Dallas Week

Well, Rodgers said after the Lions game that he injured a different part of his calf, so perhaps it is 2 separate injuries. One area has a minor strain, the other is more significant?

Good news is that it's his left calf and not his right calf

I guess I always assumed it was significant and I don't really see anything new or particularly worthwhile in the ESPN report. If the calf holds up, the Packers win; if not they likely don't.

If GB wins, and there is a strong strong chance they do even with a less then 100%AR, the MVP could very well go to the OL.

In the 2nd half against arguably the best defensive front in the NFL in Detroit, our 5 OL blocked the crap out of the Lions so AR became a pure pocket passer. They were stellar.

These 2 weeks off may turn out to be far more critical for Sitton/Lang then it was for Rodgers. Some big pancakes could be served up on Sunday for AR and also Lacy.

Go Pack!

My only concern is if it goes out and he can't play. Not much hope with Flynn unless they've got a nice lead without much time left. AR proved in the Lion game that as a pure pocket passer there's no one any better in the league.

MM Thursday presser:

@ByRyanWood: #Packers injury report:
Rodgers calf limited
Bostick ill full
Boyd knee limited
House limited
Sitton limited
Richardson knee limited

 

(From JSO blog --)

 

On Rodgers... Practiced in team periods. Looked good. He took 50-60% of the reps. ...Looks good. Hit the target we'd set for him.

On if he'll be able to do everything... We have a game plan and he did everything we asked him to do before. As for as what we do and how we do it, that's what the game is for..

On good to get him out there... Absolutely. Aaron's one of our captains. Always good when he's out there. 

On what young guys get out it... Continue to build the timing. As far as play selection, you try to hit those. Important for those guys to continue to grow.

On Dr. Pat McKenzie... Dr. Pat McKenzie is the best. Not to disrespect others in industry, I've never seen an individual go through the job with such care. Could be your niece, your neighbor. We're blessed to have him.

On cold this week... We got done what we needed to get done these two days. Any time you get your indoor facility 22 degrees, that's a unique thing. Was looking for the wind today. Close to the conditions we'll get Sunday. 

On where Rodgers got better this year... Aaron's improved; things every year you focus on. Certain type of ball-handling, footwork. Davante Adams a rookie starter. Rookie center. Richard Rodgers. New timing you start from Day 1 in the spring. This is the best football I've seen him play.

On how much he looks at other top teams in off-season... Every year is different. We go back to practice in April. ... Do a lot of studies. A lot of great coaches, great offenses, look at who's doing what in certain situations. Maybe look at top 5 red-zone teams.

On Davon House... Looks like he put together two good practices. See what tomorrow brings as far as evaluation. Looks good; moving along.

On Richardson... Sore. We just limited him today.

On if players appreciate Ice Bowl... Definitely. I know our players do. They're definitely in tune with history of the Green Bay Packers. Something they're introduced to in rookie orientation. Educate players on it. You can't walk into the building without being in touch with history of the Packers.

On kick return... I think our opportunities aren't what you'd hope. Into December, you get more opportunities. Should get some on Sunday.

On if this team is more battle-tested... I think our path through the season has had the adversity we're looking for. We've had the good things happen; and not-so-good things happen. This team is accountable. They do everything you ask. I can't say enough about their work ethic. Always look to improve in second half of the season.

On Rodgers getting 12 men on field.... Aaron initiates it but our whole offense is in tune with that.

Yep, that's my only concern and was even prior to today's news from Schefter and Co. I think we were all expecting Rodgers to be limited with his mobility, and that's still fine since he's the best QB. Just don't want to see him injure his calf further, forcing him from the game

I trust Rodgers will be smart with it though

Flynn owns Dallas.

Great clarification.  I don't think anyone expected AR to be at 100%, but I also don't think anyone expected to hear that he has a "tear" in his calf.  Now, that we know that "tear" and "strain" are basically the same thing, I can expect to hear "tear" the rest of the season.  

I knew it was somewhat serious when all 3qbs were active against the Lions

Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media following Thursday's practice. Here are some highlights of his news conference:

Injury report

Limited: QB Aaron Rodgers (calf), CB Davon House (shoulder), TE Brandon Bostick (illness), DL Josh Boyd (knee), G Josh Sitton (toe), S Sean Richardson (knee)

 

On Aaron Rodgers:

 

Practiced in the team periods. Looked good. Took probably 50-60 percent of reps. … We have a game plan. He did everything we asked of him today.

 

On getting him back on the field:

 

Aaron is one of our captains. He's obviously very important to our football team.

 

On younger guys working with him:

 

Continue to build the timing as far as play selection and things you're trying to work on. You try to hit those spots. Important for those guys to continue to grow.

On 50-60 percent of reps:

Yes, he hit the target.

 

On Dr. Patrick McKenzie:

 

Dr. Pat McKenzie is the best. Not to disrespect other people in the medical industry. I've never seen an individual go about his job with the care regardless of who it is. It could be your niece. It could be your neighbor. We're blessed to have him.

 

On practice:

 

We got done what we needed to get done. The wind direction changed so we felt it was close to conditions were close to what we'll see Sunday. Plan earlier in the week was to get out today but with the wind, it's a 20-25 degree difference than what we're expecting to see Sunday.

 

On Rodgers' improvement:

 

I think he's improved. There's things every year that you focus on. Maybe a certain type of ball handling and footwork. Davante Adams is a rookie starter, a rookie center. You have to start from Day 1 in the spring. Growing with Eddie Lacy. All those things are part of the quarterback position. You have to establish those relationships. I think this year is the best football I've seen him play.

 

On offseason studies looking at teams' success in league:

 

Every year is different. Every year you evaluate your offense. We got back and look at what we practiced in April and see if our plan is what we actually played. Really decide on what direction you need to go. We do a lot of situational studies. There's a lot of great coaches and great offenses. No different on other side of the ball. We have offseason projects where we try to stay on top of things.

 

On Davon House:

 

Looks like he's put together two good practices. We'll see what tomorrow brings. He's moving along. He looks good.

 

On Sean Richardson:

 

Sore yesterday after practice, so we limited him today.

 

On guys coming out of nowhere in the playoffs:

 

We talk about opportunity every week. This is an opportunity this week to bring our game and bring an opportunity next week. This is an opportunity we're prepared for. We feel like we can go out and play Packer football.

 

On Ice bowl significance:

 

I know our players know it. Our players are very in-tune with the history of the Green Bay Packers. It's something they're introduced to in the rookie orientation. You cannot walk into the building without being in touch with history and tradition of Green Bay Packers.

 

On kickoff return:

 

Good enough to get into the playoffs, the second round. I think our opportunities aren't what you would have hoped when you get to November and December. I think this Sunday the return game will have chance to impact the game.

 

On game-management changes in postseason:

 

This game is no different than any other game. This is a game we need to go out and stay focused as far as our objectives as far as what we need to get done. There's going to be 46 men dressed and it's everybody else's job to make sure they have what they need to be ready.

 

On being battled tested:

 

I don't think you can weightthat. I think our path through the season has had the adversity you're looking for. We've had the good things happen and the things that aren't so good happen. I think this football team has been very accountable. I can't say enough about the work ethic and the way they go about it.

Calf-watch continues...

Lang and Sitton's effort this year considering their injuries has been outstanding. I'd even say they both have played better since they occured!
All the while, they have a rookie C sandwiched, and he has been mostly a stud.

Stellar indeed.

I think Starr saw on film that when the Guard/Tackle pulled, Pugh would go with him...so, that's why the Mercin run from the 11 yard line put them at 1st goal at the 1 in the first place.  The Packers pulled the Guard/Tackle but tricked Pugh and ran right through the hole he had vacated.  Maybe that's what bvan had meant?

Nope, here's what I meant.

http://bleacherreport.com/arti...s-about-the-ice-bowl

<snip>

That play was called earlier in the week when the team was studying the defensive tendencies of the Cowboys. Kramer actually suggested the play to Lombardi.

"Jethro [Pugh] was high, and I actually suggested that play on Thursday when we were studying short-yardage films. I said we could wedge Pugh if we had to. And Coach Lombardi said, 'What?' And I said that we can wedge Pugh if we have to. So we ran the film back three or four times, and coach says, 'That's right. Put in a wedge on Pugh.'

As a person who was actually at the game, along with the other million people who claim to have been there, that whole last drive was totally due to Chuck Mercein's efforts. 

That was Lilly they tricked with that play. Took advantage of his aggressiveness.

Nice bvan....Cool to hear things like that. Can't believe it's almost 50 years ago

I was not there.....working for Uncle Sam at the time....I do think Chuck Mercien did play a huge part. Who could step into that role this year?  Starks, Adams, Flynn, House?

He's definitely a candidate from the defensive side.

I'm liking Richard Rodgers to show something for the offense.

I think Dallas' lack of pass rush allows AR to sit comfortably in the pocket. NTM the field conditions likely will be slippery, which should slow down their pass rush even more. I think GB stacks the LOS on defense and forces Romo to beat them. I like those chances.

Pack wins 31-16.

thanks bvan and Paciderm.  I couldn't remember the names....but, either way, it was interesting to know how even back then they studied tendencies of All-Pro D-lineman.

Play called was "Give 65".  They knew the play would work once on Lilly and Starr saved it until he needed it most. Starr  called it at the perfect time. Mercien thought he might score on it but I think he ran into a Packer blocker and fell down. 

ammo, IIRC Bart has said that was his best play call of the game if not his entire career.

Thank you!!  I was wondering just that today when I heard about the tear and was thinking  how the hell a tear was any different from a strain.

With backup, Burnett on Murray.

I think, given Rodgers status, that Dallas will try to blitz him and quickly learn thats

a big mistake. Im wondering if were baiting Dallas to blitz with all this injury talk.

looking at matchups, i really like cobb for gb and for dall - witten is favorable against us, should be good to watch...

Anybody got a shot in the dark, wild stab at an unsung here on sunday for the Green Bay Packers?

I'm going to go with Rich Rod. I think the kid is prime for a break out game with Dallass paying too much attention to Jordy/Cobb.

I'm going with Ha Ha.  I see a pick six for him and he is not afraid to stick it to Murray. 

HaHa was awesome during the Detroit game.  He was making adjustments lining up LBs like a genius during that game.  Don't know if that got shown on TV but at Lambeau I was impressed.  Also, when he comes up in run support it's with power.  Wouldn't be surprised to see him separate the ball from Murray.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Murray's ball security issues that he struggled with earlier in the year reappear. My choice is Eddie Lacy- he'll be the best running back on the field Sunday.

Can someone explain to me where the meme about the Dallas Cowboys having an offensive line that is on par with the Hogs of the 80s came from?  

Everyone talks about this great line.  Yet the Packers and Cowboys played the same team on back to back weeks.  Green Bay gave up zero sacks, Dallas gave up 6.  It would have even been more than that had Dallas not gotten away with so much holding last week.

Any story that generates lots of clicks from two of the franchises with the biggest fan following is a breadwinner.

David Maraniss, huge Packer fan, Madison native, Pulitzer winner and author of the definitive Lombardi biography When Pride Still Mattered, is live-tweeting about the Ice Bowl as I type. Fascinating asides about the game and the personalities involved. Lengthy, a little time-consuming, but highly recommended.

@davidmaraniss

Unsung hero on offense - Jeff (Ms. Jackson if you're nasty) Janis (if he's active) or James Starks.

Unsung hero on defense - Sam Barrington

No surprise.

@nickeatman: Mincey and Rolando Mcclain have been cleared to play after having concussion like symptoms  last week

What happened to the "7 day rule"? Uh huh....riiiiiiight!

NFL FU

http://images.nflplayers.com/m..._Mgmt_Concussion.pdf