Way to go Fairbanks AK
Green Bay — The following is a summary of coach Mike McCarthy's pre-practice press conference Thursday:
On Josh Sitton missing practice: Just being smart with his reps. We're deep into the season. He has a lot of football that he has played.
On the offensive line's performance: I think the offensive line has played well. I think they've been very consistent, one of the most consistent positions on our team. We're deep into the season, and this is kind of how it goes most of the time.
On Damarious Randall: Really Damarious started well. If you look at the game down in Chicago, he was the defensive game ball. And really the confidence has been there a long time throughout the season for him to step up and play. I think him and Quinten have both done a nice job with their opportunities.
On Sam Shields: Sam is still in the [concussion] protocol. I'm not exactly sure where he is.
On unscouted looks late in the season: It's really the highest the first three or four weeks of the season. This is really a different deal. You play the Raiders once every four years. I would think the biggest challenge is more about personnel.
On playing in a new stadium: We're not going to practice there, but we definitely have already talked about the environment that we're getting ready to go into. We'll talk about that again Saturday night.
The Ref fka Blair Kiel posted:Looks like my 1976 prom date.....kinda?
You must pay the rent!
I can't pay the rent!
You must pay the rent!
I can't pay the rent!
I'll pay the rent!
My hero!
Drats! Foiled again! 
Per Bill Michaels @WSSP, the Packers do have to either activate Andrew Quarless, IR him or release him this week. The belief is he will be activated.
The big question: Who's cut or sent to IR? Ty Monty is apparently getting better and MM wants him available and playing at the end of this stretch and the playoffs. So if he can play, he won't be IR'ed.
It'll be interesting to see what move TT makes...
Padded practice today, and Monty apparently was not.
I concur with Beckman.
oldschool knows what MM was talking about.
Surprisingly enough, the Raiders and Packers match up well (statistically).
They are a bit better at passing, but we are much better rushing and slightly better scoring.
Carr is very close to ARod in QBR, and they are more efficient at converting 3rd downs.
Defensively, they are better at stopping the run, but we are much better defending the pass and scoring defense.
Interestingly, the Raiders have given up 12 more FGs than the Packers, while TDs allowed are virtually even. I'll take that to mean they allow teams more opportunities to get into scoring range.
Lastly, we are +7 in TO differential. They tend to lose a lot of fumbles.
Based on this, I'd expect a similar game plan to DallAss. Rush the ball to control the clock, tempo, and keep us in favorable 3rd down situations. We should see some similar plays like Cobb lining up in the backfield and screen passes. If Quarless is ready to play, that may throw some new wrinkles into game plan/play calls.
Defensively, we've got to make them one-dimensional. My guess would be to smother the run, and let our DBs do what they do best. We need to win the TO battle, and those guys getting some picks would go a long way in accomplishing that.
Damn. Rooks will step up.
McCarthy on CB Sam Shields (concussion): Sam will not make the trip to Oakland. #GBvsOAK
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 18, 2015
Gotta limit the Raiders big plays in the passing game. Without Shields I don't know how much Capers will play "run".
JSO readout on McCarthy's Friday am press conference:
Green Bay - When the Green Bay Packers fly to Oakland on Friday afternoon cornerback Sam Shields won't be with them.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Shields (concussion) will be sidelined Sunday when the Packers play the Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Rookie Quinten Rollins will join fellow rookie Damarious Randall and Casey Hayward as the team's top three cornerbacks.
"The young defensive backs have done a good job," said McCarthy. "They've had a whole week to prepare. We'll be ready to go."
At his mid-morning press conference, McCarthy also discussed:
--WR Ty Montgomery (ankle) will miss his eighth straight game. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday but sat out Thursday.
"I guess you could classify it as a setback," said McCarthy. "Obviously, he's been having a number of those. A lot of information has been gathered. We'll just continue to work through that."
-- WR Davante Adams has a heel issue. "We're still waiting to see how he's doing today," said McCarthy.
--With Corey Linsley (ankle) having practiced on a limited basis, the Packers will have to decide between him and JC Tretter at center.
"Corey looked pretty good on the video," said McCarthy. "We'll see how he is. Those are good situations to be involved in."
--TE Andrew Quarless, who remains on temporary injured reserve, continues to practice in hopes of being activated. If he is, the Packers would have to move a player off the 53.
"We'll continue to work that out," said McCarthy. "I have no personnel announcements to make today."
--Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt, an eight-year member of the staff, drew praise from McCarthy.
"His ability to teach and demand is excellent," McCarthy said. "He's an outstanding football coach. He truly gets into the art, the technique and the fundamentals of the position. Every coach wants to be recognized for that. Being a master, being an expert at their position."
--The forecast for rain much of the weekend in Oakland could create a sloppy setting for the game at the Coliseum, which opened in 1966.
"We're not anticipating it being nice," McCarthy said. "Just based on my personal history going there. It's definitely a unique venue to play in. There's a lot of history there. It's an older stadium.
"I think everybody has that type of arena they've played in. Whether it's high school, college. You kind of feel like you're by yourself. You're verbally under siege the whole time you're playing.
"It's a fun, exciting environment. Our guys are genuinely looking forward to it. Most of them have never played there. With that, the challenge of playing a football team that's definitely ascending. A very talented football team.
"This is a big challenge on a number of different fronts. The environment of the "Black Hole" is part of it."
A sloppy rainy game might be just what GB needs. It'll slow Mack down a little and should allow Eddie to have the kind of game he excelled in last week. With Monty out yet again and Adams ailing, I assume Abbra will be promoted and dare I say it....Could Janis! um, well, play WR???
Reported today with a Packer win, GB will clinch a playoff spot.
If Adams and Montgomery are both out, Abby and Janis might play more, but it's more likely we see a lot of double TE sets with R. Rodgers and Quarless.
We also might see a lot of a heavy run formation with Lacy/Starks, Kuhn, R. Rodgers, Quarless, and Cobb. Gives you a lot of options to help with Mack. Not a lot of speed there, but James Jones isn't really much faster in place of one of the TEs.
Packers WR Ty Montgomery confirmed he had another setback with his ankle after practicing on Wednesday. Clearly frustrated, Montgomery said: "I'm kind of fed up with the process."
BTW, if a choice between the 2, at this point I'll take Tretter. Fresher legs. And the more athletic C. He's been really impressive in the run game.
Corey Linsley took over as the Packers' center when JC Tretter was injured in 2014, but Tretter could be turning the tables on Linsley this season.
While Tretter appears more athletic & able to get to 2nd level blocks more efficiently, Linsley looks like he may be better suited to anchor vs. large NTs. Oakland plays both 3-4 & 4-3 defenses. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
I wonder if TT would consider shopping Tretter this off season. Good offensive linemen are always in demand and Tretter has shown that he can play at a high level. The knock on him is obviously staying healthy. I think Linsley will be our long term answer there. Have no idea what Tretter's current deal is.
I don't know about that. Linsley was really struggling this year even before the injury.
They are both young. IIRC I believe Tretter is just 24. If he can stay healthy, Tretter may be the better and more athletic C. Sounds like TT has trade bait regardless:
There are 32 starting centers in the National Football League, but only about 20 truly belong in that role. Others, such as Seattle’s Patrick Lewis and Chicago’s Hroniss Grasu, are simply backups being used as stopgaps until a better option becomes available. And that brings us to the Packers. With Corey Linsley and JC Tretter, general manager Ted Thompson has an embarrassment of riches at the position. It’ll be interesting to see if he at least contemplates a trade in the offseason.
The Crusher posted:I wonder if TT would consider shopping Tretter this off season. Good offensive linemen are always in demand and Tretter has shown that he can play at a high level. The knock on him is obviously staying healthy. I think Linsley will be our long term answer there. Have no idea what Tretter's current deal is.
Doubtful. Why shop around a position where we have a good starter and a quality back up? Both are not breaking the bank so I see no point in it.
The reason you would seek a trade and get good value is that Tretter becomes an UFA next season and Linsley the season after that. Since your not going to re-sign both (one will be a big signing), you might as well get what you can for one of them in the off season. If Tretter continues to play well and Linsley already has a good track record as an experienced starter, TT could get a fairly high pick for one of them.
Both Lang and Sitton will need new deals after next season. Tretter is technically listed as C/G, so it's possible he has a future there. Short of a 3rd rounder or comparable player value, I'd say keep the depth for 2016 and see what's possible beyond.
It will be particularly interesting to watch because of all positions, Ted has shown to give the fewest amount of F's about starting Center.
The Ref fka Blair Kiel posted:
Looks like my 1976 prom date.....kinda
Did your tie start spinning and you airlifted your date to the prom?
5 years ago today Aaron Rodgers didn't board a flight to New England and we were all coming to grips that Green Bay was probably missing the playoffs again.
Is Aaron missing the flight to Oakland?
Daniels, Adams & Lang upgraded to PROBABLE for #GBvsOAK. #Packers injury updates: https://t.co/C4QEIbGVuR pic.twitter.com/y4p7AyhaOt
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 19, 2015
I'm frickin' bored! 
Hopefully the Jets/Cowboys will be enough to help me make through the night!
I don't think he gives a hoot...
Green Bay Packers Should we tell him the game's in Oakland?
Heading into Oakland for tomorrow's game. Are any other X4'ers coming to the game?
Psyched up. Hope the team is as well! To borrow a phrase: "it is time"