominant level.”

4. McCarthy is more impressed with Aaron Rodgers’ mind than his arm.

The coach said his quarterback has an incredible ability to absorb and apply information while maintaining a high level of play mentally and physically.

RELATED: Looking beyond Bengals’ 0-2 startWho wants to be a QB anyway? 

5. Hamilton graduate Adam Pankey is being cross-trained at guard and tackle, something that is essential for a reserve offensive lineman in the NFL.

“It’s about giving a young man an opportunity to increase his value to be on your football team,” McCarthy said.

READ MORE: Hamilton High grad could make NFL debut vs. Bengals

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