By Jim Trotter

Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers Practice Report - 2/4/2011
Super Bowl XLV

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.

Super Bowl XLV Capsules: Steelers vs Packers

 

Super Bowl XLV - Green Bay Packers Practice Report 2/4/2011 - Steelers vs Packers