Packers Daily Links: Big Names On Falcons Injury Report

Defensive end John Abraham and wide receiver Roddy White appear on the Falcons injury report. That and more in today's Daily Links...

When the Atlanta Falcons came out with their injury report on Friday, some of the biggest names on the team were listed as "questionable." Defensive end John Abraham and wide receiver Roddy White, both of them Pro Bowlers, lead the list. However... "Questionable means there’s a 50 percent chance the player will not play but nobody believes the six players listed as questionable — all key starters — will not be in the lineup," according to the Sports Xchange.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers has claimed his defensive line is the biggest in the NFL. "[Ryan] Pickett is sure there is no other team in the NFL with a meatier line, especially not this year, when they moved Pickett, who used to play nose, over to end, and promoted Green to starter while Jenkins was out with a calf injury," writes Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It's easy to believe. When Green, Pickett and Raji form the 3-4 base defensive line, that's a lot of heft.

In another article about superlatives, Nickel also finds out that the Packers secondary is filled with some really fast players. "These speedy defensive backs are rarely, if ever, concerned about the breakaway speed of an opposing receiver and they certainly have faced fast ones," writes Nickel. "Collins and Williams named Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson, Minnesota's Percy Harvin and Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace as receivers with exceptional speed, but still not matchup concerns in terms of footraces." Not even mentioned is Jarrett Bush who was a fantastic hurdler at Utah State and ranks as one of the fastest players on the team.

Defensive players on the Packers are showing awareness of the NFL's crackdown on illegal hits. "Green Bay's coaches and players don't think officials, and those reviewing hits, will let up for the playoffs," reports Nickel. Safeties coach Darren Perry even admitted Nick Collins thought about where to place his head on last week's hit on Philadelphia tight end Brent Celek. Perry said it was "not right" that Collins had to think about where to place his head, but I disagree. It was a clean hit that didn't result in a penalty or a fine. What's not to like about that? If Collins' thinking prevents him from making a tackle, then there's a problem.

Some Xs and Os come courtesy of Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel who says the Packers have to do better defending the run this time around vs. the Falcons. "What’s key in the Packers playing it better is that the defensive linemen keep their shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and don’t try to get upfield and be a hero," writes Silverstein. "Once one guy goes upfield, it opens up a huge gap in the line." The linebackers have to clean up on Atlanta running backs, something they weren't always able to do in the first meeting.

Former Saints and Colts coach Jim Mora was interviewed by Green Bay Press-Gazette reporter Rob Demovsky in a feature about Dom Capers. “He’s done an outstanding job,” Mora said of Capers. “I think about it all the time as I watch these guys play. With all the injuries, he’s done a superb job. I don’t know if any defensive coordinator in the National Football League has done any better job than Dom has under the circumstances.” Most Packers fans would say he's preaching to the choir.

Mike McCarthy is speaking his mind and making a transformation of sorts, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "This son of a Pittsburgh firefighter and barkeep doesn't seem to care anymore about the canons typically associated with being an NFL head coach," writes McGinn (subscription required). "One Michael John McCarthy has become a changed dude right before our eyes." McCarthy is definitely becoming more confident. That's becoming evident in his press conferences, as McGinn points out. He's now faced with turning the corner and taking his teams from merely good to great.

James Starks shows long-term potential, says Pete Dougherty in a column the Press-Gazette. "Starks’ performance in a small sample of playing time doesn’t eliminate the need at running back in the draft, but it definitely reduces it," writes Dougherty. "Because of the short shelf life and value of quality depth at that brutalized position, the Packers still should take a shot in the draft if possible. They still don’t know if Starks is pretty good, or something more." I tend to think it depends a lot on if Brandon Jackson comes back as a third-down back or not. Unless the Packers get an elite, can't miss running back, I could definitely see a draft choice being wasted on a running back next season as that player is behind Starks, Ryan Grant, Jackson and even John Kuhn on the depth chart.

The value of the Green Bay Packers as a brand image is highlighted by Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel.

The presence of Packers fans in Atlanta is documented by Bill Glauber of the Journal Sentinel.

Tramon Williams has a challenge in front of him this weekend says Jim Polzin of the Wisconsin State Journal.

A.J. Hawk and Daryn Colledge are given attention by Packer Update.

The Packers and the Falcons are looked at from a statistical standpoint.

Listen to the Ol' Bag of Donuts podcast as they get ready for the Falcons game.

The Packers-Falcons matchup is broken down at AllGreenBayPackers.com and BrentFavre.com.

The Packer Ranter brings their unique brand of humor once again.

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Comments (7)

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Jersey Al's picture

January 15, 2011 at 10:53 am

""What’s key in the Packers playing it better is that the defensive linemen keep their shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and don’t try to get upfield and be a hero," writes Silverstein. "Once one guy goes upfield, it opens up a huge gap in the line." The linebackers have to clean up on Atlanta running backs, something they weren't always able to do in the first meeting."

I have 2 words for you: AJ Hawk. After watching again, I can tell you he was manhandled by fullbacks, tight ends, pulling guards, you name it, last time. Was going to do a film study article on this but time did not allow.

He gets turned around at the point of the block and loses all sight of the ball carrier. he has to be better this game.

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PkrNboro's picture

January 15, 2011 at 02:33 pm

It seems like Hawk is prone to macho confrontations. Rather than shed/dip-shoulder-and-avoid the blocker -- he goes straight at the guy. For an opponent oLineman it must be a dream come true: blocking practice against someone 50 pounds lighter. By the time Hawk disengages, the runner has gained a handful of yards. He plays like a young buck against a herd's bull -- "A" for courage, "F" for smarts.

Another Hawk trait is his "clam-shell" tackle, where he bear-hugs an opponents upper torso. This technique yields considerable yardage after contact.

I'm not sure if either of these qualities is worth $10 mil next year...

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jeremy's picture

January 15, 2011 at 11:14 am

I welcome the change in McCarthy. Instead of mumbling about pad level (something his assistants should be handling) he is taking charge of the attitude and focus of his team. His new found swagger suits him as long is it does not get out of control al la Rex Ryan.

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Tarynfor 12's picture

January 15, 2011 at 11:15 am

My fear is that get to consumed in stripping the ball while getting a piggy back ride for 5-10 extra yds.
The Falcons don't turn it over,so get the tackles and eliminate the extra plays to continue a drive and force the 3rd and long pass calls.
The defense has much better odds of creating 3 and outs than ball stripping,which more than likely will not happen and then the defense is gassed more so from a longer no-huddle of the Falcons.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

January 15, 2011 at 01:18 pm

My sources 8-) lead me to believe the only Falcon with a chance to miss the game is the nickel back.

GBP 4 LIFE

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cow42's picture

January 15, 2011 at 02:51 pm

Injury reports are dumb.
They must be for betting purposes... am I right?

Why should a team have to put an injury "label" on a player?
Just seems silly.

Might as well make teams exchange game plans a couple days beforehand too.

Stupid (unless I'm missing something).

Oh - and all those dudes are gonna play. Who's kidding who here?

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Jim's picture

January 15, 2011 at 05:44 pm

Just saw Lombardi play last night, great stuff. Got me pumped, can't wait. Somehow I was the only one in the theater with a Jersey on. WTF!? Maybe I have no "class" but F it.
GO PACK!

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