[img_r]http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/packer/img/news/oct08/saaron03.jpg[/img_r]Green Bay - Aaron Rodgers' mind-set is to play. Always has been, probably always will be.
On Friday, Rodgers positioned himself to start for the Green Bay Packers Sunday when they play the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field.
Nursing a sprained shoulder, Rodgers went first with the No. 1 offense and took about a dozen snaps in the walk-through portion of practice. Then he walked indoors to throw before trainers and strength coaches as rookie Matt Flynn took the lions share of snaps in 11-on-11 practice.
The Packers listed Rodgers as questionable on their injury report. That means Rodgers has a 50-50 chance of playing, which considering the fact he didnt do anything in team drills all week sounds about right.
Im preparing to go either way, coach Mike McCarthy said. Frankly, you hand in the inactives at 10:30 (a.m. Sunday), and Im sure well make our decision close to then.
McCarthy said the strength in Rodgers right shoulder, damaged as he stretched the arm forward on a third-quarter scramble six days ago against Tampa Bay, was definitely improving.
I think how he feels tomorrow and see how he does Sunday before the game will be strong indicators, he said. Its been positive. Hes making progress.
Its quite possible that Rodgers, who is battling to make his fifth straight start as the successor to all-time iron man Brett Favre, will lobby hard to play.
He has a long history of having managed pain, beginning with his four seasons (2000-03) playing with a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament. He also has said he missed just one day of practice in 03 with a fractured index finger on his passing hand.
The strength is pretty much back, Rodgers said. The pain is potentially tolerable. Well see how it tests on Sunday. Im not going to guess.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which supplies odds to more than 90% of sports books in Nevada, finally made the decision Friday night to list the game. John Harper, an oddsmaker for the firm, said Green Bay was made a 4-point favorite.
Harper said he considered Rodgers as doubtful because of all the missed practice time.
Jason Been, one of the firms top two oddsmakers for National Football League games, said in this situation a healthy Rodgers would be worth four more points than Flynn.
Tom Brady is a 10-point difference. Maybe, Been said. Pretend Brett Favre was in that case, I could see seven or eight points in a spot like this. Rodgers is in the four to five-point range right now over Flynn. Thats pretty much an entry with (Brian) Brohm, too.
Its one of those weird games. In the NFL, almost always, no later than Wednesday, theres a number on the game. With Rodgers, the Packers played it close to the vest so we really couldnt act on it because theres that much of a difference.
We couldnt give our clients a number and make them liable. They could get hit on just one-sided action on that game. Were paid by them to give even lines so they get two-way action.
Wearing a knee brace during his final two seasons in high school, Rodgers said he learned how to handle pain and perform with restricted movement. Rodgers indicated that the Packers medical staff probably wouldnt give him the go-ahead if he was limited physically.
On Wednesday, Rodgers broached the idea of taking a pain-killing injection, something he said quarterback Trent Dilfer did to play through 10 shoulder dislocations during a 14-year career.
Its definitely a different situation not practicing all week, Rodgers said. I feel confident in the game plan, my film study and my preparation. I feel like I can execute the scheme. Its all about how I feel on Sunday.
Under coach Mike Smith and his defensive coordinator, Brian VanGorder, the Falcons play some Cover 2, which the Packers saw extensively in Week 2 against Detroit and then against Tampa Bay. They also play with cornerbacks in bump-and-run coverage in the quarters coverage scheme often used by Green Bay.
The Falcons clearly arent as difficult to prepare for as the Buccaneers were.
Theres real differences there in the complexities theyre going to show you before the snap, guard Daryn Colledge said. Its just probably a little easier mentally. But they make up for it in their ability to play football.
Atlanta has been relying on a four-man rush for its seven sacks, including six by defensive end John Abraham.
I dont think theyre a real blitz-heavy team but you never know, Flynn said. They could blitz a lot more this week than they have.
Flynn took seven fourth-quarter snaps in Tampa, threw two poor passes and failed to generate a first down.
I wasnt tentative, he said. It was just the first time in there. That was a tough situation to be in.
If he does start for the first time, Flynn said, Im going to have to be sharp and play the best game Ive ever played.
If Aaron goes, thats great for this team. But if he doesnt and I get an opportunity to go, Im going to do my best to not let there be a dropoff.