The Packer Pundit

PACKERS' INJURY REPORT
OUT
DE Mike Montgomery (knee).

QUESTIONABLE
DT Justin Harrell (knee), RB Brandon Jackson (shin).

PROBABLE
LB Desmond Bishop (shoulder), T Chad Clifton (knee), WR Donald Driver (toe), QB Brett Favre (right finger), CB Al Harris (back), DE Cullen Jenkins (ribs), WR Greg Jennings (hamstring), RB Vernand Morency (knee), DT Daniel Muir (ribs), C Scott Wells (hamstring), DT Corey Williams (knee), CB Charles Woodson (foot).

VIKINGS' INJURY REPORT
QUESTIONABLE
QB Tarvaris Jackson (groin).

PROBABLE
RB Tony Richardson (forearm), S Dwight Smith (hamstring), RB Chester Taylor (hip), WR Troy Williamson (hamstring).

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
THEY MEET AGAIN: Last year, Vikings RT Ryan Cook was making the second start of his rookie season in Week 15 at Lambeau Field. Cook allowed a pair of sacks to Aaron Kampman on bull rushes, a flush to Corey Williams that turned into a sack by Kampman, a knockdown to Kampman and two pressures to Kampman. Somewhat surprisingly, the Vikings came back with Cook as their starter in 2007 even though he played nothing but center at New Mexico. "I never was a Cook guy," an executive in personnel for a recent Vikings opponent said. "He's not real strong and not a very quick guy. We all thought we'd kill him." Cook, a second-round draft choice, is coming off a rough game in Kansas City. His backup, Marcus Johnson, started 10 games at RT last season before being benched. "Cook is definitely the weak link," another scout said. "I would say foot quickness is his biggest weakness."

TOP TRIO: In 2006, three NFC North teams drafted weak-side linebackers high in the first round. Green Bay took A.J. Hawk with the No. 5 pick, Detroit took Ernie Sims with the No. 9 pick and Minnesota took Chad Greenway with the No. 17 pick. Greenway could only watch Hawk and Sims last year after blowing out his knee in the exhibition opener. Greenway was handed the job in the off-season and leads the team in tackles with 33. "He's still green and raw because he didn't get to play last year," one scout said. "He can run. He's not a real playing-strength guy. For a guy who grew up on a farm (in Mount Vernon, Iowa) moving hay bales and should be naturally strong, he wasn't. He's not a big take-on-and-shed guy. He needs to run around blocks."

FIRST TIME: Kelly Holcomb, who is expected to make his second straight start at quarterback for injured Tarvaris Jackson, has played 22 of 39 games since entering the league as a free agent in 1995. His only appearance against Green Bay was a brief one for Cleveland in 2001 at Lambeau Field. He didn't attempt a pass. "He's smart and plays within himself," one scout said. "Jackson is definitely more mobile. You probably can throw more (of the playbook) at Kelly right now. He's not an avoid guy. He's a pocket guy. His arm is probably average, like (Jon) Kitna's. Real smart, try-hard, great effort competitor. Not quite as good as Kitna." Holcomb has 37 touchdown passes and 37 interceptions. In '05, he started eight games for Buffalo and posted a passer rating of 85.6.

RAVES FOR THE ROOKIE: The Vikings were ecstatic when RB Adrian Peterson lasted until their selection with the No. 7 pick. So far, he has been tremendous. "Stud," one scout said. "Great pick. He runs high but he's hard to bring down. He's got moves and an extra gear. He's big and fast. He's a man." With his upright style of running Peterson takes a lot of hard shots. At this point, he's healthy. "He does run upright but he's extremely strong," an opposing defensive assistant said. "I was really impressed how strong he was. He's going to take more punishment because of the upright posture. Good receiver, too. As a rookie, you're always struggling picking up blitzes. But the willingness to put your face on somebody ... there's no problem with that."

PRESSURE FROM PAT: Last November at the Metrodome, NT Pat Williams turned in an awesome performance, accounting for eight of the Packers' 11 rushes for 1 yard or less. He beat Daryn Colledge and Scott Wells with quickness and strength. In the Week 15 rematch, the Packers ran inside more than they did all season despite Williams' presence and weren't annihilated. Wells actually outmuscled the bigger man as he tired down the stretch. "When he's not tired he can create a lot of havoc inside," an offensive assistant for a recent Vikings' foe said. "You can wear him out a little bit. Their front is real active. They're up the field, attack the line of scrimmage guys. They're not sitting back and reading. They get on people really fast and stop their charge off the ball and get rid of the blockers real fast. They're one of the better fronts in the league."

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