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Does anybody know how long there going to be playing their starters? I see they're the only playoff team with nothing to play for that is favored. Just wondering if I'm missing something. The reason I want to know is because I'm in some high dollar season long straight up pools that I'm tied for first in one and second in another so this is a big week. I'm trying to decide if Detroit is worth taking straight up.
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The following was posted today on packernews.com:
Posted December 29, 2007
Insider: McCarthy takes prudent approach to meaningless game
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Good thing this game wasn't played on Monday, when Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy still was smarting over last Sunday's 35-7 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Had it been contested then, McCarthy might have made the foolish decision to risk putting his starters in harm's way just to get the rotten taste from that loss out of his mouth.
Wisely, McCarthy came to his senses later in the week and decided not to approach Sunday's meaningless regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions with a win-at-all-costs attitude. Though McCarthy wouldn't say exactly how much his starters will play against the Lions, he backed off his original statement that he planned on "playing to win the game" and instead will "be smart" with selected players. That's coach code for not playing guys who have been bothered by injuries — like defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (groin) and receiver Greg Jennings (ankle) — and taking out other key players, perhaps including quarterback Brett Favre, running back Ryan Grant and cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson.
There isn't enough depth on the 45-man game day roster for McCarthy to rest every starter, but it sounds like he will pick his spots to take guys out when he can.
Two weeks from now, when the Packers open the postseason with a home game in the divisional round, what happened in a meaningless game against the Lions won't matter a bit. What will matter is they're healthy.
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