The proof will be in the play on Sunday, but Head Coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday his team has put in its best week of preparation thus far in 2006, and the team "can't wait to get going" to Detroit.
"I think we've finally put together three good practices," McCarthy said. "I thought today was exceptionally sharp. We were off the field close to 16 minutes early. No penalties, it was a very sharp, brisk practice today. I think it really finalized a very solid week of work to this point."
Two of the key areas emphasized in practice this week were the cut-blocking by the offensive linemen and the elimination of big plays allowed by the defense. One thing the Packers can't have as they attempt to turn around their slow start is seeing the same shortcomings crop up week after week.
"We need to get better, we're always working to get better," McCarthy said. "But to this point it's been our best week, and we need to carry it over to the football game now."
Injury update - Green questionable
Running back Ahman Green was added to the injury report as questionable with a hamstring problem, which flared up on him at the end of Thursday's practice.
Green was very limited in practice on Friday, and McCarthy said he'd know more about his status as the weekend progresses.
If he isn't able to play, newcomer Vernand Morency is ready to step into the offense, with Noah Herron also available, McCarthy said.
Tight end David Martin (knee) returned to practice Thursday and Friday, while cornerback Al Harris practiced all three days this week, so both are expected to play.
Colledge to start again
With rookie Jason Spitz missing another full week of practice because of a bruised thigh, fellow rookie Daryn Colledge will get his second consecutive start at left guard.
"Each time I get a chance to go out there and run around and play with these guys I'm going to be more and more comfortable and more confident in my own ability," Colledge said. "Hopefully I can play better than I did last week and just keep improving."
After Colledge's first NFL start last week, McCarthy said he played "OK," an assessment Colledge agreed with but would like to change after this week.
"They told me I made some good plays and did some good things, but there's also some stuff I did that needs to be corrected and can't happen every week," Colledge said. "They just want me to be a consistent guy, a guy that contributes to this team every down and not somebody t hey have to worry about."
Rare homecoming
Sunday's game in Detroit will mark just the second time in his nine-year NFL career that Charles Woodson will play a game in the state of Michigan. Woodson was a star at the University of Michigan and won the Heisman Trophy in 1997.
The only other time Woodson played as a pro in Detroit came on Nov. 2, 2003, when the Raiders lost to the Lions, 23-13. He had a rather uneventful game, recording two tackles.
"There will be a lot of people there who watched my career while I was there at Michigan," he said. "It's always a chance for some of those people to see me play who haven't seen me play for a long time."
An Ohio native, Woodson said his mother will be in attendance at Sunday's game. He's looking forward to that, not having seen his mother since the season started.
