Packers may play Saturday
Likely scenario puts team in 7 p.m. game
By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Jan. 1, 2010
Green Bay The Green Bay Packers expect to play their playoff opener on the first day of wild-card weekend.
"Yes, I think we have a high probability of playing on Saturday," coach Mike McCarthy said Friday.
One NFC and one AFC game will be played next Saturday, and one NFC and one AFC game will be played next Sunday. Kickoff times are 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Jan. 9, noon and 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 10.
As best the Packers can determine, they probably will be playing the late game next Saturday if not next Sunday. Dates and times will be announced Sunday night.
The Packers are expected to return shortly after midnight following their regular-season finale Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz.
"We're looking ahead to potentially being on a six-day work week," said McCarthy. "Today was more of an opportunity to review everything that's been in and giving the players a chance to get their legs back. We had a longer padded practice than normal Thursday and had everything in."
The Packers shortened practice Friday by about half an hour.
Vague finale: The Minnesota-New York Giants game will be finished by the start of the Packers-Cardinals game. If the Vikings win, Arizona cannot gain a first-round bye. If the Vikings lose, Arizona can gain a bye.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt seems prepared to play to win if the Vikings lose. If they win, he seems ready to play it like an exhibition game because the Cardinals see little difference in being seeded third or fourth.
"We'll obviously make some decisions based on how the Minnesota-Giants game goes," Whisenhunt said Friday. "Not only with the health of our players but certain other players. You do have to be smart in this game and make sure you err to the side of having a healthy team for the playoff game."
Of the Packers' eight playoff options, six have them playing Arizona, one has them playing Dallas and one has them playing Minnesota.
McCarthy didn't disclose whether he intends to withhold healthy starters as well as slightly injured starters. Judged from the responses of several players, the coach might have succeeded in making them think the Packers are going all-out.
"Oh, he's going to play," said cornerback Josh Bell, referring to Charles Woodson. "We want to win the game. If you don't have the defensive player of the year there, you're not giving yourself a chance to win the game."
Injury list: Linebacker Brandon Chillar (back) and nose tackle Ryan Pickett (hamstring) didn't practice all week and won't play.
Fullback John Kuhn will replace Korey Hall, who is hoping that his sprained elbow will enable him to play next weekend.
Defensive end Michael Montgomery (ankle) didn't do much in practice all week and is questionable. In a game like this, Montgomery might be counted on to play 40 or more snaps.
Arizona's biggest question mark is free safety Antrel Rolle (thigh), who sat out all week but wasn't ruled out by Whisenhunt. Kicker Neil Rackers (groin) is ready to go.
Good group: Coordinator Dom Capers fervently hopes that the six-man corps of defensive assistants returns intact in 2010.
"One of the things you realize when you've been a head coach and put together staffs is when you have a good staff," Capers said. "This staff is extremely cohesive. Nobody cares who gets credit for anything. Everybody does their job. I think they have a good relationship with the players."
On the mend: Cornerback Al Harris had reconstructive knee surgery Nov. 30, four days before linebacker Aaron Kampman had his. Both were injured Nov. 22 against San Francisco.
"They've been coming in and doing all the rehab," said Capers. "But they haven't been in meetings."
Seeing time: Brady Poppinga probably will continue playing some snaps at left outside linebacker in relief of Brad Jones.
"It always depends how fresh guys are," Capers said. "Brady's role is important to us. Special teams and being able to play either side. We brought 'Obie' (Cyril Obiozor) up from the practice squad, but he's not ready for prime time yet.
"I'm happy where Brad is. With an off-season he's going to get bigger and stronger.
"Brady plays the run pretty darn good. He's got that tough mentality where he'll stick his head in there and attack anything that moves."