Rodgers says no need for preseason pitch count

After the first practice of his 11th training camp, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scoffed at the idea he needed a pitch count.

The MVP quarterback is only 31 years old, still in his prime. And he's always taken care of his body, Rodgers said. Even after dealing with injuries each of his past two seasons – a collarbone in 2013, a calf in 2014 – Rodgers said there's never been an issue with his arm.

"I feel great," he 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 life. I'm very happy with the gift I was given with this right arm, and it doesn't give me any problems."

The Packers have scaled back Rodgers' preseason throws since 2013. He averaged 47.6 preseason passes in each of his first five years as a starter. In the past two, the average dropped to 28.5.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy suggested Rodgers may eventually arrive at a point in his career when he'll need to be put on a training camp pitch count, with the quarterback throwing even fewer preseason passes. Right now, Rodgers and McCarthy agree it's unnecessary.

Instead, Rodgers said, he's enjoying his 11th training camp.

"I think that's part of your job as the quarterback," Rodgers said. "You have to bring energy at practice, the enthusiasm. It's fun being with some of the younger guys, trying to get on the same page with them, but the older guys as well. We've got all 11 starters back on offense.

"So it's fun. It's fun to be out there with the crowd. It's a great crowd, even for 8:20 in the morning. It's a different thing, Packer training camp, and it's fun to see the new guys as they walk onto the field and see what it's all about."

-- rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood