XLV Pool Report: Friday

Linebacker Erik Walden is listed as questionable for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Each Super Bowl participant is assigned a "pool reporter" who is allowed to observer practice and file a report. This year, Peter King is the pool reporter for the Steelers and Jim Trotter is the pool reporter for the Packers. Below is Trotter's practice report from today:

Friday, Feb. 4, 2011

Green Bay Packers practice pool report

By Jim Trotter

DALLAS, Texas- Coach Mike McCarthy called his Packers “loose but confident” Friday afternoon following their last on-field practice before Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers.

“We’ve had an opportunity to go over every situation twice for our game plan, so we’re ready to go,” he said before departing Highland Park High School’s 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 what’s in front of them. They believe in what they’ve seen on film. We respect Pittsburgh, but we feel that this is our time and Sunday will be our night.”

The Packers listed everyone but linebacker Erik Walden as probable for the game. Walden, who is recovering from an ankle sprain sustained two weeks ago in the NFC Championship Game at Chicago, will be listed as questionable.

“We’ll take Erik up the game and see what happens,” McCarthy said. “I have a good feel for what he can and cannot do. Sunday I’m going to trust him and the medical staff to make that call.”

Frank Zombo would start if Walden is unable to play or limited.

Wideout Donald Driver was held out of team drills for the second consecutive day because of a quadriceps strain, but he’s expected to play. Driver participated in the team’s jog-through early Friday morning and was part of the kickoff return's “hands” team during practice.

Green Bay took its team photo at Highland Park High shortly before starting the 47-minute workout. Everyone was in attendance, including the players who are on injured reserve.

Before starting practice, McCarthy followed Friday tradition by having an assistant coach address the team. This time it was linebackers coach (and former Steeler) Kevin Greene, who spoke for 5 minutes as the players encircled him in the middle of the synthetic turf field.

When he finished, each player raised a hand to form a human umbrella. They broke the huddle by yelling: “Pack”.

The practice, which focused on special teams and 11-on-11 team competition with noise pumped in through speakers, was roughly half the length of a normal Friday workout. McCarthy said it was by design because the team went longer than usual in their previous “Friday” workout in Green Bay (last Sunday). “I feel good about preparation,” he said. “I thought today was sharp.”

The Packers will conduct a final jog-through Saturday morning at their team hotel in Las Colinas.

0 points
 

Comments (11)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
aussiepacker's picture

February 04, 2011 at 06:45 pm

It would be a shame if Walden couldn't play he is a great story and has earnt his spot.

0 points
0
0
DAWG's picture

February 04, 2011 at 09:31 pm

YES-we need Walden big time.
Doing Lac-du-Flambue healing dance.
GO-PACK-GO

0 points
0
0
FITZCORE1252's picture

February 04, 2011 at 09:45 pm

What up Aussie? Is there a football game Sunday? I'm too busy thinking about tomorrow's stacked UFC card. Just kidding, but it is a great card, and I will be watching. You?

WHITEHOUSE ON THREE

0 points
0
0
aussiepacker's picture

February 05, 2011 at 06:31 am

Shit yeah bro, Good looking card, Jones v Bader should be insane. Still, ufc not my highlight of the weekend. Even though super bowl on at 10am monday morning over here I got myself a case of miller draught and some american hotdogs, My wife at work, my eldest daughter at school and my mum said she will look after my youngest daughter for the day so i will be havin me a packer party in my house.
GO PACK!

0 points
0
0
FITZCORE1252's picture

February 05, 2011 at 09:28 pm

Sounds like a good day. Enjoy it man!

0 points
0
0
DAWG's picture

February 04, 2011 at 09:22 pm

WE have to protect Arod----End of story!
OL better show up!
Game on!

0 points
0
0
FITZCORE1252's picture

February 04, 2011 at 09:43 pm

"We respect Pittsburgh, but we feel that this is our time and Sunday will be our night.”

Fuckin A

0 points
0
0
Norman's picture

February 04, 2011 at 10:01 pm

Absolutely love that quote from McCarthy!

0 points
0
0
Matt's picture

February 05, 2011 at 07:13 am

we need walden. i'd also like to see somethin outta zombo now that he's healthy.

0 points
0
0
Norman's picture

February 05, 2011 at 11:48 pm

Remember when we were all just excited at the possibility of Zombo making the team? Now we're counting on him and another undrafted free agent rookie (Shields) to be key contributors to a Super Bowl victory.

What a country! Ted is the man!

0 points
0
0
aussiepacker's picture

February 06, 2011 at 03:16 am

It has been a wild year man. If you said at the start of the year how many injuries we would have and which players and asked anyone how they think we will go, If anyone said superbowl you would of laughed at them.

0 points
0
0