DALLAS Mike McCarthys confidence has not changed one iota. The Green Bay Packers coach wrapped up the teams final practice in advance of Super Bowl XLV on Friday feeling just as good about his club as he did when the teams charter flight left Green Bay four days ago.
Weve had an opportunity to go over every situation twice for our game plan, so were ready to go, McCarthy told the NFC pool reporter, Sports Illustrateds Jim Trotter, before departing Highland Park High Schools indoor practice facility. The one thing you want to see in your football team is that the players have maintained confidence throughout the process. Our guys have done that. They totally believe whats in front of them. They believe in what theyve seen on film.
We respect Pittsburgh, but we feel that this is our time. And Sunday will be our night.
If it is, the Packers will likely do it without right outside linebacker Erik Walden, who had a setback with the sprained ankle he suffered in the Jan. 23 NFC Championship Game in Chicago. Walden did not participate in any meaningful way in practice and is listed as questionable. Rookie Frank Zombo, who started eight games before a Dec. 12 knee injury at Detroit, would regain his starting role. He hasnt played since spraining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against the Lions.
Well take Erik up the game and see what happens, McCarthy said. I have a good feel for what he can and cannot do. Sunday Im going to trust him and the medical staff to make that call.
Zombo, LT Chad Clifton (knees), C Jason Spitz (calf) and WR Donald Driver (quadriceps) are all listed as probable.
Driver tweaked his quad in practice on Wednesday and was held out of practice on Thursday. On Friday, McCarthy limited Driver to only the jogthrough, but said he did so only as a precaution and that he cannot imagine the 12-year NFL vet missing his first Super Bowl.
I would be shocked if Donald Driver does not play Sunday. He would practice today if I would let him, McCarthy said at the final coaches press conference Friday morning. He tweaked it in Wednesdays practice, and frankly I just do not want to take any chances at this point. So I will hold Donald from practice again today. Donalds played a lot of football, he knows the offense, hes had a whole week of preparation with the plan last week, so this is clearly just being safe with him.
The Packers will conduct a final jog-through Saturday morning at their team hotel in Las Colinas.
And, of course, there was one other bit of news: The Packers took their much-anticipated team photo at Highland Park shortly before starting practice. Everyone was in attendance, including the injured-reserve players.
The big news from the Steelers hardly was news at all: Pro Bowl rookie center Maurkice Pouncey, as expected, has been ruled out of Super Bowl XLV after missing his third straight day of practice this week following the high ankle sprain and leg fracture he suffered in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets.
Obviously hes a quality player, and how it affects the game, no one knows, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told Sports Illustrateds Peter King, the AFC pool reporter, after the teams final practice at TCU in Fort Worth. But as far as what we do, we have a plan, and that wont change.
With Pouncey out, Doug Legursky will start in his place. Legursky, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Marshall in 2008, has started four games in the NFL, but all at guard. Hell make his first NFL start at center in Super Bowl XLV.
The NFL is made up of lots of players like him guys who somehow got an opportunity and seized it, Tomlin said. Were completely confident that he will seize this opportunity and play well. Thats why were not changing what we do.
The Steelers also ruled defensive end Aaron Smith out for the game. Smith has been out since Oct. 24 with a torn triceps, although the Steelers held off on putting him on injured reserve in hopes of him being back sometime in the postseason. That didnt happen.
Weve had a very good practice week, very normal, said Tomlin. Were lucky to have guys who just love football and love one another. Its a special group.
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