GREEN BAY -- Aaron Rodgers might end up regretting what he told Sports Illustrated in an interview last week.

 In a story about quarterbacks following legends in this week's edition, set to reach subscribers Wednesday and hit newsstands Thursday, Rodgers is quoted by author Chris Ballard saying something that likely won't play well among fans who are already unsure about him replacing Favre.

"I don't feel I need to sell myself to the fans," Rodgers says. "They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut." 

 Here's the context in which Ballard quotes Rodgers:

 (Rodgers) grew up admiring how athletes like (Joe) Montana, David Robinson and Michael Jordan handled the press, and he can already mimic their measured, bland responses. He even has a checklist of sorts for interviews: Be available, be friendly, be brief and be "mostly honest."

 On occasion, however, he forgets his own checklist and is perhaps too honest. Asked whether he feels pressure to connect with the fans the way Favre did, Rodgers answers unequivocally. "I don't feel I need to sell myself to the fans," he says. "They need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut."

 While such sentiments probably won't encourage much in the way of shrine construction in Green Bay — or recommend Rodgers's services as a "media adviser" — they are consistent with the advice the old QBs provide: Don't change a thing.

"Get on board or keep their mouths shut ..." How do you feel about that, Packers fans? Are you bothered by it? Or is it being blown out of proportion?

 Earlier in the story, Ballard writes:

 For his part, Rodgers focuses on the positives. He's played in just seven NFL games, most notably coming in for an injured Favre in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys last season, and completing 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards. But he says he's been preparing for this opportunity ever since he was drafted out of Cal with the 24th pick in 2005 and pegged as the Packers' quarterback of the future.

 He says he embraces the opportunity, that there are "zero negatives." He keeps a diary, because as an "internal processor" (his words) he finds it a good release. "I'm someone who likes to churn on things and analyze," he said last Friday, "and I find if you don't get stuff out, it will tear you up." He claims to be his own "media adviser," and says the key is to "get your message out" and not dwell on critiques: "You can either get better or get bitter."