http://www.jsonline.com/sports...815z1-279231032.html

Fridays off in the NFL? Unheard of.

The Green Bay Packers' weekly work schedule was tried and true.

Monday was for game film review, treatment and active recovery workouts. Tuesday was an off-day. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were heavy work days to study the opponent and install the game plan, and then practice and perfect it. Friday was the last chance to fine tune anything or get anyone on the injury list caught up.

"You had some other important work on Friday, too — goal-line, short-yardage, four-minute, backup stuff," said Green Bay tight ends coach and 16-year NFL veteran Jerry Fontenot. "Even in the old days, we wore shoulder pads on Fridays.

"Saturday was the day to recuperate and regenerate."

Well, not anymore.

In the techno-modern era of the NFL, the 2014 Packers have turned the end of the week upside down. There is no practice Friday and instead the team practices Saturday morning, sometimes a mere 28 hours before kickoff.

And some players really like the new plan.

"You get your blood going the day before the game," said defensive lineman Julius Peppers. "You're not sitting around for a whole 48 hours before the game. It's a good deal."

The Packers start with what they call "Feel-good Friday" or "Fresh Friday." When they come to work on that day, they must choose at least two options from a list of activities.

Some of the activities are enviable — like massages, the most popular choice.

Others, like Graston Technique, which breaks up fascia and scar tissue, can be uncomfortable.

Can't help but wonder if this new approach has aiding the (knock-on-wood) injury situations this year.