Posted by Rob Demovsky January 25th, 2011, 2:00 pm
In the first of what is sure to be several mini controversies that take on lives of their own in advance of the Super Bowl, at least two Packers players on injured reserve have expressed disappointment that they wont be in the team picture that will be taken in Dallas during media day for Super Bowl XLV.
Through their twitter accounts, both linebacker Nick Barnett and tight end Jermichael Finley were bothered by the decision.
The problem is, theyre not the only two players on injured reserve. Had the Packers not had 15 players on injured reserve, things might have been handled differently.
But a Packers spokesman said: It was a team decision driven by the sheer number of players on IR. Our primary focus is to get the team ready to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Every decision we make is about trying to win a world championship.
There are logistical reasons that the injured reserve players wont be part of the team picture. The fact that the Packers are off-site means their medical/training facilites wont be as extensive as they are at team headquarters, where they can handle more injured players. So its probably in the best interest of the IR players to remain in Green Bay for as long as possible to continue their treatments.
The injured reserve players will join the team in Dallas on Thursday. Those players will be on the sideline during the game and will be entitled to all the benefits the rest of the players receive.
In a text message to the Press-Gazette, Barnett said: Well they dont want IR players down there till Thursday, but I have heard in the past other (teams) dont do that.
Earlier in the day, Barnett tweeted: Kinda sad. Found out basically IR guys can not be in team picture. .. Its kinda sad to think.. Just goes you injured yourself you not part
Finley tweeted: I never trip abt anything, but the way IR players are getting treated not cool.
Barnett, via twitter, later apologized if he caused any distraction: I was not trying to be a distraction nor was I downing the organization they have done so much for me over last 8 years.. Just saying I was Just saying I am sad that it worked out the way it did.. This game is bigger then my feelings and my body of work.. Its about One Goal!