Season Finale - Queens Lead up

[MickeyDavis]

I still think they sit him

[MickeyDavis]

Randall Cobb was back at practice on Friday, participating in limited fashion throughout various drills during the portion open to media.

Cobb, who left Sunday’s game with ankle and knee injuries, seemed to be cutting fine in both his routes and the individual work he did off to the side, as well.


The Packers still were without running back James Starks (knee) and cornerback Davon House (shoulder) once again while defensive back Charles Woodson (collarbone) continued to do some scout team work while he waits to be cleared by team doctors.


Right guard Josh Sitton (concussion) was also back taking part in team drills.


Packers coach Mike McCarthy will be speaking to the media at approximately 12:30 p.m. with injury statuses and updates for Sunday’s regular-season finale against Minnesota.

[MickeyDavis]

This week, we catch up with Dan Wiederer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune again. Wiederer says Adrian Peterson "has to be the MVP," discusses Christian Ponder's "ordinary" play these last three weeks and breaks down Leslie Frazier's coaching style:

Q: Last week, you wrote an in-depth story on Adrian Peterson's remarkable season. Do you consider this one of the best years ever for a running back?

Wiederer: "How can you not? It’s been less than a year since Peterson hopped onto an operating table in Alabama to have surgery on his torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. And here he is with a legitimate chance of breaking the single-season rushing record – a mark that’s been in place his entire life. Not only that, but Peterson has delivered this ridiculous surge in a season during which the Vikings’ passing attack has been a disaster. Defenses have the simplest game plans possible against Minnesota. Load up the box with eight and nine defenders, use single coverage and one deep safety against the receivers and aim all the ammo at Peterson. And yet Adrian has been on a tear like none we’ve ever seen. Before Houston held him to 86 yards last week, Peterson had been over 100 yards in eight consecutive games, averaging 164 yards per contest and 7.5 yards per carry during that surge. That’s just ridiculous. The guy has to be the MVP.

"A 2,000-yard season is a foregone conclusion. Now comes the chase of Dickerson."

Q: How has Christian Ponder been playing since his two-pick game at Lambeau Field?

Wiederer: "Ordinary, I’d say. Since leaving Lambeau Field, he’s only thrown for 396 yards total in three games. But he has avoided those fatal mistakes like the two interceptions that cost the Vikings in Green Bay. Ponder’s pocket presence was all sorts of messed up against the Packers four weeks ago. But the coaching staff has gone back to polish up his fundamentals and to remind him to stay in the pocket, to go through his reads and to use his mobility when absolutely necessary. They’ve also reminded him that turnovers like the ones in Green Bay are killer. And so in the last three games, Ponder has only thrown one interception. And that was a decent decision against the Bears in Week 14, just a poorly thrown deep ball as Ponder tried to launch off his back foot.

"Most notably over the past three weeks, the Vikings have scored touchdowns on their opening possession in every game. And they’ve never trailed again after that. On those opening drives, Ponder is 7-for-7 for 111 yards with a TD toss and a TD run. The Vikings realize they are a much better team when protecting a lead than when put in a predicament of trying to rally behind. So getting the lead on the first drive and protecting it the rest of the way is a big, big deal. And Ponder’s assertiveness on those opening drives has been impressive.

"In St. Louis, for example, he had two key runs, converting a fourth-and-1 with a scramble and then scoring after escaping a Robert Quinn sack attempt. In Houston on the opening series he had completions of 27 yards to Kyle Rudolph and 32 to Michael Jenkins to spark the drive."

Q: Defenses that maintain pressure with their front four have given Green Bay problems at times. Can the Vikings do this?

Wiederer: "That’s the plan. It’s the only way to go against Rodgers.

"Defensive coordinator Alan Williams understands that and continues to talk this week about keeping the top on the defense. Which is to say, there will be a lot of coverage with two deep safeties and a directive to take away the big play. So then it’s up to the d-line to take advantage of match-ups against a Green Bay o-line that is inferior on paper. Jared Allen got a Pro Bowl nod this week, even though that was more on reputation than 2012 production. But the Vikings need him to be a nuisance Sunday. Their left end, Brian Robison, is still dealing with a sprained right shoulder. He may not play. And if he does, he may be limited. So that leaves Everson Griffen to continue what has been a breakout season. Then comes the need for tackles Kevin Williams, Letroy Guion and Fred Evans to get some push as well.

Q: How effective do you think Antoine Winfield will be with his injury --- and what's the state of Minnesota's secondary?

Wiederer: "Winfield broke a bone in his right hand early in the Houston game last week and played the rest of the way with the injury. The fracture wasn’t revealed until Monday morning. So I don’t think it will limit him very much. This guy’s a true pro, a real gamer. And as the oldest Viking, he understands that high-stakes big games like this one don’t come around very often. As far as the state of the secondary as a whole, the Vikings got cornerback Chris Cook back last weekend. Cook had been on I.R. since Week 9 with a broken bone near his right wrist. But he’s back in the starting lineup. And even though he may still share reps with A.J. Jefferson as his conditioning comes back, Cook’s presence is a big deal for the defense. He’s a big-bodied but quick corner who was really coming on strong before the injury.

"As far as safeties go, I can’t say enough about Harrison Smith. He’s a right-place, right-time playmaker and his addition this season has been huge in the improvements of the defense as a whole. He plays with an edge, delivers big hits. And for a big safety, he moves really well and is rarely out of position. Last week, he had two tackles that won’t make the highlight reel but were game changing. His hustle took down Texans receiver Kevin Walter at the 1 about a half-second before Walter could extend the ball over the goal line for a TD that would have pulled Houston within 16-13. The Vikings defense then delivered a goal line stand and held the Texans to a field goal.

"A few drives later, Smith had another stop a foot short of the sticks on third down that forced a Houston punt. All season long, it’s been little contributions like that that have paid big dividends. Oh, and he also has two pick sixes, both providing the insurance score for the Vikings in 21-14 home wins over Arizona and Chicago."

Q: Is there anybody at wide receiver the Packers should be concerned about?

Wiederer: "Not really. Without Percy Harvin, this is the most ordinary group of receivers in the NFL. Jerome Simpson, hindered by a weird back injury since October, has been a major disappointment this season. But he is coming off a four-catch, 32-yard game in Houston, an effort the Vikings would love to replicate.

"Also keep an eye on Jarius Wright, who had a five-catch, 53-yard day against the Texans, added an 8-yard end around and has really come on since supplanting Harvin six games ago."

Q: How has Leslie Frazier kept this team even-keeled? Just a few weeks ago, they seemed dead to rights.

Wiederer: "Can’t say enough about Frazier as a leader. He’s steady, he’s consistent. He keeps this team balanced and focused in a roller coaster league that can have so many manic or discouraging moments. From the get-go, Frazier has set clear-cut expectations and found a way of getting his team to both see the big picture while focusing on that given week’s micro-details.

"He communicates well with his leaders, who then communicate well with the locker room. He understands the team’s identity and strengths. He has a vision for his team, wanting smart, tough, disciplined football players. Team guys too. With the aid of the front office, that kind of roster has been assembled.

"Without question, Frazier’s biggest flaw is his clock management. The Vikings have been a disaster in the final 2 minutes before halftime most of the season. But that’s a small price to pay for a head coach who has taken a team with low expectations, tripled their win total from 2011 and put them in position to earn an unlikely playoff berth. He asked for an investment from players back in the spring. He told them to ignore outside expectations heading into training camp and they listened. He kept them together through a midseason funk in which they lost four of five. And since leaving Lambeau four weeks ago, he’s led them to convincing and dominant victories over the Bears, Rams and Texans.

"His final contract year is 2013. But expect an extension to come very soon."

[MickeyDavis]

Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media on Friday after his team’s final practice before Sunday’s game against Minnesota. Here are some highlights from his news conference:

-Running back James Starks (knee, out) and cornerback Davon House (shoulder, doubtful) didn’t practice on Friday. Wide receiver Randall Cobb (ankle, knee) was limited and is questionable to play on Sunday.


-Randall Cobb practiced in a limited fashion today. He was able to go through his workout. He took some returns and took some practice reps.


-I think that’s a question for Sunday. We’re in part of the game-planning aspect of it. A very good player as far as returner, offensive player. We’ll let Sunday answer that question.


-We break down the start of every game. It’s part of our evaluation.


-Mike Neal is having a heck of a year. To fight through the shoulder injury, he had the setback with the suspension.


-We haven’t had a padded practice in a number of weeks, but yesterday’s padded practice is actually as spirited as we’ve had for the past month.


-Davon House has shoulder and hip. It’s just not progressing as we’d all hope. We’ll see where he is tomorrow.


-I feel good about Jordy Nelson. He had a good week of work. I have no reason not to believe he’ll be ready to go Sunday.


-Our receiving group is our primary strength of the group. The fact they all can play those spots helps immensely in game-planning. It’s a big part of how we approach games and install offense.

[eagle13]

Packers 24
Vikings 17

Rodgers = 220yds / 2 TDs / 1 Int / 3 sacks
Ponder = 130 yds / 1 TD / 2 Int / 2 sacks

Packer rushing = 135 yds / 1 TD
Peterson = 185 yds / 1 TD

[paulpressey25]

The term "Hail Mary" pass was born with this Staubach TD with time running out against the Vikings in the playoffs.

This short clip was the only one I could find that shows the ref down on the field after the Vikings fan tossed the whiskey bottle at the refs head after the play.

Vikings have lost a ton of playoff games on the final play.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpfRZaWgavg[/youtube]

[MickeyDavis]

[MickeyDavis]

[Godgers]

Im getting worried about the Giants.

Packers vs Vikings - Packers easily win.
Bears vs Lions - My gut says the Lions upset the Bears
Cowboys vs Redskins - Redskins win
Giants vs Eagles - Giants win

[trwi7]

I don't think the Packers will easily win. The Vikings have much more to play for so we'll get their best shot.

And even if the Giants do make the playoffs, the only way the Packers would face them is in the NFC Championship if both make it that far.

[mnWI]

So, Mike Neal is second on the team in sacks in 9 games and has been playing through injuries as well. He has seemed to be getting better each week. Nice to see signs of him being the player that many thought he'd be a few years ago.

[humanrefutation]

It's kind of crazy that we went from having the worst pass rush in the league last year to having one of the best. We're 3rd in sacks overall, and that's startling when we have one guy with 12 sacks and the closest is Neal with 4.5 sacks. I have to give some credit to Capers. He's getting a lot of different guys in the right places to bring pressure. That's scheme.

[UWM_Brew_Buck]

It's kind of crazy that we went from having the worst pass rush in the league last year to having one of the best. We're 3rd in sacks overall, and that's startling when we have one guy with 12 sacks and the closest is Neal with 4.5 sacks. I have to give some credit to Capers. He's getting a lot of different guys in the right places to bring pressure. That's scheme.

Crazy to think that most of thought and I think rightly so that not resigning Jenkins what a big mistake last year. He hasn't really been missed this year.

[chuckleslove]

Not to mention our clear cut best pass rusher missed a lot of games, we were #1 before he went down in sacks.

[FAH1223]

Last year was just a strange year. Defenses all over struggled in the early part of the year post lockout and a lot of guys producing now got the benefit of a full offseason.

I didn't expect Shields to play better than his 2010 self or Hayward to be this lockdown though. I had a feeling the pass rush would come back though.

[raysbookclub]

glad and sort of surprised by the pass rush, but you'd hope it would turn out this way when you spend 3 of your first 4 picks on pass rushers. btw, if Perry turns out to be a good or better than good player, what a draft for the defense. along with those first 4 picks, mcmillian and manning who might be solid players down the line. and moses undrafted.

[Newz]

I lost a bet at a bar last night and had to wear a Vikings hat for about five minutes.

Worst five minutes ever.

[Bucksfans1and2]

I didn't expect Shields to play better than his 2010 self or Hayward to be this lockdown though. I had a feeling the pass rush would come back though.

I have a feeling that the latter has a lot to do with the former.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Can't wait to lock up the 2 seed and crush the Vikings' playoff hopes.