Packer Report: Mike McCarthy Not Giving Up On Season

The Green Bay Packers might be mathematically eliminated from extending their 2008 season past their scheduled 16 games, but that won't stop Packers coach Mike McCarthy from trying to win the remaining two left on that schedule.

"Our approach will be to beat Chicago," McCarthy said. "I'm not going to change the personnel or make roster moves to use this as a development game."

Finishing the season out strong with this group of Packers should be a priority for McCarthy. If his first season with the Packers taught McCarthy anything, it's that a strong finish can linger over into the following season.

Such happened in 2006 when the Packers won four in a row, including a win over the Bears, to finish their season 8-8. The next season, Green Bay got off to a 4-0 start in route to a 13-3 season and a berth in the NFC Championship game.

It's also the right thing for McCarthy to do, considering Chicago is a rivalry game and is still in the playoff hunt. To use the game as only a developmental game would be detrimental to the both the rivalry and playoff process, and could send the wrong signals to the Minnesota Vikings.

Because Green Bay is the youngest team in the NFL, the game will serve as a developmental game anyway. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still in his first season as starter, so any game action against a potential playoff team will help in his progression. In addition, the Packers finale against the Lions should help Rodgers build confidence going into the offseason.

"Our full intentions this week will be to prepare to beat the Chicago Bears, to play the players that give us the best chance to win the game, and put them in position to win the game," McCarthy said.

For the Packers sake, let's hope McCarthy can pull off another 2006-2007 turnaround—starting with a late season win over the Chicago Bears.

Two Packers Named Pro Bowlers

Packers' safety Nick Collins and cornerback Charles Woodson were named NFC Pro Bowl starters on Tuesday. Receiver Greg Jennings was named a first alternate, and cornerback Al Harris and defensive end Aaron Kampman were named alternates as well.

Collins leads all NFC safeties in interceptions (five) and touchdowns (three), and will be making his first ever trip to the Pro Bowl. The third-year safety also was second on the team in tackles with 93 and third in pass defensed with 11.

Woodson will be making his fifth visit to Honolulu, but first with the Packers. Woodson also had five interceptions—returning two for touchdowns—and established a new career high with three sacks. It will be Woodson's first trip to the Pro Bowl since 2001 with the Oakland Raiders.

On a side note, former Packers and current Jets quarterback Brett Favre was also named to the AFC squad as a backup. He was selected over Phillip Rivers and Chad Pennington.

Grant Goes Over 1,000 Yards

One season after Ryan Grant came so tantalizingly close to 1,000 yards, the Packers running back finally went over the threshold last Sunday in Jacksonville. With his 56 rushing yards he accumulated, Grant now has 1,036 yards this season.

"As a whole, (the milestone) means something to the team," Grant said. "But for me, not really."

Grant signed a new four-year contract this offseason after holding out during training camp.

Driver Needs Two Solid Games To Continue Streak

Packers receiver Donald Driver has four straight seasons with 1,000 yards receiving, but he will need an average of 81 yards for the next two games to reach that milestone this season.

That average seems feasible seeing as the Packers play two of leagues' more porous pass defenses—Chicago and Detroit—in their last two contests.

As McCarthy has stated, Driver will be playing—there are no plans to sit any starters in favor of younger players—and he has turned into one of Rodgers' go-to-receivers in the second half of the season.

Packers Sign Punter To Practice Squad

Packers General Manager Ted Thompson announced Tuesday that Green Bay has signed punter Durant Brooks to the practice squad and released running back Steve Korte.

Brooks is a rookie from Georgia Tech and was released by the Washington Redskins earlier this season. Brooks, as a senior, was awarded the Ray Guy Award for best collegiate punter.

Brooks will be brought in to challenge Jeremy Kapinos in the offseason for the punting duties in 2009.

Injury Report

Chad Clifton hurt both his thumbs Sunday, but will be ready to play Monday night. Tory Humphrey suffered a concussion, but he also seems ready to play.

Finally, Brandon Jackson sprained his wrist, and he will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis leading up towards the Chicago matchup.